Reviews - L'Auberge de la Jamaïque

L'Auberge de la Jamaïque by Daphne du Maurier

2.03k reviews for:

I love [b:Rebecca|12873|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fk%2Bm1sCCL._SL75_.jpg|46663] and was looking forward to [b:Jamaica Inn|50244|Jamaica Inn|Daphne du Maurier|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170367873s/50244.jpg|430524], but once I got to it I was pretty disappointed.

This book should be wonderful - the rundown inn isolated on the moors in Cornwall, smugglers, wreckers, murderers and thieves - what more could you ask for in a plot for a gothic thriller? Somehow, though, this just didn't work for me. I kept reading along, waiting to find someone to care about and for something interesting to happen and it just didn't happen. It all feels too careful and too formulaic - insert charming handsome horse thief into slot A, combine with plucky heroine in slot B, varnish with rumors of smuggling and murder and combine with mist to create your romantic thriller (allen wrench provided with kit).

hannahws's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Really enjoyed this book! I wouldn't have picked Cornwall as a particularly ominous, brooding place, but Daphne du Maurier pulls it off superbly. I was surprised to hear other reviews found the main character too stilted - I enjoyed her stubbornness and forthright attitude

trotwood's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

annithethief's review against another edition

1.0

This is pretty much what would happen if you replaced the gang from Scooby Doo with Mary Sue. Except I did know who did it before it even happened, which doesn't usually happen in Scooby Doo.

Controversial oppinion here (or not?) - the prose and the character construction especially in relation to morality were beneath most YA I've read (and these were the main reasons why I drifted away from YA) . I feel like Jem was the only truly multi-dimensional character. He did bad things but he was not completely evil - what a concept!!

It is an easy read, maybe even enjoyabe if you're into this sort of things. But for me it just didn't do it. That being said, I don't know if I'll read another book by du Maurier. I might give Rebecca a try since I heard it is better.

cazxxx's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious medium-paced

heidip22's review against another edition

4.0

An enjoyable thriller that had many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. As with all daphne de murier books I thought it was very well written and although not my favourite of hers, still an entrancing read.