Lord John and the Private Matter

Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander Series, wrote an explanation regarding the short stories (short being a relative term when it comes to this author and I'm not complaining!) she has written and published about Lord John Grey. She basically explained that she found herself becoming very interested in this character apart from his supporting role in her books. She decided to write about him to see where this led, and what his life separate from the series itself, would tell her about him. Authors often do this, I've come to understand, with regard to supporting characters and the like who show up in the writing of their main story lines. They learn more about that character and why they are who they seem to be through this exercise. It is fortunate for us, her readers, that she became so interested in Lord John Grey, and decided to share his backstory, so to speak, with the people who love The Outlander books.After reading this book, the first of the Lord John books, I found that I liked him even more than I already did through the main books. I enjoyed getting to know even more about this man who is, above all, an honorable man of his word and a rare human being in that he is loyal beyond question to those people he loves, regardless of how that love is returned. Lord John, to my way of thinking, is the kind of human being that we should all aspire to be. He is also a huge breath of fresh air when compared to the likes of say, Black Jack Randall.This teaches us that simply because a person "belongs to the enemy", it does not follow that every person on the "other side" is a bad person. We are reminded that there are both good and bad people on both sides of any conflict, regardless of which side they stand on. This is true of the military, in particular throughout history. The word "enemy" is attached to a country by the leaders of another country. It follows that the military for either side of the conflict has no choice; they are a weapon that is armed, aimed and fired wherever and at whoever the leaders of their country dictate. They feel all the same sorts of things that the troops deployed against them feel, and their personal feelings are of no consideration. As an American, it put me in mind of how Americans treated their own troops during Vietnam. Thank goodness that public awareness has come far enough now, that people no longer disrespect our soldiers. We seem to have realized that they have no say in anything when it comes to any military action.I apologize that I have digressed, but in this case I felt obliged to share what general thoughts I had that were provoked by reading both the Outlander books, and the Lord John novels. As to this book, as well as every book in print and every novella or short story only available as a download, I love them all. They are wonderfully written in the style we've come to love and expect from Diana Gabaldon. They add an extra depth and richness to the Outlander saga, that while unneeded--the Outlander Series is extremely rich and fulfilling all on its own--is an unexpected bonus from this outstanding author of historical fiction.**If you have not read the Outlander Series, I'm afraid that while the Lord John novels arguably can stand alone, you won't understand passing references to characters that you would otherwise know very well from the book series, thereby leaving a good bit of information about Lord John himself, as well as what takes place when he is involved in those books. I'm afraid they might leave you feeling a bit confused even. I can heartily recommend the series itself as well as the Lord John novels.*****New Outlander Series Readers: I've been reading this series since the very first book came out in hardback about twenty years ago, and I am enjoying the new made for television adaptation of the first book, The Outlander. I'm enjoying it so much that I've been rereading all the books and novels to date. Through my recommendation of the show to friends and family, at least four people have started reading the books. I recommend the same order to them that I will suggest to you...read the first 5 books in the Outlander Series, then stop and read all of the Lord John books in order and if you have the hardware necessary, download and read the two novellas only available via download...Amazon has everything Gabaldon has written) then go on to Book 6 from the Outlander books. You can't go wrong with that timing, I promise! HAPPY VIEWING AND READING!***

I hadn't read any of the Outlander books before reading this spin-off novel. I picked this up on a whim because I thought the plot sounded interesting and I ended up really enjoying it.I liked the writing style a lot. It's very engaging and easy to get sucked into this world and story. I had been reluctant to start reading Outlander before this because it's a pretty long series and I thought it might not be able to hold my attention, but after reading this I decided to start reading it because I liked her writing style so much.After reading a bit of Outlander, I can see where this book is different. It's a lot shorter for one, and the tone is also very different. The POV character for this is quite different from the one in the main series so his observations about things and the tone of his voice is different from hers. It's also a mystery novel, so it has a faster pace than the main series.I feel like this is a good entry point for readers who are unfamiliar with the main series to get an introduction to the way the author writes historical fiction. Since you don't need to really know anything about the main series to read it, you can read it without reading that first. It's also a lot shorter and has a faster pace, so it's a little less daunting to new readers than starting out with Outlander.

I have never read any of the Outlander series, but lured by a $1.99 price and desperate for something “different” to read, I clicked on Lord John Grey.I mistakenly thought it was a “historical mystery” with some romance (gay at that) along the way. It turned out to be a “historical romance” with the suggestion of a mystery. There are two murders with some indication of spying and treason. The main character (Lord John) is commissioned to solve them. He manages to track down the threads but was not able to weave them together. There is no way the reader could figure it out either. Only in a lengthy exposition at the end of the novel do we find out the complex but melodramatic plot.Why then the five stars? Because of the glints of beautiful writing. For example:“Shoals of smaller boats … were rowing past them toward shore, scattering like tiny fish fleeing from the vicinity of some huge sea monster on the point of awaking.”In a dreary room where only a vase of yellow tulips stands out: “A drop of sweat … hanging (on his chin) like the grains of pollen trembling on the soft black anthers of the tulips.”I was surprised by two disconnects in an otherwise credible historical setting:(1) There is much more description of male clothing than female. It was a period when upper class male garments were extravagant but nowhere near the female.(2) The threat of ones homosexuality being discovered was described as “Loss of position and social ruination were the least of it; imprisonment, public whipping, and the pillory were likely.” Actually, sodomy was punishable by hanging from to 1530s to 1861. While a pilloried victim was vulnerable to mob violence, execution does seem a more certain and extreme fate.

I have read a number of Diana Gabaldon's novels and have greatly enjoyed them, so I came to this one with high expectations . There is much to enjoy, the detailed research creating an authentic historical background, the complex plot that melds spy, detective and historical fiction, and a throng of well realised characters. So why the disappointment? I found it hard to engage with the plot which never really felt likely - there are too many challenges to a sense of reason. Nor did I really engage with the title character, he never achieves a full sense of a real person. The resolution of the mystery is less than compelling, it feels lost in a mass of action.

Two different matters threaten the honour of Lord John's family and his regiment. He gets involved in the quest to find the murderer of sergeant Timothy O'Connell, a suspected spy and shortly after he begins to investigate the murder of a man found wearing a green velvet dress. They both seem to be connected to Joseph Trevelyan, who is engaged to Lord John's cousin, Olivia.Lord John suspects Trevelyan of having syphilis. He discovered this whilst relieving himself behind the screen at their club, The Society for the Appreciation of the British Beefsteak. He accidentally caught sight of a sore on Trevelyan's penis. He needs proof to oblige Trevelyan to break off the engagement.Lord John's brother, Hal and friend Harry Quarry had set Jack Byrd, a footman of Hal's friend Trevelyan, to watch Timothy O'Connell. Jack Byrd has gone missing. The next day Jack's brother, Tom, appears telling Lord John that he has been sent by Trevelyan to assist him. He proves himself a useful assistant and, though he lied about being sent, Lord John decides to keep him on as his valet.More adventures ensue, in a brothel, a molly-house and on board ship, including being poisoned, but eventually Lord John gets to the bottom of the mysteries and saves his cousin from a disastrous match.I really enjoyed the book, especially getting to know Tom Byrd better, he's a really great character. This book can be read as a stand alone but, as it develops the characters which are found in the Outlander Series I think it preferable to read it in sequence.

I cannot fathom the popularity of this series. Had to put it down after one chapter. Overloaded with adjectives, adverbs and clichés from the start, and unoriginal names it grates on the nerves. Can anybody write British historical fiction without a Trevelyan in it? And only an American would talk about ‘Great’ Britain. The style is so corny I won’t be wasting any more money on this tripe.

turbulent, complicated plot, full of odd coincidences and random events...not particularly engaging hero, the villain is more sympathetic...brief glimpses into the world of spies, and various political factions, but, on the whole, rather superficial...pleasant enough, just not very gripping...

Another great book by Diana Gabaldon, I like the character of Lord John. While his story are a spin off from the main series they make great reading. The author always researches the background well and blends fact and fiction together to create strong characters and situations.I have now I think read all of the Lord John books as well as the Jamie Frazer series, mainly in paperback. Look forward to reading or rereading more from this author she is one of my favourites.