The Moonstone

Title: The Moonstone

Author: Wilkie Collins

Published in: 1868

Date read: 27th February 2019

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Mystery, Classic

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Moonstone," published in 1868, by Wilkie Collins, is widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential English detective novels, establishing many conventions of the genre. It's an intricate mystery woven with elements of romance, psychological intrigue, and Victorian social commentary.

The story revolves around a magnificent and famously cursed yellow diamond known as the Moonstone. The diamond originates from an ancient Indian temple, where it was stolen, and legend dictates it brings misfortune to its owner.

The narrative unfolds through a series of interlocking, often conflicting, first-person accounts from various characters, creating a multi-faceted perspective on the events. The primary narrator is the staunchly respectable family steward, Gabriel Betteredge.

The central mystery begins at a lavish birthday party at an English country house. Rachel Verinder, a young heiress, inherits the Moonstone from her eccentric and unlikable uncle, Colonel Herncastle, a man who acquired it under dubious circumstances in India. On the night of her birthday celebration, the diamond mysteriously vanishes from her dressing-room.

The disappearance immediately casts suspicion on several individuals present at the party:

Rachel herself, who behaves strangely and refuses to cooperate with the investigation.
Her suitor, Franklin Blake, a charming but somewhat aimless young man who organizes the initial investigation.
The pious and seemingly devoted maid, Rosanna Spearman, a former thief struggling to go straight, who develops an intense infatuation with Franklin Blake.
The three enigmatic Indian Brahmins, who have been tracking the diamond for years, believing it is sacred and must be returned to its rightful place.

The local police, led by the bumbling Sergeant Cuff (one of fiction's early detectives), attempt to solve the crime. Cuff, with his eccentric habits and rose-growing hobby, uncovers some clues but is ultimately frustrated by the family's secrets and Rachel's uncooperative silence.

As the investigation progresses, it unearths hidden motives, secret passages, and psychological complexities among the characters. The novel delves into themes of guilt, obsession, class distinctions, and the moral implications of British colonialism. The truth behind the Moonstone's disappearance proves far more convoluted and shocking than anyone initially suspects, involving sleepwalking, unrequited love, and a desperate cover-up.

The climax involves the eventual reconstruction of the fateful night by Franklin Blake, aided by a brilliant but unconventional doctor. The true culprit is eventually revealed, but the resolution of the mystery is laced with tragedy and the enduring power of the diamond's curse, leading to its final, ambiguous fate. "The Moonstone" is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling and a foundational text in detective fiction.

Comments:
I read this following a conversation with a friend who is a literature aficionado and said that many people see this book as the start of crime fiction. I gave it a go and despite its age, it has passed the test of time. I did enjoy it and see where other authors may have received inspiration.

Books that we've read by Wilkie Collins (1):
The Moonstone (1868)