Jamaica Inn

by Daphne du Maurier
Jamaica Inn cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99 Hardback • £16.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 10831
  • Added: 2026-02-06
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780316252904
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-12-17
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Mary Yellan, a young woman, journeys to Jamaica Inn to honor her mother's dying wish, only to find herself trapped in a web of terror and intrigue. The inn, shrouded in mystery and menace, is ruled by her menacing uncle, Joss Merlyn, and his cowering wife, Patience. As Mary gradually uncovers the sinister schemes hidden within the inn's walls, she finds herself drawn to a man she cannot trust. The novel, inspired by a real-life inn, is a gripping tale of suspense and surprise, rich in atmosphere and tension. /n/n Written by Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca and The Birds, Jamaica Inn is a classic thriller that has captivated readers for generations. The story is set against the backdrop of the desolate and windswept moors, adding to the overall sense of isolation and dread. The novel's exploration of power, fear, and forbidden love makes it a compelling read, while its historical setting and vivid descriptions bring the past to life.

Reviews
Think About Reading · 2021-08-04
thrilling 5.00

This book is wonderfully dark and atmospheric, with a thrilling adventure. The novel is almost as famous as Rebecca.

The reviewer from Think About Reading praises Jamaica Inn for its wonderfully dark and atmospheric setting, which creates a thrilling adventure. The novel is almost as famous as Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, and the reviewer wishes they had picked it up sooner. The story is suspenseful and keeps readers engaged with its gothic elements and compelling characters. The reviewer particularly enjoys the novel's ability to create a sense of foreboding and danger, making it a standout read. Overall, the review highlights the novel's dark and atmospheric nature, making it a must-read for fans of gothic literature.

Quick quotes

    Wonderfully dark and atmospheric and utterly suspenseful, Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn is a thrilling adventure of a novel!

    I wish I had picked up this book sooner.

    Jamaica Inn is almost as famous a novel as author Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.

Madame Writer Blog · 2019-03-23
dark 4.50

The gothic atmosphere is the best part of this book. The novel is a dark and gripping tale reminiscent of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

The reviewer from Madame Writer Blog highlights the gothic atmosphere as the best part of Jamaica Inn, noting that Daphne du Maurier excels at setting a creepy mood. The novel is a dark and gripping tale that will remind readers of other great classics like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The reviewer appreciates the strong prose and characterization, which add depth to the story. The side plot of the abusive relationship between Uncle Joss and Aunt Patience is particularly compelling, exploring the dynamics of how Patience got sucked into the relationship. Overall, the review emphasizes the novel's gothic elements and strong character development, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    My favorite part of this book was the gothic atmosphere. Du Maurier knows how to set a creepy mood like few authors I have read before.

    The novel is a dark and gripping tale that will remind readers of two other great classics, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

    The side plot explored is the abusive relationship between Uncle Joss and Aunt Patience—how the romance started and how Patience got sucked in.

EF Sunland · 2017-02-03
entertaining 3.50

The romantic and melodramatic elements are over the top, but they make the story entertaining. The book is salacious and predictable, yet it remains a thrilling adventure.

The reviewer from EF Sunland describes Jamaica Inn as a thrilling adventure with over-the-top romantic and melodramatic elements. They find the book salacious and predictable, yet entertaining. The story's thrilling aspects make it a compelling read, despite its flaws. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to keep the reader engaged with its suspenseful and adventurous narrative.

Quick quotes

    The romantic and melodramatic elements are over the top; it's salacious, it's predictable, and yet it's so entertaining.

    The book is a thrilling adventure that keeps the reader engaged.

    Despite its flaws, Jamaica Inn remains a compelling read.

The Guardian · Julie Myerson · 2014-04-19
harrowing 4.00

This novel is filled with anger towards male violence and stupidity. It portrays a harrowing and suspenseful adventure.

Julie Myerson's review highlights the novel's seething anger at the male capacity for violence and stupidity, especially against women. The story is a harrowing and suspenseful adventure, with a dark and atmospheric setting that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Myerson appreciates the novel's ability to convey a sense of danger and foreboding, making it a thrilling read. The character of Mary is particularly compelling, as she navigates a world filled with greed and violence. Overall, the review emphasizes the novel's dark and suspenseful nature, making it a standout in Daphne du Maurier's repertoire.

Quick quotes

    This is a novel seething with anger at the male capacity for stupidity, greed and violence, especially against women.

    Joss tells Mary how he knows that she is brave, but he also knows that she is not stupid.

    The novel is a harrowing and suspenseful adventure, with a dark and atmospheric setting.

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