From the author of Rebecca and The Birds: a classic thriller of shipwreck and murder, "rich in suspense and surprise" (New York Times Book Review).
On a bitter November evening, young Mary Yellan journeys across the rainswept moors to Jamaica Inn in honor of her mother's dying request. When she arrives, the warning of the coachman begins to echo in her memory, for her aunt Patience cowers before hulking Uncle Joss Merlyn. Terrified of the inn's brooding power, Mary gradually finds herself ensnared in the dark schemes being enacted behind its crumbling walls -- and tempted to love a man she dares not trust.
The inspiration for the 1939 Alfred Hitchcock film.
Download and start listening now!
"An absolutely intriguing and fast-paced adventure novel from one of Britain's best-loved writers. The prose was great and the heroine, Mary, was so well-developed. I loved the many twists and turns which du Maurier had woven throughout the book."
— Kirsty (4 out of 5 stars)
“A fine romantic tale…rich in suspense and surprise.”
— New York Times Book Review“Just the sound of the words Jamaica Inn conjures up a classic of Gothic literature and puts a gleam in readers’ eyes…When this extraordinary novel was first published, readers were utterly captivated by the vivacious Mary and her adventures in a place with such a hideous, but fascinating, part in Cornwall’s history. Daphne du Maurier’s gift for imagery and storytelling, which made Rebecca such a masterpiece of the Gothic genre, are here too. Though written in the style of the 1930s, Jamaica Inn is still an exciting and delightful mystery to read.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ gold stars, Top Pick!)“Jamaica Inn is a first-rate page-turner.”
— Times (London)“A true classic.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review" I'm a fan of Daphne DuMaurier, the author of Rebecca, and I really enjoyed this book. "
— Patsy, 1/31/2014" My second from Miss du Maurier. I've enjoyed it and Mary Ellen much more than I ever expected! "
— Mady, 1/19/2014" I would have given this novel 3.5 stars for the writing itself: wonderful imagery. But the book was much too "romancy" for my taste. "
— Catherine, 12/20/2013" After her mother's death, Mary Yellin goes to Jamaica Inn on the wild English moors. Her Uncle Josh and Aunt Patience Merlin are the proprieters of Jamaica Inn. Mary learns that no one stays at the Inn, but on certain nights there are strange comings and goings of very questionable men. This is a true gothic novel full of dark and mysterious happenings. I listened to this on CD and the reader was excellent. His portrayal of Josh Merlin was truly bone chilling. This is one of my least favorite Daphne du Maurier novels, but it is still well crafted. "
— Pattyrflg, 12/18/2013" so intense and delicious, love what a lil badass mary is "
— Diva, 11/30/2013" Good story. Well told. "
— Joy, 11/20/2013" I think I was expecting another Rebecca, but instead it's not, and it's decidedly not as great. Maybe it's not fair to compare the two, but I think the lesson to take away from this is that a creepy housekeeper is creepier than a creepy albino dude. Was he even an albino? I don't remember. I read this in 1996. "
— Jamelah, 11/14/2013" Absolutely wonderful atmosphere and very likable heroine. "
— Barbara, 11/12/2013" Cool, creepy story. Kind of a combo of "Rebecca," "Jane Eyre," and "Wuthering Heights." "
— Mary, 11/11/2013" Well, that was depressing, a rousing tale of grim and grimy life on the bleak and desolate moors of Cornwall, but so well told that I cannot give Du Maurier's fast-paced story fewer than four stars. "
— Kathy, 11/9/2013Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989) was born in London, the daughter of the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of the author and artist George du Maurier. She has been called one of the great shapers of popular culture and the modern imagination. She began writing in 1928, and many of her bestselling novels were set in Cornwall, where she lived for most of her life. Besides novels, du Maurier wrote plays, biographies, and several collections of short fiction. Among her more famous works are The Scapegoat, Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, and the short story “The Birds,” all of which were subsequently made into films, the latter three directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Tony Britton is a renowned British classical stage actor who has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. On television, he has appeared in Holby City, The Way We Live Now, and The Saint.