A new bride arrives at Manderley, her husband’s grand estate by the Cornish coast, only to find the place still ruled by the memory of his first wife. Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 classic turns a romance into a slow, suffocating study of jealousy, secrets, and the woman who refuses to be forgotten. It opens with one of the most famous lines in English fiction and never loosens its grip.
Listen to Rebecca Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat Rebecca is about
The unnamed narrator is a shy young woman working as a paid companion when she meets the wealthy, brooding widower Maxim de Winter. After a whirlwind courtship, she becomes the second Mrs. de Winter and is swept off to Manderley, his beloved family home in Cornwall. But the house is haunted in every sense but the literal one: the late Rebecca’s presence lingers in the rooms, the routines, and above all in the cold, devoted housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers.
As the new wife struggles to find her footing, she becomes convinced she can never measure up to her glamorous, beloved predecessor. Du Maurier tightens the tension with quiet dread rather than shock, building toward revelations that reframe everything that came before. It is a gothic mystery about memory, identity, and how the dead can shape the living.
| Author | Daphne du Maurier |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781478924302 |
| List price | $24.98 |
Why Rebecca is great on audio
Told entirely in the narrator’s anxious, confiding voice, Rebecca is built for the intimacy of audio, where her self-doubt and dawning suspicion land with real force. The brooding atmosphere of Manderley and the menace radiating from Mrs. Danvers come alive when read aloud. It suits anyone who loves a moody, character-driven mystery that rewards patient listening.
Who should listen
Listeners who enjoy gothic suspense, unreliable narration, and slow-burning psychological tension will be right at home here. If you prefer fast-paced action thrillers or need a likable, confident protagonist, the deliberate pacing and timid narrator may test your patience. Fans of classic literary mystery should not miss it.
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How to get the Rebecca audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the Rebecca audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your included credit covers Rebecca, and the audiobook is free to enjoy during the 30-day trial.
Listen to Rebecca Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
Is Rebecca a mystery or a romance?
It is both, but the romance is the setup rather than the payoff. At heart it is a psychological gothic mystery, with the central question of who Rebecca really was driving the suspense toward a genuine twist.
Can I listen to the Rebecca audiobook free?
Yes. You can get the Rebecca audiobook free by starting an Audiobooks.com free trial, which includes a credit you can use on this title. The credit is free to enjoy during the 30-day trial.
Do I need to read anything before Rebecca?
No. Rebecca is a standalone novel with no prerequisites, so you can start listening with no prior background. It is also a great entry point into classic gothic fiction.
Is Rebecca appropriate for younger listeners?
It is generally suitable for older teens and up. There is no graphic content, but the themes of obsession, manipulation, and dark secrets make it best for mature readers who enjoy slow-building suspense.