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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I picked this book up because I have totally fallen in love with the Outlander series. This story is a spin off of one character who we as readers got to know quite well in the third book Voyager. Having said that you do not necessarily need to have read the Outlander series to understand what is taking place in this book, part from the odd reference here and there to characters from that other series it stands as its own novel. The plot was interesting enough, a murder mystery that hits close to home set in the late 1700’s. While it was an interesting story I found that Ms. Gabaldon’s writing style is not so well suited to this short mystery novel; while the historical fiction of the Outlander series gave her the room to stretch out and breathe and write beautiful long sequences, in this shorter novel her writing felt cramped and rushed. While I will be continuing this Lord John Grey series it will not be because I particularly enjoyed this novel, which to be honest I only found to be mediocre, instead it will be because I have been told that later in the Outlander series some things don’t make sense unless you have also read the John Grey books. Overall an okay read but could have been better.
Lord John is an interesting character, against all previous predictions and the uncertain prejudices I went in with. He's a genuinely nice person, with no malice, with every intention of doing the best he can by the people he believes he's responsible for--which amusingly enough is everyone, as John has a tendency to taking people under his wing. He's got a dry sense of humor and the worst possible luck, although to be fair his bad luck is aided in no small measure by the fact that he frigging attracts trouble, what with poking his nose where it has no business being.
The book also ahs interesting secondary characters, all of which are very amusing. John's mother, his cousin and his valet are particularly grin-inducing, but I think the large German Landgrave Stephan von Namtzen takes the cake on being random and insane and yet somehow endearing, somewhat like a huge blond puppy. He's got good intentions at least, I expect that counts.
I'm giving it only 3 stars because the characters are compelling and the historical background is, as always, fascinating, but I have the feeling Gabaldon got somewhat lazy towards the end. The resolution, far from being organically integrated into the book, needs to be spelled out because, unlike most of her books, Diana fails to adequately set up the crumb trail towards the truth. Even the most attentive reader might struggle to figure stuff out... although to be fair I didn't pay that much attention, I was too busy laughing at the fact John, inherently fussy and correct, can't seem to pass a day without ruining a suit and therefore being scolded by his valet, cousin, mother, colonel, assorted family friendships, and the occasional fawning German commander.
Oh yeah, there's suspense too, somewhere in there, but don't read it for the suspense because this isn't exactly Sixth Sense. If you're interested in the political and social complications of homosexuality in high-class eighteenth century London though, this is the right book.
The book also ahs interesting secondary characters, all of which are very amusing. John's mother, his cousin and his valet are particularly grin-inducing, but I think the large German Landgrave Stephan von Namtzen takes the cake on being random and insane and yet somehow endearing, somewhat like a huge blond puppy. He's got good intentions at least, I expect that counts.
I'm giving it only 3 stars because the characters are compelling and the historical background is, as always, fascinating, but I have the feeling Gabaldon got somewhat lazy towards the end. The resolution, far from being organically integrated into the book, needs to be spelled out because, unlike most of her books, Diana fails to adequately set up the crumb trail towards the truth. Even the most attentive reader might struggle to figure stuff out... although to be fair I didn't pay that much attention, I was too busy laughing at the fact John, inherently fussy and correct, can't seem to pass a day without ruining a suit and therefore being scolded by his valet, cousin, mother, colonel, assorted family friendships, and the occasional fawning German commander.
Oh yeah, there's suspense too, somewhere in there, but don't read it for the suspense because this isn't exactly Sixth Sense. If you're interested in the political and social complications of homosexuality in high-class eighteenth century London though, this is the right book.
mysterious
slow-paced
The first of the Lord John Grey novels and it was a delight.
From a revealing glance while at the chamber pot reveals that his brother-in-law to-be has the pox, to the murder of a soldier, to the theft of military intelligence to the molly houses of London, this is a delightful adventure. Lush with details and atmosphere, it is an interesting glimpse at life in society as a noble man who is gay in a time when it was not something that could be safely known by others in general.
From a revealing glance while at the chamber pot reveals that his brother-in-law to-be has the pox, to the murder of a soldier, to the theft of military intelligence to the molly houses of London, this is a delightful adventure. Lush with details and atmosphere, it is an interesting glimpse at life in society as a noble man who is gay in a time when it was not something that could be safely known by others in general.
Het nichtje van Lord John Grey heeft zich verloofd met één van de meest hoogstaande zakenmannen uit Londen en omstreken. Maar dan ontdekt John een nogal persoonlijk probleem bij deze man dat het huwelijk in gedrang brengt. Ondertussen wordt hij ook belast met de taak om een moordenaar te vatten. Een officier is namelijk aan de haal gegaan met gevoelige informatie, maar wordt later in de goot dood teruggevonden.
Dit boek is in welke opzichten geen typisch Outlanderverhaal. Ten eerste ruilen we Jamie & Claire in voor lord John Grey, een zijpersonage dat vanaf boek 2 opduikt. John is altijd een persoonlijk favorietje van mij geweest doorheen de boeken en ik vind het meer dan terecht dat hij zijn eigen serie heeft gekregen. Dat hij een gay personage is stoort mij net niet, dat geeft hem een extra dimensie en daarbuiten is zijn karakter gewoon heel tof. Ik leef met hem mee. De gebeurtenissen hebben ook totaal niets te maken met Outlander. John appelleert af en toe aan dingen die in de andere boeken zijn gebeurd, maar nooit dat het stoort. (Dit verhaal speelt zich af ten tijde van boek 3 ongeveer.)
Ten tweede is dit geen liefdesverhaal, maar een soort van mysterie in historische context. Ik moest dit boek in onze bib zelfs bij de spanning en actieboeken gaan zoeken! Het is echt wel meer een roman dan een thriller maar bon. Het is eens fijn om een boek te lezen waar je niet elk detail in je moet opnemen, een boek dat vlot doorleest zonder dat je er bij moet nadenken. Ik ben erdoor gevlogen.
Ten derde is dit boek maar rond de 350 pagina's dik. Ok ja, dat is de normale lengte van een boek, maar ik ben Gabaldon's boeken van 800+ pagina's gewoon.
Het is dus in alle opzichten geen typisch Outlanderboek, maar ergens toch weer wel. Beter dan Jamie & Claire kan niet, maar wel heerlijk om tussendoor te lezen.
Dit boek is in welke opzichten geen typisch Outlanderverhaal. Ten eerste ruilen we Jamie & Claire in voor lord John Grey, een zijpersonage dat vanaf boek 2 opduikt. John is altijd een persoonlijk favorietje van mij geweest doorheen de boeken en ik vind het meer dan terecht dat hij zijn eigen serie heeft gekregen. Dat hij een gay personage is stoort mij net niet, dat geeft hem een extra dimensie en daarbuiten is zijn karakter gewoon heel tof. Ik leef met hem mee. De gebeurtenissen hebben ook totaal niets te maken met Outlander. John appelleert af en toe aan dingen die in de andere boeken zijn gebeurd, maar nooit dat het stoort. (Dit verhaal speelt zich af ten tijde van boek 3 ongeveer.)
Ten tweede is dit geen liefdesverhaal, maar een soort van mysterie in historische context. Ik moest dit boek in onze bib zelfs bij de spanning en actieboeken gaan zoeken! Het is echt wel meer een roman dan een thriller maar bon. Het is eens fijn om een boek te lezen waar je niet elk detail in je moet opnemen, een boek dat vlot doorleest zonder dat je er bij moet nadenken. Ik ben erdoor gevlogen.
Ten derde is dit boek maar rond de 350 pagina's dik. Ok ja, dat is de normale lengte van een boek, maar ik ben Gabaldon's boeken van 800+ pagina's gewoon.
Het is dus in alle opzichten geen typisch Outlanderboek, maar ergens toch weer wel. Beter dan Jamie & Claire kan niet, maar wel heerlijk om tussendoor te lezen.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I still don't love that Lord John is a detective. he shouldn't be. He's just a soldier - he should be having affairs with men and just living life like Claire and Jamie do.
So, this gets a three...
So, this gets a three...
I love Diana Gabaldon. Her writing style is phenomenal. Lord John has always intrigued me and I've enjoyed getting to know this character further. However, the content of the story itself is hard for me to follow. I think I was rushing to get through it because I wanted to finish it but then I didn't follow the mystery well enough. Political intrigue and so many characters to keep track of. So I'm stumped on whether to say I enjoyed the book or if it's just that I wanted to enjoy it because the writing is so good.
Sinds de tv-serie ben ik fan van Lord John. En in de korte verhalen lees je soms verrassende en interessante zaken. Dus ik ben eindelijk maar eens begonnen in de eerste bundel over Lord John.
Maybe if this book were by a different author I would say 3.5 stars but I couldn’t help comparing it with the Outlander series
It dragged a bit in many places and I guess I just didn’t find Lord John that interesting of a character
It wasn’t bad- just not great either
If you are looking for an historical mystery set in 18th century London you might like it
It dragged a bit in many places and I guess I just didn’t find Lord John that interesting of a character
It wasn’t bad- just not great either
If you are looking for an historical mystery set in 18th century London you might like it