Showing results by author "Wilkie Collins" in All Categories

La Piedra Lunar, valiosa joya robada de un santuario hindú y de la que se cuentan toda clase de leyendas maléficas, llega a las manos de Raquel Verinder, heredera de un lord inglés, como regalo de cumpleaños. Sin embargo, después de la cena de celebración la gema desaparece.

In this series we explore the many facets of love through literary talents that span both time and country. By a choice of vows each undertakes to stay with the other through the good times and the bad. And most probably there will be plenty of both and much in between. But the union of marriage comes in many shades and hues, some balanced, some destined to last a lifetime and others set to fizzle out or stumble to an ill-mannered conclusion in separation or divorce and, of course, death.

When Lord Montbarry dies suddenly in his Venice palace, and his courier goes missing, suspicion is instantly thrown on his new wife, the beautiful Countess Narona, who has collected his life insurance and fled to America. Montbarry's former fiance, Agnes, still harboring feelings for him, and Henry Westwick, Montbarry's younger brother, decide to investigate this tragedy and head for the palace, now a hotel. Not long after their arrival they experience strange and unsettling occurrences, and the circumstances of Montbarry's death begin to unravel.

No, the "Moonstone" isn't a celestial relic, it's a gigantic yellow diamond of unearthly beauty that was given to Rachel Verinder as a present on her 18th birthday - and stolen that very night! Betteredge, one of the most beloved butlers in English literature, is the focus of this seminal detective novel, which examines how one family's life is turned upside-down by the theft. And find out why the answers to all of life's problems can be found in the pages of Robinson Crusoe.

A spine-tingling collection of weird and wonderful horror stories, featuring ghosts, curses, strange phenomena, ghouls, black magic, and demonic apparitions. Do you dare to listen?

Seven strange stories of intriguing optical illusions. The Diamond Lens by Fitz James O'BrienThe Devil's Spectacles by Wilkie CollinsThe Secret of the Smoked Spectacles by William Le QueuxMy Black Mirror by Wilkie CollinsThe Man who was Blind by Edwin PughA Coincidence by A. J. AlanTitbottom’s Spectacles by George William Curtis.

This collection contains the best of classic horror writing, with the atmospheric genius of Edgar Allan Poe, the invention and eeriness of Bram Stoker, and the suspense of Wilkie Collins amongst the terrifying gems. In this veritable schooling in the origins of modern-day horror and fantasy, some of the best minds in the history of English literature take on the world of vampires, werewolves, and the supernatural.

Claimed as the first detective story in the English language, Wilkie Collins weaves his classic mystery through a series of often "meandering" narratives by various characters in the book who had first hand knowledge surrounding the disappearance of a large valuable yellow diamond (the Moonstone) from the room of it's young owner, Rachel Verinder.

A masterful blend of Gothic drama and romance, Wilkie Collins' mystery novel is an exploration of illegitimacy and inheritance. Set in Cornwall, the plot foreshadows The Woman in White with its themes of doubtful identity and deception and involves a broad array of characters. The "secret" of the book's title is the true parentage of the book's heroine, Rosamond Treverton, which has been written down and kept in an unused room at Porthgenna Tower. This is where, 20 years later, much of the novel's action is set.

Often hailed as the first detective novel ever written, The Moonstone masterfully intertwines romance and mystery, captivating readers with its blend of intrigue and emotion. It features a rich tapestry of characters, including a hunchbacked girl whose tragic love story resonates deeply, a dying Jewish doctor who plays a crucial role in solving the mystery, and cunning Hindu conjurers pursuing the return of their sacred gem. With moments of humor and poignant storytelling, this novel is a profound testament to the art of narrative. - Summary by Tony Addison

In the tranquil countryside, elderly brothers Owen, Morgan, and Griffith enjoy a peaceful retirement—until the arrival of Griffiths ward, the spirited young Jessie Yelverton. What was meant to be a brief six-week visit quickly turns into a delightful dilemma for the gentlemen, who find themselves eager to extend her stay by ten more days. To keep Jessie entertained and engaged, they concoct a promise to share captivating and thrilling stories each night. Join them on this enchanting journey filled with laughter, intrigue, and heartwarming moments. - Summary by Carolin

In the shadows of the streets, Mercy Merrick struggles to survive until fate intertwines her path with that of the charming clergyman, Julian Gray. Yearning for a fresh start, she seizes the opportunity to leave her past behind by volunteering as a nurse during the tumultuous Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Yet, shedding her former life proves challenging, especially in a society where status is everything. When tragedy strikes and claims the life of Grace Roseberry, Mercy makes a daring choice—she assumes Graces identity and the privileges that come with it. Will she find the new beginning she...

In My Ladys Money, Lady Lydiard finds herself in a precarious situation as she attempts to settle an uncomfortable business matter with a five hundred-pound note. Just as she is ready to send off her letter, a sudden emergency disrupts the household—whether its the ailing dog Tommie, the chaos of managing the home, or the sparks of budding romance, everyone is momentarily distracted. But when calm returns, the note has mysteriously vanished. Who could have taken it? Join us as the intrigue unfolds. - Summary by Carolin

In the heartwarming tale of Hide and Seek, artist Valentine Blyth exemplifies compassion as he cares for his ailing wife while also rescuing a deaf orphan girl from the cruelty of a traveling circus. Adopting the girl, affectionately nicknamed Madonna, he becomes a mentor to a troubled young man named Zack, who struggles under the oppressive rule of his father. As Madonna and Zacks bond deepens, Valentine harbors a chilling secret about her origins, fearing that her blood relatives may one day come to reclaim her. The arrival of a mysterious stranger, recently returned from a rugged life in ...

In Legacy of Cain, sisters Eunice and Helena lead a seemingly idyllic life under the care of their father, the Reverend Abel Gracedieu. However, their world is turned upside down when buried secrets from their past begin to emerge. One sister, adopted, grapples with the haunting legacy of a mother executed for her husbands murder. As the mistress and brother of the slain man enter their lives, a gripping chain of events unfolds, forcing one sister to confront the painful truths of her heritage. Who will rise to face the darkness that looms over them? - Summary by Carolin

Lewis Romayne returns to the family home, Vange Abbey, after a fatal duel in France–the memory of which still haunts him. In an attempt to put the experience behind him, he visits London where he meets Stella Eynecourt, who will become his wife. However, Romayne also comes across the cunning Father Benwell, who is determined to convert him to Catholicism and to regain Vange Abbey for the Church.

In the year 1846, the idyllic life of the Vanstone family at Combe-Raven in West Somersetshire is shattered by tragedy. When Andrew Vanstone suffers a fatal accident, followed closely by the death of his wife, dark secrets come to light the couple was never married at the time of their daughters births, rendering the girls Nobodys Children under English law and stripping them of their rightful inheritance. With his brothers fortune now in his hands, Andrews elder sibling, Michael, revels in his newfound wealth, leaving his nieces to fend for themselves. While the gentle Norah accepts her fate ...

After the death of his father, Gerard Roylake returns from Germany to claim his inheritance at Trimley Deen. One fateful evening, he reconnects with his childhood friend, Cristel Toller, and they quickly fall in love. However, their romance is complicated by a deaf man known as The Lodger, who has an unsettling obsession with Cristel. When The Lodger invites Gerard to tea under sinister pretenses, Gerard unwittingly accepts, setting the stage for a gripping tale of love, obsession, and betrayal. This first-person narrative unfolds through Gerards eyes, immersing listeners in his tumultuous ...

Biter Bit is a delightful and humorous short story by the renowned British author Wilkie Collins. Originally appearing as Who is the Thief? in the April 1858 issue of The Atlantic Monthly, it was later rebranded and included in the 1859 collection, The Queen of Hearts. This charming tale unfolds in an epistolary format, following a naively ambitious young wannabe detective with an inflated sense of his sleuthing abilities as he grapples with a minor theft of banknotes. Can you identify the true culprit before our rookie detective catches on? - Summary by Louise J. Belle

Heart and Science is a captivating didactic novel by Wilkie Collins that follows the journey of the young doctor Ovid Vere as he battles against the odds for his love. Confronted by his familys disapproval and the complexities of their social circle, Ovids path is fraught with intrigue, including a significant inheritance, a secret engagement, and a wicked stepmother. What sets this novel apart is Collins passionate plea against animal cruelty in the realm of science, reflecting his deep affection for animals. - Summary by Carolin