Short Stories (eBook)

Wilkie Collins, born William Wilkie Collins on January 8, 1824, in London, England, is celebrated as a pioneering master of the mystery and detective genre, and a leading figure of 19th-century English literature. His writing career expanded the narrative scope and psychological depth of the novel form, and he is often credited with the creation of the 'sensation novel'. Collins was a close friend and contemporary of Charles Dickens, with whom he frequently collaborated. His literary style often weaved intricate plots with social critique and challenged Victorian norms, particularly in relation to women's rights and the institution of marriage. Collins' oeuvre includes a plethora of novels, numerous short stories, plays, and non-fiction essays. However, he is best known for his novels 'The Woman in White' (1860) and 'The Moonstone' (1868), the latter frequently lauded as the first true detective novel in the English language. His short stories, though less celebrated than his novels, showcase his remarkable versatility and capture his penchant for the mysterious and the suspenseful. They are characterized by the same sharp narrative twists and deep character studies found in his longer works. Throughout his career, Collins confronted the social injustices of his time and was adept at exploring the complexities of human psychology, making him a writer far ahead of his time. He died on September 23, 1889, but the legacy of his work continues to influence writers and enthrall readers to this day.