After honeymooning in Italy the dashing Max de Winter returns with his innocent young bride to Manderley, the beautiful family estate in Cornwall. Yet the former mistress's disturbing presence lingers throughout the house, particularly in the persistent reminders of the grim housekeeper, Mrs Danvers. Du Maurier's shy heroine is tortured by constant comparisons to the glittering socialite who was her predecessor and she is heading towards tragedy and despair when Rebecca herself appears.