'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins

The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins (4.0)

Once again, the father of the detective novel has delivered a page-turner. I think of Collins as ‘Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie’- the good detective whodonnit set in the very proper, upper class of the 1800s. He was famously friends with Charles Dickens. In addition to a good mystery, the book is told from the perspective of several characters via their letters, diaries or requested notes. The Moonstone is a valuable, ancient Indian diamond stolen from India and bequeathed to a young English Lady on her 18th birthday. Unfortunately, three Indians have made it their life’s work to retrieve the diamond. It disappears from her room after her party and, since the house was sealed from the outside, the guests staying in the house are suspected. Nothing is simple or obvious in this mystery – some clues are given, but the outcome unfolds like an onion with each layer being quite surprising. Not surprising for the mid 1800s, but still off-putting were the descriptions of the ‘Hindoo’s’ and anyone else of color. I also found the old servant’s repeated description of most women (albeit not his charge, Miss Rachel) quite misogynistic and really annoying. Given those complaints, a point was deducted (apologies – too much Olympics).