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Lord John Grey #1
Lord John and the Private Matter
Includes a sneak preview of the next Outlander novel, An Echo in the Bone .
Adored bestselling author Diana Gabaldon brings us the first book in a new trilogy featuring many of the characters from her wildly popular Outlander series.
In her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels, Diana Gabaldon introduced millions of readers to a dazzling world of history and adventure — a world of vibrant settings and utterly unforgettable characters. Now one of these characters, Major Lord John Grey, opens the door to his own part of this world — eighteenth-century London, a seething anthill of nobility and rabble peopled by soldiers and spies, whores and dukes. Great Britain is battling France for supremacy on three continents — and life is good for a soldier.
The year is 1757. On a clear morning in mid-June, Lord John Grey emerges from London’s Beefsteak Club, his mind in turmoil. A nobleman and a high-ranking officer in His Majesty’s Army, Grey has just witnessed something shocking. But his efforts to avoid a scandal that might destroy his family are interrupted by something still more the Crown appoints him to investigate the brutal murder of a comrade in arms, who may have been a traitor.
Obliged to pursue two inquiries at once, Major Grey finds himself ensnared in a web of treachery and betrayal that touches every stratum of English society — and threatens all he holds dear. From the bawdy houses of London’s night-world to the stately drawing rooms of the nobility, and from the blood of a murdered corpse to the thundering seas ruled by the majestic fleet of the East India Company, Lord John pursues the elusive trails of a vanishing footman and a woman in green velvet, who may hold the key to everything — or nothing.
The early days of the Seven Years War come brilliantly to life in this historical mystery by an author whose unique and compelling storytelling has engrossed millions of readers worldwide.
Adored bestselling author Diana Gabaldon brings us the first book in a new trilogy featuring many of the characters from her wildly popular Outlander series.
In her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels, Diana Gabaldon introduced millions of readers to a dazzling world of history and adventure — a world of vibrant settings and utterly unforgettable characters. Now one of these characters, Major Lord John Grey, opens the door to his own part of this world — eighteenth-century London, a seething anthill of nobility and rabble peopled by soldiers and spies, whores and dukes. Great Britain is battling France for supremacy on three continents — and life is good for a soldier.
The year is 1757. On a clear morning in mid-June, Lord John Grey emerges from London’s Beefsteak Club, his mind in turmoil. A nobleman and a high-ranking officer in His Majesty’s Army, Grey has just witnessed something shocking. But his efforts to avoid a scandal that might destroy his family are interrupted by something still more the Crown appoints him to investigate the brutal murder of a comrade in arms, who may have been a traitor.
Obliged to pursue two inquiries at once, Major Grey finds himself ensnared in a web of treachery and betrayal that touches every stratum of English society — and threatens all he holds dear. From the bawdy houses of London’s night-world to the stately drawing rooms of the nobility, and from the blood of a murdered corpse to the thundering seas ruled by the majestic fleet of the East India Company, Lord John pursues the elusive trails of a vanishing footman and a woman in green velvet, who may hold the key to everything — or nothing.
The early days of the Seven Years War come brilliantly to life in this historical mystery by an author whose unique and compelling storytelling has engrossed millions of readers worldwide.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2003
3108 people are currently reading
29506 people want to read
About the author
Diana Gabaldon
203 books180k followersDiana Jean Gabaldon Watkins grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and is of Hispanic and English descent (with a dash of Native American and Sephardic Jew). She has earned three degrees: a B.S. in Zoology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a Ph.D in Ecology, plus an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Glasgow, for services to Scottish Literature.
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,196 reviews
January 19, 2010
Like many other "Outlander" fans, I've been reluctant to even attempt to read this second Gabaldon series which centers on a secondary gay character first introduced in "Dragonfly in Amber." I was discouraged not only by the average Goodreads rating of 3.35, but by the sheer memory of THE homosexual encounter in "Outlander." I simply didn't feel like going through the same pain and suffering again. But then the 7th book came out ("An Echo in the Bone") and everybody was saying that you had to have read Lord John books to really get into the story. Of course, in this case, I simply had to at least try to read these books to be sufficiently prepared for future series installments.
Well, I am pleased to say that I enjoyed "Lord John and the Private Matter" very much. I understand however where the low ratings came from. This book is nothing like Outlander books. They are different in genre, in size, even in vocabulary. This Lord John book is a historical mystery with a lot of old-fashioned sleuthing, unlike smutty romance/adventure type Outlander books are. What remains the same in both series however is the high quality of writing, fantastic characterization and smartly presented historical details.
There is no passionate love story (not even a gay one) in "Lord John and the Private Matter," but it is filled with political intrigues and discussions of military affairs, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The subject of homosexuality is presented throughout the story: not only is it always in the back of Lord John' mind, but we also have to follow our protagonist sleuthing through brothels, male secret rendezvous houses and chasing transvestites. Needless to say, it all was new to me, because honestly I know very little about gay life style and especially that in 18th century London.
As for Lord John himself and his personal life, Gabaldon managed to make me appreciate this man of honor and feel a lot of compassion for his plight, because if nothing else he is a lonely man who among other things is forced to keep an important part of self hidden at all times, because his "preference" can simply have him executed.
What else is there to say? Only that I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written mystery which started as a quest to find out if Lord John's future cousin-in-law had syphilis and ended with him solving two murders and uncovering a spy against England. I am definitely reading the rest of the books in this series.
P.S. Just a heads-up, there was one man/man sex scene involving Lord John, but it wasn't at all graphic, although you do know what's going on.
Well, I am pleased to say that I enjoyed "Lord John and the Private Matter" very much. I understand however where the low ratings came from. This book is nothing like Outlander books. They are different in genre, in size, even in vocabulary. This Lord John book is a historical mystery with a lot of old-fashioned sleuthing, unlike smutty romance/adventure type Outlander books are. What remains the same in both series however is the high quality of writing, fantastic characterization and smartly presented historical details.
There is no passionate love story (not even a gay one) in "Lord John and the Private Matter," but it is filled with political intrigues and discussions of military affairs, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The subject of homosexuality is presented throughout the story: not only is it always in the back of Lord John' mind, but we also have to follow our protagonist sleuthing through brothels, male secret rendezvous houses and chasing transvestites. Needless to say, it all was new to me, because honestly I know very little about gay life style and especially that in 18th century London.
As for Lord John himself and his personal life, Gabaldon managed to make me appreciate this man of honor and feel a lot of compassion for his plight, because if nothing else he is a lonely man who among other things is forced to keep an important part of self hidden at all times, because his "preference" can simply have him executed.
What else is there to say? Only that I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written mystery which started as a quest to find out if Lord John's future cousin-in-law had syphilis and ended with him solving two murders and uncovering a spy against England. I am definitely reading the rest of the books in this series.
P.S. Just a heads-up, there was one man/man sex scene involving Lord John, but it wasn't at all graphic, although you do know what's going on.
August 4, 2008
I resisted reading any Lord John stories for a very long time, despite being a huge Gabaldon fan. I just couldn't get behind a gay lead, didn't understand the appeal or potential of this character. I didn't get it, without even trying it. Recently I saw Gabaldon at a sci-fi convention, and to get in the mood for it, I dug out this book, which I had snagged at a library discard sale for a buck or so.
I get it now. He's delightful. Imagine a slight, blonde, aristocratic, rich, devastatingly smart and witty professional soldier, a Major in Her Majesty's service in 1757, who finds himself up to his impeccable chin in murder, mayhem, and mystery. It's like both William Powell and Myrna Loy (of the old Thin Man movies) rolled into one character, with a touch of television's Monk thrown in.
Fun! He is so particular about his clothes and appearance and there's this running subconscious dialogue interspersed with the bigger external picture unfolding in his head that goes something like this: "Ah, ha, so the Scanlons have flown the coop which must be a big clue!...and I seem to have lost a button on my waistcoat." He is always picking at a loose thread, flicking lint on his shoulder, noticing every detail around him. You can just picture his futzing.
He is also very adept at the dry one-word reply – indubiously, quite, likely, mayhaps. I really enjoyed it, and should have had more trust in her unbelievable writing talent. Interestingly, the one "sex scene" involving Lord John was very well-done, compelling, and poignant and definitely germane to the story. He simply loses himself, tastefully fades to black, and whispers "Pretend…I am not here." And I truly believe he wishes it were so.
Contrast his fastidious personal quirks with his loathsome outward duty, and you've got a very entertaining setup. He is the only one in the room who will sink his fingers into the mushy scalp of a corpse for a clue or carry around the reeking blood-soaked remnant of a garment with which to confront the bad guy. Then there's his fiercely protective little side kick, a ragamuffin English boy who follows him around and insists that he be his valet. The little boy is just as comical, giving "me lord" the steely eye as he makes him drink MANY egg whites as a poison antidote and tries to mend his endlessly destroyed clothes.
I can't wait to read more Lord John. Undoubtedly.
I get it now. He's delightful. Imagine a slight, blonde, aristocratic, rich, devastatingly smart and witty professional soldier, a Major in Her Majesty's service in 1757, who finds himself up to his impeccable chin in murder, mayhem, and mystery. It's like both William Powell and Myrna Loy (of the old Thin Man movies) rolled into one character, with a touch of television's Monk thrown in.
Fun! He is so particular about his clothes and appearance and there's this running subconscious dialogue interspersed with the bigger external picture unfolding in his head that goes something like this: "Ah, ha, so the Scanlons have flown the coop which must be a big clue!...and I seem to have lost a button on my waistcoat." He is always picking at a loose thread, flicking lint on his shoulder, noticing every detail around him. You can just picture his futzing.
He is also very adept at the dry one-word reply – indubiously, quite, likely, mayhaps. I really enjoyed it, and should have had more trust in her unbelievable writing talent. Interestingly, the one "sex scene" involving Lord John was very well-done, compelling, and poignant and definitely germane to the story. He simply loses himself, tastefully fades to black, and whispers "Pretend…I am not here." And I truly believe he wishes it were so.
Contrast his fastidious personal quirks with his loathsome outward duty, and you've got a very entertaining setup. He is the only one in the room who will sink his fingers into the mushy scalp of a corpse for a clue or carry around the reeking blood-soaked remnant of a garment with which to confront the bad guy. Then there's his fiercely protective little side kick, a ragamuffin English boy who follows him around and insists that he be his valet. The little boy is just as comical, giving "me lord" the steely eye as he makes him drink MANY egg whites as a poison antidote and tries to mend his endlessly destroyed clothes.
I can't wait to read more Lord John. Undoubtedly.
May 25, 2015
Gabaldon reacquaints readers with Lord John Grey. In Grey's first full-length novel set in 18th century London, nobility and the rabble cross paths, while whores and dukes solicit one another. Grey is an active soldier, living the good life, as Great Britain fends off France on three continents. Emerging from his club one June morning in 1757, Grey possesses a secret that may permanently damage his family, should the wrong person learn of its nature. As this plagues him, the Crown sends him to investigate the murder of a fellow soldier, who may have had treasonous intentions, opening up the suspect pool exponentially. Working on two investigations simultaneously, Grey and his newly hired valet, Tom Byrd, seek to bring matters to a head without alerting too many individuals. The more they investigate, on both counts, the more sordid things become. Grey must follow a poxed person's proclivities (try saying that five times!) in order to help his own family, but ends up solving both cases utilising his sharp logic while traversing the seas in search of a woman in green velvet, who may hold the key to everything, or prove yet another wasted journey away from Mother England. This novel set in the early days of the Seven Years War and post-Jamie Fraser first encounters offers the reader much historical insight while also setting the scene to further the story told briefly in Gabaldon's VOYAGER.
In his role as military Sherlock Holmes, Grey seeks to close all doors and solve the cases put before him without rocking the proverbial boat. This can prove highly difficult, when 18th century London is the setting, as anything goes and usually ends up happening. Grey uses his sleuthing abilities to show his multi-dimensional character seen already in VOYAGER and a novella, which is likely expanded in the rest of the LJG collection. Gabaldon has such a firm handle on all her characters that the attentive reader may look for more crossovers or crumbs mentioned in one series and resolved in the other. Just when I wanted to listen and enjoy, I have to be on my toes!
Kudos, Madam Gabaldon for this wonderful tale, full of intrigue and sleuthing. I look forward to learning more and seeing how one Jamie Fraser plays a keener role in the larger story.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
In his role as military Sherlock Holmes, Grey seeks to close all doors and solve the cases put before him without rocking the proverbial boat. This can prove highly difficult, when 18th century London is the setting, as anything goes and usually ends up happening. Grey uses his sleuthing abilities to show his multi-dimensional character seen already in VOYAGER and a novella, which is likely expanded in the rest of the LJG collection. Gabaldon has such a firm handle on all her characters that the attentive reader may look for more crossovers or crumbs mentioned in one series and resolved in the other. Just when I wanted to listen and enjoy, I have to be on my toes!
Kudos, Madam Gabaldon for this wonderful tale, full of intrigue and sleuthing. I look forward to learning more and seeing how one Jamie Fraser plays a keener role in the larger story.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 11, 2013
Very quickly:
this was a good book (kind of?), but booooring. I like the writing and the research is incredibly well done, with no historical info dumping, but there was one issue that I just could not get past.
I read books for the plot, obviously, but just as much, if not more, for the characters. Here, we don't get to know anything about Lord John. Anything. The focus is on the plot, with a generous helping of colorful side characters, but basically all I feel now that I'm done with the book is a grudging curiosity towards John Grey. Of which, I repeat, I know nothing. Hector? The fuck is Hector? Where did John grow up? What about his brothers? What's his relationship with them?... and so on.
I suppose I will read the novellas collected in Lord John and the Hand of Devils, sometime in the future.
So. Frustrated.
this was a good book (kind of?), but booooring. I like the writing and the research is incredibly well done, with no historical info dumping, but there was one issue that I just could not get past.
I read books for the plot, obviously, but just as much, if not more, for the characters. Here, we don't get to know anything about Lord John. Anything. The focus is on the plot, with a generous helping of colorful side characters, but basically all I feel now that I'm done with the book is a grudging curiosity towards John Grey. Of which, I repeat, I know nothing. Hector? The fuck is Hector? Where did John grow up? What about his brothers? What's his relationship with them?... and so on.
I suppose I will read the novellas collected in Lord John and the Hand of Devils, sometime in the future.
So. Frustrated.
November 21, 2017
Lord John Grey
Lord John Grey is a major in His Majesty's army . He is entrusted with searching for the answers to two murders and to a spy selling secrets. Lord John discovers a man by the name of O'Connell may have sold military secrets to an enemy spy. There are plenty of clues to all three crimes, but they're not coming together in a cohesive answer. Perhaps they are all separate crimes and not tied together. Will Lord John Grey discover the answers before it's too late?
Diana Gabaldon has written another winner. Lord John Grey is a character from the Outlander series. He, along with the secondary characters, are a delight to make the acquaintance of. We come to fully understand Lord John's character through dialogue and descriptions. The plot and subplots are tightly drawn and feel feasible. The setting and description places the reader directly in the story. There is a m/m sexual scene tastefully written. I highly recommend this novel.
Lord John Grey is a major in His Majesty's army . He is entrusted with searching for the answers to two murders and to a spy selling secrets. Lord John discovers a man by the name of O'Connell may have sold military secrets to an enemy spy. There are plenty of clues to all three crimes, but they're not coming together in a cohesive answer. Perhaps they are all separate crimes and not tied together. Will Lord John Grey discover the answers before it's too late?
Diana Gabaldon has written another winner. Lord John Grey is a character from the Outlander series. He, along with the secondary characters, are a delight to make the acquaintance of. We come to fully understand Lord John's character through dialogue and descriptions. The plot and subplots are tightly drawn and feel feasible. The setting and description places the reader directly in the story. There is a m/m sexual scene tastefully written. I highly recommend this novel.
November 25, 2018
4.5★s
Lord John and the Private Matter is the first novel in the Lord John Grey series by popular American author, Diana Gabaldon. As he waits for his next posting, Lord John Grey, a Major in His Majesty’s 47th Regiment, learns of the death of a Sergeant well known to him. Something is off when he pays the widow a condolence visit, and his friend, Colonel Harry Quarry reveals that Sergeant O’Connell was suspected of being a spy. The man they had shadowing him has disappeared and Grey is set the task of investigating.
At the same time, quite by chance, Grey comes across a disturbing fact about the Hon. Joseph Trevelyan, the prospective husband of his niece, Olivia Pearsall. As Grey makes enquiries to confirm or dismiss his concerns, he discovers more alarming details, and the boundaries between his two fields of investigation begin to blur.
Before Grey finally learns what has transpired, he will visit a brothel and a molly house, examine two dead bodies, acquire a new valet, suffer mercury poisoning, encounter cross-dressers, drink quite a bit of German wine, adjudicate in a fight over a corpse, and board a ship headed for India. There are plenty of twists and turns before the exciting climax of this rather enjoyable piece of historical fiction.
Lord John and the Private Matter is the first novel in the Lord John Grey series by popular American author, Diana Gabaldon. As he waits for his next posting, Lord John Grey, a Major in His Majesty’s 47th Regiment, learns of the death of a Sergeant well known to him. Something is off when he pays the widow a condolence visit, and his friend, Colonel Harry Quarry reveals that Sergeant O’Connell was suspected of being a spy. The man they had shadowing him has disappeared and Grey is set the task of investigating.
At the same time, quite by chance, Grey comes across a disturbing fact about the Hon. Joseph Trevelyan, the prospective husband of his niece, Olivia Pearsall. As Grey makes enquiries to confirm or dismiss his concerns, he discovers more alarming details, and the boundaries between his two fields of investigation begin to blur.
Before Grey finally learns what has transpired, he will visit a brothel and a molly house, examine two dead bodies, acquire a new valet, suffer mercury poisoning, encounter cross-dressers, drink quite a bit of German wine, adjudicate in a fight over a corpse, and board a ship headed for India. There are plenty of twists and turns before the exciting climax of this rather enjoyable piece of historical fiction.
March 19, 2015
I really didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, even harboring affection for Gabaldon’s Outlander books, and especially the character of Lord John Grey, whom I find to be adorable and heartbreaking.
The Lord John Grey series is a spin-off of Outlander, following Lord John Grey, a character first introduced in Dragonfly in Amber as a sixteen year old boy who encounters Jamie and Claire the night before the battle at Prestonpans, but he’s most prominent (at least as far as I’ve read in books 1-5) in Voyager, which is a book that spans twenty years. In those twenty years, Jamie and LJG meet again, and eventually become friends, although we only see select scenes of their friendship, including one in which Grey’s unrequited love for Jamie threatens to ruin said friendship. The LJG series takes place during the years covered in Voyager. It’s not necessary to read the Outlander series before reading this series, but the context does help, especially when LJG references his relationship with Jamie (and obvious aforementioned unrequited love).
Mostly, this is a well-written murder mystery set in London in 1557, in which the protagonist is a gay man in a world where that is completely taboo. LJG is asked to investigate the murder of a British soldier believed to be a spy (it’s the beginning of the Seven Years’ War, so that’s important). His investigation begins to coincide with his personal life in unexpected ways.
Gabaldon does that thing that Agatha Christie used to do where she has her ‘detective’ have long conversations with people, and the people are very well developed. Like Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, LJG is an outsider, although he masquerades as a functional, normal member of society, hiding his ‘deviation’ from public view. But he feels it, and because he feels it, it colors all his interactions in this book, particularly those involving the seedier element of London life (including a trip to a whorehouse, and an all male gentleman’s club). It also makes him perfectly suited to rooting out the secrets other people keep.
My favorite mystery series are ones where they’re also secretly stealth character pieces, and this one certainly qualifies. It also has a wealth of side characters I enjoyed very much; even when they were unlikable, they were interesting. All in all, I’m really glad I picked this up. It was a nice palate cleanser after suffering through The Fiery Cross a couple of weeks ago, and it renewed my faith in Gabaldon as a writer. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series. (Get the audiobook if you can–narrator Jeff Woodman is always a good time.)
The Lord John Grey series is a spin-off of Outlander, following Lord John Grey, a character first introduced in Dragonfly in Amber as a sixteen year old boy who encounters Jamie and Claire the night before the battle at Prestonpans, but he’s most prominent (at least as far as I’ve read in books 1-5) in Voyager, which is a book that spans twenty years. In those twenty years, Jamie and LJG meet again, and eventually become friends, although we only see select scenes of their friendship, including one in which Grey’s unrequited love for Jamie threatens to ruin said friendship. The LJG series takes place during the years covered in Voyager. It’s not necessary to read the Outlander series before reading this series, but the context does help, especially when LJG references his relationship with Jamie (and obvious aforementioned unrequited love).
Mostly, this is a well-written murder mystery set in London in 1557, in which the protagonist is a gay man in a world where that is completely taboo. LJG is asked to investigate the murder of a British soldier believed to be a spy (it’s the beginning of the Seven Years’ War, so that’s important). His investigation begins to coincide with his personal life in unexpected ways.
Gabaldon does that thing that Agatha Christie used to do where she has her ‘detective’ have long conversations with people, and the people are very well developed. Like Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, LJG is an outsider, although he masquerades as a functional, normal member of society, hiding his ‘deviation’ from public view. But he feels it, and because he feels it, it colors all his interactions in this book, particularly those involving the seedier element of London life (including a trip to a whorehouse, and an all male gentleman’s club). It also makes him perfectly suited to rooting out the secrets other people keep.
My favorite mystery series are ones where they’re also secretly stealth character pieces, and this one certainly qualifies. It also has a wealth of side characters I enjoyed very much; even when they were unlikable, they were interesting. All in all, I’m really glad I picked this up. It was a nice palate cleanser after suffering through The Fiery Cross a couple of weeks ago, and it renewed my faith in Gabaldon as a writer. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series. (Get the audiobook if you can–narrator Jeff Woodman is always a good time.)
November 12, 2014
Audible deal of the day for $3.95!
http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...
http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...
June 5, 2023
Diana Gabaldon’s “Lord John Grey” series of novels were written in between writings of the “Outlander” novels. There are nine creations altogether, although some are novellas that have been combined together into a collection of stories. “Lord John and the Private Matter” is technically the second full novel (although the first novel is a collection of novellas, so it might be like the fourth or fifth in the series)? That being said, it is not necessary to read all the books in order. Doing so will help with character back stories and a bit of minor plot development, but it won’t make or break your interest one way or the other.
It is 1757 and Major John Grey finds himself in the middle of two inquiries at once. The first- he makes a shocking discovery about the betrothed of his cousin, and feels he must inquire so as to save his family’s reputation. For the second, Grey is appointed by the Crown to investigate the grisly murder of a former comrade-in-arms, who may have been a traitor. As Grey precariously tries to get to the bottom of both mysteries, he finds himself in London’s bawdy houses and houses of nobility both, determined to uncover the truth, while keeping his own secrets hidden.
“The Private Matter” is a provocative historical mystery, bringing to the forefront the secret underbelly of homosexuals in London during the eighteenth century. Of course, fans of Gabaldon and readers of Outlander are well aware of Grey’s proclivities, but “Matter” takes it a step farther, incorporating sexual liaisons among servants and nobility, infidelity and the historic understanding and treatment of syphilis. It is a forward-thinking novel to be sure, but Gabaldon is respectful, and the plot is not at all tawdry or even sexual in nature, as Grey’s focus remains on the investigations at hand.
There are numerous characters in this novel, and their connections can be confusing and complicated. I have read the previous novel (comprised of several novellas therein) and even knowing most of the characters, I was still confused in a lot of places. I did enjoy Gabaldon’s storytelling, of course, and the decadent way she draws readers in is incomparable.
Lord John Grey is a delightful character, and he definitely has enough in his personality to commandeer this offshoot of novels. Fans of “Outlander” will automatically be big fans, but even those who aren’t Fraser-ites (I don’t know any because we are not friends) will find enjoyment in the plot points, including mercury poisoning, bawdy houses, and at-sea kidnappings. “Private Matter” is non-stop action, and it will no doubt entice fans of both Gabaldon and the genre itself.
It is 1757 and Major John Grey finds himself in the middle of two inquiries at once. The first- he makes a shocking discovery about the betrothed of his cousin, and feels he must inquire so as to save his family’s reputation. For the second, Grey is appointed by the Crown to investigate the grisly murder of a former comrade-in-arms, who may have been a traitor. As Grey precariously tries to get to the bottom of both mysteries, he finds himself in London’s bawdy houses and houses of nobility both, determined to uncover the truth, while keeping his own secrets hidden.
“The Private Matter” is a provocative historical mystery, bringing to the forefront the secret underbelly of homosexuals in London during the eighteenth century. Of course, fans of Gabaldon and readers of Outlander are well aware of Grey’s proclivities, but “Matter” takes it a step farther, incorporating sexual liaisons among servants and nobility, infidelity and the historic understanding and treatment of syphilis. It is a forward-thinking novel to be sure, but Gabaldon is respectful, and the plot is not at all tawdry or even sexual in nature, as Grey’s focus remains on the investigations at hand.
There are numerous characters in this novel, and their connections can be confusing and complicated. I have read the previous novel (comprised of several novellas therein) and even knowing most of the characters, I was still confused in a lot of places. I did enjoy Gabaldon’s storytelling, of course, and the decadent way she draws readers in is incomparable.
Lord John Grey is a delightful character, and he definitely has enough in his personality to commandeer this offshoot of novels. Fans of “Outlander” will automatically be big fans, but even those who aren’t Fraser-ites (I don’t know any because we are not friends) will find enjoyment in the plot points, including mercury poisoning, bawdy houses, and at-sea kidnappings. “Private Matter” is non-stop action, and it will no doubt entice fans of both Gabaldon and the genre itself.
dnf
March 31, 2015*Sigh*
I can't. I got about 60 pages in, but I just don't want to read any more. I'm bored of this story and it's nothing to do with the book. Gabaldon is one of my favourite authors, I love her Outlander series, but Lord John as a character isn't my favourite, and this sort of mystery genre just isn't for me. I am going to keep all the books in this series though, so that in a couple of years when I reread the Outlander Books, I will hopefully decide to try again, so maybe I'll enjoy them. But at the minute, I don't want to continue.
I can't. I got about 60 pages in, but I just don't want to read any more. I'm bored of this story and it's nothing to do with the book. Gabaldon is one of my favourite authors, I love her Outlander series, but Lord John as a character isn't my favourite, and this sort of mystery genre just isn't for me. I am going to keep all the books in this series though, so that in a couple of years when I reread the Outlander Books, I will hopefully decide to try again, so maybe I'll enjoy them. But at the minute, I don't want to continue.
May 2, 2019
The Lord John books are a spin-off from the Outlander series and, based purely on this one, I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy them more than I'm enjoying the parent series.
Lord John, a major in the British armed forces, is called upon to play detective in this novel and the result is a witty romp that's lots of fun with plenty of twists and turns.
There are a couple of references to the Outlander books in this one, but I don't think you'd be missing much if you haven't read them as this story is mostly self-contained.
Lord John, a major in the British armed forces, is called upon to play detective in this novel and the result is a witty romp that's lots of fun with plenty of twists and turns.
There are a couple of references to the Outlander books in this one, but I don't think you'd be missing much if you haven't read them as this story is mostly self-contained.
March 25, 2012
I know this borders on the heretical, but I've been enjoying the Lord John series more than Outlander proper. In contrast to the larger-than-life Jamie Fraser, Lord John Grey is relatively diffident and self-effacing. His homosexuality adds a profound dimension to his character. Because the books are short (at least in Gabaldonian terms), there are few tangents and minimal plot clutter, allowing John's character to shine without the overwhelming presence of Claire or Fraser.
Lord John is so very decent that I find some sections of the book almost painful to read, a tribute to Gabaldon's ability to create sympathetic characters. The Lord John books should appeal not only to Outlander fans, but also to readers who like well-crafted historical mysteries. If you like C.S. Harris and Ashley Gardner, the Lord John books are an excellent bet.
Lord John is so very decent that I find some sections of the book almost painful to read, a tribute to Gabaldon's ability to create sympathetic characters. The Lord John books should appeal not only to Outlander fans, but also to readers who like well-crafted historical mysteries. If you like C.S. Harris and Ashley Gardner, the Lord John books are an excellent bet.
September 3, 2019
Weer een zeer goed en spannend boek over Lord John Grey. De auteur heeft zeer goede research gedaan, wat vooral naar boven komt (naar mijn mening) in de details over de kleding, het voedsel, de gewoontes en taboes van die tijd, en de beschrijvingen van de gebouwen en straten en stegen, en van de beroepen. Eigenlijk van alles. Dit maakt het boek nog interessanter en je kan je zeer levendig inbeelden hoe het leven er in die tijd aan toe ging, zowel bij de hogere klassen, als de gewone werkmens en de armen.
Een dikke pluim!
Een dikke pluim!
Read
February 16, 2018Ok, why why WHY does Gabaldon insist on ANOTHER plot of gay men?
Ok, yes, that sort of thought and leanings were around back then. But here's the thing. Even covert, they weren't so open about it! I mean, back then, that sort of stance really wasn't all that common. And if it was, men (or woman) took the upmost care to conceal it, or be very careful about to whom they revealed it on.
I just think there is so much potential in this story, specifically to Grey, if it wasn't clouded by the sexual stances that became a small plot line of its own. I mean, Randall was acceptable and enough for me.
But TWO men who are in love with Jamie? Like, that's a pretty big cast of characters right there, for the time period. It was rather disappointing, actually. It took the intrigue of the character away, really. He became just another one, so to speak.
I mean, Randall (god rest his soul, I loved him!!), was a character WITH the angle of having love for Jamie. But it wasn't because he was necessarily 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 is similar to Stockholm syndrome, if you will; captors can easily fall in love with their captive.
And yeah, sure, Grey owed Jamie for sparing his life. But even as we learn the background of how he met up with Jamie again, and even in the fourth instillment, Drums of Autumn, we get more info of the interactions that had occurred betwixt the two. But its not the same, it just isn't!!
It makes me wonder if Gabaldon was desperate to recreate what Jamie and Randall had. Whatever she was thinking, it didn't have the desired effect, I think. I feel like she wanted readers to feel pity or something for Grey because of what side of the tracks he stands on, and what it was for Jamie. But I really felt nothing.
To be understood; I don't hate gay men or woman.
I just hated GREY.
So, one star for sort of ruining the whole thing for me because of that. But, two for the per usual, excellent descriptions and narrations.
My favorite quote of the entire book had to be; "His lips were so pursed and white it reminded Grey of a dog's anus."
Ok, yes, that sort of thought and leanings were around back then. But here's the thing. Even covert, they weren't so open about it! I mean, back then, that sort of stance really wasn't all that common. And if it was, men (or woman) took the upmost care to conceal it, or be very careful about to whom they revealed it on.
I just think there is so much potential in this story, specifically to Grey, if it wasn't clouded by the sexual stances that became a small plot line of its own. I mean, Randall was acceptable and enough for me.
But TWO men who are in love with Jamie? Like, that's a pretty big cast of characters right there, for the time period. It was rather disappointing, actually. It took the intrigue of the character away, really. He became just another one, so to speak.
I mean, Randall (god rest his soul, I loved him!!), was a character WITH the angle of having love for Jamie. But it wasn't because he was necessarily 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 is similar to Stockholm syndrome, if you will; captors can easily fall in love with their captive.
And yeah, sure, Grey owed Jamie for sparing his life. But even as we learn the background of how he met up with Jamie again, and even in the fourth instillment, Drums of Autumn, we get more info of the interactions that had occurred betwixt the two. But its not the same, it just isn't!!
It makes me wonder if Gabaldon was desperate to recreate what Jamie and Randall had. Whatever she was thinking, it didn't have the desired effect, I think. I feel like she wanted readers to feel pity or something for Grey because of what side of the tracks he stands on, and what it was for Jamie. But I really felt nothing.
To be understood; I don't hate gay men or woman.
I just hated GREY.
So, one star for sort of ruining the whole thing for me because of that. But, two for the per usual, excellent descriptions and narrations.
My favorite quote of the entire book had to be; "His lips were so pursed and white it reminded Grey of a dog's anus."
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February 13, 2024
Insane how a 4 star story can nosedive in the final chapters to the point I have 10 pages left to read and I've been putting it off for weeks. Weeks.
The good: Gabaldon's 'Outlander' was a huge fave of mine back in the 1990s. I've read it several times. Lord John shares the same appealing main character type, the ambience and atmosphere of the time period equally good. I didn't even mind there not being a romance plot, 'cos everything else was so good. I'm not a murder mystery fan, and in the end that was that part that killed my enjoyment. The end where the reader finally is told how and why a murder happened I found excessively boring.
Even though there isn't a romance proper 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.
The good: Gabaldon's 'Outlander' was a huge fave of mine back in the 1990s. I've read it several times. Lord John shares the same appealing main character type, the ambience and atmosphere of the time period equally good. I didn't even mind there not being a romance plot, 'cos everything else was so good. I'm not a murder mystery fan, and in the end that was that part that killed my enjoyment. The end where the reader finally is told how and why a murder happened I found excessively boring.
Even though there isn't a romance proper 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.
September 10, 2019
I'm finally getting a chance to reread this series along with Voyager, and it's proving as fun as the first time around.
I can't believe I forgot about my precious Tom Byrd, the most put-upon footman in all of London. Hee! Lord John does have a tendency to destroy his suits beyond repair, but Tom tries. Too bad that it seems like Gabaldon hadn't created Tom Byrd until she started writing these novellas, since he's not in any of the Outlander books.
I did remember Captain Stephan von Namtzen, because who could possibly forget the sexual tension between him and John? Not me! *fans self* I did however forget that he was in this book, so it was fun to meet him again much sooner than I'd counted on.
And then there's Lord John, who has a rather delicate problem to deal with in regards to his cousin's betrothed and a murder to investigate for the Crown that keeps getting more entangled the more he looks into it. And since 1757 London is not a friendly place for the gays, he has to do all this while keeping his sexual orientation a secret - which is common practice on an average day but not so easy to do when his investigation takes him back to Lavender House. He's constantly walking a tight rope, and that rope just keeps getting tighter and more precarious. Since he refuses to marry just to keep up appearances, he is also lonely and unattached, and nursing the unrequited yen for Jaime Frasier. He's kind of a mess relationship-wise, honestly, but it's one of the things that is so intriguing about him, along with his pragmatism, empathy, strength and cunning.
One of Gabaldon's many strengths is writing colorful and three-dimensional side characters, and there are many met here, my favorite being Nessie, the Scottish prostitute with a hate-on for English soldiers. Gabaldon's sense of time and place really shines through here as it does in her Outlander series. She gives us 18th century characters with 18th century sensibilities.
The narrator, Jeff Woodman, does a great job. I can't say if all the accents are spot-on, but they sound pretty legit to my foreign ears, except maybe the Cornish accent for Trevelyan's was on the stilted side. Whether that's just the way he chose to speak his lines or he was having trouble with the accent, I don't know. He does a great job with voices, especially Tom Byrd's, and he gets all the emotional notes perfectly. I thought it would be hard to transition between Davina Porter, who does the Outlander books, to Jeff Woodman, but it wasn't at all. Both these series have real top-notch performers for their audiobooks, and they complement each other well.
I can't believe I forgot about my precious Tom Byrd, the most put-upon footman in all of London. Hee! Lord John does have a tendency to destroy his suits beyond repair, but Tom tries. Too bad that it seems like Gabaldon hadn't created Tom Byrd until she started writing these novellas, since he's not in any of the Outlander books.
I did remember Captain Stephan von Namtzen, because who could possibly forget the sexual tension between him and John? Not me! *fans self* I did however forget that he was in this book, so it was fun to meet him again much sooner than I'd counted on.
And then there's Lord John, who has a rather delicate problem to deal with in regards to his cousin's betrothed and a murder to investigate for the Crown that keeps getting more entangled the more he looks into it. And since 1757 London is not a friendly place for the gays, he has to do all this while keeping his sexual orientation a secret - which is common practice on an average day but not so easy to do when his investigation takes him back to Lavender House. He's constantly walking a tight rope, and that rope just keeps getting tighter and more precarious. Since he refuses to marry just to keep up appearances, he is also lonely and unattached, and nursing the unrequited yen for Jaime Frasier. He's kind of a mess relationship-wise, honestly, but it's one of the things that is so intriguing about him, along with his pragmatism, empathy, strength and cunning.
One of Gabaldon's many strengths is writing colorful and three-dimensional side characters, and there are many met here, my favorite being Nessie, the Scottish prostitute with a hate-on for English soldiers. Gabaldon's sense of time and place really shines through here as it does in her Outlander series. She gives us 18th century characters with 18th century sensibilities.
The narrator, Jeff Woodman, does a great job. I can't say if all the accents are spot-on, but they sound pretty legit to my foreign ears, except maybe the Cornish accent for Trevelyan's was on the stilted side. Whether that's just the way he chose to speak his lines or he was having trouble with the accent, I don't know. He does a great job with voices, especially Tom Byrd's, and he gets all the emotional notes perfectly. I thought it would be hard to transition between Davina Porter, who does the Outlander books, to Jeff Woodman, but it wasn't at all. Both these series have real top-notch performers for their audiobooks, and they complement each other well.
December 10, 2016
I read this book a couple years back and enjoyed stepping into the world of Lord John and his Georgian London. A cunning mystery and an opportunity to know John and those around him better made it a delightful read.
However, for this, my second encounter, I chose to experience the story on audio with new to me narrator, Jeff Woodman. I'm happy to report that this story was better than ever as a result. His storytelling was amazing and matched well with the characters, tone of the book, and sitatuion.
John's brother, Hal, the head of the household is gone and of course John stumbles across a situation that is a delicate family matter that he has no idea how to handle. Before he gets far with figuring this out, he is commissioned by the Army to investigate missing papers, a soldier's death, and the trail to the spymaster for whom the stolen papers were destined.
John's investigation takes him to the seedier side of town, but also involves some powerful people. He carefully follows each lead and senses there is much more going on and people know a whole lot more than they are telling him. Slow, but sure he gets there and then he is confronted by yet another situation.
It reads like a cozy mystery blended with historical fiction and has a gentle pacing. The story is parts character study and development and parts suspense. Loved getting to know Lord John better after encountering him in the Outlander series' Voyager. In fact, this is a spin-off and would fall after that in sequence.
Definite recommend.
However, for this, my second encounter, I chose to experience the story on audio with new to me narrator, Jeff Woodman. I'm happy to report that this story was better than ever as a result. His storytelling was amazing and matched well with the characters, tone of the book, and sitatuion.
John's brother, Hal, the head of the household is gone and of course John stumbles across a situation that is a delicate family matter that he has no idea how to handle. Before he gets far with figuring this out, he is commissioned by the Army to investigate missing papers, a soldier's death, and the trail to the spymaster for whom the stolen papers were destined.
John's investigation takes him to the seedier side of town, but also involves some powerful people. He carefully follows each lead and senses there is much more going on and people know a whole lot more than they are telling him. Slow, but sure he gets there and then he is confronted by yet another situation.
It reads like a cozy mystery blended with historical fiction and has a gentle pacing. The story is parts character study and development and parts suspense. Loved getting to know Lord John better after encountering him in the Outlander series' Voyager. In fact, this is a spin-off and would fall after that in sequence.
Definite recommend.
June 12, 2019
Diana Gabaldon is fantastic.
This novel is so cleverly written, dealing with the murder mystery /intrigue aspect... Plus, it's always interesting to see Gabaldon's take on social dynamics in historical context.
And if that wasn't enough, there's also Lord John Grey at the center of it all, engaging in some pretty interesting adventures. I admit, I hadn't ready paid much attention to him in the Outlander books, but I'm enjoying his solo stories a great deal! So much so that I'm already willing to admit, so early into this, that he's become another of my favorite characters!
I'm beyond ready for more.
This novel is so cleverly written, dealing with the murder mystery /intrigue aspect... Plus, it's always interesting to see Gabaldon's take on social dynamics in historical context.
And if that wasn't enough, there's also Lord John Grey at the center of it all, engaging in some pretty interesting adventures. I admit, I hadn't ready paid much attention to him in the Outlander books, but I'm enjoying his solo stories a great deal! So much so that I'm already willing to admit, so early into this, that he's become another of my favorite characters!
I'm beyond ready for more.
January 28, 2025
Love Lord John so much! This book was quite entertaining and a wee bit scandalous. What an excellent detective LJG is!! I’m looking forward to filling in the gaps from the OL big books with these bulges of goodness and intrigue.
April 8, 2011
I havent read anything else by Diana Gabaldon and I probably never will. When I read it, I didnt know much of the character's backstory - only that he had been a minor character in some other epic adventure. But it sounded intresting and as it turned out, it didnt dissapoint.
I picked it up because I wanted to read about a lead that was gay - it was part of the pride festival theme and one of my favourite bookstores had gathered a bunch of their books with homosexual lead characters as a tribute to the subject. As it was, I was rather careful because I didnt want something like a leads sexual orientation to take over the actual story of the book. The clerks assured me that yes, this would probably be the book for me and I have to agree with them, it is.
For the actual story... well. Its not particulary complex but its witty and fast paced in a realistic sort of way.
Its not a mindblowing super classic but its a good read and it works fine as a stand alone novel. The summary of the next book in this series didnt sound too intresting and neither did the "main" series but we'll see. Maybe in the future Ill pick up them too.
I picked it up because I wanted to read about a lead that was gay - it was part of the pride festival theme and one of my favourite bookstores had gathered a bunch of their books with homosexual lead characters as a tribute to the subject. As it was, I was rather careful because I didnt want something like a leads sexual orientation to take over the actual story of the book. The clerks assured me that yes, this would probably be the book for me and I have to agree with them, it is.
For the actual story... well. Its not particulary complex but its witty and fast paced in a realistic sort of way.
Its not a mindblowing super classic but its a good read and it works fine as a stand alone novel. The summary of the next book in this series didnt sound too intresting and neither did the "main" series but we'll see. Maybe in the future Ill pick up them too.
May 24, 2009
I never would have picked this book up except that I am starved - starved, I say! - for English-language books here in Japan, and because I am so desperate for reading material, I will now read pretty much anything I can find that looks vaguely interesting, especially if it's cheap. This was on the ¥500 yen table at Tower Records, and looked like it was maybe not as crap as everything else offered for the same price. So I picked it up even though I have, like, negative interest in reading the Outlander series that this is connected to (it's really long! and I kind of hate time travel!).
Ended up really enjoying it! There were a few things not as fully explained as I would have liked (probably because I was expected to know them from reading the Outlander series), but for the most part the characters and writing and story worked for me. Still don't really want to read the Outlander books, but I do want to read more about Lord John.
Ended up really enjoying it! There were a few things not as fully explained as I would have liked (probably because I was expected to know them from reading the Outlander series), but for the most part the characters and writing and story worked for me. Still don't really want to read the Outlander books, but I do want to read more about Lord John.
November 29, 2018
Boy, I am so ambivalent over this book. I love the Outlander series, but was not enthralled with this first book featuring Lord John Grey. I liked the MC but the story itself I had a hard time getting into and the web got more convoluted as the story unfolded. Red herrings or truly are all the strings attached in a very mixed-up ball! It also highlighted the seamier side of late 18thC London life, not necessarily where I like to spend my time. So 2.5 stars.
May 15, 2025
“Resultó que no tuvo necesidad de usarla en absoluto durante un rato; todos los hombres con los que se encontraban estaban bien muertos. Casi todos eran escoceses, pero aquí y allá una casaca roja ardía como una llama entre la gris vegetación del páramo. Los muertos ingleses eran retirados con respeto, en parihuelas. A los enemigos muertos los amontonaban de cualquier manera unos soldados con los dedos azulados, mientras mascullaban maldiciones entre nubéculas blancas que exhalaban al respirar. Arrastraban los cadáveres que parecían troncos de los páramos, con las extremidades desnudas como pálidas ramas, rígidas y difíciles de mover. Grey no estaba seguro de si debía ayudarlos, pero nadie parecía esperar que lo hiciera, de modo que siguió a los soldados, pistola en mano, cada vez más congelado.”
Bien. Primera novela de la serie de Lord John , ese personaje tan amado por varios (entre ellos, esta lectora) de la serie Outlander…
En este caso, lo veremos en su faceta de detective. Y el misterio va más o menos así: Grey tiene que investigar la muerte de un compañero de regimiento que estaba sospechado de ser espía, lo que lo lleva a descubrir cosas que conectan este asesinato con el prometido de la prima de Lord John, de quién sospecha que puede o no tener una ets (algo que puede provocar el rompimiento del compromiso).
Todo esto está situado en la época en que Grey se convierte en el “oficial de libertad condicional” de Jamie , a quien trató en Ardsmuir (o sea, en una parte de los veinte años que transcurren entre la rebelión jacobita y el reencuentro de Jamie y Claire en la saga outlander).
Y, la verdad, aunque no te guste el misterio a develar en este libro, si sos fan de la saga de Outlander, no podes no leerlo. Esto se debe a que acá aparece un personaje que será importante en los libros posteriores de la serie principal, que se relaciona con Jamie y con Lord John. Pero además, este libro cobra todavía mayor importancia, ya que en uno de sus capítulos habla del primer amor de Lord John, y de la batalla de culloden (recordemos que John le cuenta a Jamie, creo, o a Brianna que su primer gran amor falleció en dicha batalla).
Por otro lado, como ya nos tiene acostumbrados la autora, este libro cuenta con una ambientación muy bien marcada, ya que nos muestra a una Inglaterra que se encuentra en guerra contra una coalición de países entre los que se encuentran Francia (se no me equivoco) y Prusia, haciendo que parte del misterio, en donde hay que averiguar las conexiones de un espía, hombre especial relevancia. Justo lo que más me gusta de las novelas de misterio.
Y ¡Ojo! La estoy halagando, pero siendo consciente de las falencias de la autora, que no es ninguna Agatha Christie, solo sabe manejarse con el talento y los recursos que tiene a mano.
El desenlace no está tan mal, si nos ponemos a pensar que una vez develado el misterio ya no hay mucho más para contar… Es por eso que la nota es un cómodo 7/10 (3,5/5 ✨).
Bien. Primera novela de la serie de Lord John , ese personaje tan amado por varios (entre ellos, esta lectora) de la serie Outlander…
En este caso, lo veremos en su faceta de detective. Y el misterio va más o menos así: Grey tiene que investigar la muerte de un compañero de regimiento que estaba sospechado de ser espía, lo que lo lleva a descubrir cosas que conectan este asesinato con el prometido de la prima de Lord John, de quién sospecha que puede o no tener una ets (algo que puede provocar el rompimiento del compromiso).
Todo esto está situado en la época en que Grey se convierte en el “oficial de libertad condicional” de Jamie , a quien trató en Ardsmuir (o sea, en una parte de los veinte años que transcurren entre la rebelión jacobita y el reencuentro de Jamie y Claire en la saga outlander).
Y, la verdad, aunque no te guste el misterio a develar en este libro, si sos fan de la saga de Outlander, no podes no leerlo. Esto se debe a que acá aparece un personaje que será importante en los libros posteriores de la serie principal, que se relaciona con Jamie y con Lord John. Pero además, este libro cobra todavía mayor importancia, ya que en uno de sus capítulos habla del primer amor de Lord John, y de la batalla de culloden (recordemos que John le cuenta a Jamie, creo, o a Brianna que su primer gran amor falleció en dicha batalla).
Por otro lado, como ya nos tiene acostumbrados la autora, este libro cuenta con una ambientación muy bien marcada, ya que nos muestra a una Inglaterra que se encuentra en guerra contra una coalición de países entre los que se encuentran Francia (se no me equivoco) y Prusia, haciendo que parte del misterio, en donde hay que averiguar las conexiones de un espía, hombre especial relevancia. Justo lo que más me gusta de las novelas de misterio.
Y ¡Ojo! La estoy halagando, pero siendo consciente de las falencias de la autora, que no es ninguna Agatha Christie, solo sabe manejarse con el talento y los recursos que tiene a mano.
El desenlace no está tan mal, si nos ponemos a pensar que una vez develado el misterio ya no hay mucho más para contar… Es por eso que la nota es un cómodo 7/10 (3,5/5 ✨).
August 3, 2020
Nearing the end of my Outlander journey I realised, as I started An Echo in The Bone (#7) that there were things (and characters) alluded to within the first chapter that I was completely in the dark about. With trepidation I remembered warnings and a general consensus by other Outlander readers/fans that I should read The Lord John books before I reached this point but, honestly? I thought I'd be able to 'wing' it; I was wrong. With a screeching halt I had to temporarily abandon my love affair with Jamie Fraser to revert back to Lord John (a relatively important secondary character within the Outlander series) and the series of books written with him as the central focus; to say I was very, very unhappy about it is an understatement.
Lord John Grey is not a character that I particularly care for within the series, in fact I'd go so far as to say I barely tolerate him. Barely. He is, for all intent and purpose, 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) everytime Lord John expresses his unrequited love? I kinda want to punch him in the face. You see how reading Lord John and The Private Matter might be a problem?
And it was. The book is well written, Gabaldon's amazing literary talent shine through as always. Her characters were well rounded and the plot thoroughly thought-out and perfectly developed. And maybe if I had read them before Lord John became a feature in the Outlander story, I might have been more sympatico, but as it stood? I sat and 'gritted my teeth' throughout, and growled any time he mentioned Jamie Fraser and it was a hard, uphill battle to continue to the end (it's at time like this that my anti-flounce gene comes in handy) Finally I asked for help (thank you OBC!) and was advised that I didn't need to read all three novels and God knows how many novellas, I should read just the novels and, at a push, just the 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.
Lord John Grey is not a character that I particularly care for within the series, in fact I'd go so far as to say I barely tolerate him. Barely. He is, for all intent and purpose, 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) everytime Lord John expresses his unrequited love? I kinda want to punch him in the face. You see how reading Lord John and The Private Matter might be a problem?
And it was. The book is well written, Gabaldon's amazing literary talent shine through as always. Her characters were well rounded and the plot thoroughly thought-out and perfectly developed. And maybe if I had read them before Lord John became a feature in the Outlander story, I might have been more sympatico, but as it stood? I sat and 'gritted my teeth' throughout, and growled any time he mentioned Jamie Fraser and it was a hard, uphill battle to continue to the end (it's at time like this that my anti-flounce gene comes in handy) Finally I asked for help (thank you OBC!) and was advised that I didn't need to read all three novels and God knows how many novellas, I should read just the novels and, at a push, just the 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.
March 23, 2015
While I'm still a fan of the character Lord John Grey, the absence of the lovable and magnificent Jamie and Claire highlights all of the weaknesses in Gabaldon's writing. Her characters are delightful - each one feels immediately familiar. But her writing is incredibly heavy-handed and in desperate need of a qualified editor.
The Lord John Grey novels, according to Gabaldon's website, were a chance for her to tell the story of this man who only appears briefly in the OUTLANDER series. Supposedly rife with political intrigue and mystery, we are promised a deeper glimpse of a good man and soldier who has sacrificed much for God and country. I didn't feel I got that in this book. Political intrigue and mystery - maybe. It was certainly there, though her weaving of Lord John's "private matter" with the larger mystery at hand was inexpertly done, trite and extremely boring. I couldn't wait to finish just to put it behind me.
But as for showing the other side of John Grey - I felt Gabaldon failed completely. (SPOILER?) We know from the OUTLANDER novels that Grey is a homosexual. It is his unrequited love for Jamie Fraser that endeared me to him and so I was looking forward to delving into his novels to learn more about the man. However, we learn hardly more beyond the fact that Lord John Grey is gay. In fact, she seems to remind us of his predilection every few pages, and - as with most of her writing - is not subtle in the least. I don't mean to say that I don't want to read about the sexual cravings of a gay man. I do - in fact. It's that - I happen to think Lord John Grey is the sum of many things. And that Gabaldon did him a great disservice in concentrating on just the one.
The Lord John Grey novels, according to Gabaldon's website, were a chance for her to tell the story of this man who only appears briefly in the OUTLANDER series. Supposedly rife with political intrigue and mystery, we are promised a deeper glimpse of a good man and soldier who has sacrificed much for God and country. I didn't feel I got that in this book. Political intrigue and mystery - maybe. It was certainly there, though her weaving of Lord John's "private matter" with the larger mystery at hand was inexpertly done, trite and extremely boring. I couldn't wait to finish just to put it behind me.
But as for showing the other side of John Grey - I felt Gabaldon failed completely. (SPOILER?) We know from the OUTLANDER novels that Grey is a homosexual. It is his unrequited love for Jamie Fraser that endeared me to him and so I was looking forward to delving into his novels to learn more about the man. However, we learn hardly more beyond the fact that Lord John Grey is gay. In fact, she seems to remind us of his predilection every few pages, and - as with most of her writing - is not subtle in the least. I don't mean to say that I don't want to read about the sexual cravings of a gay man. I do - in fact. It's that - I happen to think Lord John Grey is the sum of many things. And that Gabaldon did him a great disservice in concentrating on just the one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2014
I've always liked Lord John so I don't know why I waited so long to read this book. Lord John and the Private Matter was chock full of intrigue and the trademark Diana Gabaldon's wit and vivid portrayal of a time past. You almost feel like you're living there because Ms. Gabaldon doesn't shy away from showing the smelly and the nasty.
I can't say I loved the mystery - some of the stuff got really complicated - but I liked Lord John's turn of phrase and his complicated life as a gay man during this time in history. I felt terrible for him - with very little hope for love, specially from what I know about his future - but I liked learning more about him and his life as a soldier. I guess I didn't see him as a man of action but I liked that I was wrong.
Really looking forward to the next few books!
Audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman.
I can't say I loved the mystery - some of the stuff got really complicated - but I liked Lord John's turn of phrase and his complicated life as a gay man during this time in history. I felt terrible for him - with very little hope for love, specially from what I know about his future - but I liked learning more about him and his life as a soldier. I guess I didn't see him as a man of action but I liked that I was wrong.
Really looking forward to the next few books!
Audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman.
December 2, 2017
I seem to enjoy this book more each time I read it! For Outlander fans, LJ & the Private Matter provides a view of Lord John's life while he's (mostly) not obsessing about Jamie. It's quite fun to see him in his element back in London. Despite the book's somewhat overly convoluted plot, it's an enjoyable, amusing read, and definitely adds to my appreciation of Lord John, who has quickly become a favorite character.
October 9, 2018
4.5/5 💞
Me encanta este personaje. Cronológicamente este libro iría después de "Viajera" (seria un 3.1 o algo parecido de la saga principal de Outlander). Es un libro muy dinámico, lleno de misterio, suspense e intriga. Es la aventura de Lord John Grey investigando la muerte de un oficial ingles y todo el entramado y conspiraciones que aparecen como consecuencia de ello (digno de un episodio de Sherlock Holmes 😁😱).... 😍
Me encanta este personaje. Cronológicamente este libro iría después de "Viajera" (seria un 3.1 o algo parecido de la saga principal de Outlander). Es un libro muy dinámico, lleno de misterio, suspense e intriga. Es la aventura de Lord John Grey investigando la muerte de un oficial ingles y todo el entramado y conspiraciones que aparecen como consecuencia de ello (digno de un episodio de Sherlock Holmes 😁😱).... 😍
January 19, 2021
Thought I might enjoy this Outlander spinoff series, but not so much. Oh, Lord John is clever and charming enough, but I wasn't interested in the mystery at all. It was boring. So boring.
September 30, 2014
Not entirely a success - this book is neither meaty, complex and id-pleasing (like Gabaldon's Outlander series) nor witty and smart (like a successful mystery novel), and ends up mediocre.
I think part of the problem here is that Gabaldon's strength is in the epic full of anguish, love, and sex, and this book has none of the first two, and the third is entirely off-stage. She's stuck in part due to the fact that Lord John Grey, the protagonist here, is a secondary character in the Outlander books, and thus has much of his story pre-determined. Nothing too exciting can happen to him here, because it would undermine or undo those books.
Another issue is that Gabaldon stumbles in her dealings with the queer subcultures of 18th century London. She raises interesting issues and introduces potentially interesting characters - and then drops them, with their stories unsettled.
Lord John Grey himself, a highlight of the Outlander books, seems pale and cold here, close to boring. The best scene was his interaction with a Scottish whore halfway through the book. I think without the English-Scottish culture clash, Gabaldon can't manage to write compelling character interplay.
It's not an awful book, but it was a disappointment. I guess if I want to see really interesting (and sexy) things happen to Lord John Grey, I'll have to rely on fanfiction.
I think part of the problem here is that Gabaldon's strength is in the epic full of anguish, love, and sex, and this book has none of the first two, and the third is entirely off-stage. She's stuck in part due to the fact that Lord John Grey, the protagonist here, is a secondary character in the Outlander books, and thus has much of his story pre-determined. Nothing too exciting can happen to him here, because it would undermine or undo those books.
Another issue is that Gabaldon stumbles in her dealings with the queer subcultures of 18th century London. She raises interesting issues and introduces potentially interesting characters - and then drops them, with their stories unsettled.
Lord John Grey himself, a highlight of the Outlander books, seems pale and cold here, close to boring. The best scene was his interaction with a Scottish whore halfway through the book. I think without the English-Scottish culture clash, Gabaldon can't manage to write compelling character interplay.
It's not an awful book, but it was a disappointment. I guess if I want to see really interesting (and sexy) things happen to Lord John Grey, I'll have to rely on fanfiction.
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