Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This book was a recommended to me by my managers and supervisors at the bookstore. I enjoyed the narrative style, the time period and the mystery surounding Manderly. I found it interesting that the main character and narrator never reveals her name, but she mentions Rebecca, the former lady of Manderly, and constantly feels compared to and judged by the people of Manderly. The heroine tries to discover what happened to Rebecca, and why the people at Manderly tell her she can never compare to her. This novel was similar to Jane Eyre, but I found it much more creepy and sinister. It was the perfect read for a rainy week, and a wonderfuly told narrative that captures your attention from the first famous sentence. I don't want to reveal too much of the story, because it would spoil the people who haven't read it, but I will say that the story expertly twists and turns. Characters surprise you and the truth behind the mystery of Manderly is revealed. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, gothic novels and eighteenth century literature (and especially fans of Downton Abbey).

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

This book was a wonderful tribute to gothic novels, and is written in a way to draw you in from the first page. If I could have read this book in one sitting, I would have. Edie's voice through out the story is easily relatable, and reminds me of Jane Eyre's narrative. Jane Eyre, Frankenstien and Wuthering Heights are mentioned throughout the book, and the clues are expertly trailed to keep the reader guessing until the final part of the story. Milderhurst has many secrets, and it's up to Edie to discover them. With her mother unwilling to face the past, and the history of Raymond Blythe's Mud Man calling to be discovered, Edie goes to London. She meets the Blythe sisters, Juniper, Persephone and Seraphina. During her visit, Edie becomes determined to set history straight, and solve the mystery haunting her mother's past.

I recommend this novel to fans of Bronte, Shelley and Austen.