It's common to think of old works as hoary classics from which little entertainment can spring. This book, written in the late 1800s, proves that false, containing surprisingly modern themes, such as class consciousness, drug addiction and more.

A precious jewel with a strong religious significance is stolen from its home in India, brought to Britain and given to a girl for her birthday. Rachel is beautiful, headstrong and in love with Franklin Blake.

A deep, dark secret wrenches both of them apart ... and after two different detectives bumble their way through the case, will the mystery of the Moonstone ever be solved?

Told by a sequence of colorful characters, the story mixes a classic detective yarn - indeed, one of the first of its genre - with adventure, derring-do and wonderful dashes of gentle humour.

In particular, about half the story is told by old family retainer Gabriel Betteredge, who steals the show with his unique obsession with Robinson Crusoe.

It makes me want to read another classic book ...

D

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