Cousin Kate (Regency Romances)

"Cousin Kate" is a Gothic Regency romance. It's got the screams in the night, locked doors, manipulations, and Gothic-style madness. Though not a light-hearted story, it's like Heyer couldn't let the story descend into a creepy or horror story--just some tense moments full of threat. Which is fine by me! The ending was very sad, but I felt like the author was trying too hard to convince the reader that this really was a happy ending. Also, since Kate is supposed to be world-traveled and not a sheltered miss, I was baffled by how long it took her to even suspect what was wrong at Staplewood.

There was no sex and no detailed descriptions of gory aspects. There was a fair amount of bad language (almost all of it the swearing use of "God"). Overall, this isn't my type of story, but others may enjoy it.

Georgette Heyer is one of my favourite authors & though this book is given only 3 stars her style of writing is unbeatable. This book feautures a pretty, but penniless heroine spirited away to a life of luxury by her kind aunt or so she thinks. The plot is skilfully woven & it is impossible to guess or be prepared for the ending. This book is not written like her other romance novels featuring a dashing hero admist balls, exclusive clubs etc but set in the countryside. Though at first it might be a little dragging, the plot thickens gradually & it's impossible to put it down. An unforgattable read!! I only wish I could say more, but that would spoil the whole effect of the story. I'm sure this book willl leave a deep impression on emotional hearts, as it did on mine.

After reading several of Georgette Heyer novels, I was noticing a pattern and reading them became extremely predictable and boring. However, this book is takes a different turn than usual. And while I find them to be a little slow sometimes, and full of old language that leaves the reader guessing to it's meaning, I appreciate the development of the character, the scenes, the plots, etc.

When Kate Malvern finds herself unable to obtain another post as a governess, her future looks bleak.As a penniless, orphaned daughter of an army officer of good family, her chances of a good marriage are negligible.Unexpectedly,she is visited by an aunt whom she has never met before and whisked off to the country.Aunt Minerva plies her with gifts and clothes,but, to her horror, realises that she's been chosen as a bride for her mad cousin Torquil.She then meets Philip, a nephew and possible heir of Sir Timothy, Torquils father, and they fall madly in love. Terrible tragedy befalls the family before the obligatory happy ending.It's a likeable quick read and quite a bit darker than Miss Heyers usual tales.

As exempliefied in the works of Victoria Holt, Heyer also had the gift to produce an intriguing plot of mystery and suspense at the forefront of a melodrama. "Cousin Kate" appeared to promise a little romance, due to Heyer's well-known "romance" signet. Unconventionally, it became a suspensful masterpiece of uncommonly 'dark' principle characters with an unusually 'dark' and tragic ending. All in all, the perils of the heroine and the thrill of her investigative thoughts, (to escape from strange relatives and survive her parentless life), made this novel a very well written suspense. The plot respectfully evolved from the 'noir' genre.

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.

I adore Georgette Heyer novels, but the narrator's voice for the heroine destroys this book. Her choice of voice changes the heroine from a spunky, adventurous young woman to a whiny, high-pitched school girl. I did like the narrator's voices for other characters which makes me wonder about the audio director's taste level. I did listen to the sample before purchasing, and I hoped I would become accustomed to the voice used for heroine. My hope was ill founded as I listened to less than 10 minutes before giving up.

I enjoyed this. It was very suspenseful. I thought it was a little darker than I expected. It is a definitely along a more gothic line. So be prepared. I has the typical Heyer wit and charm, romance and mystery. It kept me on the edge of my seat. There's a murder and a suicide. . . manipulation and deceit, strength, wisdom. An orphan girl that finds joy at last.

Save Cousin Kate for Halloween, it's that creepy. It was a bit like reading a Victoria Holt novel except with Heyer's natty dialogue. Not the typical romance but still ends well. It is worth reading.

Heyer shines brightest when she embeds the reader in lively historical adventure and in sublime character-driven absurdity. Both of these are sadly lacking in this book, which is one of Heyer's lesser efforts. There's very little humor; most of the characters, with the exception of the heroine, are not particularly charismatic; and a great deal of the story is focused on an uninteresting "mystery" subplot--never Heyer's forte. Devotees of Heyer's comedies of manners will no doubt read this book because it is impossible to resist one of her "romances," but it should be relegated to the far edges of one's Heyer collection. Those who have yet to enjoy one of this writer's confections should instead start with Faro's Daughter, Sylvester, or These Old Shades.

I've just started reading Georgette Heyer and of the 8 books I have read, I've loved them all until I got to this one. The heroine is annoying and because I could not sympathize with the characters, I found the plot boring and tedious. I'm jealously guarding all my Georgette Heyers for re-reading, but with this book, I could not toss it quickly enough.

Another entertaining novel by Georgette Heyer. This novel is a bit gothic, something I have not encountered before with Heyer. She continues to delight me with her dialogue and characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.