Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas

Summary:
Twenty Years after the events of The Three Musketeers, France has a new King, a new Cardinal, and d'Artagnan hasn't progressed past his promotion to Lieutenant in the Musketeers.  The four friends, d'Artagnan, Aramis, Athos, and Porthos, went their separate ways in the end of The Three Musketeers, but are reunited only to discover they're on separate sides of the intrigues at court.

Athos is now a father and living comfortably on his estates in the country.  He takes an interest in the political intrigues against Cardinal Mazarin and then  goes to England to help King Charles I fight for his kingdom during the English Revolution.

Aramis is an Abbe, but is experiencing a case of the "grass is greener."  While a Musketeer he dreamed of joining the church.  Now a member of the clergy, he dreams of his days as a Musketeer.  Aramis joins Athos in his quest to help the British Monarchy.

Porthos is a widower and has come to realize that all his riches are useless without someone with whom to share them.  He's persuaded by d'Artagnan to work for Cardinal Mazarin for the spirit of the adventure and a promise of a baronetcy.

Response:

I was slightly disappointed to find that d'Artagnan hadn't progressed much past the final pages of The Three Musketeers.  There's a new cardinal and a new king, but he seems lost without his friends around.  He goes to seek them and discovers that Aramis and Athos are on the opposite side of the political unrest in France.  They actively support the deposed king of England and are endeavoring to have Charles reinstated.  D'Artagnan and Porthos are the agents of the Cardinal who only supports Charles' efforts in words.

One of the more touching scenes in my opinion is the failed rescue attempt for King Charles.  Clearly, we know that history and that there is no hope for Charles, but with every turn of the page I hoped Dumas would write an alternative ending.  I wanted the Musketeers to succeed and possible have a fake executed in Charles' place.  But, alas, Dumas stays true to the facts and we are left with this beautiful scene of Athos trapped under the gallows during the execution.  It's something I would love to see in a film one day - if it hasn't already been attempted.

I'm looking forward to the next few novels and the further adventures of these men.  Though I read a spoiler the other day that makes me hope it was wrong.