My Cousin Rachel - Daphne du Maurier An older book but one which is a timeless classic and well deserving of a read. Perhaps not as well known as Rebecca but an equally dark, mysterious and riveting novel. Philip Ashley has everything he needs in his Uncle - he is friend, father, mentor, nurse and teacher - so when Uncle Ambrose writes home from his visit to Italy that he has met with Cousin Rachel and has married her, Philip is not pleased and unsure as to where he will stand in his Uncle's affections. When mysterious letters from Aunle Ambrose arrive, they pique Philip's sense of ill-boding and he makes the journey to find Uncle Ambrose has died and Cousin Rachel gone. Philip is very surprised on his return to Cornwall to find that Ambrose had not altered his will, leaving Philip his heir with him taking control on his 25th birthday, and no provision for Rachel; Philip, full of bitterness at his Uncle's death, when news comes that Rachel is in Cornwall, is adamant that he will have little to do with her. Having made up his mind from the first to dislike, indeed, hate Cousin Rachel, when she makes him a visit he is very surprised to find himself falling under her spell. As Rachel begins to charm everyone in the area and work magic on Philip, he urges her to stay and even when friends and solicitor urge caution he disregards their advice, caught up in his love for Rachel. As his 25th birthday draws near he ploughs on with a very ill advised plan of action, a plan that could be his downfall. Will Philip's fate be the same as that of Uncle Ambrose, who on his deathbed, thought he was being poisoned, or will there be a happy ending? Well, this is du Maurier so anything could happpen..... A fabulously atmospheric read that draws you in to the characters and their surroundings so well that you could be a silent observer of all that is unfolding. You are never quite sure if Rachel is an innocent charmer or if she has more dubious plots afoot; or is Philip suffering from lack of or over imagination? The clues are there but ultimately, the decision is yours. Wonderful ending which, even though you know what is coming, still leaves you wondering.... As rich and finely woven as Rebecca, this book truly deserves to be read, ingested and enjoyed.