The official Daphne du Maurier website, approved by her Estate
After Midnight by Daphne du Maurier proves that she remains the undisputed queen of Gothic fiction
Daphne du Maurier, c1947
Last week, Scroll.in published a superb review of Daphne du Maurier's new book, After Midnight: Thirteen Chilling Tales for the Dark Hours.
Scroll.in is an independent website that covers news, politics, sports, culture, and a wide range of other subjects. It provides the latest news, reportage, analysis and commentary on all that matters in India.
The article, written by Rahul Singh, discusses how Virago has selected thirteen of Daphne du Maurier's darkest short stories and novellas to produce this massive 600-page collection, and that the book has, as he describes it, "a luring introduction by Stephen King" and endorsements from a number of major writers of paranormal stories, including Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry.
After Midnight by Daphne du Maurier
As many of you will already be aware, the book comprises some of the best-known du Maurier short stories, such as The Birds and Don't Look Now. It also includes some of Daphne's lesser-known works, including The Breakthrough and The Doll. However, as Rahul says, there is one thread that ties all the stories together, and that is that they are all creepy, gothic and bizarre!
Rahul's opening words of the review are:
In the thirteen stories by du Maurier, there is always space for a laugh, a scare, and an active imagination that can run through this genre.
He then goes on to explain that:
It would be a failed attempt to review this collection. Where does one begin? And to what extent can a review capture the vastness of each of the stories? Perhaps what I may do is tell you what I experienced reading these stories and how I found myself as each story came to a close and a new one began.
And that is precisely what Rahul does. He provides an insight into these, the darkest of Daphne du Maurier's short stories and novellas, with a tremendous understanding of Daphne's ability to write totally gripping short fiction, while maintaining an undercurrent of humour, seldom recognised by readers of Daphne's work.
Do read this review. It will introduce you to this wonderful new book from Daphne. And lead you by the hand as you read the most chilling of all her short stories.
To read the article, please click here:https://scroll.in/article/1087703/after-midnight-by-daphne-du-maurier-proves-that-she-remains-the-undisputed-queen-of-gothic-fiction
November 2025.