Nearing the end of my Outlander journey, as I began An Echo in The Bone (#7), I had a realization. There were certain things and characters alluded to in the very first chapter that I knew nothing about. With a sense of trepidation, I recalled the warnings and the general consensus among other Outlander readers and fans that I should read The Lord John books before reaching this point. But, to be honest, I thought I could just "wing" it. How wrong I was! I had to come to a screeching halt and temporarily abandon my love affair with Jamie Fraser. I had to revert back to Lord John, a relatively important secondary character in the Outlander series, and the series of books with him as the central focus. Let me tell you, I was extremely unhappy about this.

Lord John Grey is not a character I particularly care for in the series. In fact, I'd go as far as to say I barely tolerate him. He is, for all intents and purposes, the "other woman" in this tale. And though his romantic feelings are not reciprocated by our hero (who has only ever loved our heroine. Aaahhhhh), every time Lord John expresses his unrequited love, I kind of want to punch him in the face. You can see how reading Lord John and The Private Matter might be a problem.

And it was indeed a problem. The book is well-written, and Gabaldon's amazing literary talent shines through as always. Her characters are well-rounded, and the plot is thoroughly thought-out and perfectly developed. Maybe if I had read them before Lord John became a feature in the Outlander story, I might have been more sympathetic. But as it was, I sat through it "gritting my teeth" and growled every time he mentioned Jamie Fraser. It was a hard, uphill battle to continue to the end. (Thank goodness for my anti-flounce gene!) Finally, I asked for help (thank you OBC!), and was advised that I didn't need to read all three novels and goodness knows how many novellas. I should just read the novels, and at a push, just Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade in order to move on to Outlander book 7 and then come back to the rest later. I can say now, categorically, that that's never going to happen.

I was initially skeptical about starting this series. However, once I began reading, I simply couldn't put it down. Now, I find myself with a book hangover. Mind you, I dare to venture a guess that this particular installment might be the "most boring" among the Lord John Grey spin-offs. But despite that, I am beyond excited to read the next three Lord John Grey books. In the words of my favorite fictional female character ever: Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!!!

Seriously, that's all you really need to know. This series has managed to hook me in, despite my initial doubts. The storylines are engaging, and the characters are well-developed. Even if this one might not be the most thrilling, I have high hopes for the upcoming books. I can't wait to see what adventures Lord John Grey will embark on next. It's safe to say that I'm officially addicted to this series.

I couldn't finish this book.

I had already made it more than half way through, but in the end, I just had to give it up.

It truly wasn't my cup of tea at all.

The story didn't seem to grip me the way I had hoped it would.

The characters didn't come alive for me, and the plot felt a bit flat.

I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading.

Even though I tried my best to push through, I just couldn't bring myself to continue.

Maybe it was because it was a genre that I'm not particularly fond of, or perhaps the writing style didn't suit me.

Whatever the reason, I had to admit that this book just wasn't for me.

And that's okay - not every book is going to be a hit with every reader.

I'll just have to keep looking for that next great read that will capture my imagination and keep me hooked from start to finish.

I truly love Lord John. I also have a great affection for Diana Gabaldon. However, I didn't have the same love for this particular book. The reason being that (lately) I have lost my interest in mysteries, and this book is predominantly a historical mystery novel.

The Outlander series is filled with romance, epicness (if that's even a legitimate word), wars, and an extensive cast of characters. On the other hand, the Lord John universe is much more confined and focused. It's likely quite enjoyable for DG to change gears and explore this different aspect.

The mystery within this book is rather convoluted. Lord John is indeed one of the finest secondary characters in the Outlander universe, and it was nice to get inside his head. Nevertheless, since I didn't really care about the outcome of the mystery, the book seemed to drag on.

It was interesting to note that he didn't constantly dwell on his unrequited love for Jamie Fraser throughout the entire book. After all, John is a busy man.

**If anyone has read the other books in the series, I'm curious to know if they deal with his raising of William, which is something I would be interested in reading about. Or are they more focused on mysteries?

Ok, so I am a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon and the Outlander Series. However, this particular book really didn't meet my expectations. I was extremely disappointed because it seems to have caused her to take even longer to write the next Outlander book. What's more, it places a lot of emphasis on a character that I'm simply not very fond of. It might just be my personal preference, but when compared to the Jamie/Clair and Breanna/Roger storylines, this one just doesn't hold a candle. The chemistry and the depth of the relationships in the other storylines are truly captivating, while this one fails to engage me on the same level. I was really hoping for something more from this book, especially considering how much I love the series as a whole. But unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

I truly enjoyed this in-depth look into the character of Lord John Grey, a complex man of honor and duty.

And what a convoluted story it turned out to be. Fortunately for me, I have a penchant for a slow, almost leisurely, plot development in my historical novels. So, I was more than happy to give my reading mind a break while taking in the events at the same "hmmmming" pace as our resolute Major Grey.

Lust, dishonor, pride, social conventions, murder, family duty, scandal, love, classic greed - all these elements combine to weave a fine mystery around society norms, treason, and a man's true nature.

Then, right at the halfway point of the chapters, the excitement kicks in!

I am thoroughly enjoying the new pace of the chase for answers and the uncovering of truths and loyalties.

All of this, along with glimpses into LJG's deepest desires, complete with a touch of ginger curls. It's quite satisfying, to say the least.

Diana Gabaldon is truly a remarkable author.

This novel is crafted with such ingenuity, skillfully handling the murder mystery and intrigue elements. It keeps the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth.

Moreover, it is always fascinating to observe Gabaldon's perspective on social dynamics within a historical context. She weaves a vivid tapestry of the past, allowing us to understand the complex relationships and power struggles that existed during that time.

And as if that wasn't sufficient, there is Lord John Grey at the heart of it all, embarking on some truly captivating adventures. I must confess that I didn't initially pay much attention to him in the Outlander books. However, I have now developed a deep appreciation for his solo stories.

In fact, I am so enjoying them that I am willing to admit, even at this early stage, that he has become another one of my favorite characters. His charm, intelligence, and courage make him a truly engaging protagonist.

I am more than ready for more of his adventures and can't wait to see what Gabaldon has in store for us next.

I know this might seem bordering on the heretical, but truth be told, I've been thoroughly enjoying the Lord John series even more than Outlander proper.

When compared to the larger-than-life Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey presents a relatively diffident and self-effacing persona. His homosexuality, moreover, adds a profound and fascinating dimension to his character.

The books in the Lord John series are short (at least in Gabaldonian terms), which means there are few tangents and minimal plot clutter. This allows John's character to truly shine without being overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of Claire or Fraser.

Lord John is so very decent that there are some sections of the book that I find almost painful to read, a testament to Gabaldon's remarkable ability to create such sympathetic characters.

The Lord John books should have wide appeal. They are not only likely to attract Outlander fans, but also readers who have a penchant for well-crafted historical mysteries. If you're a fan of C.S. Harris and Ashley Gardner, then the Lord John books are an excellent bet that you're sure to enjoy.

Reviewed after re-reading.

I actually found that I enjoyed this book even more the second time I read it compared to my initial read. This could potentially be because I am reading it now very closely after finishing Voyager, the Outlander book whose events are chronologically related to this one. However, it should be noted that the Outlander book and its characters are only occasionally and peripherally mentioned in this novel. You don't necessarily have to have read those books to fully appreciate this one. Gabaldon demonstrates a great deal of skill in presenting a profound and realistic historical novel. The characters feel not only appropriate for their era but also incredibly relatable. I have an absolute fondness for Lord John Gray, who grapples with both his queerness and the need to fulfill the duties he believes are integral to his social position and family.

This book is a mystery, with John being assigned the task of uncovering the identity of a spy. However, it functions more as a character study than a typical Holmesian puzzle. The majority of the investigation takes the form of lengthy conversations. Getting to know these characters, some of whom come from the lowest social classes and are clearly outside the bounds of acceptable culture for this time period, is presented both through their own dialogue with John and through his perspective as an outsider who has managed to keep his detachment from the dominant culture a secret. It is truly fascinating.

4.5/5

I never would have picked up this book.

However, I am truly starved - starved, I tell you! - for English-language books in Japan.

Due to my extreme desperation for reading material, I will now read almost anything that catches my eye and seems even remotely interesting, especially if it's inexpensive.

This particular book was on the ¥500 yen table at Tower Records.

It appeared to be perhaps not as bad as everything else available for the same price.

So, despite having, like, negative interest in reading the Outlander series to which this is related (it's really long! and I kind of loathe time travel!), I picked it up.

Surprisingly, I ended up really enjoying it!

There were a few aspects that weren't as thoroughly explained as I would have preferred (probably because it was assumed that I would know them from reading the Outlander series).

But for the most part, the characters, the writing, and the story all appealed to me.

I still don't have a strong desire to read the Outlander books, but I do want to read more about Lord John.

Ok, why on earth does Gabaldon insist on yet another plot involving gay men? It's true that such thoughts and leanings might have existed back then. However, the reality is that even if they were covert, people weren't as open about it as it seems in this story. In that era, such a stance was far from common. And if it was present, men (or women) took extreme care to hide it or were very cautious about to whom they revealed it.

I truly believe there was so much potential in this story, especially for the character of Grey, if it hadn't been overshadowed by the sexual stances that became a rather small but prominent plot line. Randall, for me, was acceptable and added an interesting dimension. But having two men in love with Jamie seems like a rather large cast of characters for that time period. It was actually quite disappointing. It really took away the intrigue of the character. He became just another one, so to speak.

Randall, may he rest in peace (and I really loved him!), was a character with the aspect of having love for Jamie. But it wasn't necessarily because he was gay. It was because he was a malicious sadist who eventually fell in love with his victim after having a personal vendetta against Jamie. It's similar to Stockholm syndrome, if you will; captors can easily develop feelings for their captive.

Yes, Grey owed Jamie for sparing his life. And as we learn more about their background and interactions in the fourth installment, Drums of Autumn, it still doesn't feel the same. It just isn't! It makes me wonder if Gabaldon was desperate to recreate what Jamie and Randall had. Whatever her intention was, it didn't have the desired effect, in my opinion. I feel like she wanted readers to feel pity for Grey because of his situation and what it meant for Jamie. But I really felt nothing.

To be clear, I don't hate gay men or women. I just hated Grey. So, I give this book one star for sort of ruining the whole thing for me because of that. However, I give it two stars for the usual excellent descriptions and narrations. My favorite quote from the entire book has to be: "His lips were so pursed and white it reminded Grey of a dog's anus."