If you enjoy reading books by Daphne du Maurier then you might also like the following authors:
Shirley Jackson wrote stories that build a sense of unease in everyday settings. Her book “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” follows Merricat and her sister Constance, who live in an isolated mansion after most of their family is poisoned at dinner.
The townspeople dislike them, and the sisters prefer their solitude, but the arrival of a distant cousin unsettles their fragile world.
Jackson creates a strange atmosphere where family secrets and mistrust quietly bubble under the surface, drawing readers into the sisters’ odd, sheltered lives.
Patricia Highsmith wrote stories that explore dark emotions and morally complex characters. If you enjoy Daphne du Maurier, you might connect with her novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”
The book follows Tom Ripley, a man sent to Europe to bring home a wealthy acquaintance, Dickie Greenleaf. As Tom is drawn into Dickie’s glamorous life, he becomes obsessed with it and takes shocking steps to claim it for himself.
Highsmith digs into ambition, deception, and what people are willing to do to reinvent themselves. The story is suspenseful and full of tension, keeping you hooked as Tom’s choices spiral out of control.
Wilkie Collins was a 19th-century author known for his mysteries and thrillers. One of his most famous novels, “The Woman in White,” begins when a young drawing teacher, Walter Hartright, meets a mysterious woman dressed all in white on a dark road.
She seems frightened and speaks of a dangerous secret. Walter later discovers she has ties to the family he is working for, leading him into a web of deceit, identity swaps, and hidden schemes. Fans of twisty, gothic stories with vivid characters would likely enjoy this.
The atmosphere is rich, and there’s a blend of suspense and emotion that keeps you interested.
Sarah Waters writes stories full of atmosphere and secrets. Her novel “The Little Stranger” is set in post-war England and follows a rural doctor who becomes involved with a crumbling estate and the family living there.
As he spends more time at Hundreds Hall, strange events begin to occur, making the house itself feel alive. The story builds on tension and mystery, drawing you into the lives of the characters while keeping you unsure of what’s real.
Fans of Daphne du Maurier’s moody and haunting tales might enjoy the way Waters captures the unsettling grip of the past on the present.
Kate Morton writes stories that often explore family secrets, old estates, and the intertwining of past and present, similar to the atmosphere Daphne du Maurier creates in her books.
In her novel “The Forgotten Garden,” a young woman named Cassandra inherits a mysterious book of fairy tales and an old cottage on the Cornish coast.
As she tries to piece together the life of a little girl abandoned on a ship a century earlier, the story shifts between generations, unraveling hidden connections and long-buried truths that lead back to a forgotten garden.
The sense of mystery and the vivid settings will pull you in.
Mary Stewart was a master of weaving romance with suspense, often steeped in vivid settings and a strong sense of atmosphere. One of her most popular novels, “Nine Coaches Waiting,” tells the story of a young Englishwoman named Linda Martin.
Hired as a governess for a wealthy French family, she becomes deeply protective of her young charge while uncovering dark secrets surrounding the estate.
The isolated chateau, mysterious guardians, and growing danger create a tense and moody tale that pulls you in from the first chapter. If you enjoy stories that balance charm with a sense of foreboding, this one is hard to resist.
Susan Hill is an author known for her atmospheric and suspenseful stories. One of her most notable books, “The Woman in Black,” tells the story of Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer sent to a remote village to sort out the affairs of a recently deceased woman.
While working in her eerie, isolated home, Arthur begins to experience strange events tied to a ghostly figure dressed in black. The book masterfully builds tension as Arthur uncovers the tragic secrets of the house and the woman’s vengeful spirit.
It’s the kind of story that keeps you on edge, wondering what will happen next.
Daphne Kalotay writes stories that often weave personal relationships with rich historical or cultural backdrops. In her novel “Russian Winter,” the story follows Nina Revskaya, a retired Russian ballerina who decides to auction her jewelry collection.
As the pieces go up for sale, her past in Stalinist Russia comes to light. The book moves between her glamorous life in the Bolshoi Ballet and her later years in Boston. Betrayal, love, and long-hidden secrets unfold, tied to a mysterious amber necklace.
Kalotay writes with attention to characters and their emotional lives, drawing readers into Nina’s world.
Elizabeth Taylor was a British novelist who wrote stories about ordinary lives while uncovering layers of emotions beneath the surface. Her novel “A Wreath of Roses” brings together three women meeting for a summer holiday.
Their friendship, once easy and comforting, begins to show cracks as they face loneliness, fear, and distrust. The arrival of a mysterious man sparks tension and unease, creating an atmosphere that feels stark and unsettling.
Taylor’s writing captures quiet moments where lives shift in unexpected ways.
Rosamund Pilcher is known for her beautifully crafted stories that focus on family, love, and the landscapes of England and Scotland. In her novel “The Shell Seekers,” she tells the story of Penelope Keeling, who reflects on her life after recovering from a heart attack.
The narrative explores her relationships with her children, who each have their own motives tied to a valuable family painting.
As the story unfolds, Penelope’s past reveals connections to World War II, moments of deep passion, and the life-altering decisions that shaped her future.
The mix of family drama and vivid settings might appeal to readers who enjoy the emotional depth found in Daphne du Maurier’s work.
Edith Wharton wrote stories that explore upper-class society, with all its rules and unspoken expectations. Her novel “The House of Mirth” tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful but aging socialite in New York.
Lily tries to secure her place in a world that values wealth and appearances over true happiness. Wharton pulls you into her struggles as Lily moves through parties, marriages, and scandals, all while her carefully constructed life begins to fall apart.
There’s a deep sense of tension as Lily fights to find security and freedom in a world that offers little forgiveness.
Agatha Christie is a master of mystery and suspense, known for creating clever puzzles that keep readers guessing. One of her well-loved books, “And Then There Were None,” is about ten strangers invited to a remote island under mysterious pretenses.
Soon, they realize someone is targeting them, and the group starts to shrink as they are killed one by one. Each death follows a chilling nursery rhyme, and the survivors scramble to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Christie’s ability to create an unsettling atmosphere and keep the reader hooked is remarkable.
Mary Shelley is best known for her novel “Frankenstein”. In the story, Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist, discovers a way to create life. He assembles a creature from various parts and brings it to life, but the result horrifies him.
The creature, abandoned and despised, struggles with loneliness and rejection. It seeks understanding but faces cruelty at every turn. As their paths cross again, the tension between creator and creation grows, leading to tragic consequences.
Shelley’s writing explores human ambition, isolation, and the cost of playing with forces beyond our control.
E. M. Delafield was an English author whose writing often explored daily life with wit and sharp observation. Her book “Diary of a Provincial Lady” is a humorous and relatable look into the life of a middle-class woman in 1930s England.
The story unfolds through her diary, where she records her daily struggles with a perpetually distant husband, mischievous children, social obligations, and financial troubles. The tone is light but captures the quiet frustrations and small victories of her existence.
It’s a charming read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with a touch of dry humor.
Jean Rhys is best known for writing stories about women, isolation, and longing for connection. One of her most famous works, “Wide Sargasso Sea,” serves as a prequel to Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre.”
It tells the story of Antoinette Cosway, who becomes the first wife of Mr. Rochester. Set in Jamaica, the novel explores her troubled childhood, a tense marriage, and the forces that pull her life apart.
The lush Caribbean setting and the shadows of colonialism create a tension that runs through the book, giving readers a deeper understanding of the character later known as the “madwoman in the attic.”