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Jamaica Inn

In 1820 the Jamaica Inn houses the clandestine rural headquarters of a gang of cut-throats and thieves, led by innkeeper Joss Merlyn. They have become wreckers who are responsible for shipwrecks in which they extinguish coastal warning beacons, causing ships to run aground on the rocky Cornish coast. They then kill the surviving sailors and steal their cargo.

One evening, a young Irishwoman, Mary Yellan, is dropped off by coach near the inn, at the home of the local squire and justice of the peace, Sir Humphrey Pengallan. Despite Pengallan's warnings, she intends to live at Jamaica Inn with her late mother's sister Patience, the wife of Joss Merlyn. It transpires that Pengallan is the mastermind behind the wrecking gang; he learns from his well-to-do friends and acquaintances when well-laden ships are passing near the coast, determines when and where the wrecks are to be caused, and fences the stolen cargo. He uses most of the proceeds to support his lavish lifestyle and passes a small fraction of them to the gang.

The gang convenes to discuss why they get so little money for their efforts. They suspect Jem Trehearne, a gang member for two months, of embezzling goods. They hang him from one of the rafters of the inn, but when they leave, Mary cuts the rope. Trehearne and Mary flee the gang and seek the protection of Pengallan, unaware that he is the gang's benefactor. Trehearne reveals to Pengallan that he is an undercover law-officer on a mission to investigate the wrecks. Pengallan pretends to join forces with him.

Pengallan then learns of a ship full of precious cargo that is due to pass the coastline. He informs Joss and the gang, who extinguish the coastal warning beacon. However, Mary re-lights the beacon, and the ship's crew avoid the treacherous rocks and sail by unharmed. The gang resolves to kill Mary as revenge for preventing the wreck, but Joss, who has developed a reluctant admiration for her, rescues her, and the two escape by horse-cart. Joss is shot in the back and collapses when they reach Jamaica Inn. As Patience is about to tell Mary that Pengallan is the leader of the wrecking gang, Pengallan shoots and kills Patience. Joss dies of his wound. Pengallan then takes Mary hostage and tells her that he plans to keep her now that she has no one else in the world. He drives her to the harbour, where they board a ship going to France.

Back at Jamaica Inn, Trehearne and a dozen soldiers take Joss's gang into custody. Trehearne then rides to the harbour to rescue Mary and capture Pengallan, who attempts to escape. During the chase, he climbs to the top of the ship's mast, from which he jumps to his death.