Reviewed for THC Reviews

Lord John and the Private Matter is the second story and first full-length novel in the Lord John Grey series. Diana Gabaldon has given Lord John, a beloved character from the Outlander series, his own adventures, separate yet intertwined with the Outlander time-line. In this book, as a military officer, he must solve two mysteries that end up intertwining. The first involves a sore on the “privy member” of Joseph Trevelyan, betrothed to his cousin. John must investigate to determine if Trevelyan is poxed and find a way to end the betrothal without harming his cousin's reputation. The second mystery is the murder of an officer suspected of being a spy. When these two puzzles intersect, it leads to all sorts of adventure and intrigue for John.

I've always admired Ms. Gabaldon's attention to historical detail. Her research shines through in her work, making her books fascinating. In this book, her exploration of the gay sub-culture in Georgian England is particularly interesting. As someone who wonders how gay people managed in an era when such proclivities had to be kept secret, I found this aspect of the story enlightening. We also learn about other historical bits, like “The Malaria Cure.”

Lord John has always been one of my favorite secondary characters in Outlander. In this book, we see different aspects of his personality and learn more about his personal history, including his family ties and lost love. I felt sorry for him, as he hasn't been lucky in love. His first love died at Culloden, and his second love, Jamie Fraser, is unrequited. I don't know if there are other love interests in store for him, but this book leaves that possibility open.

Out of all of Diana Gabaldon's books, Lord John and the Private Matter seems to have the lowest ratings. I don't know why, but I liked it extremely well. The writing quality is equal to that of the Outlander novels. The story kept me engaged, with unexpected twists and turns. I didn't figure out all the connections and motivations until they were revealed. Overall, it was a great read, and I'm looking forward to more Lord John Grey stories.

Note: There are no detailed sex scenes in this book, only one implied scene between two men that is fade to black, but there is a fair bit of detail regarding the sexual practices of gay men in Georgian England that may bother some readers.

\\n  Lord John and the Hellfire Club\\n - My edition of this book contains a bonus copy of Lord John and the Hellfire Club, so here's my review of that as well:

Lord John and the Hellfire Club is the first novella in Diana Gabaldon's Lord John Grey series. It's the shortest one I've read by her to date. In this novella, Lord John Grey is turned into an amateur sleuth. It takes place in London after Lord John's return from Ardsmuir Prison. The plot is simple: John is approached by a man who is stabbed before their meeting and dies in his arms. John vows to find the killer, which leads him to the Hellfire Club.

As usual, Diana Gabaldon has done an excellent job with her research. Hellfire Clubs really existed, and Sir Francis Dashwood's was the most famous. I also found it interesting to learn more about the perceptions of gay men in that era. John keeps his sexuality a secret but we get hints of how he manages. I felt bad for him as he still pines for Jamie. The main reason this was a four-star read for me is that parts of the story didn't flow as well as the Outlander books. The details in the first chapter were a bit hard to picture, and the use of more historically accurate language made it more challenging to read. Otherwise, I enjoyed it. The mystery was well-handled, especially for a short format. It was a good start to the series, and I look forward to more of Lord John's adventures. Star Rating: ****

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This was okay, I suppose.

To be honest, I truly have no idea who has permitted Lady Di to go wild with every single book she writes. But could they please put a stop to it? Gabaldon is indeed talented in writing historical fiction. So, why does no one ever restrain her?

This book would have been significantly better if a third of it had been trimmed. There were just a few too many plot points happening simultaneously. In fact, Lady Di spends entire chapters summarizing Grey's thoughts on everything to ensure that we, as readers, are paying attention.

In a sense, I would recommend this book because there are very memorable scenes, despite the ending being what it is. However, it does have its flaws that could have been easily rectified with some proper editing and streamlining of the plot.

Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are still aspects that make it worth reading for fans of historical fiction.

I've always held a deep affection for Lord John.

So, it remains a mystery to me why I postponed reading this book for such a long time.

"Lord John and the Private Matter" was truly a treasure trove filled with captivating intrigue. It also showcased Diana Gabaldon's trademark wit and her remarkable ability to vividly depict a bygone era.

Ms. Gabaldon doesn't sugarcoat anything; she fearlessly presents the smelly and the nasty aspects of that time, making you almost feel as if you're actually living there.

While I can't claim to have adored the mystery completely - as some of the plot elements got really convoluted - I did appreciate Lord John's unique turn of phrase and his complex life as a gay man in that particular historical period.

I felt a great deal of sympathy for him, especially considering the lack of hope for love in his future, based on what I know.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed delving deeper into his character and learning more about his life as a soldier.

I initially didn't envision him as a man of action, but I'm glad to have been proven wrong.

I'm really looking forward to immersing myself in the next few books in this series!

Audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman.

Prima voldoende boek.

It has a nice story line that keeps the reader engaged. The plot unfolds in an interesting way, with various twists and turns that add to the excitement.

However, it is not the kind of work that would make me jump out of my seat with enthusiasm. It lacks that certain something, that extra spark that would elevate it to a truly outstanding piece.

Nonetheless, it is still a good read, especially for those who enjoy this particular genre. The characters are well-developed and the writing style is smooth and easy to follow.

Overall, it is a book that I would recommend to others, but with the caveat that it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Gabaldon reacquaints readers with Lord John Grey.

In Grey's first full-length novel set in 18th century London, the contrast between nobility and the rabble is鲜明. Here, whores and dukes interact in ways that are both scandalous and fascinating. Grey, an active soldier, is living the good life as Great Britain defends itself against France on three continents.

Emerging from his club one June morning in 1757, Grey harbors a secret that could shatter his family if it falls into the wrong hands. As this weighs on him, the Crown tasks him with investigating the murder of a fellow soldier who may have had treasonous intentions, widening the suspect pool significantly.

Simultaneously working on two investigations, Grey and his newly hired valet, Tom Byrd, strive to bring matters to a conclusion without arousing too much suspicion. The more they dig, the more sordid details come to light. Grey must follow the proclivities of a poxed person to safeguard his family, all while traversing the seas in search of a woman in green velvet who may hold the key to everything or prove to be yet another fruitless journey away from Mother England.

This novel, set in the early days of the Seven Years War and after Jamie Fraser's first encounters, offers readers a wealth of historical insight and sets the stage for further developments in the story briefly told in Gabaldon's VOYAGER.

In his role as a military Sherlock Holmes, Grey endeavors to close all cases without causing unnecessary turmoil. This proves extremely challenging in 18th century London, where anything is possible and often does happen. Grey showcases his sleuthing abilities, revealing the multi-dimensional character already glimpsed in VOYAGER and a novella, and likely further expanded in the rest of the LJG collection. Gabaldon's mastery of her characters is such that attentive readers may anticipate more crossovers or loose ends resolved between the series.

Kudos to Madam Gabaldon for this captivating tale filled with intrigue and mystery. I eagerly look forward to learning more and seeing how Jamie Fraser plays an even more prominent role in the larger narrative.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others can be found at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

Diana Gabaldon's "Lord John Grey" series is a fascinating addition to her literary works. These novels were penned in between the writings of the "Outlander" novels. There are a total of nine creations, with some being novellas that have been combined into story collections. "Lord John and the Private Matter" is technically the second full novel. Although the first novel is a collection of novellas, it might be considered like the fourth or fifth in the series. However, it's not necessary to read all the books in order. While doing so can enhance the understanding of character backstories and some minor plot developments, it won't significantly affect one's interest either way.

In 1757, Major John Grey finds himself embroiled in two inquiries simultaneously. The first involves a shocking discovery about his cousin's betrothed, which compels him to investigate to safeguard his family's reputation. The second inquiry sees Grey appointed by the Crown to look into the grisly murder of a former comrade-in-arms, who may have been a traitor. As Grey delicately tries to solve both mysteries, he navigates through London's bawdy houses and noble residences, determined to unearth the truth while keeping his own secrets concealed.

"The Private Matter" is a thought-provoking historical mystery that brings to light the hidden homosexual underbelly in 18th-century London. Gabaldon's fans and readers of "Outlander" are already aware of Grey's proclivities, but this novel delves deeper, incorporating sexual liaisons among servants and nobility, infidelity, and the historical understanding and treatment of syphilis. It's a forward-thinking novel, yet Gabaldon approaches it with respect, and the plot is not at all tawdry or overly sexual. Grey's focus remains firmly on the investigations at hand.

This novel features numerous characters, and their connections can be both confusing and complex. Even after reading the previous novel (comprised of several novellas), I still found myself confused in many places. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Gabaldon's storytelling, and the captivating way she draws readers in is unrivaled. Lord John Grey is a charming character with enough personality to carry this offshoot of novels. Fans of "Outlander" will无疑 be big fans, but even those who aren't Fraser-ites (I don't know any because we're not friends) will find enjoyment in the plot points, including mercury poisoning, bawdy houses, and at-sea kidnappings. "Private Matter" is filled with non-stop action and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of both Gabaldon and the historical mystery genre.

*Sigh*

I just can't bring myself to continue reading this book. I managed to get about 60 pages in, but that's as far as I could go. I'm simply bored with the story, and it has nothing to do with the quality of the book itself. Gabaldon is indeed one of my favorite authors, and I absolutely love her Outlander series. However, Lord John as a character just doesn't appeal to me as much, and this mystery genre isn't really my cup of tea. Nevertheless, I am going to keep all the books in this series. I'm hoping that in a couple of years, when I reread the Outlander books, I might decide to give this series another try. Maybe then, I'll be able to enjoy it. But for now, I just don't have the motivation to continue.

Aw, I should probably give it three stars, but I have a soft spot for Lord John. However, I was severely disappointed by the numerous pages where the "bad guys" simply told us everything that had been happening all along. It was executed as well as such an info-dumping behemoth could be, with a hint of tension in the background and explanations for their motives and how it all unfolded. But still, I had higher expectations from Gabaldon.

If four stars means "really liked it" rather than just "liked it," then it's true. I admit that's the case because I wanted to follow Lord John around, and this book allowed me to do just that. I also confess to being amazed by the portrayal of homosexuality in the eighteenth century. Given that Gabaldon is a research enthusiast, I felt I could reasonably trust her fictional depiction.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I could have done without any mentions of Jamie or Claire Fraser, the main characters of the series to which this is a bit of a spinoff. I think John could have completely held his own. There was one thought about Jamie - something along the lines of how he certainly wasn't a man who would steal another man's wife - that made me have to put the book down and have a good chuckle.

The original article is not provided, so I will create a new one for you.

**Title: The Importance of Reading**

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Moreover, reading enhances our vocabulary and language skills. It exposes us to new words and phrases, improving our ability to express ourselves clearly and effectively.

Another advantage of reading is that it stimulates our imagination and creativity. We can envision the scenes and characters described in the book, and this helps us to think outside the box.

In addition, reading is a great way to relax and unwind. It allows us to escape from the stress and pressures of daily life and immerse ourselves in a different world.

In conclusion, reading is a valuable activity that should be cultivated from an early age. It enriches our lives in many ways and helps us to become better individuals.

So, pick up a book today and start reading!

Although I have always held a great liking and found enjoyment in the character of Lord John within the Outlander series, this particular book truly crossed a line for me. The descriptions of his sexual exploits were extremely graphic and detailed. It reached a point where it became rather uncomfortable and off-putting. As a result, I simply had no desire whatsoever to complete reading it. It's a shame really, because I had such high hopes for this installment based on my previous affection for the character. However, the overly explicit nature of these scenes detracted significantly from the overall experience and made it a struggle to continue. I had expected a different kind of exploration of Lord John's story, but unfortunately, this was not what I got.

I read this book a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the world of Lord John and his Georgian London.

The cunning mystery, combined with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of John and those around him, made it a truly delightful read.

However, for my second encounter with this story, I decided to experience it in audio format, with a new narrator for me, Jeff Woodman.

I'm extremely happy to report that this decision enhanced the story even further. Woodman's storytelling was simply amazing.

His narration matched perfectly with the characters, the tone of the book, and the various situations.

John's brother, Hal, the head of the household, is absent, and John inevitably stumbles upon a delicate family matter that he has no clue how to handle.

Before he makes much progress in solving this, he is commissioned by the Army to look into missing papers, a soldier's death, and the trail leading to the spymaster for whom the stolen papers were intended.

John's investigation takes him to the seedy side of town, but it also involves some powerful individuals.

He carefully follows each lead, sensing that there is far more going on and that people know a great deal more than they are revealing to him.

Slowly but surely, he gets closer to the truth, only to be confronted by yet another situation.

The book reads like a charming mystery intertwined with historical fiction, featuring a gentle pacing.

The story is a combination of character study and development, as well as moments of suspense.

I loved getting to know Lord John better after first encountering him in the Outlander series' Voyager.

In fact, this is a spin-off and would follow that book in sequence.

It's a definite recommend.