bookishmatt42 's review for:

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

5.0

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I know this took me forever to read, but it really is so good (And also it was originally serialized, so one could argue that reading it over 2 years is more authentic, lol). Not only is it the very first detective novel and doing so many (of what would become) well-known tropes and cliches first, it also employs them with truly great effect. Just some of the devices in here: a locked room murder, a seasoned detective who has an odd hobby (being obsessed with growing the perfect roses), disguises, 2 dramatic wills, using a child to follow a suspect/gather information, the detective suspecting himself, and so many more. All of this in a Victorian era novel that also features 2 love traingles. Also standout is the character work, including the gossipy caretaker Gabriel Betteredge, who reads and consults “Robinson Crusoe” like it’s the Bible. And underpinning the whole narrative is Collins’ idea that even British fine society is not safe from the evils caused by British imperialist plunder. Great stuff.