Cousin Kate

One of Georgette Heyer's most Gothic novels, Cousin Kate follows the story of the eponymous Kate Malvern, who finds herself almost penniless at age twenty-four. The unexpected kindness of her estranged half-aunt, Lady Minerva Broome, seems like a godsend, until Kate discovers that all is not as it should be at Broome Hall...

Although a great admirer of Heyer, I am forced to agree with those readers who opine that Cousin Kate is unsuccessful, both as a romance and as a thriller. The foreshadowing, such as it is, is far too obvious; and the romance too hurried. Philip Broome's conversion from contempt to adoration struck me as unconvincing, as did Cousin Torquil's madness. It's not that I had trouble believing that mental illness could be show more so tragically misunderstood and cruelly mistreated in the nineteenth century. What, after all, could have been more likely? But Heyer herself seems to advance some curious notions, such as Torquil's "spells" occurring near the full moon.

As always, I enjoyed Heyer's writing, whatever I may have thought of her narrative, so this was not an entire waste of time, although I would only recommend Cousin Kate to fellow Heyer enthusiasts. show less

Penniless Kate Malvern is invited to visit her rich relations at Staplewood, a sprawling ancestral estate. But does Aunt Minerva have an ulterior motive in hosting Kate? And does something hidden lurk behind Cousin Torquil's handsome face?

Cousin Kate is Georgette Heyer's attempt to write a Gothic novel chockablock full of locked doors, mutilated animals, and mad relatives. It lacks any of the daft characters or screwball humor from Heyer's earlier Regencies; instead, it is Very Very Serious. But after sacrificing her comedic strengths, Heyer doesn't do enough to embrace the absurd props typical of a Gothic novel. Cousin Kate has murders and madness, but the book presents them with an inescapable sense of restraint and taste -- which is show more fatal to a Gothic novel. I want more mutilated animals, god dammit!

But even viewed as a novel, rather than a specimen of genre, Cousin Kate is not a success. Nothing very much happens in the novel, so the plot must constantly regurgitate itself as protagonist Kate reviews plot points the audience still remembers from twenty pages ago. And Kate herself feels caught in traction. She begins the novel as a feisty and independent woman, but as soon as she gets to Staplewood, she begins transforming into a helpless and indecisive figure. People keep telling her to leave Staplewood, but she keeps hesitating, because if she left Staplewood, the novel would end. Reading the book feels like being stuck in limbo with Kate: she keeps discovering the same dread secrets and making the same half-hearted denials. Instead of ratcheting up the atmosphere of dread and horror, Cousin Kate placidly treads water.

Torquil -- young, mercurial, and violent -- is the most interesting character in the novel, but even though Kate spends her time wringing her hands ineffectually over Torquil's sad fate, Heyer presents him with a distant and uncompassionate eye. (This is typical for Heyer novels, which you shouldn't read for their generosity of spirit.)

So, is this the worst Heyer book I've read? Maybe. Powder and Patch was dire, but at least it had swashbuckling and a light heart. Cousin Kate is just dull. show less

My first Heyer and it certainly won't be my last. Kate is a remarkably sensible young woman, unwilling to sponge off her friends when in a tight corner. She's seriously considering work well below her social status when she unexpectedly gets a very generous offer from a relative she's never met.
The characters are very well developed and believable. The book feels surprisingly modern considering how long ago it was written. Kate's awareness of the debt she owes her aunt is balanced well against her personal feelings and her natural honesty.
There's a small mystery lurking in the background which slowly gains greater importance as the story developed.
I still can't decide if the period slang is a plus or a minus. It lends authenticity and show more character, but can also leave the reader confused on occasion as to what the characters actually mean. show less

Kate Malvern is 24 and has no relations or money. Just as she is contemplating sinking beneath the boundaries of gentility and becoming a domestic servant, her heretofore unmet aunt descends upon her. She is the Lady Broome, and she overwhelms Kate with kindess and brings her to Staplewood, the ancestral home of the Broomes. There is clearly something sinister going on at Staplewood, focused around Kate's moody cousin Torquil. Thankfully, Kate finds an ally in Philip Broome, with whom she shares spirited banter.
Heyer does not spend much time distinguishing Kate and Philip. They are the hero and heroine of the story, and that's that. She spends a great deal of time on Torquil, and therein lies my big disappointment. [book: Cousin Kate] show more begins like a light hearted romp, and ends like a light hearted romp, but in the middle everyone gives long monologues about how Torquil is mad, mad I tell you and the great tragedy of it all. In fact, the happy ending comes mere pages after two violent deaths, yet the victims' relatives are apparently far too pleased with the impending marriage of Philip and Kate to mourn. It's a disjointed book, and one that owes rather too much to the overwrought gothic novels of the nineteenth century. I'm also annoyed in the presentation of Torquil's madness--I read him like Colin from [book: The Secret Garden], as an under-socialized, high-strung and insensitive spoiled brat. He doesn't have trouble distinguishing reality or anything, but everyone around him takes it for granted that he needs to be institutionalized. Even the eventual deaths don't seem like proof of madness to me. I was puzzled. Didn't they have a slightly better understanding of mental illness when this was written, in the twentieth century? Torquil wasn't mad--just badly raised. show less

Kate Malvern is quite alone in the world, apart from her old nurse Sarah Nibbs. When Kate's job as a governess falls through due to her being entirely too young and attractive, Kate threatens to go into service as an abigail or seek work in a dressmaker's shop. Appalled at the idea, Sarah writes to one of Kate's estranged relations, Lady Minerva Broome, who immediately rushes to Kate's aid. Kate is whisked away to Staplewood, the ancestral home of the Broomes, where she is showered with gifts by her aunt. She does find, however, that things at Staplewood are a little . . . off. Though her aunt presents all the outward signs of affection, Kate can't help but find Lady Broome rather cold and calculating at heart. Her cousin Torquil is show more subject to abrupt changes of mood and occasionally alarming behavior. The servants are divided in their loyalties, and when Torquil's cousin Philip Broome arrives, Kate is unsure as to whether he can be trusted. As the ominous cloud over Staplewood grows, Kate may find herself in actual peril unless she can discern the truth.

I downloaded this book expecting another light Regency romance from Heyer, and was surprised (though not particularly disappointed) to discover the many gothic elements in this story: the penniless heroine, the large and gloomy house, the madman in the west wing, the sinister warnings. It doesn't quite manage to be a full-on Gothic, however, as it retains some of the humor characteristic to Heyer's work (Kate's handling of the hypochondriac housekeeper, temperamental chef, and stuck-up lady's maid in the midst of a crisis is amusing), and though the action does come to a violent and startling climax, Kate herself is never in much real danger. My main issue with this book is the insta-love nature of the romantic storyline -- too little page space is devoted to developing the relationship, so I never bought in to the two characters' attraction to each other. I did enjoy reading this book, but as it is atypical of the author's work, I would probably not recommend it as a starting point for reading Heyer, and would recommend it to fans of the author only with the caveat that it may not be quite what one might expect. show less

I thought I knew what to expect with Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer, but the author really surprised me with this one. I wasn’t expecting her to deliver a Regency Romance with a touch of creepy Gothic suspense. Although I wasn’t totally able to embrace this combination, I applaud Ms. Heyer for trying.

Kate Malvern is an impoverished young woman who is between posts. Her old nurse goes behind her back and writes to her aunt of her circumstances and when her Aunt Minerva invites her to spend some time at Staplewood, Kate thinks this is the answer to her prayers. Unfortunately, before too long, Kate starts to question what is actually going on at this estate, her Aunt is a domineering, possessive woman who seems to be encouraging a show more relationship to develop between Kate and her son, Torquil. Torquil, in turn, is an excitable, uncontrollable young man given to extreme mood swings. After a number of odd and slightly dangerous incidents Kate realizes that she must leave. To complicate matters further Kate has fallen in love with Torquil’s other cousin, Philip. Can these two young people find happiness in such dark surroundings?

Cousin Kate was published in 1968 when Gothic romances were quite the thing. I believe the author wanted to show that she could hold her own against the likes of Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart. While I thought the romance between Kate and Philip was developed too quickly, and the ending was rather depressing, it is still always a treat to read a Georgette Heyer book. show less

Cousin Kate is a novel that gets mixed reviews from Georgette Heyer's loyal fans. The set-up feels quite correct to the period, comfortably Austenish, and then takes a turn that seems utterly out of place in the well-ordered gardens and tea parties of Regency England. Heyer may be true to human nature in the darker plot twists of this story, but human nature can be jarring sometimes when you meet it in lighthearted entertainment.

Twenty-four years old and alone in the world, pretty Kate Malvern is cautiously delighted when her long-estranged aunt takes an interest in her. Lady Broome of Staplewood is an imposing woman, but so very kind to her dear niece... maybe too kind. Lady Broome takes immense pride in her husband's isolated country show more estate at Staplewood, where the Broome line has been preserved unbroken for centuries. Kate soon befriends her cousin Torquil, a pettish but remarkably handsome young man who is tired of living under his mother's thumb. But she has less warmth toward another relation, Philip Broome, who warns her of vague danger and urges her to leave Staplewood. But is he—next in line to inherit, should Torquil die—trustworthy?

Things wear a bit thin. This was published in 1968 near the end of Heyer's career and though it is fairly well executed, the strange mix of Gothic undertones with a patently Regency period setting is odd. I generally love Gothic-toned tales, but when Regency characters find themselves Gothic situations, they fall rather flat (or behave foolishly; see Northanger Abbey!). Things are neatly tied off at the end with rather more rapidity than seems decent, and some of the relationships aren't developed in a believable way.

But having said all this, I certainly enjoyed the read. It's Heyer, after all, and she keeps you reading. And now I want a Sarah Nidd in my life! show less