Oops! I need another for the 101 books!

I goofed. I saw, editing the text, that I'd twice written about Brian Hall's Fall of Frost. Now, it's an excellent book--but not twice as good as any of the others!

So ... I needed to add another one to reach 101 ... and here it is.

101: The Moonstone, 1868, by Wilkie Collins (1824-89)

In boyhood I first learned his name—

And something of his lasting fame—

By playing Authors, game of cards

That featured writers (playwrights, bards).

But I read no book by the man

Till years had passed (oh Dan! oh, Dan!).

And Moonstone was among the first—

And at myself I cursed and cursed:

Why haven’t you read Collins yet?!

He’s ’bout as good as writers get!

And so he is—and I’ve read on.

The wonder—like a stunning dawn.

The Moonstone is a mystery—

That very quickly captured me.

Among the first detective tales—

And Collins’ tension never fails.

So on I’ll go—I’ll read them all—

In winter, summer, spring, and fall.

And think about that Authors game—

And Collins' warming, scorching flame.