Résultats de "Wilkie Collins" dans Toutes les catégories

Late one moonlit night, Walter Hartright encounters a solitary and terrified woman dressed all in white. He saves her from capture by her pursuers and determines to solve the mystery of her distress and terror. Inspired by an actual criminal case, this gripping tale of murder, intrigue, madness and mistaken identity has never been out of print since its publication and brought Collins great fame and success.

Considered the first full-length detective novel in the English language, T.S. Eliot described The Moonstone as 'the first and greatest English detective novel'. The stone of the title is an enormous yellow diamond plundered from an Indian shrine after the Siege of Seringapatam. Given to Miss Verinder on her 18th birthday, it mysteriously disappears that very night. Suspicion falls on three Indian jugglers who have been seen in the neighbourhood. Sergeant Cuff is assigned to the case....

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 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 ...

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

In Fallen Leaves, we follow Amelius Goldenheart, a hero unjustly cast out from a Utopian community in New England, as he embarks on a transformative journey in London. His path intertwines with a series of remarkable women, each embodying the essence of a fallen leaf that he feels compelled to save. Among them is the very woman whose actions led to his expulsion, the troubled wife of his only friend, a young prostitute seeking a way out, and his own fiancée. As Amelius strives to aid these women while grappling with the complexities of a foreign society, both he and the women he encounters ...

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

In After Dark, William Kerby faces the heartbreaking prospect of losing his eyesight, a devastating blow for a passionate painter. While rest is essential for his recovery, the reality of providing for his family looms large. Alongside his devoted wife, Leah, William embarks on a quest for alternative income, drawing inspiration from the countless stories gathered during their travels. In a bid to secure their future, he dictates six captivating short stories to Leah, hoping that publishing them will bridge the gap. Join them on this poignant journey of creativity and resilience. - Summary by ...

Step into the intricate world of Armadale, where two distant cousins share not just a name but a tangled legacy of vengeance and betrayal. The story unfolds with a dramatic deathbed confession from one cousins father, revealing a dark family secret that has lingered for years. As the narrative weaves through time, we follow the protagonist, mistreated and desperate, who escapes the confines of his troubled home to forge a new identity as Ozias Midwinter. Prepare for a gripping tale of fate, family, and the quest for redemption.

En cette nuit du 23 août 1829, sur la côte déchiquetée des Cornouailles, la résidence d'été des Treverton n'est plus que silence et ténèbres.

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

Dive into the intriguing world of Wilkie Collins 1870 novel, Man and Wife. Set against the backdrop of a peculiar Scottish law that recognized verbal or written assertions of marriage, the story follows Arnold and Geoffrey as they navigate a tangled web of relationships. Both men inadvertently find themselves entangled with Anne, who is desperately trying to secure her reputation amidst their conflicting intentions—one is bound to another woman, while the other seeks a wealthier match. With stakes high and hearts in turmoil, Anne must find a true husband before it’s too late. Join us for a...

Blind Love, also known as Iris and The Lord Harry, is the final novel of Wilkie Collins, completed posthumously by Walter Besant. This poignant tale delves into the complex emotions of Iris, a virtuous woman who finds herself deeply enamored with the morally flawed Henry Norland. Her unwavering love blinds her to his numerous shortcomings, showcasing the depths of human affection and its contradictions. As with many of Collins works, this novel confronts pressing social issues, including the Irish Question and womens rights, adding rich layers to the narrative. - Summary by Carolin.

Incorrectly signing her name in the marriage registry leads Valeria Woodville to discover further disturbing information about her husband, Eustace Macallan. Each revelation leads to further questions as Valeria’s journey prompts her to defy him, taking the law into her own hands as she endeavours to navigate her way through a series of false clues and obstructions.

Published in instalments in 1859, The Woman in White is often considered to be one of the very first detective novels. Although critics weren’t impressed at the time, the novel proved to be a hit with the public and has since gone on to become one of the timeless classics of the Victorian era. Following the adventures of Walter Hartright, this is a story of sleuthing, inheritance, ghosts and mistaken identity and was recently the subject of a hit TV adaptation by the BBC.

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by Jessie Buckley, Richard Cordery, Julian Wadham, David Sturzaker, Hugh Fraser, Bruce Alexander, Oscar Batterham, Matthew Spencer, James MacCallum, Stewart Clarke and Jot Davies. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by...

Secrets, mistaken identities, surprise revelations, amnesia, locked rooms and locked asylums, and an unorthodox villain made this mystery thriller an instant success when it first appeared in 1860, and it has continued to enthrall ever since. From the hero's foreboding before his arrival at Limmeridge House to the nefarious plot concerning the beautiful Laura, the breathtaking tension of Collins's narrative created a new literary genre of suspense fiction, which profoundly shaped the course of English popular writing.

Ten vintage dramas on the theme of murder, written by internationally recognised authors and set across the globe ‘Murder is murder, anywhere in the world. The taking of life, the most terrible crime a human being can commit, is the same in any language, whether it springs from vengeance...

Wilkie Collins' follow-up to The Woman in White and No Name is an innovative take on mistaken identity, the nature of evil, and the dark underbelly of Victorian England. The story concerns two distant cousins, both named Allan Armadale, and the impact of a family tragedy, which makes one of them a target of the murderous Lydia Gwilt, a vicious and malevolent charmer determined to get her hands on the Armadale fortune. Will the real Allan Armadale be revealed, and will he survive the plot against his life?

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.