The Haunted Soldier (Lord John Grey #2.5) by Diana Gabaldon: Book Review

This review is only regarding the third novella in Diana Gabaldon's book Lord John and the Hand of Devils. In The Haunted Soldier Lord John finds himself being interrogated by an army council on the specifics of an exploded canon - one that nearly killed him. This catapults him into yet another mystery, which includes a love triangle, political intrigue, and a government spy. Grey's relationship with his half-brother, Edgar, and Edgar's wife is touched upon, and our understanding of Grey's character--and his obsession with Jamie Fraser--is deepened.

Gabaldon's writing is beautiful, as usual, and this is the best of the three stories in this collection. Her sharp wit shines through in the character of Grey, and you just can't help but love him for all his gallant, self-deprecating insistence on honor and doing what is right. I was a bit confused during the boat/ship scene at the end; I really had very little understanding of what was happening. But everything is wrapped up nicely, and I suppose I gathered enough from the explanation at conclusion of the climax to "get it." I'm not sure if I just lack understanding of nautical terms, if it is my inability to keep straight in my mind the various minor characters, or that the particular scene was not very clearly written that was the problem. In the end I suppose it doesn't really matter all that much; things are resolved, and Major John Grey lives on to take another assignment--and more adventures, no doubt--with the army.

Get a copy of Lord John and the Hand of Devils on Amazon.

Read about the author, Diana Gabaldon, on Goodreads.