Description

‘AS COMPELLING AS ANY OF DU MAURIER’S OWN WORKS’ SUNDAY TIMES

She wrote her stories in his shadow. Now Daphne’s past is catching up with her…

In a beautiful house in the wilds of Cornwall, Daphne du Maurier is on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Tangled in a self-destructive love affair that threatens to unravel her marriage, she is also distracted by worry for the family friend whose shadow looms over her childhood: J. M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan.

Daphne tries to escape into writing her new book, but the line between fiction and reality blurs dangerously when her own characters start manifesting before her eyes – in particular a woman called Rebecca who looks suspiciously like her husband’s alluring ex-girlfriend.

Daphne must confront the dark truth that lurks beneath the fantasy of Peter Pan and the secret life that has plagued her since she found fame. Unless she can solve these mysteries and reckon with who she truly is as an artist, her next great work may be lost to history . . .

‘Fascinating’ Elizabeth Buchan
‘Elegant and immersive’ Essie Fox
‘Glorious’ Jane Johnson

Publisher Review

Elisabeth Gifford’s Daphne is as brilliantly vivid and captivating as any of du Maurier’s own characters. — Carole Hailey What a brilliant idea to explore the dramas of Daphne du Maurier’s interior life and her struggle to understand her own psyche. Her connection to J.M Barrie creator of Peter Pan and the “lost boys” was crucial while her marriage to Boy Browning triggered emotional dissonance and complications which were mirrored in her books. A fascinating read. — Elizabeth Buchan, author of TWO WOMEN IN ROME Elisabeth Gifford is an excellent author of historical fiction. In The Mischief Makers she brings both the magical and dark worlds of novelist Daphne Du Maurier to life in a way that is both intoxicating and troubling. London and the heady world of London’s theatre scene both pre- and post- WWII is also skilfully evoked. If you are fascinated by Daphne du Maurier and the influences that formed such a successful and enduring novelist then you must not miss this reimagining of her life … — Carol Drinkwater This is a glorious novel, one you will lose yourself in, and adore. The evocations of beautiful, timeless Fowey and the Cornish coast work in powerful counterpoint to the tides of love and war. Gifford’s prose is limpid and seductive; the sweep of history and Daphne du Maurier’s rise to literary stardom are gorgeously delineated. I have looked forward every day to returning to its pages — Jane Johnson, author of THE SEA GATE A darkly magical, riveting and exquisitely written novel exploring the trouble inner world of Daphne Du Maurier, one of our most enigmatic writers. Stunning. — Anna Mazzola, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL Riveting and haunting – I read it in big gulps! — Liz Fenwick, author of THE SECRET SHORE An enthralling and brilliantly conceived tour-de-force that could easily have been penned by du Maurier herself. It’s a novel that explorers so well the mysteries and the demons of the creative mind, and the harrowing consequences when imagination, fantasy, and reality collide. I found it hypnotic, haunting and heart-rending. It’s a soul-searching read that probes the question: What price do we pay to love and be loved? Brilliant. — S W Perry, author of BERLIN DUET The perfect mix of gripping plot and lyrical writing * Good Housekeeping on A WOMAN MADE OF SNOW * A gorgeous, melancholy love story * The Times on THE LOST LIGHTS OF ST KILDA * Desperately romantic, lyrically written and with a fascinating plot — Katie Fforde on THE LOST LIGHTS OF ST KILDA