Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

A tremendous book, 26 Mar 2008
I can't believe that this hasn't yet been made into a film - it makes Raiders of the Lost Ark - which I love - look tame. Exciting, vivid and exceptionally entertaining, it's a real thrill.

"Whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn't matter, you must have your breakfast.", 30 Jan 2008
From the outset, Wilkie Collins's 1868 "sensation novel" keeps the reader entertained and engaged as a priceless yellow diamond, stolen from a Hindu religious statue of the Moon God in India in 1799, works its black magic and controls the action. Rachel Verinder, heir of Colonel John Herncastle, who murdered to obtain the jewel during the battle of Seringapatam, inherits this possibly cursed treasure on her eighteenth birthday in 1848, only to have it vanish before she can put it into the bank. Drawing on sensational details--three Indian "jugglers" who approach the house to perform a juggling act, the disappearance of the jewel from an Indian cabinet during the night and the certainty that the theft was an inside job, a housemaid with a criminal past, a paint smudge on night clothing--Collins creates a haunting atmosphere and builds suspense.

Telling the story is Gabriel Betteredge, the house steward, a man who has been asked to set down his recollections by Franklin Blake, who was present in the house at the time of the jewel's disappearance, and who is in love with Rachel Verinder. Betteredge is a delightful story-teller, providing details, humor, and suggestions about what happened with a conscientiousness that makes him a reliable narrator. As the story becomes more involved and the characters take on lives of their own, other narrators take up the story where Betteredge leaves off and provide new information.

The second narrator, Miss Drusilla Clack, Rachel Verinder's cousin, is a "poor relation" who is also a religious fanatic, and her commentary and her behavior provide some of the funniest moments in Victorian literature. Collins's use of humor, in fact, is one of the ways in which he surpasses his friend, Charles Dickens, in keeping an audience entertained. Franklin Blake, rejected by Rachel, provides additional commentary about the events, as do a doctor and his assistant, a local police sergeant and his investigator, the family lawyer, and a traveler to India. The use of multiple points of view is one of the great advances Collins makes in the history of the novel. The fact that this is widely regarded as the first of the great mystery novels (though not dependent on a single detective) is another plus.

Overall, the novel is surprisingly modern in its ability to appeal to a wide audience. Collins is adept at manipulating his readership and in keeping suspense high. His characters are often engaging and frequently humorous, and in its ability to deal with social issues of the day, the novel provides pertinent commentary about colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the class issues of the day. Collins never forgets, however, that he is writing to entertain, and in this he succeeds. n Mary Whipple


Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Deserves six stars, 11 Oct 2007
Wilkie Collins is, sadly, a writer far less known than he deserves to be. "The Moonstone" (first published as long ago as 1868!) is as good as any present-day detective novel. A mysterious Indian diamond gone missing (once owned by the Tippoo of Seringapatam, remember him from "Sharpe's Tiger"?), a beautiful lady in distress, and Sergeant Cuff of Scotland Yard needs all his wits about him to solve this crime.

The writing's superb, the characters feel as alive as if they were sitting next to you, and the suspense is extremely well built up. Don't miss out on this novel, it may be old but it's still among the best detective novels ever written.

Excellent, 18 Dec 2006
People seem intent on castigating Collins for this novel. There is a reason it is a classic, and that is the fact that it is the first ever detective novel. The writing is very victorian, but he was deeply influenced by his good friend Charles Dickens, so we cannot blame him for that.
The characters are eminently fleshed out and each are appropriate for their roles. The plot could possibly have been condensed, but this book was very much experimental in that sense. The conclusion is actually quite a surprise (although looking back I probably should have spotted the culprit), and the setting and landscape are told with every degree of vivid colour that truly bring it to life.
In my opinion it is significantly better than 'The Woman In White', but I'm with the Agatha Christie school of crime writing. If you enjoy her novels you will enjoy this.

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

A tremendous book, 26 Mar 2008
I can't believe that this hasn't yet been made into a film - it makes Raiders of the Lost Ark - which I love - look tame. Exciting, vivid and exceptionally entertaining, it's a real thrill.

"Whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn't matter, you must have your breakfast.", 30 Jan 2008
From the outset, Wilkie Collins's 1868 "sensation novel" keeps the reader entertained and engaged as a priceless yellow diamond, stolen from a Hindu religious statue of the Moon God in India in 1799, works its black magic and controls the action. Rachel Verinder, heir of Colonel John Herncastle, who murdered to obtain the jewel during the battle of Seringapatam, inherits this possibly cursed treasure on her eighteenth birthday in 1848, only to have it vanish before she can put it into the bank. Drawing on sensational details--three Indian "jugglers" who approach the house to perform a juggling act, the disappearance of the jewel from an Indian cabinet during the night and the certainty that the theft was an inside job, a housemaid with a criminal past, a paint smudge on night clothing--Collins creates a haunting atmosphere and builds suspense.

Telling the story is Gabriel Betteredge, the house steward, a man who has been asked to set down his recollections by Franklin Blake, who was present in the house at the time of the jewel's disappearance, and who is in love with Rachel Verinder. Betteredge is a delightful story-teller, providing details, humor, and suggestions about what happened with a conscientiousness that makes him a reliable narrator. As the story becomes more involved and the characters take on lives of their own, other narrators take up the story where Betteredge leaves off and provide new information.

The second narrator, Miss Drusilla Clack, Rachel Verinder's cousin, is a "poor relation" who is also a religious fanatic, and her commentary and her behavior provide some of the funniest moments in Victorian literature. Collins's use of humor, in fact, is one of the ways in which he surpasses his friend, Charles Dickens, in keeping an audience entertained. Franklin Blake, rejected by Rachel, provides additional commentary about the events, as do a doctor and his assistant, a local police sergeant and his investigator, the family lawyer, and a traveler to India. The use of multiple points of view is one of the great advances Collins makes in the history of the novel. The fact that this is widely regarded as the first of the great mystery novels (though not dependent on a single detective) is another plus.

Overall, the novel is surprisingly modern in its ability to appeal to a wide audience. Collins is adept at manipulating his readership and in keeping suspense high. His characters are often engaging and frequently humorous, and in its ability to deal with social issues of the day, the novel provides pertinent commentary about colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the class issues of the day. Collins never forgets, however, that he is writing to entertain, and in this he succeeds. n Mary Whipple


Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Deserves six stars, 11 Oct 2007
Wilkie Collins is, sadly, a writer far less known than he deserves to be. "The Moonstone" (first published as long ago as 1868!) is as good as any present-day detective novel. A mysterious Indian diamond gone missing (once owned by the Tippoo of Seringapatam, remember him from "Sharpe's Tiger"?), a beautiful lady in distress, and Sergeant Cuff of Scotland Yard needs all his wits about him to solve this crime.

The writing's superb, the characters feel as alive as if they were sitting next to you, and the suspense is extremely well built up. Don't miss out on this novel, it may be old but it's still among the best detective novels ever written.

Excellent, 18 Dec 2006
People seem intent on castigating Collins for this novel. There is a reason it is a classic, and that is the fact that it is the first ever detective novel. The writing is very victorian, but he was deeply influenced by his good friend Charles Dickens, so we cannot blame him for that.
The characters are eminently fleshed out and each are appropriate for their roles. The plot could possibly have been condensed, but this book was very much experimental in that sense. The conclusion is actually quite a surprise (although looking back I probably should have spotted the culprit), and the setting and landscape are told with every degree of vivid colour that truly bring it to life.
In my opinion it is significantly better than 'The Woman In White', but I'm with the Agatha Christie school of crime writing. If you enjoy her novels you will enjoy this.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

A tremendous book, 26 Mar 2008
I can't believe that this hasn't yet been made into a film - it makes Raiders of the Lost Ark - which I love - look tame. Exciting, vivid and exceptionally entertaining, it's a real thrill.

"Whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn't matter, you must have your breakfast.", 30 Jan 2008
From the outset, Wilkie Collins's 1868 "sensation novel" keeps the reader entertained and engaged as a priceless yellow diamond, stolen from a Hindu religious statue of the Moon God in India in 1799, works its black magic and controls the action. Rachel Verinder, heir of Colonel John Herncastle, who murdered to obtain the jewel during the battle of Seringapatam, inherits this possibly cursed treasure on her eighteenth birthday in 1848, only to have it vanish before she can put it into the bank. Drawing on sensational details--three Indian "jugglers" who approach the house to perform a juggling act, the disappearance of the jewel from an Indian cabinet during the night and the certainty that the theft was an inside job, a housemaid with a criminal past, a paint smudge on night clothing--Collins creates a haunting atmosphere and builds suspense.

Telling the story is Gabriel Betteredge, the house steward, a man who has been asked to set down his recollections by Franklin Blake, who was present in the house at the time of the jewel's disappearance, and who is in love with Rachel Verinder. Betteredge is a delightful story-teller, providing details, humor, and suggestions about what happened with a conscientiousness that makes him a reliable narrator. As the story becomes more involved and the characters take on lives of their own, other narrators take up the story where Betteredge leaves off and provide new information.

The second narrator, Miss Drusilla Clack, Rachel Verinder's cousin, is a "poor relation" who is also a religious fanatic, and her commentary and her behavior provide some of the funniest moments in Victorian literature. Collins's use of humor, in fact, is one of the ways in which he surpasses his friend, Charles Dickens, in keeping an audience entertained. Franklin Blake, rejected by Rachel, provides additional commentary about the events, as do a doctor and his assistant, a local police sergeant and his investigator, the family lawyer, and a traveler to India. The use of multiple points of view is one of the great advances Collins makes in the history of the novel. The fact that this is widely regarded as the first of the great mystery novels (though not dependent on a single detective) is another plus.

Overall, the novel is surprisingly modern in its ability to appeal to a wide audience. Collins is adept at manipulating his readership and in keeping suspense high. His characters are often engaging and frequently humorous, and in its ability to deal with social issues of the day, the novel provides pertinent commentary about colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the class issues of the day. Collins never forgets, however, that he is writing to entertain, and in this he succeeds. n Mary Whipple


Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Deserves six stars, 11 Oct 2007
Wilkie Collins is, sadly, a writer far less known than he deserves to be. "The Moonstone" (first published as long ago as 1868!) is as good as any present-day detective novel. A mysterious Indian diamond gone missing (once owned by the Tippoo of Seringapatam, remember him from "Sharpe's Tiger"?), a beautiful lady in distress, and Sergeant Cuff of Scotland Yard needs all his wits about him to solve this crime.

The writing's superb, the characters feel as alive as if they were sitting next to you, and the suspense is extremely well built up. Don't miss out on this novel, it may be old but it's still among the best detective novels ever written.

Excellent, 18 Dec 2006
People seem intent on castigating Collins for this novel. There is a reason it is a classic, and that is the fact that it is the first ever detective novel. The writing is very victorian, but he was deeply influenced by his good friend Charles Dickens, so we cannot blame him for that.
The characters are eminently fleshed out and each are appropriate for their roles. The plot could possibly have been condensed, but this book was very much experimental in that sense. The conclusion is actually quite a surprise (although looking back I probably should have spotted the culprit), and the setting and landscape are told with every degree of vivid colour that truly bring it to life.
In my opinion it is significantly better than 'The Woman In White', but I'm with the Agatha Christie school of crime writing. If you enjoy her novels you will enjoy this.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

Classic page-turner, 13 Nov 2008
This book has everything - murder, mystery, suspense, romance, wit. Collins is a master of narrative style and it keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the end. The characters are expertly and convincingly portrayed and the book contains universal truths, wit and humour which are appealing to the modern-day reader. This is no long, boring 19th century melodrama, rather it is a high-class, brilliantly-written blockbuster.

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this one (Oxford World's Classics) then I would because the paper wasn't to thin and cheap and also it wasn't badly printed.

Don't be put off by the size it is well worth reading! I would recommend this book.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

A tremendous book, 26 Mar 2008
I can't believe that this hasn't yet been made into a film - it makes Raiders of the Lost Ark - which I love - look tame. Exciting, vivid and exceptionally entertaining, it's a real thrill.

"Whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn't matter, you must have your breakfast.", 30 Jan 2008
From the outset, Wilkie Collins's 1868 "sensation novel" keeps the reader entertained and engaged as a priceless yellow diamond, stolen from a Hindu religious statue of the Moon God in India in 1799, works its black magic and controls the action. Rachel Verinder, heir of Colonel John Herncastle, who murdered to obtain the jewel during the battle of Seringapatam, inherits this possibly cursed treasure on her eighteenth birthday in 1848, only to have it vanish before she can put it into the bank. Drawing on sensational details--three Indian "jugglers" who approach the house to perform a juggling act, the disappearance of the jewel from an Indian cabinet during the night and the certainty that the theft was an inside job, a housemaid with a criminal past, a paint smudge on night clothing--Collins creates a haunting atmosphere and builds suspense.

Telling the story is Gabriel Betteredge, the house steward, a man who has been asked to set down his recollections by Franklin Blake, who was present in the house at the time of the jewel's disappearance, and who is in love with Rachel Verinder. Betteredge is a delightful story-teller, providing details, humor, and suggestions about what happened with a conscientiousness that makes him a reliable narrator. As the story becomes more involved and the characters take on lives of their own, other narrators take up the story where Betteredge leaves off and provide new information.

The second narrator, Miss Drusilla Clack, Rachel Verinder's cousin, is a "poor relation" who is also a religious fanatic, and her commentary and her behavior provide some of the funniest moments in Victorian literature. Collins's use of humor, in fact, is one of the ways in which he surpasses his friend, Charles Dickens, in keeping an audience entertained. Franklin Blake, rejected by Rachel, provides additional commentary about the events, as do a doctor and his assistant, a local police sergeant and his investigator, the family lawyer, and a traveler to India. The use of multiple points of view is one of the great advances Collins makes in the history of the novel. The fact that this is widely regarded as the first of the great mystery novels (though not dependent on a single detective) is another plus.

Overall, the novel is surprisingly modern in its ability to appeal to a wide audience. Collins is adept at manipulating his readership and in keeping suspense high. His characters are often engaging and frequently humorous, and in its ability to deal with social issues of the day, the novel provides pertinent commentary about colonialism, religious fanaticism, and the class issues of the day. Collins never forgets, however, that he is writing to entertain, and in this he succeeds. n Mary Whipple


Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Deserves six stars, 11 Oct 2007
Wilkie Collins is, sadly, a writer far less known than he deserves to be. "The Moonstone" (first published as long ago as 1868!) is as good as any present-day detective novel. A mysterious Indian diamond gone missing (once owned by the Tippoo of Seringapatam, remember him from "Sharpe's Tiger"?), a beautiful lady in distress, and Sergeant Cuff of Scotland Yard needs all his wits about him to solve this crime.

The writing's superb, the characters feel as alive as if they were sitting next to you, and the suspense is extremely well built up. Don't miss out on this novel, it may be old but it's still among the best detective novels ever written.

Excellent, 18 Dec 2006
People seem intent on castigating Collins for this novel. There is a reason it is a classic, and that is the fact that it is the first ever detective novel. The writing is very victorian, but he was deeply influenced by his good friend Charles Dickens, so we cannot blame him for that.
The characters are eminently fleshed out and each are appropriate for their roles. The plot could possibly have been condensed, but this book was very much experimental in that sense. The conclusion is actually quite a surprise (although looking back I probably should have spotted the culprit), and the setting and landscape are told with every degree of vivid colour that truly bring it to life.
In my opinion it is significantly better than 'The Woman In White', but I'm with the Agatha Christie school of crime writing. If you enjoy her novels you will enjoy this.

Candy box of surprises, 05 Aug 2008
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing?

The Moonstone is at heart a mystery and detective story about a lost diamond. The gem is a sacred Indian artefact that carries a curse, and it leaves a trail of confusion and ruin in its path. Only the virtuous are likely to survive it, and when young heiress Rachel Verinder is bequeathed the stone by an evil uncle, her love, reputation and marriage plans are immediately thrown upside down. And the theft proves equally fateful to the host of family relations, servants, friends and professional detectives who join in to help the reader solve this artfully constructed case.

But Wilkie Collins's novel, written in the era of Dickens and George Eliot, is also a commentary on the time and mores. Five principal voices, of different social and intellectual standing, alternate as the narrator, each bringing its own colour, and this helps the book pick through such archetypes as the faithful old butler, the bigoted poor relation, and the pusillanimous cousin, as well as offer glimpses of contemporary attitudes to scientific enquiry, drugs, superstition, and the law. The dialogues are equally truthful. Indeed, The Moonstone is a pleasure to read, subtly written and constantly amusing. And importantly, it skirts the pitfalls of Victorian prejudice, whether social, religious or racial. This surprising book ranks alongside the better known 19th century classics and is not to be missed.

brilliant!!!!!, 02 Aug 2008
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. It is sectioned off into different characters narrating different bits which is genius because the contrasts are very funny and evocative. I don't know how anyone could not like this frankly it's a true classic - get it, it will make you laugh

Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart, 28 Dec 2007
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. The Moonstone, an enormous diamond of religious significance, is vilely plundered by a British soldier during the taking of Seringapatam in 1799. The Moonstone is brought back to England and, eventually, given to the prim, beautiful and wilful heiress, Rachel Verinder, on her birthday in 1848. And it goes missing the very same night. Rachel's family and friends are keen to recover the lost stone and to identify the thief and thus call upon the services of Sergeant Cuff, the most celebrated and successful detective that Scotland Yard can offer. Yet Rachel is strangely reluctant to assist in the investigation, and the professional sleuth is not the only one searching for the stone and for answers. Three juggling Indians accompanied by a clairvoyant young boy, a ruthless London money lender and an amiable philanthropist all seem to have their own interests in recovering the stone, while others including Rachel and a reformed thief turned servant girl, seem at least as anxious to conceal certain facts surrounding its disappearance. The stage is thus set for a gripping detective story full of twists and turns and unexpected developments, all centred on the Verinder's country house in Yorkshire.

Written in a semi- epistolary style, with several of the major characters telling the parts of the story with which they were most concerned from their own perspective, Collins' novel has strong gothic overtones and much in common with the `big-house' novels written earlier in the century and serves as a bridge with the swelter of English detective fiction which was to follow. It is long, but you hardly notice as Collins whisks his mystery from India to Yorkshire, to London, to Brighton and back to Yorkshire. Elegant prose reminiscent of yet lighter than Dickens encapsulates an enchanting mystery with magical, even fantastical overtones, and presents a series of warm, engaging, if somewhat stereotypical characters: who can forgot the admirable Gabriel Betteredge, with his mystic faith in the powers of Robinson Crusoe to provide answers to daily difficulties, or the misunderstood Erza Jennings, with his face so much older than his body and his two-tone hair?

A sheer delight to read, like some much detective fiction, it does not demand to be taken seriously, yet for the careful reader, there are on offer deeper strains of tension over class, over Empire, and over religious differences and good and evil, which one might more readily associate with the post-war literature of a cosmopolitan diaspora.


Long and Tedious, 25 Nov 2007
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. The first 150 pages or so when the crime is first committed is good. The middle part of the book set in London is almost pointless and adds nothing to the story. The ending, when all is revealed, is weak and relies on a rather unconvincing storyline.

If you want to read a decent book by Wilkie Collins try The Woman In White, which is very good. As this is supposed to be his second best novel I won't be trying the rest in a hurry.

First Class Mystery, 27 Jun 2007
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. In some of the notes, the editor casually mentions future plot developments, slightly spoiling my enjoyment of the mystery. Ironically, he states at the head of his introduction that new readers should not read it because it reveals explicit details of the plot. NB!

Classic page-turner, 13 Nov 2008
This book has everything - murder, mystery, suspense, romance, wit. Collins is a master of narrative style and it keeps you on the edge of your seat right to the end. The characters are expertly and convincingly portrayed and the book contains universal truths, wit and humour which are appealing to the modern-day reader. This is no long, boring 19th century melodrama, rather it is a high-class, brilliantly-written blockbuster.

Still a fantastic read after more than a century, 21 Sep 2008
This book was quite unlike any I had previously read. While it was written in 1859 it is still - almost 150 years later - a book as gripping as it presumably was all those years ago for Victorian and Edwardian readers brought up on such spooky classics as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Told in the form of letters and diaries of the different characters involved it unfolds bit by bit and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Collins's characters seem to come alive and make a lasting impression. As a thriller it easily beats many modern-day thrillers and really does have an unequalled air of menace and threat. Despite its age it is immensely readable and is a true page turner. Simply a must!

Sensational, 28 Mar 2008
For me what makes this novel great is not the love story between the social rising Walter Hartright and childish stereotypical heroine Laura Fairlie. Instead it is the depiction of the intelligent and brilliant Marian Halcombe and the wonderfully evil Count Fosco that reveals Collins' true writing talent. The speeches of these characters reveal feminist and social criticism adding an interesting dimension to the novel.

The plot itself is well constructed and the series of narrators makes the novel interesting and varied. The text is full of plot twists and is at times shocking, typical of sensation fiction. Admittedly some portions are a little tedious but I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Yaaaaawwwwnnn, 27 Mar 2008
This book is the most rambling, tiresome thing i have ever had the displeasure of reading. I finished it only because it was on my A level syllabus. Avoid like the plague

Excellent read., 25 Mar 2008
I started reading this with low expectations and for the first 200 pages I was bored stiff. However...almost halfway through the book the action really starts and all of a sudden I was taking great interest. It's then that all those boring details started to come into their own and it all made sence. Somewhere between page 200 and 300 the book becomes impossible to put down! The twists were unpredictable and *gasp* worthy! In fact I am quite certain this will be one of those rare books I end up reading a second time but with greater appreciation for the start. I am also going to read some other of Wilkie Collins' books in future. Can't wait to see what else is to be found.

This book is well worth anyones time READ IT!

Brilliant book! Completely unpredictable, 07 Jan 2008
It took me a few pages to get into this book but after that I enjoyed it very much.

The book is extremely good and it's very unpredictable. Whenever you think you know what's going to happen next something completely different happens.

I haven't seen any of the other copies of this book so I can't comment on them but if you are going to buy this on