Touch Not the Cat

Mary Stewart

Bryony Ashley is called home to England when her father is killed in a hit and run auto accident. She, her uncle, and her three male cousins are the remaining members of the old Ashley family. The family has historical roots back to the 16th century and earlier. Now there are just them and an entailment on the property. Bryony knows her cousins want to sell Ashley (the property). Yet something is holding back her final agreement.

Bryony has one Ashley gift she shares with one cousin. She has had a telepathic link with him since she was a child. But he has not identified himself. She knows he is her future, her lover, but does not know his outside face, only his inside face. Emery and James, the twins, have been removing valuables from the old mansion and selling them for ready cash. They are circumventing the family will, knowing that Bryony will agree. Francis, the youngest, is not around.

At the old homestead she runs into her old playmate, Rob Granger. Rob is one of the few people besides herself that can distinguish between Emery and James. He comes to Bryony's aid as she tries to determine if her father was murdered. He ultimately is called upon to help her identify her telepathic lover.

This novel is up and down in its writing. At times it is gripping, other times just goes along. The identification of the Ashley cousin gets a bit ridiculous at times. Yet once revealed, all the clues make sense. The final climax is exciting, but was still easy enough to put down when I was interrupted. I enjoyed this novel. It is true Mary Stewart, although not as good as some of her others.

Intertwining the story told in contemporary 1976 is one story from the Ashley family in 1860 or so. As it continued each chapter, it finally tied into the present day (when the novel was written) by the end of the novel. It is a poignant counterpoint to the current story.

This book is currently out of print.