This is a play version of Wilkie Collins's famous novel, adapted by the man himself for performance in a two month run in autumn 1877, nearly a decade after the book was published. The play was apparently not received well, but I think it works quite well as a telescoped version of the story, retaining the key elements of the mystery as to who stole the diamond from Rachel Verinder, while omitting some characters and subplots, especially the Indians pursuing the diamond across the world as it is sacred to the Hindu religion. Quite a satisfying read. ( )