The Scottish Prisoner

Loved it because I'm a fan!!

I enjoyed reading "The Scottish Prisoner" far more than I thought I would. (This was the first book I've read in the "Lord John Gray" series).Tonight I read several reviews here on Amazon before posting this/my review. I was horrified to read that some people "Started" with "The Scottish Prisoner".(Or, they read this book out of chronological order), instead of "Starting" from the beginning.... (Which is Outlander).There are two points when one should read "The Scottish Prisoner".1. After you've read Diana Gabaldon's entire "Outlander" series. (Hopefully in chronological order).2. "The Scottish Prisoner" is also good to read "BEFORE" you start reading "Voyager".As of August 17th 2012, there are 7 books in the Outlander series.Which are: Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes and Echo in the Bone.If you don't read them in chronological order, you'll ruin the "flow" and "understanding" of this incredible series."Written in My Own Hearts Blood".... (the 8th Novel in the Outlander Series).... will be released January 2013. (according to Diana Gabaldon's Blog).Three years ago, I finished reading the last book in the Outlander Series. I've thought of the stories often over the past 3 years, but several months ago I started "craving" Diana Gabaldon's superb writing.So, I re-read the entire Outlander series. (in Chronological order).I loved them as much the second time around! (I didn't think that would be possible).After I finished reading "Echo in the Bone", I grieved!(or, I should say I went into withdrawal again). The Outlander series is more addictive than some drugs.This past June, after reading a few reviews here on Amazon (regarding "The Scottish Prisoner") I ordered this book from Amazon because so many people said Jamie was a huge part of this book, and it's true.Not only is it true, it filled the small gap between "Dragonfly in Amber" and "Voyager" ..... meaning: What re-kindled the friendship between Lord John Gray and Jamie?... and how did Lord John Gray find out about William? etc. etc.One review I read here on Amazon mentioned that this book is not as "intricate/complex" as the Outlander books. This is true and false.The first thing I noticed when "The Scottish Prisoner" arrived from Amazon was that it was "Only" (and I use that term lightly) 507 pages long.(Not counting fascinating "Author's Notes" and the Sneak Preview of: "Written in My Own Heart's Blood").There are chapters in "The Scottish Prisoner" that are deeply complex and heart felt. But, there are also some chapters that are "lighter/less complex" than "Outlander" fans are accustomed with.(Each novel in the Outlander series are usually 1000 pages or longer).Because "The Scottish Prisoner" is about half the length of any Outlander book ....(in my humble opinion)... a few chapters in "The Scottish Prisoner" had to be written a bit "streamlined".... probably due to Diana Galbaldon's wonderfully detailed writing style.Jamie, Clair, Lord John Gray... (and many others)... are written with such detail, you'll feel like they are living, breathing people.Diana Galbaldon has intertwined "REAL" history, War, Battles, romance, horror, humor, and Sy-Fy into such a fascinating mix....I don't even know how to categorize her novels.Diana! Your killing me! The early preview of "My Own Heart's Blood" is wonderful.... but it was just enough of a taste to torment me.I want to read it All and NOW!One final note.My husband and I are stunned that HBO (or similar) has not snapped-up the "Rights" to this astonishing Outlander Series and turned it into a weekly show.I read somewhere... and some time ago... that CBS (or some other "PG" station) purchased the "Rights" for Outlander.A "PG" station would have to edit-out nearly half of each novel....and in doing so... would destroy the Outlander series.If a "PG" station does owns the rights to the Outlander Series, I wish HBO (or a similar-Adult-no commercial station) would make some kind of deal, buy the "contract/rights" and get this Outlander series on cable. (A Win-Win for everyone).I have no doubt it would be bigger than the Soprano's.... and thats saying a lot.

"But it marks you, killing. No matter why it's done. It's a brand upon your heart, and while it may heal, the mark canna be removed, save by a blade. All ye can hope for is a cleaner scar.""Lord that she might be safe. She and my children."The Scottish Prisoner is technically considered the 3rd book in the Lord John series. However, it should also be noted as a mid-novel in the Outlander series. Both John and Jamie Fraser are the main characters in this story.From Goodreads: "London, 1760. For Jamie Fraser, paroled prisoner-of-war, life is coming apart at the seams. In the remote Lake District, where he's close enough to the son he cannot claim as his own, Jamie's quiet existence is interrupted first by dreams of his lost wife, then by the appearance of an erstwhile comrade still fighting to rally the Irish. But Jamie has sworn off politics, fighting, and war. Until Lord John Grey shows up with a summons that will take him away from everything he loves--again. Lord John is in possession of explosive documents that expose a damning case of corruption against a British officer. But they also hint at a more insidious danger. Soon Lord John and Jamie are unwilling companions on the road to Ireland, a country whose dark castles hold dreadful secrets, and whose bogs hide the bones of the dead." (I'm not sure that the synopsis is 100% accurate - Jamie is actually blackmailed into assisting John (against John's wishes) by Hal. I'm kind of picky about these things and, more and more, some of the summaries seem to be twisted to make the book sound like something it isn't. Just a pet peeve.)I am going to backtrack on something I said in a recent review of the 2nd Lord John novel. That synopsis played heavily on Jamie's involvement and it was so minor to that story. Lord John should be able to (and can) stand on his own as the main character of these novels. However, for this novel, it was important to see more of the interplay between John and Jamie. And, we got to fill in some of the blanks regarding Jamie's time at Helwater. The result gave us not only a thoroughly enjoyable Lord John mystery but also a story that will help round out the Outlander series.With each book, Lord John continues to become one of my favorite protagonists. His sense of loyalty, friendship, family and fun are refreshing. I especially enjoyed the expansion of his relationship with Stephan. My hope is that their foundation of friendship will allow them to continue on in each other's lives.Duels - were they so common in the 1700s? It seemed like one of the men was always challenging another to a duel for some real or perceived insult. There was one major fight and, whew, it was a doozy! Diana's writing brought it to life so that my heart was in my throat the entire time.We also learned more about Minnie's history. As Hal's wife, I assumed that she had always been a member of a privileged family. BUT...she used to be a spy. With her father! And, Jamie knew of them in France. This was a nice surprise and actually allowed me to like Hal a little more. He's not quite the stuck up Duke that I thought.Overall, this was a great addition with a lot of heart and adventure. 5/5 stars.

If you’re having withdrawal symptoms from the Outlander books you could try reading these Lord John novels; they feature the exploits of Lord John Grey - and this one actually has Jamies as one of the main characters. They can all be read as standalone novels.I enjoyed this book but, personally, I’d rather DG stopped writing all these other ‘connected’ books and just got on with giving us the next instalment in the Jamies & Claire saga; it’s been too long!!

I found this book immensely sad. Two essentially lonely men, who have a history of a friendship ruined by a reckless act, together try to thwart yet another Jacobite rebellion. Jamie, for whom the 1745 rebellion was one rebellion too many and as a result of which has lost everything except his life, is dragged from the Lake District, where he is an indentured servant, to London to assist Lord John Grey unravel the mystery of a doggerel poem written in Irish Gaelic. En route their relationship is mended. Claire does not feature in this book, but her memory follows Jamie and feeds many of his decisions.What I liked were the truths, mainly spoken by Jamie, about the realities of this relationship and his ability to withdraw from his surroundings, at the end of the book made explicit when he is constantly to be found in the library reading the ultimate book about loneliness, Robinson Crusoe.As another reviewer has said, the book underpins the otherwise somewhat puzzling relationship they have in "Voyager", but as a story it stands on its own, although there are references to other books in the series.I have read the acknowledgements in this and other Outlander books and have great admiration for the amount of research and expert advice Miss Gabaldon has had. I've said before in other reviews that Claire's English narration has largely seemed authentic, and I have little doubt about the details of Highland life in the 18th century. So among all this I am puzzled that neither the author nor the editor seem to have researched how British aristocratic titles work. Baronets are not "Lord"' they are Sir Fred Smith, their wives Lady Smith, their daughters do not take the honorific "Lady", merely Miss Smith, although baronets are hereditary, unlike Knights. The Duke of Cumberland, as a royal Duke, would be His Royal Highness, not His Grace. I assume Lord John's brother's sudden elevation to a dukedom is to explain why he is Lord John, instead of merely the Hon John, younger son of a Viscount, which is how he was introduced.I continue to enjoy the Outlander books, faintly thankful that none of the subsequent books are quite as harrowing as Outlander 1, although often only it's a close run thing!

Enjoyed this from start to finish. If reading the Outlander series and you want to keep the timeline, it may be best to read Dragonfly in Amber, then go to A Fugitive Green (novella, which is now pub. in Seven Stone to Stand or Fall) ,then The Scottish Prisoner is set after Culloden while James Fraser is in service (so part way through Voyager, really, making it difficult to choose whether to read Voyager before or after or even around this book. Maybe reading it after Voyager expands what he has been through and what family means to him. Either way this gives the main characters' back stories as they take place. On Its own it is good and rereadable later but within the whole set it's much better.

Brilliant book. I've read the Outlander series of books (and seen the tv series as far as they've got) but this explains so much more about Jamie and John's relationship and, maybe I've just not read the other stuff properly, but for the first time it struck me how tragic and awful those 20 years were for Jamie - yes I know Claire missed him too but she knew he was dead - he couldn't be anything else 200 years in the past but for him? 20 years of wondering if she'd even managed to return through the stones and to her own time? Sheeesh ...Now this made into a series with the same actors would be pretty damn fine splendid.

Really enjoyed this book. Love all the Outlander books and have read and re-read them many times. The characters are so real you feel as if you know them personally and really care what happens to them. The book explores the relationship between Jamie and Lord John and how it develops. A lot of the story is told from Jamie’s perspective and much as I love Claire and want her and Jamie to be together again it was interesting to have the story told from Jamie’s point of view and hear his voice. You feel so desperately sorry for Jamie and all the terrible things he has been through but there is some compensation for him in his growing relationship with William. I enjoyed getting to know character of Lord John better as well. I really felt that I was in the 18th century together with Lord John and Jamie! Very highly recommended.