Women Running from Houses

I guess I can blame it on the weather.....it's been raining for the past few days with roof-rattling claps of thunder and dark, gloomy mornings. (I'm not complaining, mind you, as it is blessed relief from the heat.) While it's perfect weather for curling up with a book to read, I have a wide assortment of newly released books that are just not tempting me. I've picked up a book here and there and quickly lost interest.

What's a body to do when you've fallen into a slump?

Turn to comfort reads! My choice for comfort reads on a rainy day? Anything that is gloomy gothic goodness -- you know, those old battered paperbacks with the woman on the cover that is running away from the house (or castle) in terror. What is it that she fears? The human inhabitants or the supernatural ones? I eat these books up!

I literally sat on the floor with my pile of old paperbacks and the rain beating against the windows and had the best time revisiting old ghosts and tormentors. Over the years, I've pretty much read everything by Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Stewart. I recently acquired an entire collection of old Barbara Michaels (aka Elizabeth Peters) supernatural mysteries, so I'm just beginning to dip into her wonderful backlist.

Here's a sampling of some of the quick rereads I enjoyed in my trip down memory lane. Didn't need to read the whole thing -- just bits and pieces to refresh my memory, and I have to say they are still as good as ever!


Kirkland Revels
The Legend of the Seventh Virgin
The Quicksilver Pool
Thunder Heights
Nine Coaches Waiting
Mistress of Mellyn
Window on the Square

I even enjoyed watching Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier in Rebecca while I was in the gothic mood.



How about you? Do you have any old favorites in the gothic romance/romantic suspense genre? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Daphne du Maurier reads from Frenchman's Creek

Daphne du Maurier has been a favorite author of mine for many years. As a young girl, I was fascinated with all things England and loved all of du Maurier's work. I'll never forget the thrill of my first reading of Rebecca, and how I cringed along with the new Mrs. de Winter everytime she experienced references to her husband's former wife. The House on the Strand was probably one of the first books that I read that had a time travel element to it, and I was swept away to another era of castles and m'lords and ladies. And who doesn't love a good pirate tale? Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn satisfied my hankering for a good smuggler's adventure.

I am so happy to discover the new releases by Sourcebooks Landmark of some of Daphne du Maurier's work in beautiful paperback editions. They are gorgeous, and I can't wait to add them to my library collection.

While searching for information about Mrs. du Maurier, I came across this video of the author reading an excerpt from Frenchman's Creek. It is mesmerizing to hear the beauty of the language in her own voice. Enjoy!