November 6, 2021
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Philip Ashley was orphaned as a child and was raised by his cousin Ambrose. They share a quiet life at Ambrose's Cornwall estate. Ambrose suffers from a weak chest and routinely spends the winter in Italy, away from the damp English winters, and they write to each other regularly. Shortly before Philip's 25th birthday, Ambrose writes to Philip to tell him that he has met a widowed cousin of theirs named Rachel, that they have fallen in love and married. The newlyweds have no plans to return to England.
Ambrose's letters to Philip become increasingly erratic and Philip decides to journey to Italy to check on Ambrose himself. He arrives in Florence only to find that Ambrose is dead and his new bride has left their villa. Unable to locate her, Philip returns to England, where his guardian Nick informs him that he received a letter from Rachel's man of business, stating two things: Ambrose did not have time to change his will, and Philip is still heir to his estate; and Rachel is on her way to England. She arrives at the estate and Philip falls increasingly under her spell. As his cousin's widow, he transfers the estate over to her. Philip falls ill almost immediately and it takes several weeks for him to recover. He suspects that Rachel poisoned him, but he has no proof. But he is certain that she is trying to kill him and sets a trap for her.
My Cousin Rachel is du Maurier's third most popular book. Like her other books, it has a mystery/romance theme with gothic overtones. A good choice for a gloomy fall evening.
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