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The Moonstone Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8,407 ratings

The novel that T. S. Eliot called “the first, the longest, and the best of the modern English detective novels”

Guarded by three Brahmin priests, the Moonstone is a religious relic, the centerpiece in a sacred statue of the Hindu god of the moon. It is also a giant yellow diamond of enormous value, and its temptation is irresistible to the corrupt John Herncastle, a colonel in the British Army in India. After murdering the three guardian priests and bringing the diamond back to England with him, Herncastle bequeaths it to his niece, Rachel, knowing full well that danger will follow. True to its enigmatic nature, the Moonstone disappears from Rachel’s room on the night of her eighteenth birthday, igniting a mystery so intricate and thrilling it has set the standard for every crime novel of the past one hundred fifty years.

Widely recognized, alongside the stories of Edgar Allan Poe, as establishing many of the most enduring conventions of detective fiction, 
The Moonstone is Wilkie Collins’s masterwork and one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century.

This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JDY7SUY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (April 22, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 22, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3232 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 633 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 8,407 ratings

About the author

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Wilkie Collins
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William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and short story writer. His best-known works are The Woman in White (1859), No Name (1862), Armadale (1866), and The Moonstone (1868), considered the first modern English detective novel.

Born into the family of painter William Collins in London, he lived with his family in Italy and France as a child and learned French and Italian. He worked as a clerk for a tea merchant. After his first novel Antonina was published in 1850, he met Charles Dickens, who became a close friend, mentor and collaborator. Some of Collins' works were first published in Dickens' journals All the Year Round and Household Words and the two collaborated on dramatic and fictional works.

Collins published his best known works in the 1860s, achieved financial stability and an international reputation. During this time he began suffering from gout took opium for pain and developed an addiction. During the 1870s and '80s the quality of his writing declined along with his health.

Collins was critical of the institution of marriage and never married; he split his time between Caroline Graves except for a 2 year separation, and his common law wife Martha Rudd with whom he had 3 children.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Elliott & Fry [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
8,407 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They describe the story as suspenseful, well-crafted, and an essential for mystery fans. The characters are described as great, strong, and well-developed with distinct personalities. Readers appreciate the historical accuracy and humor.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

413 customers mention "Readability"336 positive77 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find the writing easy to understand and humorous. The plot is interesting and well-written, with a unique form that includes multiple characters being narrated by one person.

"..."The Moonstone" is still a delightful read -- a powerful and sometimes tragic mystery, tempered with quirky humor and a likable cast of characters...." Read more

"...and modern typography, excellent formatting, and the way to highlight the subtleties (cursives in AmazonClassics and capitals in Dream Classics) is..." Read more

"...Apart from the plot and characters, the language is of my interest for it has a lot of words and some archaic that are no longer used in English...." Read more

"...So, a nice look at life in a time and setting, some who-dunnit interest, but not something that will likely impel me to pursue other books by the..." Read more

396 customers mention "Suspenseful story"365 positive31 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story and find it entertaining. They describe it as an essential for mystery fans, a well-crafted novel, and the best detective tale in the world. Readers appreciate the multiple points of view and the careful introduction of clues.

"...He also takes an unusually compassionate approach to the servant class in the character of Rosanna Spearman -- though she is plain, deformed and has..." Read more

"...the ideal you've built up..." This story, this very important novel of the policial genre, suffers from the length with which the characters narrate..." Read more

"...It is always good to get insights into how people lived, how they used the language back then, how they corresponded, travelled and overall the life..." Read more

"...by successive additions of characters was an interesting way to develop the plot, but frankly I have also seen other writers use character thoughts..." Read more

163 customers mention "Enjoyment"138 positive25 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it engaging, fun, and suspenseful. The story is described as an adventure with romance and mystery elements.

"...The AmazonClassics edition is by far the more enjoyable one: you have a clean and modern typography, excellent formatting, and the way to highlight..." Read more

"...The Moonstone has all the ingredients of a delicious mystery tale -- adventure, romance, a MacGuffin that is the priceless jewel of a centuries-long-..." Read more

"...He does a beautiful job of bringing them to life, with the added fun twist of having the entire book narrated in turn by certain characters, not..." Read more

"Greatly enjoyed the story. And I also enjoyed learning how many common words have changed in meaning or connotation since “The Moonstone”..." Read more

117 customers mention "Character development"108 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characters. They find the story engaging with distinct personalities. The female characters are strong and likable. The author's voice matches the characters convincingly.

"...He also provides us with a wide range of characters -- from wild young men to stately ladies, from a genial butler to the mysterious priests who are..." Read more

"...its kind, probably also only one of its kind with its various narratives by various characters all coming together to form a perfectly well aligned..." Read more

"...I felt like a story my daughter had written in second grade, wonderful characters, nice plot developing, then all of a sudden she realized she had..." Read more

"...Like Dickens, Collins is all about the character...." Read more

92 customers mention "Historical accuracy"92 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical accuracy of the book. They find it a wonderful glimpse into mid-19th-century England, with well-drawn vignettes of life. The writing style is light and refreshing, reminiscent of Dickens's.

"...But there is a serious side to Collins' writing as well...." Read more

"The Moonstone is an old story, written in the mid 1800’s so it would be unserviceable of me to write a traditional review...." Read more

"...and Wilkie Collins are the main characters, and there are many insights into The Moonstone, The Woman in White, Bleak House, and other works by them." Read more

"...who also likes reading good "historical" fiction, written with truth to its place in history...." Read more

53 customers mention "Humor"53 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it witty and amusing, with delightfully quirky characters and a charming narration style. The narrators are described as hilarious and theatrical, yet still believable. Readers appreciate the well-done manners and flowery language of the era. Overall, the writing style is described as refreshing and well-crafted.

"...delightful read -- a powerful and sometimes tragic mystery, tempered with quirky humor and a likable cast of characters...." Read more

"...their piece, then hands it to the next narrator, Some of the narrators are hilarious. Others are stuffy and reluctant...." Read more

"...the narratives by Miss Clack and Mr. Betteredge, both of whom are hilarious. Other narratives were less enticing...." Read more

"...His commentary is so humorous that I initially had a hard time taking the book seriously...." Read more

58 customers mention "Detail"30 positive28 negative

Customers have different views on the book's details. Some find the deductive reasoning, logic, and observation impressive. The characterizations are described well and consistent throughout. The plot is nicely paced and not trite or contrived. However, others feel the narrative gets lost in the details and wordiness. The resolution of the mystery is strained but if one willingly suspends disbelief it's a bit relatable.

"...What’s great is the very logical and rational way of solving the problems at hand which is something I found in The Moonstone as well...." Read more

"...There is no concept of playing fair with the reader, or of clues revealed to the detective and the reader at the same time...." Read more

"...In this, the book is like Dracula, whose story is told completely in letters, diary/journal entries, and newspaper clippings...." Read more

"...The resolution of the mystery is a bit strained but if one willingly suspends disbelief just a bit it's fairly satisfying...." Read more

66 customers mention "Print size"10 positive56 negative

Customers find the book has an unusual print size for a paperback. They mention it's too long, twice the usual size, and not convenient. The story seems old and dated, and the print is small.

"...While a bit overlong at times, it's still an outstanding little whodunnit." Read more

"...This story, this very important novel of the policial genre, suffers from the length with which the characters narrate their own participation in..." Read more

"...What I didn't know was that this is a really LONG story. Pace yourselves, Dear Readers!..." Read more

"...The story also turns out more complex than one might at first be deceived to believe; time and again we are sidetracked and led astray along with..." Read more

LOVED this absorbing, intelligent mystery !
5 out of 5 stars
LOVED this absorbing, intelligent mystery !
Excellent entertainment for the mature, intelligent reader. A compelling mystery set on 19th century England, this book is chock full of twists, romance & good old-fashioned detecting Sherlock Holmes style. O thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon spent immersed on this book, & am eagerly looking forward to reading this author's other novels.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2014
    Before there was Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot, there was a tale of drugs, suicide, a stolen Indian diamond and a reported curse.

    Specifically, there was "The Moonstone," a long and twisting Victorian tale that is considered the first mystery novel in the English language. Wilkie Collins's writing can be a bit dense at times (well, it IS a Victorian story) but it also has a cast of quirky characters in a very colorful story, and an unusually forward-thinking approach to class. How many other novels of this type have the BUTLER as the narrator?

    After ten years in continental Europe, Franklin Blake returns to England to bring his cousin Rachel Verinder her eighteenth birthday present: a massive diamond called the Moonstone. It was left to her by her vile uncle, possibly as a malicious act -- three Hindu priests are lurking nearby, hoping to reclaim the sacred gem stolen from them long ago. Everyone except Rachel really wants the diamond split up, so it will no longer be a danger.

    At the same time, Rachel is being wooed by two men -- the somewhat irresponsible young Franklin, and the prosperous but less attractive Godfrey Ablewhite. And a timid, deformed young maid named Rosanna has fallen desperately in love with Franklin (though he's completely oblivious to this).

    Then after a dinner party, the Moonstone vanishes, leaving a smudge on a newly-painted door as the only clue. It seems that only someone in the house could have stolen it. But it doesn't turn up in any police sweeps, the priests have alibis, and Rachel flatly refuses to let Sergeant Cuff investigate further. She also refuses to speak to Franklin again. And after several months, Franklin learns of some new clues that could reveal who stole the Moonstone. With the now-retired Cuff and a disgraced doctor's assistant helping him, he sets out to unravel the mystery once and for all.

    "The Moonstone" contains a lot of the tropes that later detective novels would use -- reenactment of the crime, red herrings, the culprit being the least likely suspect, and an English country house where you wouldn't expect a theft to take place. It even has TWO detectives -- a quirky police sergeant with plenty of brains, and a gentleman who is bright but kind of inexperienced.

    Collins' prose can be a bit bloated at times, but he keeps it moving fast with lots of romantic drama and a hefty dose of humor (the insufferably pious Miss Clack: "Oh, be morally tidy. Let your faith be as your stockings, and your stockings as your faith"). He also switches between different perspectives throughout the book -- part is from the butler Mr. Betteridge, part is from Miss Clack, part is from Franklin Blake himself, and there are little snatches of text from various other people.

    And it's quirky. Very quirky. At times it feels like the Victorian equivalent of a Wes Anderson movie, between Betteridge's fanboy preoccupation with Robinson Crusoe (which he uses for EVERYTHING) or Cuff's love of roses (which you wouldn't immediately associate with an elite police detective).

    But there is a serious side to Collins' writing as well. Yes, "The Moonstone" has some uncomfortably sexist or racist moments, but he was never afraid to take a jab at the foibles of his own society -- hypocritical piety, stainable reputations or then-legal drug addiction. He also takes an unusually compassionate approach to the servant class in the character of Rosanna Spearman -- though she is plain, deformed and has a checkered history, Collins never mocks her or her hopeless love of Franklin.

    He also provides us with a wide range of characters -- from wild young men to stately ladies, from a genial butler to the mysterious priests who are the likeliest suspects... but didn't actually do it. Rachel's melodrama can be a bit irritating at times (why didn't she confront Franklin?), but Franklin grows into a more responsible, thoughtful young man over the story, and he's balanced out nicely by the age and experience of the quirky Cuff and Betteridge.

    "The Moonstone" is still a delightful read -- a powerful and sometimes tragic mystery, tempered with quirky humor and a likable cast of characters. While a bit overlong at times, it's still an outstanding little whodunnit.
    40 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2019
    (Review for AmazonClassics and Dream Classics editions)

    Marilyn Manson has written, and I agree, that "occasionally, something will happen that will change your opinion of someone irrevocably, that will shatter the ideal you've built up..." This story, this very important novel of the policial genre, suffers from the length with which the characters narrate their own participation in the main event. It can be expressed in the formula e=mc2, where E is the tiredness of my energy, equal to the product of the mass of words they write, multiplied by the velocity of light squared. Gabriel Betteredge is a lovable butler, loyal and tolerant, but insists so much about Robinson Crusoe and the defects of his deceased wife that almost turns into a bully; Miss Clack is a cute woman that care about religion, but the extension of her chapters make her look as an egotistical fanatic. They are the most notorious examples, but I'd say it applies for almost all protagonists. In the same way the extraordinary Moonstone has a small flaw in its core I think this unnecessary length a small flaw in the core of a very interesting story.

    The policial genre maybe is the worst genre to review because it doesn't admit spoilers, as the revelation of the mystery is the core of it. So I will limit to mention what is safe to mention. The book is about the loss of a big diamond hunted by three Indians that have sworn to their gods to watch it until return it to India. The circumstances of the mystery are explained with great detail and just some parts are insinuated but not totally hidden. Different protagonists tell their part of their story according to the chronology of the events. Among the parts I loved are:

    * The burning, in middle of the story, of a paper in which is written the name of the responsible of the loss of the diamond. We are so close to know it but it turn to ashes. It is, somehow, diabolical.
    * The intrusion of horror in the shape of a misshaped and wretched girl. There is a part where one of the protagonists almost feels her emerging from the sea water above the quicksands. A gloomy vision that is scarier than the idea of a cursed diamond.
    * The contrast of the polite British etiquette and ceremonies of the epoch with the outburst of the characters when the tension of the loss make them explode in outbursts of drama.
    * The twists, they are quite amazing, as in our modern TV series (the good ones, it is)

    There are some aspects that maybe are a tad far fetched as the way the characters seem to get in love quite easily; or the high horses from which some characters lecture others. Also there seems to be an ideological subtext, the one I cannot put my finger on; but I'd say Wilkie Collins seems to favor eccentric characters (i.e. Betteredge, Mr. Blake, Dr. Jennings) above religious or traditional ones (Miss Clack, the first police investigator, and the three Brahmin a bit) I know it is a strategy to divert the attention from real suspects to innocent ones, but I feel there is also some social denounce. Anyway, far from that century and country the answer is meaningless and it doesn't deprive from the adventure to read this book. Maybe I could read it again, and that intention, in the policial genre that only survives one reading, is testament of how good it is.

    About the edition I read the AmazonClassics edition, and I compared it to the Dream Classics edition I had got time before. The AmazonClassics edition is by far the more enjoyable one: you have a clean and modern typography, excellent formatting, and the way to highlight the subtleties (cursives in AmazonClassics and capitals in Dream Classics) is less distracting. The only negative, in the AmazonClassics edition, is the reference to kindle versions of books mentioned. I love that function but the butler, Gabriel Betteredge, mentions Robinson Crusoe a lot, so it appears advertised in the AmazonClassics a lot too, I am not sure if it is possible to deactivate that option but nevertheless, I felt like Daniel Defoe had paid Amazon to get publicity for his book xD Curiously the mention of the important Confessions of an English Opium-Eater doesn't trigger a link to any kindle version, what is a shame because it is a wonderful book if you love, as I do, the British 19th century literature. Those very minor nuisances aside the main advantage of the AmazonClassics edition is the presence of X-Ray, super valuable for policial genre in which you need to know who is who, so probably this is the best edition you can get.
    12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Pierre Hughes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great red
    Reviewed in Canada on May 5, 2022
    Wonderful read.A great mystery novel with great characters such as Gabriel Betteridge with his "Robinson Crusoe and Ezra Jennings as well as the main characters.
  • SS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Kitap
    Reviewed in Turkey on December 28, 2024
    Kitap çok özenli paketlenmişti. Basımı da çok güzel. Tavsiye ederim.
  • maría
    5.0 out of 5 stars Edición excelente
    Reviewed in Spain on December 12, 2022
    Excelente relación calidad-precio. El tamaño de la letra está perfecto teniendo en cuenta que es un libro con formato más pequeño que los de otras ediciones. Libro manejable y fuerte. Muy satisfecha con la compra.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I was in extreme astonishment at the detection of the thief.
    Reviewed in India on February 18, 2022
    An ancestral diamond was preserved in the Palace of Srirangapatnam.   It was a temple relic, kept unchanged through several generations.  When the British forces stormed the fort, they committed mayhem.  Colonel Herncastle’s perversity was as great as the Moonstone's beauty.  The gem was of great monetary worth, and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price.  He murdered the guardians and stole the Moonstone.  Who was he to play God?   After many years, before dying, he bequeathed the diamond to his niece Rachel Verinder.  She was over the moon when she received this most munificent gift on her 18th birthday.  It went missing the same night.  It was God’s punishment, for what the Colonel did all those years ago!
  • DKD
    1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor quality (the ebook not the content)
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on August 3, 2021
    The book is just a photocopy. Lines are missing, can't highlight passages because it's just a picture basically. Really low quality and not worth even 2,69. Very disappointing.
    The story is great though, but I recommend finding a different version.

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