Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) was born in London, England. In 1931 her first novel, The Loving Spirit was published. A biography of her father and three other novels followed, but it was the novel Rebecca that launched her into the literary stratosphere and made her one of the most popular authors of her day. In 1932, du Maurier married Major Frederick Browning with whom she had three children. Many of du Maurier's bestselling novels and short stories were adapted into award-winning films, including Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now. In 1969, du Maurier was awarded the Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE). She lived most of her life in Cornwall and died there which is the setting for many of her books.
One of the last century's most original literary talents * Daily Telegraph * She wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense, and she was, too, a writer of fearless originality * Guardian * A novel about three step-siblings of complicated parentage, growing up wildly in a crazy Bohemian theatrical family, inspired by du Maurier's own . . . intriguing . . . captivating . . . [The Parasites] is unexpected, and fun, and one of her own favourites Quite different - and somehow more personal than Daphne du Maurier's other novels * Kirkus Reviews * Wickedly readable . . . Daphne du Maurier has instinct, with the result that every woman instinctively wants to read her * New York Times Book Review *