a fascinating read because of how Dumas’ brings these historical figures to life, powerful and threatening dukes are in essence paper tigers who without their cabal of support would crumble. It is a political tinder box built on smoke and mirrors that threatens to go up at any minute. Reminiscent of Walter Scott’s work, it is a powerful plot, threaded with intrigue, romance, love and blood. It is a novel that brings pre-revolutionary France to life in a way many readers will not have experienced and is perfect for anyone who loved the intrigue of Netflix’s ‘The Crown’. Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) remains one of the most important figures in French and world literature to this day. His historical and romantic adventure pieces were largely inspired by his many travels and extraordinary lifestyle. His most famous novels include ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’, ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘Twenty Years After’. His works totalling more than one hundred thousand pages have been adapted in to more than two-hundred films.