The lost stories of bestselling author, Daphne du Maurier, collected in one volume for the first time.

In 'The Doll' a waterlogged notebook washes ashore, its pages telling a dark story of obsession and jealousy:

'I want to know if men realise when they are insane. Sometimes I think that my brain cannot hold together, it is filled with too much horror - too much despair . . . I cannot close my eyes without seeing his damned face. If only it had been a dream.'

Many of the stories in this chilling collection were written early in Daphne du Maurier's career, before she wrote the masterpieces that would cement her reputation as one of the twentieth century's greatest writers: Rebecca, 'The Birds' and 'Don't Look Now'. Tales of human frailty and obsession, the thirteen stories in The Doll demonstrate du Maurier's extraordinary storytelling ability and her deep understanding of human nature.

'A magnificent contribution to our opportunities to appreciate and understand du Maurier . . . a woman far ahead of her time, passionate, intelligent and deeply imaginative' Daily Telegraph

Introduced by Polly Samson

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REBECCA.

'She wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense' GUARDIAN

'One of the last century's most original literary talents' DAILY TELEGRAPH

'Du Maurier employs well the assured balancing of uncanny possibilities ... and the bitterly wry sense of absurdity that were to characterise her finest fiction' HELEN TAYLOR, INDEPENDENT

'I want to know if men realise when they are insane. Sometimes I think that my brain cannot hold together, it is filled with too much horror - too much despair . . . I cannot sleep, I cannot close my eyes without seeing his damned face. If only it had been a dream.'

This collection showcases the budding talent and fierce imagination of Daphne du Maurier, before she went on to write one of the most beloved novels of all time. In these tales of human frailty and obsession, a waterlogged notebook washes ashore, revealing a dark story of jealousy and passion; a vicar coaches a young couple divided by class issues and an older man falls perilously in love with a much younger woman. Each tale demonstrates du Maurier's extraordinary storytelling gifts and her deep understanding of human nature.