The Moonstone Characters

Rachel Verinder’s cousin and love interest, as well as one of the novel’s chief detective figures, and the compiler and editor of all the first-person narratives that comprise it. Educated abroad, he returns to… read analysis of Franklin Blake

The young woman at the center of the novel, the daughter and heiress of Julia Verinder and the cousin and love interest of both Godfrey Ablewhite and Franklin Blake (whom she eventually marries). Curious, freethinking… read analysis of Miss Rachel Verinder

An old, respected worker at the Verinder household, who was the family’s bailiff (land manager) for decades until becoming something like a butler in his old age, a year before the events of the novel… read analysis of Gabriel Betteredge

Rachel Verinder’s cousin and another of her love interests, who is revealed at the end of the novel to be the actual thief of the Moonstone. An outwardly charming, honorable, attractive, and charitable… read analysis of Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite

A “renowned and capable” detective from London who takes over the case from Seegrave and plays an important part in unearthing the mystery surrounding the Moonstone’s theft. Honest and wise, Cuff manages to win… read analysis of Sergeant Cuff

The wealthy noblewoman who presides over the Verinder estate and social circle at the center of the novel. Julia (née Herncastle) is mother to Miss Rachel Verinder, husband to the late Sir John Verinder… read analysis of Lady Julia Verinder

A maid at the Verinder estate, an ex-petty criminal who met and found work with Lady Julia after she was sent to a reformatory. Her shameful “past life,” deformed shoulder, and propensity to randomly… read analysis of Rosanna Spearman

A respected London attorney, who encourages Franklin Blake to make a written record of the Diamond’s theft—which turns out to be The Moonstone. He initially becomes involved in the Diamond’s loss because he… read analysis of Mr. Bruff

Rachel and John Verinder’s estranged, talkative, fanatically religious niece who imposes herself on the family’s affairs in London and contributes the novel’s second narrative. Her version of events is full of digressions and exaggerated… read analysis of Miss Drusilla Clack

An aloof and pessimistic but brilliant, polite, and loyal opium-addicted doctor who serves as Mr. Candy’s assistant. Haunted by his mixed-race background, childhood in an overseas British colony, and “a horrible accusation” that has… read analysis of Ezra Jennings

Rachel Verinder’s sinister and selfish uncle, who robs the Moonstone from the palace of Seringapatnam during his time in the British Army, as recounted in the novel’s prologue, and brings it back to England… read analysis of Colonel John Herncastle

The Verinder family’s goofy family doctor, whose social tactlessness gets him into an argument with Franklin Blake at Rachel Verinder’s birthday dinner. (Although he does not reveal this until late in the book, Candy… read analysis of Mr. Candy

A daring, adventurous, aloof Anglo-Indian (Englishman raised in India) who spends most of his time traveling around Asia but, when in England, intervenes frequently to help investigators and the Verinder family understand and fend off… read analysis of Mr. Murthwaite

A London moneylender and gem dealer who takes possession of the Moonstone some time after its theft from the Verinder estate, although he firmly denies any involvement with the Diamond whenever he is asked publicly… read analysis of Mr. Septimus Luker

Franklin Blake’s father, whose principal obsession in life is proving that he is the rightful heir to a dukedom. In pursuit of this goal, he involves himself with “the wicked Colonel” John Herncastle… read analysis of Mr. Franklin Blake, Senior

Gabriel Betteredge’s wife, who started as the caretaker of his cottage but whom he decided would be “cheaper to marry […] than to keep [paying].” After getting cold feet, Betteredge failed to break off… read analysis of Selina Goby

Gabriel Betteredge’s beloved daughter, as well as Rachel Verinder’s personal maid and close confidant. She helps Betteredge edit his narrative and serves as both a voice of reason and source of comfort in… read analysis of Penelope Betteredge

Godfrey Ablewhite’s father, a wealthy man who worries constantly about his social status because of his low birth and the fact that he made his money rather than inheriting it. In an effort to… read analysis of Mr. Ablewhite

The humorless local police officer who is first assigned to investigate the Diamond’s disappearance. By declaring that the thief must be inside the house and ruthlessly interrogating everyone present, he manages to alienate the… read analysis of Superintendent Seegrave

A local woman who lives in the fishing village of Cobb’s Hole near the Verinder estate. Because Yolland’s family—and especially her daughter Limping Lucy—is close to Rosanna Spearman, Betteredge and Sergeant Cuff visit… read analysis of Mrs. Yolland

Mrs. Yolland’s daughter, whose leg injury, resultant limp, and disheveled appearance lead Franklin Blake to describe her as “a wan, wild, haggard girl.” She is close friends with Rosanna and, despite her thorough pessimism… read analysis of Limping Lucy

Rachel Verinder’s widowed aunt on her father’s side, with whom she goes to live after her mother Julia’s death. When it is time for Rachel to attend Ezra Jennings’s “experiment” with Franklin… read analysis of Mrs. Merridew

A young boy with enormous bug-eyes, whose real name is “Octavius Guy.” Gooseberry helps Mr. Bruff with legal investigations and proves crucial in Bruff, Franklin, and Cuff’s attempt to trace the Moonstone after… read analysis of Gooseberry

A curious man present at the bank when Mr. Septimus Luker takes out the Moonstone, and whom Franklin, Bruff, and Cuff initially suspect to be working for the Indians due to his… read analysis of The Dark-Skinned Sailor