The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Last chapter entitled Mr. Rook

Emily is left alone and lonely, yet curious. She goes thru her aunt’s papers hoping to learn the truth of her aunt’s ravings. She finds a handbill for a reward if the murderer is found. She sends it to Dr. Allay who shows it to Miss Jethro. Miss Jethro appears to be upset, and when the doctor tries to call on her later that same day, she has unexpectedly left. The Dr. deduces that Miss Jethro is connected and Emily’s father was murdered. The doctor is also now curious. He examines a paper which had jammed a drawer which is a letter from the headmistress of the school to Emily’s aunt. The subject of the letter is Miss Jethro. Cecilia writes about her travels and the people she met. One has become a new friend, Doris. She also writes about the sermon and life of Mikes Mirabrl. Miles sounds suspiciously like the other man in the murder room. Emily is reviewing newspapers as a job. Alban tries to protect her from seeing the inquest info in the paper. Emily’s curiosity is awaken by Alban’s behavior, and finds the information for herself.


How do you think the new characters are connected to the story?

Who do you think is the murderer?


Has your opinion changed about any of characters? Why?

Wilkie Collins's novels often have pretty intricate plots and twists, so I still maintain that the other man (if the other person was a man) may not be the murderer. Enjoying it so far, waiting to see what happens next! So far I think we're meant to assume the "fair man" is now the preacher.

Alban’s reappearance to assist Emily has dissolved her resolve to keep him far away from her in an instant. She knows he loves her, yet her own loneliness is crying out for some friendly support.

’ "Oh, how you have suffered!" The words escaped him before he could restrain himself. He looked at her with the tender sympathy, so precious to women, which she had not seen in the face of any human creature since the loss of her aunt.’

I am still not sure about them as a couple though. For one thing, Emily seems much more intelligent and easily saw through his attempt to prevent her from finding the newspaper article. Hopefully Alban can stay objective and help protect Emily from almost certain dangers which might emerge from her rapidly increasing knowledge of the circumstances surrounding her father’s death.

My suspects include Mrs. Rook ( and/or her husband), Miss Jethro and the young, fair stranger who could be the same man that Cecelia and all the ladies on the continent have been swooning over. The details of the murder having now been revealed, it is clear that either a man or a woman could have used the razor to commit the foul deed. What is not clear is the reason for the killing.

Was this Wilkie Collins making an effort to include a comic interlude?

Alban’s bespoke B&B
’ It is my misfortune to be tall. When I went to bed, I slept with my head on the pillow, and my feet out of the window. Very cool and pleasant in summer weather.’

Visualising that scene made me laugh anyway.

That scene was comical. I think it does something else too. It clears alban as the unidentified person who was with the murder victim

Collins clearly wants the reader to connect the stranger in the inn with the man Cynthia mentions in her letter. Is this a red herring? There are so many strands to this mystery, typical of Collins. I really like Alban and hope his love for Emily is eventually returned. I also like Dr. Allday, although I'm not clear how he came to have so much knowledge about the murder.

I am having difficulty keeping all the threads and characters straight, although it is partly because I am reading this as well as other books so I sometimes get mixed up. I've decided to do the week 4 reading right before the discussion starts so it is fresh in my mind.

Nancy wrote: "Collins clearly wants the reader to connect the stranger in the inn with the man Cynthia mentions in her letter. Is this a red herring? There are so many strands to this mystery, typical of Collins. I really like Alban and hope his love for Emily is eventually returned. I also like Dr. Allday, although I'm not clear how he came to have so much knowledge about the murder.
"

I'm not sure that Collins does a lot of red herrings-I wonder if that came about under the influence of more straight-up mystery writers like Conan Doyle and particularly Christie.

I also like Alban and the Dr, and don't get a feeling that either is out to harm Emily.