The Dead Secret

The Dead Secret

Wilkie Collins

What is The Dead Secret about?

The Dead Secret (1857) revolves around a secret letter hidden in an abandoned room of an old Cornish mansion. When the house changes hands, the new owners gradually uncover a secret about birth, class, and identity that will transform their lives.

auto_stories29 chaptersENFiction

Main themes in The Dead Secret

Hidden letter

The presence of hidden letter in The Dead Secret connects readers to its enduring relevance.

Cornish mansion

The Dead Secret thoughtfully explores cornish mansion through its central conflicts.

Birth secret

Birth secret emerges as a defining element in The Dead Secret, shaping character development.

Class and identity

The theme of class and identity weaves through The Dead Secret, adding depth to its narrative.

Why The Dead Secret is still relevant today

An atmospheric early Collins novel with a Cornish Gothic setting and a compelling mystery of hidden identity.

About the author

Wilkie Collins

More by this author

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Dead Secret about?

A hidden letter in a Cornish mansion conceals a secret about birth and identity that transforms the lives of its new owners.

Where can I read it?

Free on TextStack.

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