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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book and it helped me understand and like the character of John Grey more than I had before. I wasn't overly compelled though but it helped while I was wanting something new from the Outlander universe. I'm still planning to read the rest of them.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is of an entirely different tone than that of the Outlander. While I adore the John Grey we get there, here (at least in this book), his world is far more gritty. As I was reading, rather than the rich, full scenes I enjoy in the other series (even in its darkest moments, Outlander is lush), everything here feels harsh and shadowy and ominous, with little levity or anything light to balance the weight. If I had to compare it to something, it would Sherlock Holmes meets Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series (I initially thought Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series, but even that wasn't a gritty enough comparison).
What I liked about Lord John and the Private Matter:
John Grey - One of my favorite peripheral characters in the Outlander series, he remains true to character, and almost seems misplaced in this new setting that is apparently his personal world. Perhaps that is indicative of all the ways he truly does feel misplaced in his own world...
What I didn't care for:
It was a bit difficult for me to follow along - I don't know if it was how different the writing style was from what I had expected or just that I actually encountered some vocabulary with which I was not familiar (some of it "thesaurus words", others just vernacular or simply words that were time-appropriate but have fallen by the wayside) but for portions of the book, I was a bit foggy on what was taking place. I was able to get the gist of it, so I wasn't completely lost, but it felt similar to walking around an unfamiliar, dimly lit room; you can see well enough to move about cautiously but you aren't entirely sure what you're looking at.
Not a terribly written book but not the sort to which I am typically drawn, I am sufficiently curious about Lord John's world away from Scotland. As many of the installments in Lord John's series are short(er) stories, I imagine I will delve into at least a few more before determining if I am interested in fully committing to seeing it through. Mostly, I am hesitant to dabble much in the grittier mystery genre. It can be a bit gory for my taste and I suspect I need to approach it in just the right frame of mind to be able to immerse in the story while remaining mostly disengaged from some of the more noir-ish aspects. I do really enjoy Lord John though, so there's that.
What I liked about Lord John and the Private Matter:
John Grey - One of my favorite peripheral characters in the Outlander series, he remains true to character, and almost seems misplaced in this new setting that is apparently his personal world. Perhaps that is indicative of all the ways he truly does feel misplaced in his own world...
What I didn't care for:
It was a bit difficult for me to follow along - I don't know if it was how different the writing style was from what I had expected or just that I actually encountered some vocabulary with which I was not familiar (some of it "thesaurus words", others just vernacular or simply words that were time-appropriate but have fallen by the wayside) but for portions of the book, I was a bit foggy on what was taking place. I was able to get the gist of it, so I wasn't completely lost, but it felt similar to walking around an unfamiliar, dimly lit room; you can see well enough to move about cautiously but you aren't entirely sure what you're looking at.
Not a terribly written book but not the sort to which I am typically drawn, I am sufficiently curious about Lord John's world away from Scotland. As many of the installments in Lord John's series are short(er) stories, I imagine I will delve into at least a few more before determining if I am interested in fully committing to seeing it through. Mostly, I am hesitant to dabble much in the grittier mystery genre. It can be a bit gory for my taste and I suspect I need to approach it in just the right frame of mind to be able to immerse in the story while remaining mostly disengaged from some of the more noir-ish aspects. I do really enjoy Lord John though, so there's that.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5 stars.
I love Lord John Grey's character, always have. This book though, it lacked the certain bit of charm I've come to expect with the Outlander books. I did love the mystery and how it played out though. I kept imaging LJG dressed as Sherlock Holmes and that kept a smirk on my lips while I was reading.
I love Lord John Grey's character, always have. This book though, it lacked the certain bit of charm I've come to expect with the Outlander books. I did love the mystery and how it played out though. I kept imaging LJG dressed as Sherlock Holmes and that kept a smirk on my lips while I was reading.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was a little hesitant to read this, because Lord John is my favorite character in the Outlander series and I worried a full length novel might change my opinion - it didn't. I still love him, and Tom Byrd is a delightful sidekick.
I listened to this book on Audible, and Jeff Woodman is a perfect choice for narration - exactly how I imagined John Grey would sound. I'll definitely be reading or listening to the next one!
I listened to this book on Audible, and Jeff Woodman is a perfect choice for narration - exactly how I imagined John Grey would sound. I'll definitely be reading or listening to the next one!
Not a bookclub book, but it was good to read in between all the other Outlander series books.