The latter part of this story is certainly sensational, even lurid. But the first two-thirds or so is banal and confusing. Were you deep into the opium at this point, Wilkie? In the end I enjoyed it, almost to the point of giving it four stars. I suppose a good ending makes up for a woeful beginning. But this book is just poorly plotted compared to his great works. ( )

A mysterious woman consults a doctor to see whether she is going mad or not. She tells a tale of her fiancee ditching his previous beau to marry her. however, she has left a reputation across Europe - justified or not - that has raised more than a few objections but results in the fiancé blackmailing her into the marriage.

Four months later, the husband with £10,000 in life insurance, dies whilst on honeymoon in Venice and the .

A year later, the Venetian palace where he died has been converted into a hotel, into which the man's brother has a financial stake. A wedding in the family takes place, and the Grand Tour, combined with theatrical business required in Europe results in the various members of the family staying at the new hotel. Who ever from the family stays in the room where the death occurred is distressed, and refuses to stay another night in the room. In the mean time the widow (who is becoming more disturbed) arrives back in Venice and starts writing a novel.

Investigations take place in the hotel which answers some questions but raises more. However the younger brother is pressed with reading the widow's "play" and soon we hear an alternative answer to the death, which is only more disturbing.

There are some truly creepy points in this book - the disembodied head floating above the bed for instance. The "cast of thousands" and who was related to whom was a little confusing at first but settled down to the main characters. Certainly gives some of the more modern horror writers a run for their money! ( )

Not as good as The Moonstone or Woman in White, but still worth the read. I enjoy the glimpse of 19th century life, the language nuances, and the slower pacing of that era.

Club read. ( )

This was a fun sensationalist melodrama, and the mystery decent, but it wasn't a patch on The Woman in White. Worth a read though. ( )

A Gothic story, but not with an identifiable psychological foundation. I confused some of the female characters. Got kind of disgusting near the end. I enjoyed both Woman in White and The Moonstone more. I like Collins while I'm reading, but then get to the end and am not sure I liked it. ( )