The Doll by Daphne du Maurier

The Doll is a short story written by Daphne du Maurier that was lost for over 70 years. According to The Guardian, it was first published in 1937 and hadn't been published again until recently.

Dr. E. Strongman finds a mysterious diary washed up on the shore. The author of it is unknown and some of it is illegible and has some pages missing. However, Dr. Strongman writes a paper on it.

It is most certainly written by a man obsessed with a woman named, Rebecca. We learn that she is a violinist and met the unknown man at a party. He later starts coming to her flat.

"Before I left she showed me round her tiny flat. There was a little scullery place she used for a kitchen, a poky bathroom, and her own small bedroom which was furnished like a nun's cell, quite plain and bare. There was another room leading from the studio, but she did not show me this."

Rebecca does eventually show him the other room, to introduce him to Julio. He turns out to be a very evil looking mechanical doll. The he persistently asks Rebecca why she has this doll, she never tells him. He becomes more and more obsessed with her and the doll.

This is a pretty creepy story about obsession. Very well written and great character development. I highly recommend it, especially for those who can't get enough of Daphne du Mauier. Click on The Guardian to read it.