Virago publishes collection of 13 of Daphne du Maurier’s ‘darkest’ stories with Stephen King intro

Virago Modern Classics has announced a new hardback edition of Daphne du Maurier’s supernatural short stories, After Midnight: Thirteen Chilling Tales for the Dark Hours.

“Bringing together 13 of her most haunting stories for the first time,” it will include classic tales such as ‘Don’t Look Now’ and ‘The Birds’, with a new introduction from author Stephen King.  

The collection, which Virago said “celebrates the dark heart of her writing” will be published in October 2025 “as a gorgeous, collectable hardback, alongside an ebook edition – the perfect Halloween read for du Maurier fans, psychological thriller readers and horror lovers alike”.   

Virago added: “Amid the reflections and twisting alleyways of Venice, a grieving couple are haunted by their lost child. On a sharp December day, the wind changes – and the birds begin to gather. A group of wartime scientists attempt to capture the power of death, an eye operation reveals a monstrous reality, and a woman returns home to find no trace of her existence.  

“From murderous desires to supernatural forces, du Maurier’s masterly stories stare into the dark heart of our relationships: between men and women, humanity and nature, love and obsession, the future and the past.”  

The publisher said: “One of the most beloved writers of the 20th century and a multi-million-copy bestseller, Daphne du Maurier is best known as the author of Rebecca, named by W H Smith as the nation’s favourite book of the past 225 years.”