Wilkie Collins 
The Haunted Hotel [EPUB ebook] 

Wilkie Collins was a prolific English novelist, playwright, and short story writer who is best remembered for pioneering the mystery and detective fiction genres. Born on January 8, 1824, in London, Collins developed a narrative style characterized by his ingenious use of suspense and his sharp social observations. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens, with whom he often collaborated. Collins’s intricate plots and engrossing storytelling captivated Victorian audiences, and his work remains widely read and studied to this day. His most famous novels include ‘The Woman in White’ (1860) and ‘The Moonstone’ (1868), which are considered to be among the first modern detective novels, incorporating elements of Gothic horror, psychological realism, and the play of identity. ‘The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice’ (1879) is another one of his notable works, a spine-chilling tale that combines elements of the supernatural with a keen analysis of the human psyche. Collins’s contribution to literature extends beyond his narrative innovations; he also challenged the social norms of his day, including the treatment of women and the institution of marriage, through his memorable characters and intricate, socially conscious plots. Scholars frequently explore Collins’s work for its ahead-of-its-time commentary on Victorian society, making him a fixture in discussions on 19th-century literature.