The Moonstone

The Moonstone, a magnificent yellow diamond as "large as a plover's egg" and with a bloody history, has been stolen from the home of Lady Verinder. An innocent man is accused of the crime. From this simple beginning, Wilkie Collins creates a stunning, complex narrative of dark mystery, suspense, and atmospher. It is one of the cornerstones in the development of crime fiction. The poet and critic T.S. Eliot declared it "the first, the longest and the best modern English detective novels." But The Moonstone, which has fascinated readers since its first publication in 1868, is more than a whodunit; like all Collin's works, it explores, dissects, and exposes the society in which he lived. The richness of character and incident are engrossing, entertaining, and enlightening.