Wilkie Collins

A major precursor of the modern mystery novel - with multiple narrators, a reconstruction of the crime, red herrings and a 'locked-room' puzzle - The Moonstone sets out the tale of a large Indian diamond that carries a terrible curse. When Rachel Verinder is given the Moonstone for her birthday, its theft at her party triggers a series of increasingly horrific events that seem set to ruin everyone she loves. In this classic of the Victorian sensation genre, only Sergeant Cuff's famous detective skills offer a glimpse of hope for the diamond's helpless victims.

The Moonstone

Who, in the name of wonder, had taken the Moonstone out of Miss Rachel's drawer?A celebrated Indian yellow diamond is first stolen from India, then vanishes from a Yorkshire country house. Who took it? And where is it now? A dramatist as well as a novelist, Wilkie Collins gives to each of his narratorsa household servant, a detective, a lawyer, a cloth-eared Evangelical, adying medical manvibrant identities as they separately tell the part of the story that concerns themselves.One of the great triumphs of nineteenth-century sensation fiction, The Moonstone tells of a mystery that for page after page becomes more, not less inexplicable. Collins's novel of addictions is itself addictive, moving through a sequence of startling revelations towards the final disclosure of thetruth. Entranced with double lives, with men and women who only know part of the story, Collins weaves their narratives into a web of suspense. The Moonstone is a text that grows imaginatively out of the secrets that the unconventional Collins was obliged to keep as he wrote the novel.

Anna Concannon 

I declare, on my word of honour, that what I am now about to write is, strictly and literally, the truth.

The Moonstone (Penguin Classics)

Erin Darlyn

A delightful read. I love the way Wilkie Collins tells stories and I enjoyed reading the different narratives from the perspectives of various characters. 

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 for one main reason. I recently read The Woman in White (another of his books) and it instantly became one of my top 5 favorite books; thus, my bar for this one was set high. I liked it very much but not quite as much as TWIW, therefore it has one less star. 

That said, I had recently watched a television adaptation of The Moonstone and knew the ending already when I read this one, which also affected my reading experience a bit. I suspect that if I read it again in a year or two, I may rate it higher then. 

The 2016 BBC adaptation is worth watching; just read the book first to avoid spoiling the ending. :)

Jamieson

someone tell betteredge robinson crusoe isn't the only book

The moonstone

Katie Ravenwood

A classic. A wonderful and remarkable read, and completely evident why it's the beginning and standard for mysteries.

Thomas George

The moonstone is one of the oldest written crime books I've read and although there is no real detective work inspite of a detective presence in the book, the book keeps the reader occupied throughout. Most characters recive a basic back story with sufficient character depth. I must admit though that the book might take some time up to finish. 

Rose Stanley

I love the multiple-narrative, thriller gothic novel. This didn't disappoint!
(I was horrified by Miss Clack, btw. What an awful woman!!)

The Moonstone, a priceless yellow diamond, is looted from an Indian temple and maliciously bequeathed to Rachel Verinder.

Isa s

The Moonstone is said to be the first published detective novel. It certainly belongs to the best in the genre and deserves its place on the 1001-books list and on Bloom’s Western Canon.

As the title suggests, the story is centered around the Moonstone, a valuable yellow diamond. The Moonstone has been taken from its Indian home and brought to England, where it is given to Miss Verinder as a birthday present. Unfortunately the Moonstone is viewed as a holy object in India and thus three Indians attempt to attain the Moonstone - by any means, even murder if necessary. In the night after her birthday party the Moonstone is stolen from Miss Verinder’s rooms.

The story is told through different narrators who relate their experiences. This gives the story depth and evolves it in a logical way that keeps the reader riveted. The mystery of who took the stone and where it is now and whether it can be recovered is not easily solved. The story lead me on different wrong paths until the solution was presented. Mystery at its best.

I listened to the unabridged audiobook narrated by Robert Langton, which I can also recommend. I’d always listen to another book read by him. He is generally quite a good narrator; although he is not the best at female voices (but there was only one of his voices that I actually disliked).

Emily

Jade Flynn

What a glorious mid 19th century Victorian 600 page mystery. If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, pick up Wilkie!

Binish Fatima

Wilkie Collins is my favorite author now!

Candelaria neyra

Loved the pacing of the book and the use of different perspectives, very satisfying ending

The Moonstone

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