The Moonstone Audiobook

" Surprised no one has turned me on to Collins before. Excellent page turner whodunnit. I particularly enjoyed the first part, narrated by the butler. He was very droll. Franklin's account got a bit boring. "

" I loves me some 19th-century British mystery, so I ate this up at first. But I found it started to drag about halfway through (when it first switches narrators). Collins seemed to feel the need to spell everything out in painstakingly slow detail. "

" I had to start reading this book three times but I did end up liking it. "

" This book was great! Considering this was the first English detective novel, it reads so smoothly and really keeps you guessing. Loved it! "

" This book reads like a delicious Masterpiece Mystery Classic. It had wonderfully eccentric characters, a fascinating plot and almost no dead bodies. I had forgotten how good the classics can be. Thanks for the recommendation, Louise. "

" What an engaging book! I really enjoyed the unique way the story was told. "

" As T.S.Eliot said "the best of modern English detective novels". Full of suspence and mystery. I love it........... "

" Re-reading for the Deschutes Public Library Classics book discussion group. "

" A fun and intriguing read. I love detective novels and this is first and definitely one of the best! "

" Loved this, and I see it's been a while since I updated. As a fan of Christie and Stout, a "new" mystery was welcome (even if it did predate the aforementioned). "

" a bit too much for me...I could only read 5 pages at a time before I was exhausted from reading. I like old literature, but this one wasn't for me. "

" T.S. Eliot described The Moonstone as 'the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels'. T.S. Eliot has never been a favorite, but I must totally agree with his assessment of the Moonstone. I loved this book! I was not interested in the crime/criminal so much as the attitudes, social castes, overwhelming prejudices, and disguised passions. The story went on an on, but much of it was amusing, and totally captured by attention. "

" I'd read parts of this before, but I don't remember it being this funny. Loved the narratives by Betteredge and Clack just for their sheer lunacy. "

" A fun, and definitely underrated, classic! The mystery narrative is entertaining enough that I can forgive one of those implausible-science plot twists that were frequent back then. "

" This was very fun indeed~! I am not generally into the detective type mysteries, but had heard that this one kept it light and fun and was very surprised at the way the book moved along. The mystery really became quite engrossing and you felt apart of it as it panned out. I loved it! I listened to this on Audio and the reader was also fabulous. "

" Better than Dickens.... the first mystery thriller? "

" Wilkie Collins, a contemporary of Charles Dickens, has written a wonderful mystery. The Moonstone, a rare yellow diamond, journeys from India through Europe something sinister following in its wake. We first encounter this beautiful gem at birthday party. Rachel is enamored of her gift and quite beside herself the next morning to find it stolen. Who stole the Moonstone? Was it someone in the house? Who are the mysterious Indians? This is a wonderful story! I wish I could have given it more than 5 stars! "

" Not really a fan of the first mystery novel. "

" Written by a protege of Charles Dickens and said to the first mystery novel in the English language, The Moonstone is told from the differing perspectives of seven characters. Many of these are unforgettable, especially Collin's rose-cultivating detective, Sergeant Cuff. "

" Wow. I didn't actually get through this one. I struggled through the first half then finally gave up. It just didn't hook me at all. Perhaps I'll try it again someday, because it is, no doubt, a good book, but I'm putting this back on the shelf for now. :/ "

" character development was excellent, as was the multiple perspectives of the various narrators. Not suspenseful and I would have liked more detail on the history of the gem and the culture; there wasnt much to the "curse". "

" One of the best Victorian British novels I have ever read. Loved every part of the mystery. Absolutely stunning and very enjoyable to read. "

" I'd give this book more of a 2 and 1/2 stars. It's typical gothic novel. Interesting moments, lots and LOTS of mindless details, but overall an okay crime/suspense novel. "

" Fascinating story and marvelous characters! Loved it all through, (although some people may have thought it boring and drawn-out.) "

" "So the years pass, and repeat each other; so the same events revolve in the cycle of time. What will be the next adventures of the Moonstone? Who can tell!" "

" "So the years pass, and repeat each other; so the same events revolve in the cycles of time. What will be the next adventures of the Moonstone? Who can tell!" (482). "

" Went on a bit and I found it a bit tedious. "

" Another gem, do try it! "

" Not for everyone, but if you have the time and interest in Jane Austen type writing without the romance, than this is for you. Much slower than contemporary mysteries, but story builds well and the characters are unique and interesting. "

" Can't just say my thougts into words. "

" a classic detective novel, loved the different points of view that presented different opinions on different characters that made you keep guessing as who-dunnit. "

" Would probably give 2.5 if could. The first part was interesting. I felt it dragged in the middle. The last part picked up again some but I found almost silly. Wanted to read it for it's historical impact on crime fiction but I got impatient with the verbose language and extreme detail in parts. "

" This was the first detective novel written and by far probably one of the best Narratives I've ever read. "

" A respected and often imitated classic that to my modern taste dragged on and on, but still had some exciting and suspenseful bits. Definitely worth checking out! "

" This is a charming English mystery story told in the voices of some of the participants. I especially enjoyed Mr. Betteredge, the head of the servants. I liked it that he could find the answer to anything by reading Robinson Crusoe. It's a fun twist on appealing to the Bible for answers. "

" T.S. Elliot describes this as the first/longest/best of English detective stories. First published in 1868, I instantly fell in love with this story and the characters. A great read! "

" I did not love this book. I had a hard time getting through it and felt like it was longer than it needed to be. "

" I listened to it and it was delightful. "

" Such a fun mystery. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. "

" I liked this more than I expected. Early version of a mystery. The setting was like a costume drama. "

" I am working on this one. I finished! It seemed to take forever, but I loved reading it. Not the kind of book to read in an afternoon, but one that will help you recall all of your vocabulary words! "

" The writing resembled Dickens style, but once I made it through the elaborate setup of the story, i was really caught up in the interaction of the characters and trying to figure out the mystery. "

" I loved this book! The only reason I didn't give it five stars is the totally unbelievable description of how they "proved" one character's innocence. Even though it's long and wordy, the structure of telling it through several (mostly peripheral) characters' viewpoints kept me involved. "

" You need laudanum and trances to solve a crime in this suspense novel about a mysterious jewel from the East. It helps to have some shivering sand in the environs too. "

" I love Wilkie Colins. Great story with lots of twists and turns. Each character is well developed and most get the opportunity to tell the tale as they saw or heard it. A true classic! "

" Seems to have taken forever to read this but eventually finished it. Found it a bit slow to start and a little bit confusing on who was telling the tale.In the end it turned in to quite a good read. "

" This was the first detective novel written and by far probably one of the best Narratives I've ever read. "

" Enjoyed the first half of the book much more than the second half. "

" A good old-fashioned mystery. "

" It started as a very interesting novel, with a good story plot and execution but half way through the novel, I started feeling that the author really stretched the mystery a little too much so that for me it became extremely uninteresting and not worth knowing. "

" Really good, unusual style, 1st person from 5 different characters carrying the storey forward when the other characters are restrained geographically. Old fashioned style (1868) but well written and absorbing. "

" Once I learned that it was written as a series of magazine articles, it made sense. But because of that, while reading it, it seemed repetitive and slow. "

" It was a wonderful mystery story. Highly recommended. "

" This is certainly the oldest detective novel I've read, and it's definitely the best. "

" A pilfered, huge yellow diamond; an ancient Hindu curse on the perpetrator; an English country home; butlers, servants, and a famous Scotland Yard sergeant-detective -- what's not to like? Again, thanks to my wife for recommending another Wilkie Collins tome. "

" Not for everyone, but if you have the time and interest in Jane Austen type writing without the romance, than this is for you. Much slower than contemporary mysteries, but story builds well and the characters are unique and interesting. "

" What a delightful yarn. Great story, great characters. I loved the narration from different viewpoints and I loved the language. Wonderful book and a wonderful view of serial-writing in that period. "

" Wonderful book - thought to be the first detective novel in the English language, and it proves to be a pretty epic one at that. With surprising twists and incredibly vivid characters it's well worth reading. "

" Loved it! Old-style mystery; pretty good read. Quick, though it was 500 pages. My take some people some effort to continue reading, but I didn't have trouble with it. "

" Best book ever. Thousand year old Hindu plot, unrequited love, opium, quicksand, a mysterious suicide and a diamond the size of an egg. What's not to love? "

" Oh Dear.....were women really, really so timid and tame? Did men think really really think of women in the way of these 19th century books? I could NEVER have survived, lol. "

" SUCH A GOOD BOOK!!!!! By far, the most genius piece of writing I have ever read. "

" Considered to be the first detective novel written. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. "

" One of my favorites of all time--I think I've read it 4x now. Just a good, keeps-you-guessing Victorian mystery novel. Wilkie Collins did a great job. "

" I can appreciate why this was so popular at the time "

" I loved this book from the first page to the last! It is just pure fun. "

" One of the earliest mystery/detective novels and one of the best. "

" I had to start reading this book three times but I did end up liking it. "

" Called the first modern detective novel. Good reading. Compelling plot and along the way you meet some really interesting characters. Recommend. "

" This book is considered by some to be the first "detective" novel. Charles Dickens told his friend, Wilkie Collins, that he had launched a new genre. "

" Probably the first mystery novel ever written. I liked the setting of old England, the pace of the book, and the page turning plot. It's a classic. "

" Absolutely fantastic. The characterization, the superb narrators, and the limpid writing style makes for a wonderful novel. "

" Great detective/mystery book. I couldn't lay it down very long before I had to know what happened next. Loved the style it was written in too. "

" Re-reading for the Deschutes Public Library Classics book discussion group. "

" I was sorely let down by the ending. ll this build up and then the explanation is a total letdown. "

" This book was great! Considering this was the first English detective novel, it reads so smoothly and really keeps you guessing. Loved it! "

" This book reads like a delicious Masterpiece Mystery Classic. It had wonderfully eccentric characters, a fascinating plot and almost no dead bodies. I had forgotten how good the classics can be. Thanks for the recommendation, Louise. "

" This book reads like a delicious Masterpiece Mystery Classic. It had wonderfully eccentric characters, a fascinating plot and almost no dead bodies. I had forgotten how good the classics can be. Thanks for the recommendation, Louise. "

" This book reads like a delicious Masterpiece Mystery Classic. It had wonderfully eccentric characters, a fascinating plot and almost no dead bodies. I had forgotten how good the classics can be. Thanks for the recommendation, Louise. "

" This book reads like a delicious Masterpiece Mystery Classic. It had wonderfully eccentric characters, a fascinating plot and almost no dead bodies. I had forgotten how good the classics can be. Thanks for the recommendation, Louise. "

" THE great detective story and with great humor, to boot "

" THE great detective story and with great humor, to boot "

" THE great detective story and with great humor, to boot "

" THE great detective story and with great humor, to boot "

" I found the mystery itself well designed, though eventually predictable. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way Wilkie Collins wrote from various perspectives, particularly those of aging servant Betteredge early on and altruistic Jennings toward the end. A fun read. "

" I found the mystery itself well designed, though eventually predictable. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way Wilkie Collins wrote from various perspectives, particularly those of aging servant Betteredge early on and altruistic Jennings toward the end. A fun read. "

" I found the mystery itself well designed, though eventually predictable. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way Wilkie Collins wrote from various perspectives, particularly those of aging servant Betteredge early on and altruistic Jennings toward the end. A fun read. "

" I found the mystery itself well designed, though eventually predictable. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way Wilkie Collins wrote from various perspectives, particularly those of aging servant Betteredge early on and altruistic Jennings toward the end. A fun read. "

" Very intriguing. A bit long, but still very good. Ending is a bit abrupt, but first part is excellent. "

" Very intriguing. A bit long, but still very good. Ending is a bit abrupt, but first part is excellent. "

" Very intriguing. A bit long, but still very good. Ending is a bit abrupt, but first part is excellent. "

" Very intriguing. A bit long, but still very good. Ending is a bit abrupt, but first part is excellent. "

" I read the Project Gutenberg version. Enjoyable. Very influential on later writers. "

" I read the Project Gutenberg version. Enjoyable. Very influential on later writers. "

" I read the Project Gutenberg version. Enjoyable. Very influential on later writers. "

" I read the Project Gutenberg version. Enjoyable. Very influential on later writers. "

" Anyone who appreciates a great mystery will enjoy this book. "

" I can't believe I have never read this book before now! I thought the book and story were great. I really enjoyed reading it. I did think that it was a bit long in parts--The ending especially. It could have been wrapped up much sooner than it was. "

" I can't believe I have never read this book before now! I thought the book and story were great. I really enjoyed reading it. I did think that it was a bit long in parts--The ending especially. It could have been wrapped up much sooner than it was. "

" Anyone who appreciates a great mystery will enjoy this book. "

" I can't believe I have never read this book before now! I thought the book and story were great. I really enjoyed reading it. I did think that it was a bit long in parts--The ending especially. It could have been wrapped up much sooner than it was. "

" Anyone who appreciates a great mystery will enjoy this book. "

" I can't believe I have never read this book before now! I thought the book and story were great. I really enjoyed reading it. I did think that it was a bit long in parts--The ending especially. It could have been wrapped up much sooner than it was. "

" Anyone who appreciates a great mystery will enjoy this book. "

" This book is a little slow to get going, but I ultimately enjoyed it. It's like Sherlock Holmes with all the trappings you would expect from a Victorian novel: swooning ladies, grumbling detectives, comic-relief from the servants, English countryside. "

" This book is a little slow to get going, but I ultimately enjoyed it. It's like Sherlock Holmes with all the trappings you would expect from a Victorian novel: swooning ladies, grumbling detectives, comic-relief from the servants, English countryside. "

" This book is a little slow to get going, but I ultimately enjoyed it. It's like Sherlock Holmes with all the trappings you would expect from a Victorian novel: swooning ladies, grumbling detectives, comic-relief from the servants, English countryside. "

" This book is a little slow to get going, but I ultimately enjoyed it. It's like Sherlock Holmes with all the trappings you would expect from a Victorian novel: swooning ladies, grumbling detectives, comic-relief from the servants, English countryside. "

" This was a really awesome mystery and I preferred it to Collins' The Woman in White. I think it had a great combination of humor and uncertainty/tension. Such a fun read and the ending was very unexpected (at least, for me!). "

" This was a really awesome mystery and I preferred it to Collins' The Woman in White. I think it had a great combination of humor and uncertainty/tension. Such a fun read and the ending was very unexpected (at least, for me!). "

" This was a really awesome mystery and I preferred it to Collins' The Woman in White. I think it had a great combination of humor and uncertainty/tension. Such a fun read and the ending was very unexpected (at least, for me!). "