The Dons and Mr. Dickens: The Strange Case of the Oxford Christmas Plot

Mr. Dickens #4

by Wilkie Collins (Contributor), William J. Palmer (Editor)

An Oxford don’s death in an opium den is investigated by the literary detective duo—with some help from fellow author Charles Dodgson . . .   One dank November night, Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins are called to a part of London notorious for its opium dens—where an Oxford history don has been found murdered. Eager to escape the drudgery of a London winter, the two amateur detectives willingly accept Inspector Field’s orders to travel on the new railway line to Oxford, where Collins was once a student, to conduct an undercover investigation.   Once in Oxford, they enlist the help of Collins’s old schoolmate, Charles Dodgson (who will soon be known to the world as Lewis Carroll), a brilliant mind on the verge of becoming the youngest don in Oxford’s history. Together, they encounter a complex conspiracy punctuated by murder, political radicalism, and revenge . . .   “Vibrant Victorian social history and intriguing biographical details about Dickens” enliven this unique historical mystery with a literary twist from the author of The Detective and Mr. Dickens (Booklist).

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Christmas

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Wilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright, best known for The Woman in White (1860), an early sensation novel, and The Moonstone (1868), a pioneering work of detective fiction. Born to landscape painter William Collins and Harriet Geddes, he spent part of his childhood in Italy and France, learning both languages. Initially working as a tea merchant, he later studied law, though he never practiced. His literary career began with Antonina (1850), and a meeting with Charles Dickens in 1851 proved pivotal. The two became close friends and collaborators, with Collins contributing to Dickens' journals and co-writing dramatic works.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. Stopped at 37% (page 89)

This book was boring and long-winded. Every chapter took forever to get to the point.
I also did not care for Dickens and Wilkie Collins as the main characters. They were not exactly nice people in real life and this book accurately reflects that. They both have mistresses/lovers who feature in the story, and there are some descriptions of less-than-savory venues like an opium den with whores. Since I was already bored, I just didn't want to read about all that.

[Dollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of a series of books written about Wilkie Collins and his good friend and mentor, Charles Dickens. The editor writes that these stories are all true and are taken from the secret journals of Wilkie Collins, but I believe they were all just written by William Palmer. In this story, Wilkie and Charles are enlisted by Inspector Field of the London Metropolitan Protectives for their “detectiving” skills to help him catch a murderer. Even Dickens’ mistress, Ellen Ternan, is part of their task force. They all travel from London to Oxford because the murder victim was an Oxford don. Before they know it, they find that several of the dons are conspiring and plotting, but no one knows what they’re planning. During the investigation, even more dons are murdered. They are in a race against time to find the killer. This was quite the mystery. I bought it not knowing it was part of a series, I just like reading about Dickens, as I’m a big fan and have read a lot of his work.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an account of how Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens helped a London Inspector solve a murder actually a number of murders. It is based on the diary of Wilke Collins who wrote his diary as a story. What is so fascinating about the account is that it is written in the vernacular of that day. The descriptions as to how things were done such as loading Mr Dicken's coach onto the train going to Oxford etc. I definitely plan on reading some more of these accounts.
Wilkie Collins was mentored by Dickens and then they worked together. He also became a famous English author and I have enjoyed reading his novels as well

[Donnis Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this book while visiting Oxford. It was great fun to read about all the locations I was visiting. Plus loved how Mycroft Holmes was part of the story as well. Enjoyable read!

[Ed Mestre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightweight fun, in spite of a couple of plot holes. It is the 4th book in the series, but it stood okay on its own. Partly because there were several footnotes alluding to events and characters from the first three books. Helpful, but perhaps a few spoilers if I ever decide to go back and read them. This book is oh so very British, taking place mainly in Oxford. Suspend your belief system a bit as Charles Dickens & Wilkie Collins do daring adventures a la Holmes and Watson (Wilkie even narrates like Watson with the author claiming to simply be editing Collins' journals, reminding me of Laurie King's Mrs. Holmes books.) We even have Inspector Fields in the Lestrade type role. There’s some guest appearances, both historical and fictional, adding to the fun. Just relax and be entertained.

[Tom Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I selected this book because it featured Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Charles Dodgson a.k.a. Lewis Carroll, and, as I discovered, a young officer from the Oxford Police named, yes, Morse. Haha.
This is the 4th book in this series, and it's possible that the first three are better. I found this one to be rather flat. Dickens is totally aware of the star that he is, and sulks and whines when he isn't constantly treated as such. Tiresome. I found Dodgson and Ellen Ternan, Dickens' mistress, to be the most interesting characters.
The mystery itself wasn't much, with identity of the murderer obvious early on.

Not really recommended.

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry but somewhat engaging mystery involving several real life authors and a literary character. Charles Dickens, with Mr. Wilke and Charles Dodgson help solve several murders at Oxford. Interesting plot, although Dickens comes off as rude and self involved as Sherlock Holmes. His mistress plays a major part in the story with brief mention of the family he essentially turned his back on for.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great cast of characters

Just when you think the cast can't get any more famous, Mycroft Holmes shows up. Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens reunite for another adventure, this one at Oxford . A gunpowder plot is underway. Discovering the plot starts off with a murder in London. The murdered man is an Oxford Don. Our cast of characters moves off to Oxford to solve this one. The ending is sort of sneaky. It is worth reading quickly.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1853 Due to a murder in Limehouse Inspector Field send Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins undercover to Oxford to investigate, with the undercover players of Ellen Ternan and Tally To Thompson. There they have the help of Charles Dodgson and Constable Morse. Will this be the last death, who will be in danger.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting plot, full of twists and turns, but just a mite heavy handed. Also, the author doesn't have enough faith in his readers. The footnotes were nearly all about facts or references that are common knowledge.

[Ann Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and Mayhem in Victorian England!

Great mesh of murder, history and red herrings galore. Add to that Charles Dickens and Willie Collins as two of the main characters and you have a great mystery!

[Joyce Reynolds-Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this book. I think the second half is better than the first, but it's still not something I'm wild about.

[Leona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea to use real life authors and a fictional character but I probably won't read the other books in this series. Writing and conclusion were fine. Just not my cup of tea.

[Michael D Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel immensely. It kept me guessing right till the end.

[Joseph Hageman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well studied by Professor Palmer, enjoyable and highly recommended

[Luce Cronin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The origin of this novel lies in the discovered 'Secret Victorian Jounals' of Wilkie Collins. As such it gives us a good insight into the personal lives of both Collins and Charles Dickens, his close friend. The story itself holds its suspense, and is not predictable in its outcome. The Victorian setting conveys the atmosphere of England's cities at the time... Not a bad summer read.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fictionalized (and not very convincing) rendition of a mystery with Charles Dickens and Willkie Collins as amateur detectives in Victorian England. Joining up with the police to solve a mystery involving an Oxford History Don, they get additional help in sleuthing from Charles Dodson. The plot includes an attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria and her prime minister.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun reading about Charles Dickens and Ellen Ternan, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dodgson (better known as 'Lewis Carroll'), and Mycroft Holmes (who had an eccentric younger brother ) all worked together to solve this mystery.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wilkie Collins!