
THE EVIL GENIUS - A DOMESTIC STORY
By Wilkie Collins
BEFORE THE STORY. - Miss Westerfield’s Education
THE STORY
FIRST BOOK.
Chapter I. Mrs. Presty Presents Herself.
Chapter II. The Governess Enters.
Chapter III. Mrs. Presty Changes Her Mind.
Chapter IV. Randal Receives His Correspondence.
Chapter V. Randal Writes to New York.
A modest household becomes the backdrop for a tangled web of secrets and ambitions. Mrs. Presty, the matriarch, navigates her home’s shifting dynamics while a new governess arrives, sparking subtle rivalries and whispered concerns. Meanwhile, the Linley family’s younger brother, Roderick, is drawn into a scheme that reaches far beyond the drawing‑room, hinting at a larger, more dangerous game. As domestic routines intersect with whispered conspiracies, the stage is set for a clash between respectable façade and hidden motives.
The story’s first act shifts to a courtroom where a motley jury—ranging from a hungry, distracted man to a nervous, fidget‑prone juror—deliberates the fate of the accused nobleman. Charged with sinking a British bark for insurance fraud and hoarding Brazilian diamonds, his trial promises both legal intrigue and a satirical look at societal hierarchies. The narrative balances sharp observation of everyday life with the suspense of a high‑stakes accusation, inviting listeners to untangle the threads of truth and deception.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (614K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by James Rusk, and David Widger
Release date
1999-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1824–1889
A master of suspense and sensation fiction, this Victorian storyteller helped shape the modern mystery novel with unforgettable twists and sharply observed characters. Best known for The Woman in White and The Moonstone, he wrote stories that still feel lively, eerie, and surprisingly modern.
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