The Wife of Monte Cristo or The Son of Monte Cristo, Vol. I by Jules Lermina.

Non-spoiler teaser:

Updates on Benedetto, Villefort, Valentine, Max & Val, the Count and Haydee.

BOOK I, Part I: Eugenie is a massive success onstage in Italy. She secretly supports the cause of Italian independence from the occupying Austrians. Marquis Aslitta and Major Bartolomeo team up to rally the Italians to rebel. The Count goes to Italy and assists. Benedetto re-appears as the baddie, on Team Austria.

BOOK I, Part II: Albert is kidnapped by Maldar, a Bedouin leader in Algeria. Mercedes makes a friend in Marseilles, Miss Clary Ellis. Both the Count and Miss Clary recruit rescue teams for Albert. The Count gets a little too smug and secure, and his son Spero is kidnapped by the Bedouins too.

The Son of Monte Cristo, Vol. II by Jules Lermina

BOOK II, Part III: It's all about Fanfaro, a French colonist in Algeria. Who dat? Never heard of him? TBH, you can skip this entire part and not miss a thing.

BOOK II, Part IV: Years later, the Count leaves Spero, age 21, and he's now Home Alone. He falls in love with a girl, Jane Zild. Danglars and Benedetto scheme to hurt the Count by messing with Spero by kidnapping Jane. Spero tracks Jane down at one of Danglars' houses, which sets up a fatal showdown with Benedetto. It doesn't end very well for Team Monte Cristo...

Want to read this? Head on over to Gutenberg.Org

Don't want to read this and want a spoiler-loaded recap that'll save HOURS of your life by not reading these books?

Head on over to my Jules Lermina pages:

The Wife of Monte Cristo

The Son of Monte Cristo