Rogue Herries

Shadows of the Moor

Set against the brooding expanse of Exmoor’s rolling hills and windswept commons, Rogue Herries introduces Christopher Herries, a headstrong heir returning to the family estate after years abroad. Hugh Walpole’s richly atmospheric prose evokes mist-laden mornings and the ancient stone walls of Herries Court, where ancestral portraits seem to watch every arrival and departure. Christopher, torn between the modern world’s restless drive and the moor’s timeless rhythms, must navigate the household’s simmering tensions: a devoted steward clinging to old traditions, a half-brother embittered by inheritance, and the enigmatic housekeeper whose loyalty conceals a wealth of unspoken histories.

Tide of Family Secrets

Walpole weaves a tapestry of intrigue centered on lost letters, whispered betrayals, and the discovery of a hidden grotto carved into the cliff face beneath the manor. As Christopher explores narrow corridors and overgrown pathways, he uncovers the long-buried story of his father’s fateful duel and the vanished sibling whose memory still haunts the stone chambers. With each revelation—gleaned from torn journal pages, clandestine midnight meetings, and the cryptic symbols etched into a rusted key—Christopher confronts the heavy legacy of duty, realizing that reclaiming his birthright may demand more than settling ledgers or renovating crumbling turrets.

Legacy Forged in Stone

Amid the thunder of distant storm clouds and the hush of ancient oaks, Christopher must choose between forging a new path or succumbing to the gravity of his lineage. Love blooms unexpectedly in the form of Isabel, the spirited daughter of a neighboring squire, whose modern sensibilities challenge both his plans and his heart. Together they brave gale-swept moorlands, restoration efforts in ivy-clung chapels, and a final confrontation in the lantern-lit courtyard—where loyalty, honor, and ambition converge in a moment that will seal the Herries name’s destiny.

Forging a Future from the Past

Rogue Herries is an enthralling saga of heritage, honor, and the redemptive power of love set within the wild beauty of the West Country. Hugh Walpole’s masterful balance of gothic atmosphere and character-driven drama ensures that each twist resonates with emotional depth, making this MacMillan 1977 edition a timeless treasure for readers who crave richly drawn families and landscapes that are characters in their own right. Author’s description.