Frenchman's Creek - Daphne du Maurier

Having read (and loved) a number of Du Maurier novels over the years, I knew that this one would be no less brilliant. It may be one of my new favourites, in fact. Frenchman's Creek was written in 1941 and tells the story of Dona St Columb, the wealthy wife of Harry St Columb, and talk of the Restoration Court.

Dona is bored of her boring life, embroiled in gossip and pomposity, and longs for escape. She takes her children to Navron, their country estate in Cornwall, for some peace and tranquility away from her expectant husband - but arrives to find that the estate is already occupied.

Word of a murderous and savage French pirate has shaken up the local elite, and whilst out walking Dona happens across his boat moored in her creek. Yet the man she finds within is not the feral beast she was expecting. Driven by desire for adventure and an escape from her monotonous life, Dona secretly joins forces with the troupe of pirates and is whisked into a hidden life of danger and excitement.

As always, Du Maurier's writing is far ahead of her time - she explores themes of sexuality, motherhood and the expectation of women, breaking boundaries and challenging norms with her vibrant characterisation and plot twists. Du Maurier achieves romance and passion without being overtly sexual, a clever nuance which I love about her. Although this author chooses the beauty and wildness of Cornwall as the backdrop for her novels, each tale is unique and exciting, with surprises around every corner. A brilliant novel, and another brilliant set of characters!