Lord John and the Private Matter

Rating:
Summary: OK, but Not Great
Review: As mystery novels go, Lord John and the Private Matter is OK, but not great. The story takes place in 18th-century London featuring a character from the author's Outlander series. Lord John Grey is a good enough character, someone I could enjoy reading about again, but the author's style is just a little too choppy -- not giving us enough time to become really invested in the character. On an interesting note, the character of Lord John is a homosexual so we get a nice look at that lifestyle in 1750s England. The author has certainly done her research and all the characters ring true from that standpoint, but straight authors writing gay characters just doesn't work -- at least not for Gabaldon. The book is short and everything ties up nicely in the end. If the author can do a better job of developing the character and future plots, it will be worth reading more of Lord John's exploits.

Rating:
Summary: Huh?
Review: Disappointing. It was interesting to read about Grey, but the book as a whole reminded me of a cheesy dective mystery on old T.V. You know the one. Where there is no way to possibly guess the ending because absolutely nothing connects, then the bad guy takes the last 30 pages of the book explaining the whole plan. All the characters say, oh, so that's why. Only the reader is left dumbfounded. Normally, I reread to make sure I understand the story, but, well, I just couldn't make myself go through the story one more time. I barely got through the first time.

I gave it two stars only because Garbaldon did a fine job handling the homosexuality. It was honest, but not offensive.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I eagerly devoured the Outlander series and consider Diana Gabaldon a writer who writes an enthralling, well researched book. This is well researched, but there is not really a plot with characters the reader gets to know. It became a chore to read about halfway through.

Rating:
Summary: "Lord John" -- Not a Bad Start for a New Series
Review: "Lord John and the Private Matter" started existance as a short story that got away from the author, and ended up instead as a novel. It is the first of a series of mysteries featuring a character from the wildly popular "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon. Lord John is an 18th century British army officer, who also happens to be gay. His sexual orientation is made known to the reader from the beginning (if they did not know it already from reading "Outlander), but it is not common knowledge among his fellow officers. In solving the rather light-weight mystery, Lord John gives the reader a tour of the underground world of some 18th century London homosexuals, including pubs that catered to gays, as well as houses of prostitution. Some of the vocabulary in the book is rather modern (such as the use of the word 'transvestite'), and the author states that she did take liberties in this area. There is a brief encounter with a male prostitute, which may disturb some readers.

The strength of the novel is with the characters, not the plot. Lord John is very likable and intelligent; his loyalty to his family shines through the entire work. We also get to meet his delightful mother, who is witty and well-read. My impression was that mother was aware of her son's sexual orientation, although that is not spelled out; his 16-year-old female cousin is obviously unaware, as she would like to see him married.

I hope that future "Lord John" books have a stronger plot line and a more interesting mystery. Ms Gabaldon's "Outlander" series is full of historical detail, has complex plot lines, and very memorable characters, so that this book was a bit of a disappointment to a reader who has read all of her previous books more than once. However, the strong characterizations alone will keep me coming back to "Lord John."

Rating:
Summary: Mediocre Historical Mystery
Review: I expected something more from than a bland (at best) mystery novel. Diana Gabaldon is a favorite of mine, and since I'm also a mystery fan I was thrilled that she was releasing a mystery. However, upon reading, this seems like a side project that she didn't devote her full attention to. The story is missing the passion and vivid characterization of her other books. The plot points moved along slowly, and while I do like Lord John, I found the majority of the characters confusing and bland. I didn't care what happened to any of them, really. There are much better mystery novels around, if you need a Diana Gabaldon fix I'd reread Outlander instead.

Rating:
Summary: Missing something
Review: Absolutely loved the Outlander series, but could not get into Lord John. The details that worked so well in her other books seemed to drag down the story in Lord John--in fact I didn't make it past the 3rd chapter. Disappointing!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I am disappointed in Lord John PM, It does not seem to be written by the author of the Outlander Series. Mystery may be popular, but does not seem to be Diane Gabaldon's forte. It amazed me that she writes so poorly with this book. I look forward to the next Jamie and Claire Novel, hoping that Diane has not burned out as an author.

Rating:
Summary: Darker side of 18th century London
Review: Major Lord John Grey, a soldier and respected member of Londons highest circles, has inadvertently realised that the man who is engaged to marry his cousin, has what was then known as the pox, and is determined to stop the marriage while protecting his cousin from scandal.When a soldier in his regiment is found brutally murdered, suspicions of espionage arise and Grey is appointed by the Crown to investigate and prevent the possible leakage of military secrets to France. The trail winds its way through the drawing rooms of the nobility and into the bawdy houses of Londons night world, touching pockets of treachery and corruption at all levels. This book has no connection to the wonderful Outlander series except that it uses Lord John Grey as its main character, but it really does provide the clearest,and probably closest to the truth, insight to the world on London in 1757.

Rating:
Summary: It ain't Outlander, people
Review: Which of course Diana makes clear in her introduction.

As a huge Lord John fan, I was very happy to see this book. I'm not a mystery fan at all, but I relished the chance to see my second-favorite Gabaldon character (after Himself) in action.

It's a fun, light read, and great for those of us who relish historical novels as Gabaldon (as usual) has done her research.

The story isn't a strong one, but I found that didn't matter. What I wanted was a chance to revisit John and get involved in the atmosphere of the world he lived in. And this book delivers.

Rating:
Summary: Not your typical Gabaldon work
Review: My biggest complaint with LJ&TPM is that bookstores insist on putting it in the "Romance" aisle -- which it definitely is NOT! Anyone familiar with Diana Gabaldon's beloved "Outlander" series has strong feelings for Lord John, but this book represents a vivid departure from her usual narrative style and delves into the realm of the "whodunit", with mixed results. Those who like Lord John from the Outlander series will enjoy further morsels of his life. Those who pick up LJ&TPM expecting more Outlander, or even a romance, will be sharply taken aback. Not by the homosexuality -- with Lord John, that's a given -- but by the mystery format, and the rather heavy-handed ending that is not at all in keeping with the deftness DG's readers have come to appreciate. Or perhaps her loyal readers are simply so accustomed to 800+ page works that a much shorter work seems abbreviated!