Jamaica Inn (Oxford World's Classics)

Author: Daphne du Maurier
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: Jamaica Inn is a gothic mystery classic novel by Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca. The story takes place in the Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England. In the desolate moor stands a lonely two-story building, known as Jamaica Inn. Twenty-three-year-old Mary, a rural girl left orphaned, has no choice but to leave her hometown and travel to this impoverished and remote area to seek refuge with her aunt, Penhryn — the owner of Jamaica Inn. However, she soon discovers that Jamaica Inn is actually a secret hideout for a gang of criminals, and their leader is Jos Merlyn, the innkeeper and her uncle. At first, she believes the gang is merely involved in smuggling in secret. But her aunt’s sorrowful and fearful gaze, along with the strange occurrences both inside and outside the inn during stormy nights, convince her that there must be even more terrifying criminal activities behind the smuggling. To uncover the mystery, Mary uses her frail body to engage in a battle of wits and courage against a group of ruthless killers. In the process, she meets a horse thief and a clergyman. Through their interactions, Mary’s emotions and reason are once again thrown into disarray.