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Six Gothic Tales
This is a collection of six gothic novellas from some of the favorite authors from Readers Digest - Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, Mission to Malaspiga by Evelyn Anthony, Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt, The High Valley by Jessica North, Thunder Heights by Phyllis A. Whitney, and Tregaron's Daughter by Melanie Brent.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1979
10 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Daphne du Maurier
431 books10.4k followersDaphne du Maurier was born on 13 May 1907 at 24 Cumberland Terrace, Regent's Park, London, the middle of three daughters of prominent actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and actress Muriel, née Beaumont. In many ways her life resembles a fairy tale. Born into a family with a rich artistic and historical background, her paternal grandfather was author and Punch cartoonist George du Maurier, who created the character of Svengali in the 1894 novel Trilby, and her mother was a maternal niece of journalist, author, and lecturer Comyns Beaumont. She and her sisters were indulged as a children and grew up enjoying enormous freedom from financial and parental restraint. Her elder sister, Angela du Maurier, also became a writer, and her younger sister Jeanne was a painter.
She spent her youth sailing boats, travelling on the Continent with friends, and writing stories. Her family connections helped her establish her literary career, and she published some of her early work in Beaumont's Bystander magazine. A prestigious publishing house accepted her first novel when she was in her early twenties, and its publication brought her not only fame but the attentions of a handsome soldier, Major (later Lieutenant-General Sir) Frederick Browning, whom she married.
She continued writing under her maiden name, and her subsequent novels became bestsellers, earning her enormous wealth and fame. Many have been successfully adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca, Frenchman's Creek, My Cousin Rachel, and Jamaica Inn, and the short stories The Birds and Don't Look Now/Not After Midnight. While Alfred Hitchcock's films based upon her novels proceeded to make her one of the best-known authors in the world, she enjoyed the life of a fairy princess in a mansion in Cornwall called Menabilly, which served as the model for Manderley in Rebecca.
Daphne du Maurier was obsessed with the past. She intensively researched the lives of Francis and Anthony Bacon, the history of Cornwall, the Regency period, and nineteenth-century France and England. Above all, however, she was obsessed with her own family history, which she chronicled in Gerald: A Portrait, a biography of her father; The du Mauriers, a study of her family which focused on her grandfather, George du Maurier, the novelist and illustrator for Punch; The Glassblowers, a novel based upon the lives of her du Maurier ancestors; and Growing Pains, an autobiography that ignores nearly 50 years of her life in favour of the joyful and more romantic period of her youth. Daphne du Maurier can best be understood in terms of her remarkable and paradoxical family, the ghosts which haunted her life and fiction.
While contemporary writers were dealing critically with such subjects as the war, alienation, religion, poverty, Marxism, psychology and art, and experimenting with new techniques such as the stream of consciousness, du Maurier produced 'old-fashioned' novels with straightforward narratives that appealed to a popular audience's love of fantasy, adventure, sexuality and mystery. At an early age, she recognised that her readership was comprised principally of women, and she cultivated their loyal following through several decades by embodying their desires and dreams in her novels and short stories.
In some of her novels, however, she went beyond the technique of the formulaic romance to achieve a powerful psychological realism reflecting her intense feelings about her father, and to a lesser degree, her mother. This vision, which underlies Julius, Rebecca and The Parasites, is that of an author overwhelmed by the memory of her father's commanding presence. In Julius and The Parasites, for example, she introduces the image of a domineering but deadly father and the daring subject of incest.
In Rebecca, on the other hand, du Maurier fuses psychological realism with a sophisticated version of the Cinderella story.
She spent her youth sailing boats, travelling on the Continent with friends, and writing stories. Her family connections helped her establish her literary career, and she published some of her early work in Beaumont's Bystander magazine. A prestigious publishing house accepted her first novel when she was in her early twenties, and its publication brought her not only fame but the attentions of a handsome soldier, Major (later Lieutenant-General Sir) Frederick Browning, whom she married.
She continued writing under her maiden name, and her subsequent novels became bestsellers, earning her enormous wealth and fame. Many have been successfully adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca, Frenchman's Creek, My Cousin Rachel, and Jamaica Inn, and the short stories The Birds and Don't Look Now/Not After Midnight. While Alfred Hitchcock's films based upon her novels proceeded to make her one of the best-known authors in the world, she enjoyed the life of a fairy princess in a mansion in Cornwall called Menabilly, which served as the model for Manderley in Rebecca.
Daphne du Maurier was obsessed with the past. She intensively researched the lives of Francis and Anthony Bacon, the history of Cornwall, the Regency period, and nineteenth-century France and England. Above all, however, she was obsessed with her own family history, which she chronicled in Gerald: A Portrait, a biography of her father; The du Mauriers, a study of her family which focused on her grandfather, George du Maurier, the novelist and illustrator for Punch; The Glassblowers, a novel based upon the lives of her du Maurier ancestors; and Growing Pains, an autobiography that ignores nearly 50 years of her life in favour of the joyful and more romantic period of her youth. Daphne du Maurier can best be understood in terms of her remarkable and paradoxical family, the ghosts which haunted her life and fiction.
While contemporary writers were dealing critically with such subjects as the war, alienation, religion, poverty, Marxism, psychology and art, and experimenting with new techniques such as the stream of consciousness, du Maurier produced 'old-fashioned' novels with straightforward narratives that appealed to a popular audience's love of fantasy, adventure, sexuality and mystery. At an early age, she recognised that her readership was comprised principally of women, and she cultivated their loyal following through several decades by embodying their desires and dreams in her novels and short stories.
In some of her novels, however, she went beyond the technique of the formulaic romance to achieve a powerful psychological realism reflecting her intense feelings about her father, and to a lesser degree, her mother. This vision, which underlies Julius, Rebecca and The Parasites, is that of an author overwhelmed by the memory of her father's commanding presence. In Julius and The Parasites, for example, she introduces the image of a domineering but deadly father and the daring subject of incest.
In Rebecca, on the other hand, du Maurier fuses psychological realism with a sophisticated version of the Cinderella story.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 1, 2011
I don't usually read condensed books, but this was loaned to me and highly recommended by my Aunt Sarah, so I thought I would give it a try.
Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier - 3 stars.
This book was definitely Gothic, and probably pretty progressive for when it was written. The atmosphere was definitely gloomy with foreboding. The references to murder, rape, and other violent crimes were kind of surprising to me. Some aspects of the heroine were very annoying...she seemed to be always cooking or cleaning something, and often for men. I was inspired to look up some information about wrecking. Kind of fascinating.
Mission to Malaspiga - Evelyn Anthony - 3 stars.
A "modern" Gothic, featuring a young women recruited to spy on Italians suspected of dealing in heroin.
Mistress of Mellyn - Victoria Holt - 3.5 stars.
I liked this one a little more because it has more similarity to Regency romances. A young woman takes a position as governess in a house full of mysteries. Although I accurately predicted the perpetrator of the crime in the first couple of chapters, there was still enough suspense to make it interesting.
The High Valley - Jessica North - 3 stars
This was another modern Gothic, set in a remote Mexican valley. It kind of reminded me of Falcon Crest for some reason...so much improbably drama packed into a short story.
Thunder Heights - Phyllis A. Whitney - 3 stars
Having rode an Amtrak train into NYC from the North, I have somewhat of a visual of the setting of this book. I'm also borrowing in my visualization from the mansions in Newport, R.I.
Tregaron's Daughter - Melanie Brent - 3 stars
Cadi, the heroine of this story, is the historic version of superwoman. She sails, she cooks, she cleans stables, she speaks Italian...and even though she grows up in a humble fishing village, she takes lessons which allow her to have the vocabulary and social skills to be translated to an English country home...or to a villa in Italy, when it is discovered that she is the long-lost heir to a fortune. But then, if she were just an ordinary believable everyday girl, her story probably wouldn't be too interesting.
Overall, this is a very solid 3 star book.
Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier - 3 stars.
This book was definitely Gothic, and probably pretty progressive for when it was written. The atmosphere was definitely gloomy with foreboding. The references to murder, rape, and other violent crimes were kind of surprising to me. Some aspects of the heroine were very annoying...she seemed to be always cooking or cleaning something, and often for men. I was inspired to look up some information about wrecking. Kind of fascinating.
Mission to Malaspiga - Evelyn Anthony - 3 stars.
A "modern" Gothic, featuring a young women recruited to spy on Italians suspected of dealing in heroin.
Mistress of Mellyn - Victoria Holt - 3.5 stars.
I liked this one a little more because it has more similarity to Regency romances. A young woman takes a position as governess in a house full of mysteries. Although I accurately predicted the perpetrator of the crime in the first couple of chapters, there was still enough suspense to make it interesting.
The High Valley - Jessica North - 3 stars
This was another modern Gothic, set in a remote Mexican valley. It kind of reminded me of Falcon Crest for some reason...so much improbably drama packed into a short story.
Thunder Heights - Phyllis A. Whitney - 3 stars
Having rode an Amtrak train into NYC from the North, I have somewhat of a visual of the setting of this book. I'm also borrowing in my visualization from the mansions in Newport, R.I.
Tregaron's Daughter - Melanie Brent - 3 stars
Cadi, the heroine of this story, is the historic version of superwoman. She sails, she cooks, she cleans stables, she speaks Italian...and even though she grows up in a humble fishing village, she takes lessons which allow her to have the vocabulary and social skills to be translated to an English country home...or to a villa in Italy, when it is discovered that she is the long-lost heir to a fortune. But then, if she were just an ordinary believable everyday girl, her story probably wouldn't be too interesting.
Overall, this is a very solid 3 star book.
March 10, 2008
"This book has the stories, Tregaron's Daughter by Madeleine Brent (5 stars), Mistress of Melyn (Vicoria Holt (5 stars), Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier (4 stars), Mission to Malaspiga (1 star), The High Valley by Jessica North (3 stars), and Thunder Heights by Phylis A. Whitney (3 Stars)"
August 29, 2015
Need to be reviewed.
November 4, 2012
Always a guilty pleasure.
May 9, 2012
Great, mood setting collection. The only story that I didn't really enjoy was "Mission to Malaspiga." It seemed very unrealistic and has a clumsy plot. "Mistress of Mellyn" was my favorite, although I enjoyed the others as well. I considered reading the full novels, but I feel that these condensed versions not only do them justice, but probably improve the stories considerably (Except maybe "Mission to Malaspiga," which may have been better in the long version.) But then, I am not a fan of mysteries and I liked how quickly we get to find out what's going on.
November 19, 2008
not-so-guilty pleasure...
January 23, 2013
I read the first 50 pages or so and couldn't be compelled to finish.
I just wasn't interested in the novellas as gothic isn't a genre I typically like.
Recommended for fans of the genre.
I just wasn't interested in the novellas as gothic isn't a genre I typically like.
Recommended for fans of the genre.
June 19, 2018
Six Gothic Tales
A compilation of six Gothic romance novels condensed down for Reader's Digest. Given to me by a friend a long time ago. In order they are Jamaica Inn, Mission to Malaspiga, Mistress of Mellyn, The High Valley, Thunder Heights, and Tregaron's Daughter. Definitely not my kind of thing, but I kept it around because it was a gift. It turned out to be a convenient book to keep on my bedside table to read on on weekend nights because it's not something that interested me greatly, therefore it didn't have to be portable... moving from room to room, trying not to forget it when I go out to work or wherever; that sort of thing. To my surprise I've read through them all and I find it was a interesting stretch from my "comfort zone" as far as reading goes. They say you should read things you don't like as well as an exercise in variety. And they're not the worst things I've ever read; they even seemed worth the time spent on them over the last year or so that I've been looking them over. It's the same formula over and over. Yes, I'm well aware that sci-fi and fantasy incorporates the same formulas too... it's fascinating how that sort of thing doesn't bother us when it's employed by a genre we like as opposed to one we don't. The romances made no sense to me, of course. It makes me wonder if I'm "normal" as far as being a woman is concerned because a lot of women really go for the attractions presented in these stories. But at least they're not empty erotica. (I prefer my own fantasies to someone else's in that regard.) They make a corageous attempt at murder mysteries throughout as part of the formula. One of the stories even reminded me of a similar idea I had for a story years ago. However, they're not top shelf mysteries. Even when the action was good, the motivations of the killers were lame with the exception of the last story perhaps. That one wasn't half bad. I suppose it's good stuff for those who are interested in this genre. To that extent I recommend it. But I'm going to find something a little more to my taste put at my bedside table now.
A compilation of six Gothic romance novels condensed down for Reader's Digest. Given to me by a friend a long time ago. In order they are Jamaica Inn, Mission to Malaspiga, Mistress of Mellyn, The High Valley, Thunder Heights, and Tregaron's Daughter. Definitely not my kind of thing, but I kept it around because it was a gift. It turned out to be a convenient book to keep on my bedside table to read on on weekend nights because it's not something that interested me greatly, therefore it didn't have to be portable... moving from room to room, trying not to forget it when I go out to work or wherever; that sort of thing. To my surprise I've read through them all and I find it was a interesting stretch from my "comfort zone" as far as reading goes. They say you should read things you don't like as well as an exercise in variety. And they're not the worst things I've ever read; they even seemed worth the time spent on them over the last year or so that I've been looking them over. It's the same formula over and over. Yes, I'm well aware that sci-fi and fantasy incorporates the same formulas too... it's fascinating how that sort of thing doesn't bother us when it's employed by a genre we like as opposed to one we don't. The romances made no sense to me, of course. It makes me wonder if I'm "normal" as far as being a woman is concerned because a lot of women really go for the attractions presented in these stories. But at least they're not empty erotica. (I prefer my own fantasies to someone else's in that regard.) They make a corageous attempt at murder mysteries throughout as part of the formula. One of the stories even reminded me of a similar idea I had for a story years ago. However, they're not top shelf mysteries. Even when the action was good, the motivations of the killers were lame with the exception of the last story perhaps. That one wasn't half bad. I suppose it's good stuff for those who are interested in this genre. To that extent I recommend it. But I'm going to find something a little more to my taste put at my bedside table now.
September 14, 2021
Oh my lordy lord this book makes me feel ✨ nostalgic ✨ for some reason
January 17, 2026
I liked the gothic tales! There's a lot of cousin-loving in them though, which I guess is pretty gothic in nature, but I felt like it was unnecessary. I liked The High Valley the most I think.
December 1, 2025
Some of these stories verge on pulpy, but I don’t care. I love a gothic romance.
My favs were Jamaica Inn, Mistress of Mellyn, and Thunder Heights.
My favs were Jamaica Inn, Mistress of Mellyn, and Thunder Heights.
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October 9, 2018Jamaica Inn - Daphne du Maurier - 4 stars.
This book was definitely dark and gloomy - fits the gothic theme and good to read on a dark and stormy night. Involves wrecking. Romance in the middle of some pretty dark stuff.
Mission to Malaspiga - Evelyn Anthony - 1 star.
A tale of heroin dealing in Florence, Italy...with a young woman recruited as a spy...pretty romance novel meets spy novel...with more romance than spy (and not really my cup of tea)
Mistress of Mellyn - Victoria Holt - 3 stars.
I always liked this author when I worked at the library as a teenager, so it brought me back to my youth. I forgot about these romances, though. A governess moves into a widower's house to teach his young daughter, after the death of his wife, Alice. Full of suspense, and mystery, with some ghostly sightings. Very gothic.
This book was definitely dark and gloomy - fits the gothic theme and good to read on a dark and stormy night. Involves wrecking. Romance in the middle of some pretty dark stuff.
Mission to Malaspiga - Evelyn Anthony - 1 star.
A tale of heroin dealing in Florence, Italy...with a young woman recruited as a spy...pretty romance novel meets spy novel...with more romance than spy (and not really my cup of tea)
Mistress of Mellyn - Victoria Holt - 3 stars.
I always liked this author when I worked at the library as a teenager, so it brought me back to my youth. I forgot about these romances, though. A governess moves into a widower's house to teach his young daughter, after the death of his wife, Alice. Full of suspense, and mystery, with some ghostly sightings. Very gothic.
November 6, 2020
2nd read: Mistress of Mellyn only 3*
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews