The Law and the Lady

by Wilkie Collins, David Skilton (Introduction), David Skilton (Noted by)

Overview

Despite the grave misgivings of both their families, Valeria Brinton and Eustace Woodville are married. But before long the new bride begins to suspect a dark secret in her husband's past and when she discovers that he has been living under a false name, she determines to find out why he is concealing his true identity from her. Soon she must endure an even greater shock: the revelation that her husband has been on trial for poisoning his first wife. Convinced of his innocence, Valeria is prepared to do anything to clear her husband's name, and in so doing upturns the conventions of polite nineteenth century society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780141907222
Publisher:	Penguin UK
Publication date:	09/24/1998
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	3 Months

About the Author

Wilkie (William) Collins (1824-89) was a hugely successful and popular crime, mystery and suspense writer. He wrote the first full-length detective novels in English and set a mould for the genre as shown in The Moonstone and The Woman in White.

David Skilton teaches at the University of Wales, Cardiff.

Date of Birth:

December 8, 1824

Date of Death:

September 23, 1889

Place of Birth:

London, England

Place of Death:

London, England

Education:

Studied law at Lincoln¿s Inn, London

Table of Contents

Volume I
I	The Bride's Mistake	13
II	The Bride's Thoughts	22
III	Ramsgate Sands	37
IV	On the Way Home	50
V	The Landlady's Discovery	62
VI	My Own Discovery	70
VII	On the Way to the Major	83
VIII	The Friend of the Women	97
IX	The Defeat of the Major	108
X	The Search	128
XI	The Return to Life	158
XII	The Scotch Verdict	171
XIII	The Man's Decision	181
XIV	The Woman's Answer	189
Volume II
XV	The Story of the Trial. The Preliminaries	209
XVI	First Question--Did the Woman Die Poisoned?	213
XVII	Second Question--Who Poisoned Her?	239
XVIII	Third Question--What Was His Motive?	258
XIX	The Evidence for the Defence	282
XX	The End of the Trial	291
XXI	I See My Way	308
XXII	The Major Makes Difficulties	319
XXIII	My Mother-in-law Surprises Me	329
XXIV	Miserrimus Dexter--First View	339
XXV	Miserrimus Dexter--Second View	351
XXVI	More of My Obstinacy	372
XXVII	Mr Dexter at Home	382
XXVIII	In the Dark	399
XXIX	In the Light	410
Volume III
XXX	The Indictment of Mrs Beauly	427
XXXI	The Defence of Mrs Beauly	444
XXXII	A Specimen of My Wisdom	457
XXXIII	A Specimen of My Folly	462
XXXIV	Gleninch	484
XXXV	Mr Playmore's Prophecy	495
XXXVI	Ariel	510
XXXVII	At the Bedside	520
XXXVIII	On the Journey Back	539
XXXIX	On the Way to Dexter	543
XL	Nemesis at Last!	553
XLI	Mr Playmore in a New Character	592
XLII	More Surprises!	608
XLIII	At Last!	619
XLIV	Our New Honeymoon	626
XLV	The Dust-heap Disturbed	637
XLVI	The Crisis Deferred	651
XLVII	The Wife's Confession	658
XLVIII	What Else Could I Do?	672
XLIX	Past and Future	679
L	The Last of the Story	691

Editorial Reviews

06/10/2024

Set in mid-1800s England, Collins's (The Moonstone; The Woman in White) groundbreaking detective story centers on Valeria and Eustace, who married after a brief courtship, against the recommendations of friends and family. Inquiries into Eustace's past leave many questions unanswered, and Eustace's mother's flat refusal to attend the wedding leads Valeria to suspect that her husband is keeping a secret. When her mother-in-law reveals that Eustace is using a false name, Valeria investigates further, against the express wishes of her husband. She discovers that Eustace was previously married and was accused of murdering his first wife. The decision returned by the Scottish court was "not proved," suggesting that Eustace was suspected guilty, although there was not enough evidence to prove it. Narrator Lucy Scott captures Valeria's certainty that Eustace is innocent, relaying her dogged pursuit of evidence to clear his name. Scott provides an excellent range of character voices and accents, but it is her memorable portrayal of persistent Valeria that makes this audio stand out. VERDICT Listeners should enjoy this compellingly narrated novel, first published in 1875 and considered to be the first full-length English detective novel featuring a woman sleuth. A wonderful addition to any audio classics collection.—Joanna M. Burkhardt

Library Journal - Audio

Lucy Scott gives a thrilling performance of this propulsive detective story, which will have listeners guessing until the end. In this real Victorian melodrama first published in 1875, the detective--surprisingly--is a woman. Within a few days of marrying, 23-year-old Valeria discovers that a Scottish court had rendered a verdict of "not proven" against her husband, Eustace, in his trial for poisoning his first wife. Scott illuminates Valeria's distress, as well as her profound determination to clear her husband's name. Scott keeps the tension high as Valeria questions Eustace's friends and acquaintances, reviews the trial transcript, and discovers new clues. Scott is equally skilled at male and female characterizations, emotional nuance, and vocal distinction. A lively and immersive listen. M.J. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2024 - AudioFile