Stephan M Arleaux

Moonstone Stephan M Arleaux

Forward This novel is about a Yellow diamond know as the 'Moonstone.' The story tells of the events surronding the disappearance of a mysterios (and cursed) yellow diamond It contains a number of ideas which have become common tropes of this genre, including a crime being investigated by talented amateurs who happen to be present when it is committed, and two police officers who exemplify respectively the 'Boston P. D. bungler' and the skilled, professional detective. The novel is narrated by several different people. Such as Gabriel Gately, the head servant at the Verinder house, who becomes a reluctant Watson for Detective Milligan during the investigation. He is a man obsessed in the spiritual guidance of 'Robin Cruso' and believes that any disruption in his life can be explained by reading and interpreting passages from his dogeared copy of Defoe's classic. A Young American woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her nineteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who aquired it through nefarious means (murder). The diamond is of great sacred, significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three priests (by order of their Gods) have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope diamond. Olivia's nineteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Olivia's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings, ill-luck, and death ensues. The complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone, and recover