katekintailbc | The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon (Reply)

The Scottish Prisoner
by Diana Gabaldon
(Audio & Paper)

If there's one thing I love about the Outlander series, it's James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. If there are two things I love, it's Jamie and the Scotland/UK setting. If there are three things I love, it's Jamie, the UK, and Lord John Gray indulging his inner desires. And this book has all three of these things. Ideal.

What wasn't ideal was that at least one track on all 13 discs skipped. I own the book (first edition hardcover) so I would fill in the gaps from the skips by reading the book... and turning down the corners of each page at my favorite moments. I do this with my Outlander books, because I go back all the time and re-read my personal favorite parts all the time.

The audiobook was also very strange. The book bounces back and forth between Jamie's POV and Lord John's POV. So there are different readers for each section. It took me a few jumps to realize this, as both readers are men with English accents... a weird choice as Jamie is not English and John is. Why select two readers with such similar voices? No clue. Sort of defeats the purpose of the voices indicating the POV shifts, IMHO. And it was weird hearing the other character being voiced by the other reader during scenes with dialog. I did really like the way Lord John's reader sounded a little softer and perhaps more regal.

I was going to hold off on reading this until I'd reread the series again properly, but it fell into my lap at the library and I took advantage. I am so glad I did. There's something so wonderful and magical about entering back into this world. It's set while Jamie is a prisoner at Helwater (we get a number of glimpses of it in Voyager, but this explores some of it in more detail). He's full of angst still over losing Claire and the baby. And he's dealing with young William. John, however, is trying to honor the memory of a recently departed dear friend who was so close to uncovering a conspiracy against the crown. And who can help with that? Jamie, of course, the man he has a crush on. The mystery and adventure take them to Ireland (poor, seasick Jamie didn't do so well during the crossing) and end up having many more layers than I'd guessed.

There's a duel. There's a religious artifact. There's a murder and a prison breakout. There's even an adorable dachshund puppy! There are many trips to John's favorite gentleman's club and some incredibly hot moments. There's also a lot of conflicted!Jamie, seeing what a good man Lord John is... and still hating him... and not being ready to feel some things... but still feeling them... and dealing with honor vs. heart--the eternal struggle of a Highlander :-)

There were so many amazing moments. I loved Jamie being John's second, and John instigating the duel to save Jamie's life. I loved every moment of Jamie getting to spend time with William. I loved Jamie being conflicted between his duty as a prisoner and his loyalty as a rebel--in the end, morality wins out, of course. I loved John with Stephan von Namtzen (who's broken up about losing his wife and children, which is a nice echo of where Jamie is mentally). I adored Jamie helping John out time and time again. And first name basis friendship happening briefly. And the chess moves!

A good story, great character development, and a host of fun moments. What more could I want from a book? I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm sure it'll be one I read and reread over and over again in the future.