The Moonstone [Naxos AudioBooks Edition]

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Ronald Pickup, Sean Barrett, David Timson, Jamie Parker, Jonathan Oliver, Fenella Woolgar, Joe Marsh

Length: 22 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Upon inheriting the Moonstone, a huge and priceless diamond, Rachel Verinder's delight turns to dismay when the gem suddenly disappears. But this is no ordinary theft. Sergeant Cuff of Scotland Yard is called in and immediately suspects an intricate plot. However, not even his powers of detection can penetrate fully the mysteries surrounding the diamond. And as we listen to each character’s version of the events, layer upon layer of drama and suspense build to the final and astonishing denouement of this magnificent, classic English detective novel.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks

Slow start but worth it

Would you listen to The Moonstone again? Why?

Yes, as I am sure I have missed some of the character build ups.

What did you like best about this story?

How it ended.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the main character was confronted about the stealing of the jewel by his hopefully future wife.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Never trust what you see.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book by the end.

Great book, awful narration

GREAT book, but the second narrator (the old man narrating the part of the servant man) made me stop listening to this audio book, go to the Audible store, and buy the same book narrated by a different narrator. I'm sure he's a man of respect, and respectfully I say that his narration sounds like that of a drunken man. His pace and tone make it imposible to understand what he's saying 70% of the time during his narration, and his super slow pace creates a nuisance that doesn't excite the will in the reader to keep listening.
I wish I could have it refunded...

The Moonstone by Willkie Collins.

A facinating tale set in the time of the English reign in India. A story full of mystery and in language of the time of Charles Dickens.
It is a long story with so many people involved it takes you into the far east and into the countryside of England and back to Dickensian London. Wikie Collins was a fine writer. This book is well worth reading. I found it intriuging , a change of pace from todays world of detective novels, which I also enjoy to the fullest.
The readers were excellent. They really heloed draw you into the tale as it goes along.

Be persistent

Would you listen to The Moonstone again? Why?

I read this when I was a teenager. This production is excellent. You just need to get thru the first 45 minutes, which seems a little tedious at first, but sets the scene and tone for the rest of book, which becomes increasingly engaging.

Well with the investment. Thanks to those who produced it (including Wilkie Collins :)

Good

Any additional comments?

Good story, but not too captivating. I am glad I listened to it but I am ready for something more dynamic.

Wonderful escape!!

Oh so relaxing to get lost in this other world with perfect narration. Did not want the story to end!!!

Excellent work of Collins~!

Although not as good as "The Woman in White" (in my opinion), "The Moonstone" is definitely one of Collin's best works and without a doubt shows the heralding of the detective novel into Victorian England. The narrators did an excellent job, especially Clack. Have to say that her part amuses me every time. I would absolutely recommend picking this one up for a listen. The fact that his book was originally serialized in the 1800's prior to being bound as one novel, makes the story very episodic. Absolutely recommend it!

Brilliant!

The hours speed by in this amazing narration of the brilliantly plotted and tightly written Collins' novel. It seems discursive in the glorious tradition of English 19th century novels, but, as the climax approaches, each and every detail falls into place and the listener realizes the elegance and economy of the text. The performances are absolutely top notch and the series of narrators exactly realizes the structure of the novel in text form. I'm ready to listen again!

Wilkie you sly fox!

Considered the first detective novel it delivers tenfold. Terrific cast. Exciting, frustrating, whodunit! Another winner.

I enjoyed this thoroughly - fun mystery

According to Wikipedia, The Moonstone "is considered the first modern English detective novel." Well, Collins set the bar high! It's a mystery where all your possible suspects are present from the beginning, and you can consider that just about anyone could be the one "whodunnit" - and that's the thing. Just about anyone could have, and you could think of a motive for just about anyone, or each one shows some strange behavior (with very few exceptions) and so you keep guessing. It's loads of fun. Some of the characters have enough eccentricities to make them entertaining - whether it is Gabriel Betteredge's love of Robinson Crusoe or Seargent Cuff's fondness for roses and his arguments with the gardener about them. The narration is superb, though I'm not certain that it was better by having multiple narrators rather than one. By having multiple narrators, the same character sounded different in different portions of the book. But each one did a great job, and I enjoyed every minute. Seargent Cuff reminded me a bit of Columbo - maybe the writer of the show was inspired by Seargent Cuff.