The Lord John books serve as a fascinating spin-off from the highly acclaimed Outlander series. Based solely on this particular installment, I have a strong conviction that I will derive greater enjoyment from these books compared to the original series.

Lord John, a distinguished major in the British armed forces, is thrust into the role of a detective within the pages of this novel. The outcome is a delightfully witty adventure that is brimming with fun and filled with numerous twists and turns. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

Although there are a couple of references to the Outlander books in this one, I firmly believe that even if you haven't read the original series, you won't be missing out on a great deal. This story is largely self-contained, allowing new readers to easily immerse themselves in its engaging narrative and enjoy the thrilling ride that it offers.

Overall, the Lord John books seem to have a unique charm and appeal that sets them apart from the Outlander series, and I'm excited to see what else lies in store for this captivating character.

This was a truly engaging read that was filled with fun, suspense, and historical interest.

Personally, I have a deep affection for the character of John Grey. His emotional bond with Jamie brings an abundance of humanity and richness to the Outlander narrative.

I am also highly intrigued by historical fiction that delves into LGBTQIA subcultures and individuals. The notion that gay people suddenly emerged in the 1980s is simply absurd. Queer individuals have been present since the very beginning of time, and we possess a detailed and remarkable history.

I adored John's visit to the molly house, and Gabaldon's meticulous attention to detail and history is evident in this concise story, just as it is in all of her other works.

I am eagerly anticipating reading the remainder of the Lord John series! If you have a penchant for a great mystery, historical fiction, and an honorable, sarcastic, and endearing lead character, I wholeheartedly recommend this one.

It is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will surely leave you wanting more.

Shockingly enough, I really struggled to get into this book. It's so strange because I truly adore LJG. I'm quite certain I've said that numerous times and I wasn't just convincing myself, I really do have a deep affection for him. How is it possible that I can adore the man when he's in the company of the Frasers but not be overly enthusiastic when he's on his own? It's truly perplexing. I will definitely be pondering this conundrum for a while.

Maybe it wasn't LJG himself but rather the book or the plot that didn't quite click with me. LJG actually makes a very good detective within the pages of this book. Seriously, what can't this man do? And he's for sure like a cat with nine lives. Every time he found himself in a dangerous situation, he was shrewd and lucky enough to avoid disaster. There was nothing that happened that made me think any less of him. It's just that there wasn't much in the two investigations he was immersed in that really "excited" me. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get fully invested. I hesitate to say that the book description sounds more dramatic and enticing than the actual read, but that seems to be the case. Should I take that back?

Having said all that, I'm not sorry at all for reading it. I absolutely loved 'The Scottish Prisoner' and I'm sure I'll read the rest of the series at some point. Diana Gabaldon has managed to trap me in this wonderful universe and I'm quite certain I don't want to get out, even if there was a way blatantly marked with a blinking neon sign.

A Short and Light History.

Lord John solves a murder case while simultaneously dealing with his own problem, which requires him to find dirt on another guy. It's probably known that although I've seen his name so many times, I'm not able to remember how to spell it XD Also, I'll just stick with the term "another guy" XD

This was pleasant to read, but as is often the case with sequels, it's just average. However, yes, I have a greater desire to reach for the author's main series. There's still so much ahead of me.

Maybe the next installment will bring more excitement and surprises. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for us.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not something that blew me away. I hope the main series will be more engaging and captivating.

I'll definitely give it a try and see if it lives up to my expectations.

Lord John Grey is my favorite character in the Outlander universe, aside from Claire and Jamie. This book truly did not disappoint.

The writing style leans more towards a who-dun-it mystery, yet, as one would anticipate from Diana Gabaldon, it is exquisitely written. I found myself completely engrossed and was not at all ready for it to conclude.

After perusing other reviews, I am disheartened by the number of people who shunned the book or failed to appreciate it simply because LJG is gay. Do they inhabit a world where this is considered somehow unrealistic? Because in my opinion, LJG is perhaps one of the most genuine and real characters in the entire Outlander series. His complexity, his emotions, and his journey make him a truly captivating and relatable figure. It's a shame that some readers are so narrow-minded as to overlook the beauty and depth of this character simply because of his sexual orientation.

I hope that more people will give this book a chance and come to see LJG for the remarkable character that he is.

3.5 Stars

I listened to the audio book.

To be honest, my attention fluctuated throughout. At times, it was truly excellent and had me chuckling out loud. I really enjoyed the character development, especially getting a better understanding of a character who I initially took some time to warm up to from the Outlander series. Eventually, I did warm up to him, and it was great to see a less rigid and more relatable John in this story.

The characters, the historical settings, the dialog, and the narrator were the aspects that really captured my interest. However, when it came to the mystery element, it didn't quite have the same impact on me.

Overall, it was an enjoyable listen with its strengths in certain areas, but the mystery could have been more engaging to提升 the overall experience.

Lord John and the Private Matter is the first full-length novel in the captivating Lord John Grey series. Diana Gabaldon, the talented author, has taken Lord John, a beloved character from the popular Outlander series, and crafted a whole new set of thrilling adventures for him.

In this engaging story, Sir John Grey accidentally catches a glimpse of a sore on the "privy member" of Joseph Trevelyan, who is betrothed to his cousin. Convinced that Trevelyan is suffering from a venereal disease, and with his older brother absent, it becomes John's responsibility to investigate further. He must determine if what he saw was accurate and, if so, find a way to end the betrothal without damaging his cousin's reputation.

Adding to the intrigue, there is the mysterious case of another officer who has been found murdered and is suspected of being a spy. Before long, these two puzzling situations intersect, leading to a web of secrets and danger.

Lord John is covertly gay in a society where such a lifestyle is completely taboo. He remarks, "Loss of position and social ruination were the least of it; imprisonment, public whipping, and the pillory were likely.” However, for readers concerned about explicit gay sex scenes, there is only one brief, alluded-to encounter.

Despite receiving many negative reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Perhaps it's because I'm not an avid follower of the Outlander series, so I wasn't disappointed that Jamie and Claire are only referenced. The writing is excellent, and I have a passion for historical mysteries like this one. I'm looking forward to reading the other two full-length Lord John novels and potentially the short stories as well.

This well-written book truly provided me with a much deeper and enhanced understanding of the character of Lord John Grey. I firmly believe that this was precisely the author's intention all along.

The subject matter explored within the book, along with the various places and situations that Lord John Grey was thrust into, were indeed quite surprising to me. However, as I delved deeper into the story, it all came together in a way that was extremely believable and utterly intriguing.

I am now eagerly looking forward to uncovering how Lord John Grey will continue to utilize his remarkable investigative skills. Moreover, I am highly anticipating learning how he will parlay those skills into achieving the position of governor of Jamaica. It is truly a captivating story that has left me on the edge of my seat, eager for more.

I'm still not entirely convinced that individuals like Lord Grey could have existed in the 18th century.

Even if it's posited that he knew a man who was influenced by a 20th century woman, it seems rather far-fetched.

However, despite this skepticism, the story is still a highly enjoyable read.

The idea of such a complex web of connections and the blurring of time periods creates an element of intrigue and mystery.

It makes one wonder about the possibilities and what might have been if such circumstances were truly possible.

Perhaps it's this very sense of the unexpected and the imaginative that draws readers in and makes it a fun and engaging piece.

Even though the concept may stretch the boundaries of belief, it offers a unique and entertaining perspective that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Another interesting Diana Gabaldon story.

Although it's not possible to truly compare this to Outlander as it's significantly shorter and lacks a prominent romance, it was still brimming with rich historical details.

After listening to a Gabaldon story, I always feel a bit smarter. She has a penchant for using more elaborate vocabulary rather than the common words.

It constantly amazes me the extremes people would go to in order to safeguard their own or their family's reputations. Entering a loveless marriage? That's okay as long as it financially benefits the man, elevates the woman in social circles, and keeps any scandal away from the family name.

The idea that a broken engagement would suggest a flaw in the woman irritates me, but I'm aware that in those days, women were not held in the same regard as men.

And while I knew homosexuality wasn't a new concept, I was completely unaware of the existence of "molly houses," which were essentially homosexual brothels. I learn an abundance of historical knowledge from a Gabaldon story, lol.

Anyway, this was an engaging mystery. What initially seemed like two distinct mysteries to solve ultimately converged into one peculiar conclusion.

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon is an excellent choice for readers eagerly awaiting the publication of the new Outlander series book and the continuation of the Outlander TV series.

It is a captivating criminal mystery that offers a wealth of information about gay and transvestite life in 18th-century London. However, readers must not forget that it is still part of the Outlander world, and Jamie Fraser is never far from John's thoughts.

I truly admire the way Ms Gabaldon presents the intimate scenes to the readers. There is no need for graphic descriptions of what goes where, who is how, and what kind of sounds they make. Instead, she simply creates the right atmosphere and provides her readers with enough clues for our own imaginations to do the rest. It is truly brilliant. Even though it is a scene between two men, it does not make me uncomfortable; it is simply sensual.

This is a great read for Outlander fans, offering an engaging story and a deeper exploration of the characters and world they love.

It's truly insane how a story that started off so promising with a 4-star rating could take such a nosedive in the final chapters. I have just 10 pages left to read, yet I've been procrastinating for weeks. Weeks!

The good aspects are that Gabaldon's 'Outlander' was a huge favorite of mine back in the 1990s. I've read it several times. Lord John shares the same appealing main character type, and the ambience and atmosphere of the time period are equally good. I didn't even mind the absence of a romance plot because everything else was so excellent. However, I'm not a fan of murder mysteries, and in the end, that was the part that really killed my enjoyment. The conclusion, where the reader is finally told how and why a murder occurred, I found to be excessively boring.

Even though there isn't a proper romance in this book, there were some hints of hookups and some chemistry. I liked that and wouldn't mind reading the other books in the series. I'm still hoping that the next installments will bring back the magic that made the earlier books so captivating.