Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Moonstone. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Franklin Blake learns he took the Moonstone from Rachel Verinder's room while sleepwalking under the influence of opium secretly given to him. The real thief is Godfrey Ablewhite, who took the diamond from Franklin and pawned it; Godfrey is later murdered by the Indian guardians of the stone, who take it back to India, and Franklin marries Rachel.
Quick facts
– Book: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
– First published: 1868
– Type: A Victorian detective novel
– Tone of the ending: Satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Rachel inherits the Moonstone, a famous Indian diamond taken by her uncle during the siege of Seringapatam. On her eighteenth birthday, the diamond disappears. Sergeant Cuff investigates, and Rachel refuses to speak to Franklin, whom she secretly saw take the stone.
What Happens at the End of The Moonstone
Ezra Jennings, a doctor's assistant, suggests that Franklin was given opium without knowing it. They recreate the night, and Franklin sleepwalks again. Godfrey is found murdered in disguise, and the Indians have the stone. Franklin and Rachel marry. The epilogue, told by the explorer Mr. Murthwaite, describes seeing the diamond restored to its place in India, with the three guardians vanished into the crowd.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Franklin took the stone unknowingly.
- Godfrey stole it.
- The Indians recover it.
- Franklin and Rachel marry.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Franklin Blake | Marries Rachel |
| Rachel Verinder | Marries Franklin |
| Godfrey Ablewhite | Murdered |
| Ezra Jennings | Helps solve the mystery |
| Sergeant Cuff | The detective |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows that greed and colonial theft have consequences.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
T.S. Eliot called it the first and greatest of English detective novels. Modern readers also focus on how it criticizes the British looting of India, since the diamond's journey begins with a theft.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Colonialism. The stone was stolen.
Identity. Franklin is unaware of his act.
Justice. The stone returns.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Moonstone as satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Wilkie Collins to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Wilkie Collins closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2016 BBC series follows the novel's solution.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Moonstone with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about colonialism, and do you agree with Wilkie Collins's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as satisfying, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces colonialism and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Wilkie Collins leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Moonstone often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Moonstone earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After The Moonstone
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
Related: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins: Summary and Key Takeaways · The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Moonstone?
Franklin Blake learns he took the Moonstone from Rachel Verinder's room while sleepwalking under the influence of opium secretly given to him. The real thief is Godfrey Ablewhite, who took the diamond from Franklin and pawned it; Godfrey is later murdered by the Indian guardians of the stone, who take it back to India, and Franklin marries Rachel.
Is the ending of The Moonstone happy or sad?
Most readers call it satisfying.
What does the ending of The Moonstone mean?
The ending shows that greed and colonial theft have consequences.
Is the ending of The Moonstone the same in the adaptation?
The 2016 BBC series follows the novel's solution.
Who wrote The Moonstone and when was it published?
The Moonstone was written by Wilkie Collins and first published in 1868.
Is The Moonstone worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy Victorian detective novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Wilkie Collins prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Moonstone before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.