Daphne du Maurier wrote novels that really stick with you. Her stories often have a strong sense of place, especially if that place happens to be Cornwall. There is always this feeling of things not quite being right, a kind of suspense that creeps up on you.
If you like authors who can build a similar kind of atmosphere, and who explore secrets, complicated women, and histories that are hidden just under the surface, then you are in the right place.
Shirley Jackson is an American author celebrated for her unsettling stories and subtle psychological suspense. Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s eerie narratives and sharp insight into human nature will appreciate Jackson’s novel, “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.”
The story centers around Merricat Blackwood, who lives in a secluded mansion with her sister Constance and uncle Julian, isolated by tragedy and local suspicion.
When a distant cousin unexpectedly appears on their doorstep, the delicate balance of their quiet existence begins to unravel. Jackson weaves atmosphere, mystery, and an underlying sense of menace into this tale of family secrets and strange characters, creating a haunting read.
If you enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s atmospheric suspense, you’ll appreciate Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith crafts psychological tension masterfully in novels filled with complex characters and subtle menace.
In “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” Highsmith introduces Tom Ripley, an ambitious young man hired to bring home Dickie Greenleaf, an American living carefree in Italy. Tom quickly becomes fascinated and dangerously obsessed with Dickie’s privileged life.
Set against vibrant Italian scenery and driven by Tom’s increasingly chilling manipulation, this book pulls you effortlessly into a tale of identity, envy, and deception.
Fans of du Maurier’s “Rebecca” will enjoy how Highsmith slowly reveals the twisted workings behind Ripley’s polite exterior.
Wilkie Collins was a Victorian novelist famous for creating suspenseful stories that blend mystery and psychological depth. If you enjoyed Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” you’ll find a similar mood in Collins’ classic, “The Woman in White.”
The story begins with Walter Hartright, a young teacher who encounters a mysterious woman dressed entirely in white on a deserted road at night.
Curious and a little unsettled, Walter soon becomes involved in uncovering the woman’s identity, finding himself tangled in family secrets, deceit, and a sinister conspiracy.
Collins uses shifting viewpoints and offers hidden clues through multiple narrators, building a story filled with twists and surprises, perfect for readers looking for intrigue and atmosphere.
If you enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s atmospheric stories and suspenseful twists, Sarah Waters might be your next favorite author. Waters creates immersive historical fiction with rich detail and complex, vivid characters.
Her novel “Fingersmith” takes readers to Victorian England, focusing on Sue Trinder, a young woman raised in a den of London thieves. Sue gets involved in a scheme, posing as a maid to help con an heiress named Maud Lilly.
However, nothing in this plan goes as expected, leading to a story filled with betrayals, surprises, and gripping revelations. Waters weaves a dark, clever tale about identity and deception, echoing du Maurier’s style of psychological suspense and subtle Gothic atmosphere.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier may find Kate Morton to be an author well worth discovering. Morton weaves suspense with historical detail, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of du Maurier’s classic tales.
One of Morton’s novels, “The House at Riverton,” spans two timelines linked by family secrets and a mysterious death.
Set in England, the story follows Grace Bradley, who served as a maid at Riverton manor before World War I. Decades later, Grace revisits the past as a filmmaker reaches out to learn more about the estate’s tragic events.
This compelling mystery combines vivid characters, romance, and a hidden past, all unfolding in the shadowy halls of Riverton.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s mix of suspense, atmosphere, and strong storytelling will likely appreciate Mary Stewart. Stewart is famous for blending mystery, romance, and adventure, especially in beautiful settings with strong female leads.
Her novel “Nine Coaches Waiting” tells the story of Linda Martin, a young governess who arrives at a secluded French château to work for the wealthy Valmy family.
Initially impressed by the beautiful estate and luxurious lifestyle, Linda soon notices strange accidents that put her young charge, Philippe, in danger. As secrets emerge and dangers multiply, Linda must decide whom she can trust to protect the vulnerable boy and herself.
Stewart carefully builds tension in a stylish, richly-described setting, creating suspense similar to that found in “Rebecca” or “My Cousin Rachel.”
Susan Hill is a British author whose atmospheric suspense novels often appeal to fans of Daphne du Maurier. In her ghost story “The Woman in Black,” young solicitor Arthur Kipps visits the remote Eel Marsh House to settle the estate of the late Mrs. Drablow.
Upon arrival, Kipps discovers unsettling secrets and encounters a mysterious figure—the chilling and silent Woman in Black. As the sinister presence reveals itself, the house’s tragic history gradually unfolds.
Hill’s eerie setting and dark secrets draw readers into a haunting tale reminiscent of du Maurier’s subtle psychological suspense.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s suspenseful storytelling and atmospheric settings might also appreciate Daphne Kalotay. Kalotay’s novel “Russian Winter” shifts between post-war Soviet Russia and modern-day Boston.
It weaves together two timelines and reveals the hidden past of Nina Revskaya, a former Bolshoi Ballet star who auctions off her remarkable jewelry collection.
As secrets from Nina’s earlier life in Moscow emerge, the book explores themes of love, betrayal, and artistic sacrifice during the Stalinist era. Kalotay evokes the chilling tension of Cold War Russia while creating rich and memorable characters.
Readers seeking another story that blends historical mystery and personal drama could find “Russian Winter” especially captivating.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s atmosphere and nuanced characters will appreciate Elizabeth Taylor’s novels. Taylor, an English author known for her sharp observation and subtle writing style, explores human behavior with precision and depth.
Her novel “Angel” tells the story of Angelica Deverell, an ambitious young woman determined to escape her humble beginnings through writing popular novels.
Angelica’s fierce drive, complicated friendships, and struggles with reality versus her dreams create a fascinating portrait of ambition and self-deception.
Taylor captures the complexities of human relationships and desires with remarkable clarity and wit, making “Angel” a great choice for readers who liked du Maurier’s psychological insights and engaging storytelling.
Rosamund Pilcher is an author known for atmospheric novels filled with vivid landscapes, emotional family dynamics, and the mysteries of the past.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s blend of suspense, romance, and engaging characters may appreciate Pilcher’s “The Shell Seekers.”
The story revolves around Penelope Keeling, an elderly woman who reflects on her life during World War II as she confronts family tensions around a valuable painting her father created.
Pilcher weaves together Penelope’s past loves, hard choices, and complex relationships, bringing readers into her richly drawn Cornish world. The novel blends nostalgia, mystery, and insight into human relationships in a way that resonates deeply with du Maurier fans.
Edith Wharton is an author to explore if you enjoy the subtle suspense and intricate characters of Daphne du Maurier’s stories. Her novel “Ethan Frome” is a haunting tale set in a quiet New England town.
Ethan is trapped in a bleak marriage and isolated by harsh winters, but he finds glimpses of joy and warmth through his wife’s young cousin, Mattie. The book builds quiet tension with emotional complexity as Ethan’s internal struggles lead him toward difficult choices.
Wharton’s vivid descriptions capture the harshness of a New England winter and reflect the characters’ emotional isolation perfectly. Readers are drawn into Ethan’s life, experiencing his quiet desperation and hoping he finds relief.
It’s a story full of intensity, quiet drama, and deep reflection about life’s difficult paths.
Books by Agatha Christie offer clever puzzles and suspenseful plots perfect for readers who appreciate Daphne du Maurier’s atmospheric mysteries.
Christie is one of the best-known mystery authors, famous for her crafty detective Hercule Poirot and the sharp-minded sleuth, Miss Marple. In “And Then There Were None,” ten strangers are invited to a remote mansion off the English coast.
Soon, they realize someone brought them there to punish each of them for past secrets. As bodies start to pile up, tension rises, suspicion mounts, and the characters race to find out who among them might be the killer before no one is left.
This classic thriller combines detailed psychology with precise plotting that keeps readers guessing until the last page.
Readers who enjoy Daphne du Maurier’s atmospheric and suspenseful storytelling may appreciate the work of Mary Shelley. Shelley is best known for her novel “Frankenstein,” a chilling tale of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with unlocking the secrets of life.
Victor creates a being stitched from lifeless body parts, only to abandon it out of fear and disgust. The creature, desperate for acceptance, faces isolation, misunderstanding, and ultimately becomes vengeful against the man who raised him from the dead.
This novel taps into the Gothic tradition with vivid settings, emotional intensity, and deep psychological insight. Shelley blends horror, science, and emotion into a timeless tale.
E. M. Delafield was an English author known for her witty observations and clever narratives about everyday English life. If Daphne du Maurier’s careful attention to characters and subtle mood appeals to you, Delafield’s “Diary of a Provincial Lady” might catch your interest.
The book is structured as a series of diary entries by an unnamed woman who navigates family life, social obligations, and the absurdities of provincial society in the 1930s.
The diary captures her gentle defiance, humor, and incisive commentary on marriage and motherhood, while she attempts to deal with financial worries and various local personalities.
Delafield’s writing reflects the everyday challenges women faced at the time, wrapped in humor and insightful social critique.
Books by Jean Rhys often explore mysterious characters in tense social settings, themes fans of Daphne du Maurier might appreciate. Her novel “Wide Sargasso Sea” reimagines the backstory of Bertha Mason, the unforgettable character from Charlotte Brontë's “Jane Eyre.”
Set on lush Caribbean islands, the story follows a young Creole heiress named Antoinette who struggles with complex identity and isolation.
Rhys crafts a powerful atmosphere filled with tension, emotion, and a deep sense of place, elements that readers of du Maurier’s “Rebecca” or “My Cousin Rachel” might find familiar.