My Cousin Rachel    by Daphne du Maurier Order:  USA  Can Sourcebooks, 2009 (1951) Hardcover, Softcover, Paperback      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth My Cousin Rachel, written by renowned author Daphne du Maurier, is a dark, gothic tale of steadfast love, mystery, suspense and intrigue. First published in 1951, it has lost none of its allure through the years. Its author was created a Dame of the Empire, a well deserved accolade. Philip Ashley, raised by his wealthy cousin, is at first lonely, but then dismayed by his cousin Ambrose's trip to Italy to escape the harsh winter of Cornwall. Ambrose meets and marries a younger woman, but then begins to have doubts about her. Finally sure that she is poisoning him, he begs Philip to come to him. This is where Rachel enters the picture. Rachel, a widow now, arrives at her late husband's estate. Is she a scheming individual out to take Philip for his inheritance? Or could she be a naïve woman unable to see that men are using her for their own intrigues? Suspense builds and even though the reader is fairly certain where the plot is going, it is hard to put this story down. In her day, du Maurier was a bestselling author. I remember loving her many books - two that stand out in my mind are Frenchman's Creek and Jamaica Inn. She wrote so knowingly about Cornwall. I've always wanted to go there to see the coastline she described so clearly while in no way slowing down her stories. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews