The House of the Deer by D.E. Stevenson

Title: The House of the Deer
Author: D.E. Stevenson
Publication: Collins, hardcover, 1970
Genre: Fiction
Setting: 20th-century Scotland

Description: In this companion novel to Gerald and Elizabeth, Gerald Burleigh Brown, now working for his brother-in-law, is invited to substitute for Sir Walter on a deer-shooting holiday. Sir Walter MacCallum manages a successful ship building business is Glasgow, and concerns about security and the fact that his wife – Gerald’s sister Elizabeth – is pregnant influenced him to send Gerald in his place. Gerald’s hosts are young Mac MacAslan and his sister Phil from Katherine's Marriage, and Donny Eastwood from Charlotte Fairlie is part of the house/shooting party. Although Gerald is new to deer stalking and has a sensitivity about it that perhaps reflects the late 20th century publication date, he fits right in with the family and loyal retainers. He also falls in love with Phil MacAslan, who has more affluent suitors. But when a violent gang involved in thefts in Glasgow turn up in the Scottish Highlands, Gerald finds himself in danger and learns how much his new friends have grown to care about him.

My Impression: In the previous book, Gerald was trying to clear his name of a false accusation of diamond theft and to help his sister overcome the obstacles to her marriage to Sir Walter. Now, he is a trusted employee at the shipbuilding enterprise, a welcome guest at his sister’s home with Sir Walter, and a fond uncle to his sister’s step-son. Gerald had been somewhat smitten with a lovely American in the previous book but he did not see a future with a millionaire’s daughter and she married an acquaintance with alacrity upon her return to America. D.E. Stevenson fans will be delighted that he falls for Phil MacAslan, an attractive girl who enjoys picnics and Jane Austen, although she has an understanding with someone else:

“I’m ‘potty’ about a girl,” admitted Gerald with a rueful smile. “I never thought it would happen to me – but it has.”

“Well, why don’t you marry her?”

“It’s Phil.”

“Phil?” echoed Phil’s brother incredulously.

“That’s why I asked you –“

“Good Lord! How amazing! You mean you want to marry Phil?”

“Yes.”

“How amazing!” repeated Mac, gazing at his friend in blank astonishment. He added hastily, “It would be very nice of course.”

However, rumors about Gerald are still pursuing him and Oliver, an unpleasant guest at the hunting party, does not hesitate to repeat them. Mac and Phil loyally defend Gerald but it is amazing how rumors fly from Africa to Scotland at the most inconvenient moments without Twitter to fan the flames! It seems as if Gerald will bring down the bad guys planning to rob Sir Walter’s shipyard but things turn out a little differently than expected. Gerald is a modest hero and appealing although definitely not an alpha male. There is an element of mystery in The House of the Deer which is unlike most of Stevenson’s other books but what readers will most enjoy is the appearance of characters they know. One of her dedicated fans has created an impressive DES website that, among other things, includes a page listing all her linked books. This is very useful if you read the books years apart or in the wrong order.  Overall, an enjoyable book that was fun to read for the first time but the plot was lacking and the two romances were not very convincing.  Most noticeably, it was not as amusing as her books usually are.

Source: Personal copy.  Many of Stevenson's books have been reprinted by Dean Street Press and can now be ordered from your favorite bookshop.  If you've never read one of her books, I recommend starting with The Blue Sapphire, Mrs. Tim Christie, or Miss Buncle's Book.