Jamaica Inn

I first read this book as a girl and it was one of the spookiest experiences I can remember. I think it's a real shame that one of the other reviewers here chose to reveal key plot elements in the review because when I first read this I knew nothing of the plot and that added a lot to the experience (sort of bluebeard's chamber type suspense). I admit that coming back to it as an adult it lost a little eeriness: I think I could relate better to Mary's sense of being trapped at Jamaica Inn better as a kid than I can now. But if you like suspense I think you'll like this gothic novel with a cornish twist.

I adore DuMaurier, so this is kind of hard. This is one of the few books of her's that I never got a chance to finish, so I figured taking the audio version on vacation would be perfect. Unfortunately this is my least favorite DuMaurier book so far. The narration is great, the story is interesting, and late at night I did get freaked out a little by one of the creepier parts (kudos to the narrator all around). But in the end I was left feeling a little let down by DuMaurier, possibly because I could read Rebecca or The King's General or Frenchman's Creek every day for the rest of my life and be perfectly content. This just seemed like she was barely warming up to her prime. Still, if you're a DuMaurier fan you will probably want to check this out. I dont think I'll ever read it or listen to it again, but as a loyal fan I'm glad I at least experienced it.

Well-written, interesting plot. Perfect for taking you out of the present day. Refreshing sophisticated read/listen compared to the more flippant, hip style of contemporary authors.

This book was full of great characters with lots of atmosphere and told a good story. However, I had the mystery figured out early on. I also had a problem with Tony Britton's interpretations of the characters. While his reading of the male characters was nothing short of brilliant, it was ruined by the way he read the female characters. The female characters were read in a high pitched, laughable voice, and the characterizations of the women made them sound weak and mindless with no character development at all. This may have worked for the character of Patience, but Mary Yellan is supossed to be independent and spunky with a mind of her own, and the narrator lost an opportunity in developing a stronger personality for her and her interactions with the male characters.

For me its a seven

The story told by drunken uncle Joss Merlyn about the wreckers

Mary Yellan

Mary Yellan, a strong and nice young woman

The voice of the performer in pritty

Plucky heroine prevails over ship wreckers. Happy ending. Du Maurier was sharpening her quill for Rebecca. Readable as such, otherwise rather dated.