Frenchman's Creek - by Daphne Du Maurier (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published: London: Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1941.

Book Synopsis

A lady bound by duty. A pirate who lives by desire. Together, they risk everything in a historical romance of freedom, danger, and forbidden love.

Restless in London's rigid society, Lady Dona St. Columb escapes to the Cornish coast. There, shadowed creeks conceal a daring French privateer who offers the adventure she craves. Their secret encounters unfold in a world of stolen passion, dangerous choices, and the intoxicating pull of a gothic love story that defies every convention.

Celebrated for her lyrical prose and haunting settings, Daphne du Maurier delivers a classic romance novel that readers call "the perfect escape" and "a breath of fresh air." Frenchman's Creek endures as both swashbuckling pirate adventure and timeless exploration of longing, danger, and the perilous beauty of surrendering to the heart.

"Highly personalized adventure, ultra-romantic mood, and skillful storytelling." --New York Times

Review Quotes

" I was so caught up in the story that I did not want to put it down." -- Books and Needlepoint

" It's romantic and scandalous and adventurous. The most pleasant journey I've ever taken with a pirate. " -- The Book Nest

"[A]n entertaining, very well written story..." -- A Lovely Shore Breeze

"[I]t was definitely enjoyable. She has quite a way with words, the language she used was simply beautiful. " -- Devourer of Books

"Anyone who has ever felt the need to escape from the cage of daily life will identify with and love this book. " -- Book Thoughts By Lisa

"Be careful when you set out to read this novel. Daphne du Maurier will capture your imagination with more stealth, speed, and skill than any of her pirates ever could. " -- The Literate Housewife

"Fans of Rafael Sabatini and other romantic period adventures will be quite pleased with this book." -- Books are My Only Friends

"I am just sorry that it has taken me this long to read something by this fantastic author. This will not be the last book I read by her though, that's a guarantee!" -- The Review From Here

"I heartily recommend Frenchman's Creek to anyone who appreciates romance, mystery or the gothic novel... I praise Sourcebooks for bringing her work to a new generation of readers." -- Reader for Life

"I really liked Frenchman's Creek, it reminded me why classics are classics, endured for many generations and will be read by countless others." -- Reading Extravaganza

"The denouement will keep one thinking for a long time after the book has been finished, and would be a great discussion topic for book groups." -- Ex Libris

"The story is intriguing and the book is an absolute pleasure to read. I had a lovely time with this, and I think you would too." -- Medieval Bookworm

"This is a entertaining read and one I would recommend if you enjoy a classic historical romance." -- Peeking Between the Pages

"This is a fabulous read for fans of romance or fans of gothic historical fiction and it is a tribute to the folks at Sourcebooks for choosing such a timeless classic to reprint today." -- A Reader's Respite

"This is excellent and intense storytelling, many thanks to Sourcebooks for re-releasing the novels of this classic author. " -- The Tome Traveller's Weblog

"Wow, I can certainly tell why Sourcebooks wants to bring back stories like these!... Frenchman's Creek is a most satisfying tale. " -- Book Loons

About the Author

Daphne du Maurier was born in London in 1907, the second daughter of a famous stage actor and actress. Her first novel was published in 1931, but it was her 1938 novel Rebecca which made her one of the most successful writers of her time. Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the book won the Best Picture Oscar in 1940, and he used her material again for his classic The Birds. In 1969, Du Maurier was created a Dame of the British Empire.

At the age of 81, Du Maurier died at home in her beloved Cornwall, the region that had been the setting for many of her books.