Summary
Published in 1868, The Moonstone is widely considered the first detective novel in the English language. Written by Wilkie Collins, this Victorian-era mystery helped establish many of the enduring conventions of the detective genre—including red herrings, a country house setting, and a skilled investigator in Sergeant Cuff. The novel's innovative structure, with its use of multiple narrators to piece together the mystery, was highly influential.
Plot
The Moonstone begins when Rachel Verinder receives a stunning large yellow diamond on her 18th birthday. The diamond, known as the Moonstone, was stolen from an Indian temple by Rachel's uncle, Colonel Herncastle. That night, the Moonstone mysteriously disappears from Rachel's bedroom. Suspicion falls on a group of Indian jugglers seen near the house, as well as various members of the household.
Despite the efforts of Sergeant Cuff, a renowned detective from London, the mystery remains unsolved. Rachel becomes estranged from her cousin Franklin Blake, with whom she was previously in love. A year passes, and Franklin returns determined to solve the case. He discovers that he himself took the diamond while in a laudanum-induced trance on the night of Rachel's birthday.
Further investigation reveals that Franklin gave the diamond to Rachel's other cousin, Godfrey Ablewhite, for safekeeping that night. However, Godfrey, who was facing financial ruin, kept the diamond and used it as collateral for a loan. When Godfrey attempts to flee with the diamond, he is murdered by the Indian priests who have been pursuing the stone.
In the end, the Moonstone is recovered by the Indian priests and returned to its temple in India. With the mystery solved and behind them, Rachel and Franklin reconcile and marry. An epilogue reveals that the diamond has been restored to its rightful place in the forehead of a Hindu idol.
Themes
Imperialism and its effects on British society
The clash between Eastern and Western cultures
The unreliability of memory and perception
The role of women in Victorian society
The dangers of opium use and addiction
Class divisions and prejudices in 19th century England
The emergence of detective fiction as a genre
Setting
Set in the mid-19th century, The Moonstone unfolds against the backdrop of Victorian society, with its rigid class structure and social conventions. Wilkie Collins vividly portrays the contrast between life in the peaceful English countryside of Yorkshire and the bustling urban center of London.
The novel's setting extends beyond England, incorporating elements of British colonialism in India. The titular diamond originates from a Hindu shrine in Seringapatam, connecting the narrative to Britain's imperial presence on the subcontinent. This exotic backdrop adds an air of mystery and intrigue to the story, as the diamond's Indian guardians pursue its recovery throughout the novel.
Specific locations featured in the book include the Verinder family's country estate in Yorkshire, where much of the action takes place, and various London locales such as solicitors' offices and a seedy waterside inn. The atmospheric Shivering Sands, a treacherous area of quicksand on the Yorkshire coast, also plays a significant role in the plot. These diverse settings contribute to the novel's rich tapestry of mystery, romance, and social commentary.
Characters
Rachel Verinder: The young heiress who receives the Moonstone diamond on her 18th birthday. Fiercely independent and passionate, Rachel becomes entangled in the mystery of the diamond's theft. Her complicated relationship with Franklin Blake forms a central part of the story. Rachel's actions and motivations drive much of the plot forward.
Franklin Blake: Rachel's cousin and love interest. An adventurous and intelligent young man, Franklin takes on the role of amateur detective to solve the mystery of the Moonstone. His complex involvement in the theft and subsequent investigation forms the core of the novel's plot. Franklin narrates key portions of the story.
Sergeant Cuff: A renowned detective from Scotland Yard brought in to investigate the theft. Cuff's keen observations and deductive skills advance the investigation, though he is ultimately unsuccessful in solving the case. His fondness for roses provides an interesting character quirk.
Gabriel Betteredge: The Verinders' head servant, who narrates the first part of the novel. Loyal and opinionated, Betteredge provides both humor and insight through his narrative. His devotion to Robinson Crusoe as a source of wisdom adds color to his character.
Rosanna Spearman: A housemaid with a mysterious past who becomes infatuated with Franklin Blake. Her actions, driven by unrequited love, complicate the investigation. Rosanna's tragic story adds emotional depth to the novel.
Godfrey Ablewhite: Rachel's cousin and suitor, a seemingly virtuous philanthropist. His true nature is gradually revealed throughout the story. Ablewhite plays a crucial role in the mystery's resolution.
Lady Verinder: Rachel's mother, a kind and protective figure. She attempts to shield her daughter from the turmoil surrounding the Moonstone's theft.
Drusilla Clack: Rachel's sanctimonious cousin, who narrates a portion of the story. Her hypocritical nature and religious fervor provide comic relief.
Ezra Jennings: Dr. Candy's assistant, a mysterious figure with a troubled past. His medical knowledge and use of opium become crucial to solving the mystery.
Colonel Herncastle: Rachel's uncle who originally acquired the Moonstone in India. His actions set the entire plot in motion.
Quick facts
The Moonstone is widely recognized as the first full-length detective novel in the English language.
The story was serialized in Charles Dickens's magazine All the Year Round in 1868 before being released as a book.
Wilkie Collins wrote parts of The Moonstone while under the influence of laudanum, which he took for pain relief.
The character of Sergeant Cuff was based on a real-life detective named Inspector Jonathan Whicher.
T.S. Eliot praised The Moonstone as “the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels."
The Moonstone pioneered many elements that have become staples of detective fiction, including red herrings and a “least likely suspect."
The plot was partly inspired by the real-life theft of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from India.
The Moonstone uses a multi-narrator technique, with the story told from different characters' perspectives.
Collins dedicated the novel to his mother, who died while he was writing it.
The Moonstone has been adapted numerous times for film, radio, stage, and television, including a notable 1996 BBC miniseries starring Greg Wise and Keeley Hawes, which aired on Masterpiece Theatre in the United States.
About the Author
Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was a pioneering English novelist and playwright of the Victorian era. A native of London, he initially trained as a lawyer but found his true calling as a writer. His friendship with Charles Dickens, which began in 1851, proved instrumental to his literary career. Collins contributed stories to Dickens's journals and collaborated with him on various projects, helping to launch his career as a professional author.
Collins is best known for his novels combining elements of Gothic horror and psychological realism. His most famous works include The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868), which is considered the first full-length detective novel in English literature. Earning him both commercial success and critical acclaim, these works of “sensation” established Collins as a master of suspense.
In addition to his literary innovations, Collins used his writing to critique Victorian society. He addressed issues like the legal status of women, the treatment of the disabled, and social inequalities. Collins was also known for his unconventional personal life. Though a life-long bachelor, he maintained long-term relationships with two women simultaneously. His struggles with opium addiction, which he began taking for gout pain, influenced some of his later works. Critics and readers continue to appreciate Collins for his gripping narratives, complex characters, and insightful social commentary, securing his place as an important figure in 19th-century English literature.
