Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier was a renowned British author and playwright, best known for her works of suspense and psychological drama, including the novel 'Rebecca'. Her writing often explores themes of identity, secrecy, and the supernatural.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Rebecca

    A young woman marries a wealthy widower and moves into his large English country house. She quickly realizes that the memory of her husband's first wife, Rebecca, haunts every corner of the estate. The housekeeper's obsessive devotion to Rebecca and the mysterious circumstances of her death continue to overshadow the second wife's attempts to make a happy life with her husband. As secrets about Rebecca's life and death are revealed, the new wife must grapple with her own identity and place within the household.

    The 59th Greatest Book of All Time
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  2. 2. My Cousin Rachel

    The novel revolves around a young Englishman who seeks the truth about his cousin's mysterious widow, suspecting her of foul play in his cousin's untimely death. As he becomes entangled in the widow's seductive charms, his initial suspicions transform into a complex blend of attraction, jealousy, and uncertainty. Set against the backdrop of a grand Cornish estate, the story delves into themes of obsession, inheritance, and the blurred lines between passion and poison, leaving readers to ponder the true nature of the enigmatic woman at its center.

    The 2169th Greatest Book of All Time
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  3. 3. The Parasites

    This novel delves into the complex lives of three siblings, two sisters and a brother, who have grown up in the shadow of their parents' glamorous careers in the arts. As they navigate adulthood, their intertwined lives and the unconventional upbringing they experienced under the spotlight of their parents' fame come to the forefront. The narrative explores themes of identity, dependency, and the search for individuality, as the siblings grapple with their own talents and desires while being labeled as "parasites" by those who view them as merely living off the legacy of their parents. Through a blend of introspection and drama, the story examines the nuances of family dynamics, love, and the struggle to forge one's path in the world.

    The 4308th Greatest Book of All Time
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  4. 4. Peter Ibbetson

    "Peter Ibbetson" is a novel that explores the themes of love, memory, and the supernatural through the life of its protagonist, Peter. After a tumultuous childhood in France and England, Peter becomes an architect in London, where he reconnects with his childhood sweetheart, Mary. Their love transcends the physical realm when Peter is imprisoned for a crime of passion, and they discover they can meet in their dreams. This dream-sharing becomes a sanctuary for their love, allowing them to escape the confines of reality and explore the depths of their connection, ultimately blurring the lines between dreams and reality.

    The 5043rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  5. 5. Not After Midnight

    Five Long Stories

    This book is a captivating collection of five short stories that delve into themes of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Each narrative masterfully intertwines human emotions with eerie settings, leading the reader through a series of unexpected twists and turns. From the story of a schoolteacher whose vacation in Crete takes a dark turn to tales that explore the depths of obsession, betrayal, and the unexplained, the collection showcases the author's skill in creating atmospheres that are at once haunting and intriguing. The stories challenge the boundaries between the real and the surreal, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of the human psyche and the shadows that lurk within.

    The 5526th Greatest Book of All Time
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  6. 6. The Scapegoat

    In this psychological thriller, a disenchanted Englishman named John encounters his doppelgänger, a French aristocrat named Jean, while traveling in France. After a night of drinking, John wakes up to find that Jean has disappeared, leaving him to assume Jean's identity and navigate the complexities of his life, including his troubled family and failing business. As John becomes entangled in Jean's world, he grapples with moral dilemmas and the consequences of his actions, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of himself and the people around him. The novel explores themes of identity, responsibility, and the human capacity for change.

    The 15773rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  7. 7. Jamaica Inn

    Set in the bleak landscape of Cornwall, the story follows Mary Yellan, a young woman who moves to live with her Aunt Patience and Uncle Joss Merlyn at the ominous Jamaica Inn after her mother's death. Mary quickly discovers that the inn is a front for her uncle's smuggling operations and becomes entangled in a world of danger and deceit. As she navigates the treacherous environment, Mary grapples with her growing suspicions about the people around her, including the enigmatic Jem Merlyn, Joss's brother. The novel weaves a tale of mystery, suspense, and romance as Mary seeks to uncover the truth and find her own path amidst the darkness surrounding the inn.

    The 15884th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Glass Blowers

    Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this historical novel delves into the lives of a family of glassblowers whose fortunes rise and fall with the turbulent times. Through the eyes of Sophie Duval, the narrative unfolds, revealing the struggles, betrayals, and resilience of her family as they navigate the shifting political landscape. As personal ambitions clash with the demands of loyalty and survival, the story captures the essence of familial bonds tested by external chaos, painting a vivid picture of a world in transition.

    The 17122nd Greatest Book of All Time
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  9. 9. Mary Anne

    The novel follows the life of a determined and ambitious woman who rises from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in Regency-era London society. Through her intelligence, charm, and resourcefulness, she navigates the complexities of social and political life, facing numerous challenges and personal sacrifices along the way. Her journey is marked by a series of relationships and encounters with influential figures, highlighting themes of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world.

  10. 10. Frenchman's Creek

    Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the story follows Lady Dona St. Columb, a restless and adventurous noblewoman who escapes the stifling confines of London society to seek solace at her family's country estate. There, she encounters a charismatic French pirate, Jean-Benoit Aubéry, who is hiding in the nearby creek. Drawn to his free-spirited nature and the thrill of piracy, Dona finds herself torn between her duties as a wife and mother and her desire for freedom and passion. As their forbidden romance unfolds, Dona must confront the consequences of her choices and the societal expectations that bind her.

  11. 11. Echoes From The Macabre

    This collection of short stories delves into the eerie and unsettling aspects of human nature and the supernatural. Each tale explores themes of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension, often blurring the line between reality and the macabre. The stories are rich with atmospheric detail and unexpected twists, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the familiar turns sinister. Through her masterful storytelling, the author captivates with narratives that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

  12. 12. The House On The Strand

    In this intriguing tale, the protagonist, Richard, becomes entangled in a series of time-traveling experiences after consuming a mysterious drug provided by his friend Magnus. As he navigates between the present and the 14th century, Richard finds himself increasingly drawn to the lives and dramas of the medieval characters he encounters, particularly the captivating Isolda. The novel explores themes of escapism, the allure of the past, and the complexities of human relationships, as Richard's dual existence begins to blur the lines between reality and illusion, ultimately leading to unforeseen consequences.

  13. 13. The Winding Stair

    The narrative unfolds in a hauntingly atmospheric setting, where the protagonist grapples with the echoes of the past and the shadows of a mysterious family legacy. As secrets unravel, the tension mounts, drawing the reader into a labyrinth of intrigue and suspense. The story masterfully weaves themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time, creating a rich tapestry that captivates and enthralls, leaving a lingering sense of mystery and wonder.

  14. 14. The Birds And Other Stories

    This collection of stories delves into the eerie and unsettling aspects of human nature and the world around us. Each tale is a masterful blend of suspense, psychological tension, and unexpected twists, exploring themes of isolation, fear, and the unknown. The narratives often feature ordinary settings that become the backdrop for extraordinary and chilling events, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease and contemplation about the thin line between reality and the supernatural.

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  15. 15. The King's General

    Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, this historical novel weaves a tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal. The story follows Honor Harris, a spirited young woman whose life takes a dramatic turn after a tragic accident leaves her disabled. Despite her physical limitations, Honor becomes deeply entwined with the charismatic and enigmatic Richard Grenvile, a Royalist general. As the war rages on, their relationship is tested by the shifting tides of allegiance and the harsh realities of conflict. Through Honor's eyes, readers experience the tumultuous era, filled with intrigue, passion, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

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  16. 16. The Doll

    Short Stories

    Set in the early 20th century, this haunting tale explores the complexities of obsession and desire through the eyes of a young man who becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman named Rebecca. As he delves deeper into her enigmatic world, he discovers her unsettling attachment to a life-sized doll, which she treats as a living companion. The story unfolds with an eerie tension, revealing the dark undercurrents of human emotions and the lengths to which one might go to fulfill their deepest yearnings.

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  17. 17. Ρεβέκκα

    A shy, inexperienced young woman marries a wealthy widower and moves to his grand country estate, where she feels constantly overshadowed by the glamorous memory of his first wife. The house, its servants—especially the obsessive housekeeper—and the lingering secrets of the past keep the dead woman's presence alive, and as the narrator uncovers hidden truths about the first wife's life and mysterious death, tensions mount toward a dramatic revelation that tests love, identity, and the nature of truth.

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  18. 19. Daphne Du Maurier

    Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning, (; 13 May 1907 – 19 April 1989) was an English novelist, biographer and playwright. Her parents were actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and his wife, actress Muriel Beaumont. Her grandfather George du Maurier was a writer and cartoonist. Du Maurier spent much of her life in Cornwall, where most of her works are set. As her fame increased, she became more reclusive. Some of du Maurier's notable works include the novels Jamaica Inn (1936), Rebecca (1938) and My Cousin Rachel (1951), and the short stories "The Birds" (1952) and "Don't Look Now" (1971). Her works have been adapted into film, with notable examples including Jamaica Inn (1939), Rebecca (1940) and The Birds (1963) by Alfred Hitchcock, Don't Look Now (1973) by Nicolas Roeg, My Cousin Rachel (2017) by Roger Michell, and Rebecca (2020) by Ben Wheatley.