The Moonstone

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Peter Jeffrey

Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Considered the first full-length detective story in the English language, T.S. Eliot described The Moonstone as 'the first and greatest English detective novel'.

The stone of the title is an enormous yellow diamond plundered from an Indian shrine after the Siege of Seringapatam. Given to Miss Verinder on her 18th birthday, it mysteriously disappears that very night. Suspicion falls on three Indian jugglers who have been seen in the neighbourhood. Sergeant Cuff is assigned to the case and though it looks simple nothing can be taken for granted.

The story is recounted by several narrators including the bemused butler, the love-sick housemaid, the enigmatic detective Sergeant Cuff and the drug-addicted scientist, who in turn, speculate on the mystery.

This enthralling tale of romance, theft, and murder inspired the detective genre. In a sense, Collins wrote the rulebook on detective stories as many features of The Moonstone have become conventions in the literature of others.

Charles Dickens was a close friend and mentor of Collins, and the two collaborated together on drama and fiction. The Moonstone, as well as some of his other work, was first published in Dickens' journals.

Narrator Biography

Beginning his career on stage, Peter Jeffrey became a recognisable face on British television while enjoying thirty years with the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as working with all the other great British theatre companies. He was soon in demand for television character parts, playing roles in shows such as The Saint (1964-1965), The Avengers (1966-1968) and Doctor Who (1967 and 1978) as well as being involved in many BBC Radio 4 audio dramas such as The Pickwick Papers. Though a versatile actor, he was often cast in roles of authority such as Inspector Carter in Dixon of Dock Green (1966) but occasionally guest starred in comedy roles such as "Napper" Wainwright in Porridge (1975). He continued to act during his final years, with roles in the BBC adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper (1996), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999) and Where the Heart Is (1999).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Inventing a genre

I enjoyed listening to this, though I found it a bit slow sometimes. Didn't realize this was basically the first detective story ever written. As a detective story, it seemed a bit thin, but then again it's hard to get everything right when you are inventing a genre! I've also read that Collin's description of laudanum addiction is remarkably accurate. The reader is excellent. For folks who enjoy 19th century literature, be sure to give this one a listen - you will enjoy it.

Intriguing story, fine performance

Would you consider the audio edition of The Moonstone to be better than the print version?

The audio gave a real flavor of the different characters' speech patterns and dialects, and added to their sense of personality.

Which character – as performed by Peter Jeffrey – was your favorite?

Mr. Jeffrey did a marvelous job with all the characters. This was vital to this story, since it is told from different people's points of view. Each character sounded totally genuine.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A few characters certainly made me laugh, mostly because they were so totally unaware of their flaws and foibles. This humor made a nice break from the suspense, while adding to the depth of the story. But at the same time, a few characters lead almost tragic lives, and Collins shed light on how hard it is when we feel genuine sympathy but are unable to help.

Any additional comments?

A terrific story, with lots of plot twists and cliff hangers from it's original serial format. Although some characters voiced typical Victorian attitudes, overall Collins shared a remarkably modern sensibility, enouraging us to never judge people by their background or appearances.

Good Story Line but really long

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, the book is too long

Which character – as performed by Peter Jeffrey – was your favorite?

The humble house servant who like Robinson Crusoe.

Was The Moonstone worth the listening time?

no

Any additional comments?

not a bad book, just really long

Beautifully read

This book is one of the most beautifully read audio books I have heared in a long time, a great and we'll written story, if a little rambling at times, it's clear why this is considered a classic. However it's Peter Jeffrey who re-envigorates it with such perfect character interpretation.

Engaging old-fashioned mystery

Wilkie Collins, also author of The Woman in White, is a 19th-century British author I have just recently discovered, thanks in large part to the 1000 Books to Read Before You Die list. Think Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes. The mystery is ever-evolving, and the detectives, unlike Holmes, are not infallible. Indeed, it is difficult to tell who to trust (the mark of any good detective story), and the shifting narrators make for another layer of character development.

All in all, the book is good fun. Not only was I interested to see how the plot developed, but I also developed a genuine affection for many of the characters, one of whom has ensured I will never think of Robinson Crusoe the same way again.

A Classic Delivered Wonderfully.

“The Moonstone” is not a book for those who enjoy rapid pacing and the modern thriller format. Wilkie Collins’ well-earned reputation is due to a skill much more difficult to master. Collins is able to sustain heightened drama and suspense throughout the course of this extraordinarily ornate, slowly developing plot. The characters are all well drawn and fully developed, each speaking in a voice and with a sensibility which is wholly unique to that individual. The plot impels the listener ever forward making it difficult to decide to take a break for any reason.

The only point in the book which I found at all dull or annoying was the reading of the letter from the maid. Rather hilariously, one of the main characters is in complete agreement with me on this.

Peter Jeffrey’s performance is superb. His nuance and timbre add greatly to the work as a whole.

For those who love complex, deep mysteries and those who relax with cozy mysteries. “The Moonstone” is a treat to be savored. This book, along with “The Woman in White,” both clearly evidence why organizations of mystery authors consistently include Collins among the best mystery writers of all time.

A delightful (if dated) mystery

I selected this book after seeing a reference to Wilkie Collins in a Dorothy Sayers novel. After doing some searching I saw that this book was seen by many as a great example of early detective fiction. GK Chesterton loved this book. With good reason! The story (aided by the different voices of narrators, as this is an epistolary novel) is completely engrossing. At many points it is quite amusing, and fails to be boring at any point in the tale.

One note of caution: the book was written during the time and from a perspective of English colonialism. Therefore, the casual elitism and racism of the day is to be, unfortunately, expected. However, even in that context there are glimpses of a more forward-thinking and respectful mind than one might expect from the times.

Overall I am thrilled that I got to enjoy this story and I look forward to more Wilkie Collins in the future.

A Fun Read

This was a fun read. You can see where other detective novels got their inspiration from.

Narrator was amazing!

This was a great story- it never felt too long, kept me guessing at every turn, and really invested me in the characters. The narrator was really impressive, giving a great sense of the different personalities and different accents, and a nuanced performance of emotions.

Solid story

Quite long. Difficult to get interested in at first but I pushed through! Since it was written in the 1800’s, the language was slightly difficult to follow along with but again, I pushed through. I’d recommend for someone looking for a nice story to read.