Updated Title: Stories for Readers

Daphne du Maurier's exceptional talent in crafting captivating short stories is once again showcased in this new collection, which contains five long narratives. Each tale presents a compelling and sinister impact, ensuring that the reader's flesh creeps with unease (as evidenced in the brilliant "The Birds" and the truly horrifying "Kiss Me Again, Stranger").

The settings in this anthology are as diverse as the plots themselves, transporting the reader to Venice, Crete, Ireland, Jerusalem, and East Anglia. In one story, a married couple on a holiday in Venice are helplessly swept into a tragedy played out against the backdrop of murky canals and dark alleys. In another, a middle-aged schoolmaster becomes entangled with an American couple whose fishing expeditions are far from what they appear to be.

A young actress, embarking on an impulsive but innocent quest, stumbles into a situation that strips away the foundations of her youthful self-confidence. Subtly mocking, one story follows the vicissitudes of an ill-assorted group of pilgrims in Jerusalem, while another explores the profound meaning of life and death in a brilliantly original tale.

These are not the cozy tales one might read to a maiden aunt or elderly cousin. Rather, they feature unremarkable people caught up in circumstances beyond the boundaries of their experience and outside their control. Compelling and exciting, this collection once again showcases Daphne du Maurier's mastery of the short story form.

The settings may vary, but the underlying themes are universal: the fragility of the human condition, the unpredictable nature of fate, and the eerie and unsettling forces that can disrupt the seemingly ordinary lives of individuals. Du Maurier's skilled storytelling effortlessly draws the reader into these worlds, leaving an indelible mark on the psyche.

This new collection from the acclaimed author is a must-read for fans of du Maurier's work and those who appreciate the power of the short story genre. With its sinister undertones, captivating plots, and skilled craftsmanship, "Not After Midnight" is a testament to the author's enduring literary legacy.

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