Helpful Score: 1
Another lovely tome from Diana Gabaldon, The Scottish Prisoner covers the time period hinted at in the Outlander series where Jamie is held prisoner at Helwater farm. Written with Galbaldon's customary lyrical style, it's more of a historical adventure story than her usual historical fiction with a dash of Jamie/Claire romance, but it is up to snuff regardless. A must for any Outlander fan.
This book is, as is everything Diana Gabaldon has written, incredibly detailed in both plot and description, and kept me, who thinks of herself as a sophisticated reader, both thinking and learning while enjoying the story. The subject is Lord John Grey, a character Gabaldon introduced in her second of her "Outlander" novels, "Dragonfly In Amber", and his relationship with Jamie Fraser, the hero of the "Outlander" series. It explains some gaps in the plot between books three and four of those books, but can definitely be read alone or at a different point while reading the "Outlander" series. It is by far her best Lord John Grey title in my opinion.
Sort of a prequel-in between book on Jamie and Lord John, focused on Jamie's earlier days when he and John formed an uneasy alliance to ferret out thosed involved in plots against the crown. A great read! Gabaldon comes through yet again; hope she lives to be 100.
A most enjoyable read! When I read Lord John and the Private Matter I decided to obtain the entire series but didn't read the rest until now. Then the author published The Scottish Prisoner. At first, I wasn't certain I would like it but when Lord John, his brother Hal, and Jamie come together to keep peace in the country the tale becomes fascinating. Jamie's grief for his lost wife is so sad but he finds solace in the child he fathered at Helwater when Geneva took him to her bed. Lord John is human enough to bait Jamie now and then but the two end respecting and depending on one another, becoming almost friends. And, Hal with his sense of justice combined with the Grey sense of honor forces Jamie and John to work together to investigate a man in Ireland who is believed to be involved in the Jacobite movement and becoming rich by stealing as a result of his military post. Lord John fights a duel and kills a man that he believes is deeply involved in the Jacobite revolt only to discover that the man was one of the best British spies who had infiltrated the Jacobite. Little incidents such as the disappearance of Jamie's son during a picnic when the fog moves in quickly add a sensitive touch that makes one smile. Truly an awesome read!
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book that takes place concurrently with Voyager, during the time that Jamie spends at Helwater. Jamie has been there for three years, working as a groom. He occasionally sees Lord John, who check up on his parolee. Relations are strained between them, thanks to something that happened in a previous book. Jamie has kept a low profile, doing his work and staying out of trouble. Then he is contacted by an Irishman he knew in France, part of Prince Charlie's inner circle. This man wants to involve Jamie in a new plan to restore Charlie to the throne. Jamie, of course, wants nothing to do with it, knowing (thanks to Claire) that no attempts succeed. Jamie sends him away, but is aware that Quinn will not give up easily.
John has been given some papers that implicate a fellow soldier in some nefarious doings. In those papers is a poem written in Erse, or Scottish Gaelic. While John knows that Jamie is capable of translating, he will not ask it of him. Instead, his brother Hal, Duke of Parloe (who is responsible for saving Jamie's life after Culloden), sends for Jamie behind John's back. His intent is to have Jamie translate, and then help with John's mission.
The poem that Jamie translates does have to do with a new attempt, and the soldier that John is investigating for corruption may be involved. John and Jamie are sent to Ireland to arrest the soldier and bring him back to London for trial. They are joined on the trip by Quinn, who John does not know, and who is playing his own games. Jamie is caught in the middle, knowing what he does about Quinn, but not wanting to get involved in it. It can't be helped, and soon he discovers that there is a link between the corrupt soldier and the plot. As always, Diana includes quite a few twists and turns in this plot, as John and Jamie work to bring the man to justice.
The attempt at a new Rising that Quinn is involved in has some spooky elements to it. What he is looking for is a cup, similar in some ways to the Holy Grail, which is said to have supernatural abilities. In the course of Jamie's investigation into the poem, he is exposed to this cup. Diana's descriptions of the cup and its effects, and its background were vivid enough that I got goosebumps right along with Jamie. I ached for Jamie, knowing that he wishes for the restoration but also knows that it won't happen. He wants to save others from their folly, but accepts that he can't.
Over the course of the trip, Jamie and John work their way slowly back to a tentative friendship. I ached for John and is unrequited feelings, but also appreciated that he accepted it and wanted to get back their previous comradeship. As John discovers the reason that Jamie wants to stay at Helwater, even though he is offered his freedom, he is surprised but accepting.
I really liked seeing the relationship between Jamie and young Willie. Though he can never acknowledge it, Jamie loves being a part of Willie's life. It was sweet to see how Willie tagged after Jamie and tried to emulate him. It was bittersweet for Jamie, who saw how some of his interactions with Willie echoed those of himself with his own father. I liked seeing the incident when Willie was lost in the fog, as it was later mentioned in either Echo in the Bone or Written in My Own Heart's Blood.
There was also an interesting twist with a character named Edward Twelvetrees. The Twelvetrees family has some history with John's family. Edward was involved with the corrupt soldier, giving the Greys more reason for their dislike of him. A confrontation between Edward and John and Jamie led to a duel. After the duel a shocking revelation was made about Edward that had a profound effect on John.
Overall, I really enjoyed seeing the beginnings of the true friendship that grew between John and Jamie. This is a relationship that plays a big part in later books. There are still some tensions between them due to their history, but they've come a long way toward overcoming it.
I also found the history behind the story to be very interesting. I hadn't known anything about later conspiracies to return a Stuart to the throne, nor about the role of the Irish. I learn something new whenever I read one of Diana's books.
John has been given some papers that implicate a fellow soldier in some nefarious doings. In those papers is a poem written in Erse, or Scottish Gaelic. While John knows that Jamie is capable of translating, he will not ask it of him. Instead, his brother Hal, Duke of Parloe (who is responsible for saving Jamie's life after Culloden), sends for Jamie behind John's back. His intent is to have Jamie translate, and then help with John's mission.
The poem that Jamie translates does have to do with a new attempt, and the soldier that John is investigating for corruption may be involved. John and Jamie are sent to Ireland to arrest the soldier and bring him back to London for trial. They are joined on the trip by Quinn, who John does not know, and who is playing his own games. Jamie is caught in the middle, knowing what he does about Quinn, but not wanting to get involved in it. It can't be helped, and soon he discovers that there is a link between the corrupt soldier and the plot. As always, Diana includes quite a few twists and turns in this plot, as John and Jamie work to bring the man to justice.
The attempt at a new Rising that Quinn is involved in has some spooky elements to it. What he is looking for is a cup, similar in some ways to the Holy Grail, which is said to have supernatural abilities. In the course of Jamie's investigation into the poem, he is exposed to this cup. Diana's descriptions of the cup and its effects, and its background were vivid enough that I got goosebumps right along with Jamie. I ached for Jamie, knowing that he wishes for the restoration but also knows that it won't happen. He wants to save others from their folly, but accepts that he can't.
Over the course of the trip, Jamie and John work their way slowly back to a tentative friendship. I ached for John and is unrequited feelings, but also appreciated that he accepted it and wanted to get back their previous comradeship. As John discovers the reason that Jamie wants to stay at Helwater, even though he is offered his freedom, he is surprised but accepting.
I really liked seeing the relationship between Jamie and young Willie. Though he can never acknowledge it, Jamie loves being a part of Willie's life. It was sweet to see how Willie tagged after Jamie and tried to emulate him. It was bittersweet for Jamie, who saw how some of his interactions with Willie echoed those of himself with his own father. I liked seeing the incident when Willie was lost in the fog, as it was later mentioned in either Echo in the Bone or Written in My Own Heart's Blood.
There was also an interesting twist with a character named Edward Twelvetrees. The Twelvetrees family has some history with John's family. Edward was involved with the corrupt soldier, giving the Greys more reason for their dislike of him. A confrontation between Edward and John and Jamie led to a duel. After the duel a shocking revelation was made about Edward that had a profound effect on John.
Overall, I really enjoyed seeing the beginnings of the true friendship that grew between John and Jamie. This is a relationship that plays a big part in later books. There are still some tensions between them due to their history, but they've come a long way toward overcoming it.
I also found the history behind the story to be very interesting. I hadn't known anything about later conspiracies to return a Stuart to the throne, nor about the role of the Irish. I learn something new whenever I read one of Diana's books.
Really great ! Diana is a fabulous writer.
