In this ominous novel of the future, Daphne du Maurier explores the implications of a political, economic, and military alliance between Britain and America. Emma wakes one morning to an apocalyptic world. The cozy existence she shares with her grandmother, a once-famous actress, has been shattered—there’s no mail, no telephone, no radio, and an American warship sits in the harbor. As the two women piece together clues about the “friendly” military occupation on their doorstep, family, friends, and neighbors gather to protect their heritage. In this ominous novel of the future, Daphne du Maurier explores the implications of a political, economic, and military alliance between Britain and America. Dame Daphne du Maurier (1907-1989) wrote more than twenty-five acclaimed novels, short stories, and plays, including Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, Jamaica Inn, and The House on the Strand. She was also a passionate and skillful chronicler of her own remarkable, famously artistic family. Now, this is one of three of her fine novels that have been reissued in the distinguished Virago Modern Classics series. Daphne du Maurier (1907-89) was born in London, the daughter of the famous actor-manager Sir Gerald du Maurier and granddaughter of George du Maurier, the author and artist. 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 a DBE. She lived most of her life in Cornwall, the setting for many of her books.