Lord John And The Private Matter (Lord John Grey)

Really well done research for the time period, a good mystery, and all of it REALLY well written!
The main character is realistically portrayed, and immediately likable. Mystery turns into a political plot, and back to a mystery again ;-) in quite unexpected plot turns.

Very well written. Good story line. I purchased this book after completing Gabaldon's 8th book in the Outlander series, not wanting for the magic of that series to disappear-and waiting for book #9. (I must say that I like Lord John, but he definitely is not Jamie!) Worth the price to own another of Gabaldon's creations.

"Lord John and the Private Matter" is well worth the read, especially if the reader is familiar with the "Outlander" series. This book is excellent for character development, and introduces a few new characters (one of which returns in "Echo in the Bone"), with the added bonus that it is a mystery!
The reader gains a new perspective on the character of Lord John Gray, a recurrent figure in the "Outlander" series.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to future companion books.

I wouldn;t likely buy THIS series offshoot from Ms. Gabaldon - though the main series (Outlander and 7+ books in that series- each over 1000 pages long--but way too short in the opinion of its readers myself included) - was fantastic. There is a new one coming out on that series one hears -in about June or so of 2014, I can't wait!

Great addition if you have read the Outlander series. You get some good background on Lord John which is missing from most of the other novels. I highly recommend reading it if you have read the Outlander series.

I was disappointed in this book. I kept reading expecting more to happen or some big twist to the mystery, but the ending just felt blah! I really like Lord John and enjoyed a few of the the other books/stories he was in, but this one just didn't really seem to have a point to it other than to introduce us to a few characters that pop up in later stories. This book would not have sold on its own merits.

Loved her ability to bring a situation to life with vivid detail. Lord Grey's character needs a bit more depth, although he is quite likeable. The plot gets a bit muddled in spots, but the ending is satisfying.

I love the Outlander series. I was afraid the Lord John series, which does not include the Outlander characters, might not hold my interest. I was not only interested, but found myself reading when I should have been working! I will continue to read Lord John's adventures.

(***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad)

Lord John is a nobleman and a major in His Majesty's army in the Seven Years War against France. Home on leave, he discovers that his innocent young cousin Olivia is about to marry a man who may be a knave. So he will need to turn up some evidence of wrongdoing that will enable him to blackmail the man into cancelling the wedding in such a way as to preserve Olivia's reputation.

At the same time, he is tasked with investigating the suspicious death of a traitor. This is a fine start to a historical mystery series. Longer review at the Mystery Books site at BellaOnline (BellaOnline-dot-com).

A great book. I had read nearly everything in it contained in one of Diannas' long novels, so not a lot new. But it will tide me over until she comes out with her next novel. She is an awesome author. My favorite.

I enjoyed the mystery, intrigue and learning more about Lord John's backstory. As many other reviewers have said, it's important to know that this is a completely different kind of book than the Outlander series. However, it's quite enjoyable in its own right!

Lord John continues his adventures while the hero of the oUtlander series is paroled to Helwater. All the Lord John books are better if the Outlander series of 8 books is read first. Then you cannot put them down.

I did not particularly enjoy this book. It is basically a double mystery with lots of characters that are hard to keep track of. She always has lots of interesting characters but you don't have time to get to know them in this book since this is really a novella and not a long book like the Outlander series. I was hoping for a book I could really get into since I really loved her books 1-8.

It started a little slow, but the story got moving along quite well. I enjoy reading Gabaldon and this was a different perspective on the story of the Outlander series. It is interesting to learn about the life of the the other characters.

Diana Gabaldon is clearly my favorite author. Her characters come to life with vivid details of the locale and the era where the stories are told, which she very thoroughly researches. I loved the Outlander series and now want to read all of the Lord John Grey books!

Learning more about Lord John has been interesting. i will read the rest to catch up with the Outlander books. Diane ties up those loose ends when she writes these little novels. I so enjoy her writing.

The same topic was a part of the Outlander series but i was able to skim over it and quickly move on to the better parts of the story. I have not completed the Lord John book and have chosen not to continue.
I am of Scot/Irish decent and enjoyed the historical references in the Outlander series.

Learning more about Lord John has been interesting. i will read the rest to catch up with the Outlander books. Diane ties up those loose ends when she writes these little novels. I so enjoy her writing.

The same topic was a part of the Outlander series but i was able to skim over it and quickly move on to the better parts of the story. I have not completed the Lord John book and have chosen not to continue.
I am of Scot/Irish decent and enjoyed the historical references in the Outlander series.

Lord John is an important character and certainly minor characteristics were developed in this story. Too much time on his sexuality plot twist numerous. Not Diana's best work. Have to read all of her works.