Cousin Kate

Fate and circumstance have seen fit to place Kate Malvern in such unforseen dire financial straights that she hardly has a place in the world. Having been dismissed from her position as a governess Kate finds herself on the doorstep of Sarah Nidd, the nurse who cared for her during her youth. Fortunate to have the kindness of Mrs. Nidd and her husband, but bound and determined not to impose upon them, she hopes to find a new situation even if it be something as lowly as becoming lady's personal servant. But dear Sarah won't hear of it and upon finding out that Kate does have a well-to-do aunt, however distant their relation, she takes it upon herself to send word to the woman of young Kate's troubles. When Lady Broome, Kate's aunt Minerva, comes to meet her neice she is most insistent that she come to Staplewood at least for the summer. Unable to successfully turn down her aunt's kind offer Kate finds herself wisked off to the country estate. Here she meets her sickly cousin Torquil and Sir Timothy his ailing father. But the longer she stays at Staplewood the more she finds her aunt's kindness and generosity to be stifling, while Torquil's health and behavior become more disturbing. His paranoia over the presence of Sir Timothy's nephew, Philip, and his obsessive infatuation with Kate seem to be encouraged by his mother. Meanwhile, Kate's letters to Sarah have gone unanswered and she worries she may be trapped at Staplewood but could her aunt Minerva be behind the lack of reply? Before I say a word on the book's content I must admit that I am not a fan of Regency period fiction. That aside I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was dark and moody, hinting at dangers that never came and weaving a web of suspense that made it hard to put down. If you're familiar with the characteristics of true Gothic literature this novel is a fine example of the genre. Combined with the well plotted Regency romance Heyer is known for the constrasting terror-inducing circumstances that surround Kate, coupled with the heroic presence of Philip are sure to please most Gothic romance lovers. Kate is truly likable, playing the role of persecuted maiden with a sweetness and naivety that make her an endearing heroine rather than the annoying 'too-stupid-to-live' types we sometimes see in tales of terror. While she certainly does not wish to marry Torquil she sees him as a beautiful, tortured young man whom she must mollify, protect and speak-up-for. The caring relationship she develops with her uncle, Sir Timothy, is especially interesting in contrast to the wary one she has with her aunt. It is the subtle romantic feelings she develops for Philip, however, that bring the story to a climactic head. Exciting and interesting from harrowing start to dramatic finish, Georgette Heyer's Cousin Kate was a delightfully dark and sinfully satisfying read.

Spooky, creepy... not a typical Heyer book. Kate's old nurse Sarah and Sarah's family are nicely drawn secondary characters, but the rest of the book fell flat. From the beginning, spooky Torquil hints at (no, shows clear signs of!) violence and mayhem (threatening to drown and strangle Kate, etc.). Innocent animals are tortured and killed. Yet Kate does not seem alarmed until the very end of the book! I found myself thinking Kate was either very, very dumb or very, very silly. While she was stuck in a bad situation due to her poverty, any reasonable woman would have either 1) found a way to flee this dangerous situation or 2) taken steps to protect herself, versus going to isolated areas with this dangerous character, etc. etc. etc. Not worth your money. If you are a Heyer addict, as I am, get this one from the library. Spend your money on the classics you can read over and over--- Frederica, Friday's Child, Venetia, Charity Girl, Faro's Daughter, Bath Tangle, etc.

This is a superior Georgette Heyer work; a bit darker and more serious than most of her other books, but as always there is the fast wit, and a happy ending.Kate Malvern is the orphaned daughter of a goodhearted, gambling-prone father and a beautiful but poor mother. Her father's death leaves her alone and impoverished in the world, and she comes to stay with her old nurse, Sarah, while looking for a new job. An aunt comes along and kindly and affectionately invites her to stay in her husband's family estate. Kate agrees, reluctantly-- because none of her relatives have never acknowledged her existence before. Staplewood, the estate, is beautiful and cold, and there she meets her cousin Torquil (a young man with the face of an angel), her sickly uncle Sir Timothy, and Sir Timothy's nephew Phillip. At first, everything seems too good to be true, and slowly, Kate unravels the deep secret that haunts the family. Kate is a very charming and appealing heroine. She is mature yet innocent, is very witty and charming without being obnoxious, and is spirited without being willful or heedless. The hero, kind-hearted Phillip, is neither a dandy nor a cynical Corinthian, which is quite refreshing. Although still a Cinderella story of sorts, the romance between them is much more satisfying and believable than those in most other Heyer works. Overall, a very interesting and different book from Georgette Heyer, and one of her best.

A very different type of book than Georgette Heyer usually wrote, "Cousin Kate" takes us to a more "Gothic" style of romance and leads us through the dangerous paths of madness.Kate Malvern is a likeable heroine, yet one who is strangely nieve for all her worldly experience. One starts of not knowing which characters to trust, and this book definately keeps one enthralled to the end.A book that is not universally liked by Georgette Heyer fans, it is one that you really must read to make your own decisions about it.

No one can compare to Georgette Heyer. Many try to emulate her style,but practically no one has mastered it. And in spite of hertroublesome tendency to marry off naive young girls barely out of theschoolroom to older sophisticated men of the world; and her frequentportrayal of the middle and merchant classes as uncultured, uncouthand grasping, perpetually trying to curry favour with the upperclasses; she is still one of my favourite authours.With this novel,Heyer abandons somewhat the comedy of manners that she is so wellknown for and enters the darker realm of the gothic novel. The heroineof the piece is Kate Malvern, a penniless orphan, who has just losther latest job as a governess and her home. An aunt that she knowslittle of offers her a home at Staplewood Manor. Her aunt, MinervaBroome, wants Kate to act as a companion and friend to her youngcousin, Torquil, who happens to be a charming and clever young man butwho is troubled by frequent mood swings and bouts of depression. Alltoo soon Kate discovers that all is not well at StaplewoodManor. There is an atmosphere of secrecy and deception. And Kate soonfinds that she doesn't know whom to trust or what to do.In KateMalvern, Heyer has created a witty, courageous and gallant heroinethat engages the reader. The avid Georgette Heyer fan may miss thelively light hearted romps she is most famous for, but I can recommendthis book as a wonderful read, especially for its gallant heroine.