‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…': 5 romantic thrillers for fans of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca
Few opening lines in literature are as haunting—or as instantly transporting—as the first sentence of Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier's 1938 masterpiece of gothic suspense. With its brooding atmosphere, psychological tension, and a romance shadowed by secrets, Rebecca continues to hold readers in a thrall. Even Hollywood keeps returning to her stories (Rebecca, The Birds, My Cousin Rachel). If you love Rebecca's intoxicating blend of romance, mystery, and gothic dread, here are five modern novels that will keep you up all night.
1. The Silent Patient – Alex Michaelides
A psychological thriller with a haunting love story at its core, The Silent Patient follows Alicia Berenson, a woman who shoots her husband and then refuses to speak. Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist, becomes obsessed with uncovering her motives—but the truth is far more twisted than he could imagine. With its gothic undertones and shocking revelations, this is a perfect read for Rebecca fans who crave obsession and deception.
2. The Wife Between Us – Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
A clever, twisty tale of marriage, jealousy, and revenge, this novel plays with perception in the best way. Is the ex-wife bitter and unstable, or is there something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface of her replacement's picture-perfect life? The shifting narratives and psychological tension make this a gripping companion to Rebecca's themes of jealousy and hidden pasts.
3. Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia
For those who adored Rebecca's eerie atmosphere, Mexican Gothic delivers a chilling tale of a woman drawn into a decaying mansion's dark secrets. When Noemí Taboada is sent to check on her ailing cousin, she uncovers a family curse, a seductive yet dangerous husband, and a house that seems alive with malice. Gothic romance meets psychological horror in this intoxicating read.
4. The Death of Mrs Westaway – Ruth Ware
A modern gothic mystery dripping with suspense, this novel follows Hal, a struggling tarot reader who receives a mysterious inheritance letter—but the deceased woman may not actually be her grandmother. As Hal infiltrates the eerie Westaway estate, she's drawn into a web of lies, betrayals, and long-buried family secrets. The brooding setting and unreliable characters make this a must-read for Rebecca devotees.
5. The Last Mrs Parrish – Liv Constantine
A seductive, cunning thriller about ambition and revenge, this book follows Amber Patterson as she infiltrates the glamorous life of Daphne Parrish—only to discover that perfection comes at a price. With its themes of obsession, manipulation, and the dark side of desire, it's a deliciously wicked read that echoes Rebecca's exploration of jealousy and deception.
Honorable Mention: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (if you somehow haven't read it yet!)
Which of these will you read first? Let us know in the comments.
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