When aspiring writer, Daphne Du Maurier, attends the wedding of her best friend, Ellen Hamilton, she never expects Ellen to become a widow minutes after the wedding. Shortly after marrying American millionaire, Teddy Grimshaw, Ellen is devastated to discover that her husband has died of a heart attack. Teddy and Ellen shared a passionate love, but were cruelly separated after World War I. In the chaos following the aftermath of war, Teddy was torn apart from the love of his life and the child he never knew about. Now Ellen is left grieving for the man she must mourn all over again. Although it is appears Teddy died of a heartache, no one at Thornleigh Manor believes he Teddy died of natural causes.

Daphne agrees to work with the Major Browning in order to find out what really happened to Teddy Grimshaw after his marriage. Browning works for Scotland Yard, but more importantly, Browning was to be Daphne's date at Ellen's wedding -- until he showed up with a fiancee, that is! When the Major and Daphne begin working as a team, the two astute minds come up with an impressive list of possible suspects. Not only was Grimshaw involved in numerous unscrupulous business deals, but he had also recently disinherited his vindictive daughter, Rosalie. Rosalie and her mother immediately place the blame on Ellen when it is proven that Teddy Grimshaw was murdered. Ellen is depicted as a murdering gold digger who heartlessly disposed of her husband in order to keep his millions. Rosalie's accusations begin to take their toll on the grieving widow, and Daphne agrees to stay at Thornleigh Manor as a companion to her friend. But as Daphne becomes part of Thornleigh household, secret conversations and encounters soon begin to reveal the unimaginable. Daphne begins to question just how well she knows her dearest friend.

Rebecca is one of my all time favorite novels, so I was delighted to read THE VILLA OF DEATH. The historic beauty of Thornleigh described so eloquently by Challis, will transport the readers to the familiar halls of Manderely. Even if you have never read a Daphne Du Maurier novel, THE VILLA OF DEATH is a guilty pleasure for anyone with a passion for grand houses and those who love a murder mystery with plenty of shocking and original twists. The repartee between Daphne and Major Browning creates a humorous addition to this charming book. Joanna Challis has penned an ambitious novel worthy of including Daphne Du Maurier.