The Sultan of Monte Cristo: First Sequel to the Count of Monte Cristo

"For so many years, passionate fans of The Count of Monte Cristo have suffered a loss upon finishing Alexandre Dumas' last words. It is a grieving of sorts that has long been unmitigable... until now. The mysterious Holy Ghost Writer has penned "The Sultan of Monte Cristo" as a direct continuance of the story readers have long struggled against leaving behind. The adventure-laden journeys of Edmond Dantes continues in (Dumas') newly-honed role as investigative reporter who publishes his (original) book as part of (this) story. New life is breathed into those characters we all knew and loved (or loved to hate) in the original Count of Monte Cristo tale (what can now, finally, be referred to as Book 1). Haydee, the infamous Villeforts, and even Countess G are lifted from the stalemate of our beloved story and given new life, and readers will also be introduced to a host of colorful new characters (like the memorable Raymee) whose lives, loves, and circumstance flow comprehensively and effortlessly through the entire narrative. Amazingly, the prose so closely matches the mood, tone, pacing, and richness of environment of Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo that this feels like the natural continuance of those lives. The sequel manages to introduce such a microscopic view into the full-flesh world our colorful characters engage in that readers can't help being sucked in. We cannot help but run breathlessly alongside them throughout the journey, to imagine the consequences between their words, to ponder on their insights and their woe-filled courses of action. We stand next to Mercedes as she lives and breathes; we get that rare glimpse into the future of the characters that Alexandre Dumas himself surely intended. Through well-defined and multilayered plotlines, the story's laser-point pacing, and rich character building, this work lends the quagmire of adventures, missteps, and danger-filled mysteries a guarantee of unforeseen, adventurous turns and cathartic "a-ha" insights. The Holy Ghost Writer seems a literary time-traveller: the swiftness with which he carries us straight into the 1800s is mind-boggling and a rare feat even in the best historical fiction writing. Excellent novel, and highly recommended!" Peanut's review.

My desire to continue the stories of Alexandre Dumas stem from a deep love for literature that he helped develop in me. I realize that some will be offended that I have the moxie to condense and retell his stories through the Americanized voice of Sherlock Holmes and add my own as sequels.  In doing so, I believe that I am reintroducing The Count of Monte Cristo to a new generation of readers that most likely would have skipped this classic for its age and verbosity. I actually advise my readers to enjoy, as I did, the best translation, for those who read only English, by Robin Buss.

Why the pen name, 'Holy Ghost Writer'?  Am I saying that I am holy?  God forbid! No, it is just a way to add mystery to the contest to discover my true identity.  It is more along the lines of Robin saying, "Holy Ghost Writer, Batman."  Another reason is that Edmond Dantes refers to himself as "divine providence" in this classic tale.  Those who write on subjects touching on divinity are often referred to as holy ghost writers.  Just google the term if you doubt my word.  In the process of writing That Girl Started Her Own Country (6th in the Monte Cristo series) I discovered that I am a possibillionist as did Zaydee, that book's heroine.  So for those of you who are turned off by religion, please understand that I am not 'holier than thou' and certainly not preaching any particular religious beliefs (or lack thereof) although my characters may express some of their own from time to time.  
I hope, dear reader, you enjoy exploring these works of quasi-fiction as much as I enjoyed creating them.