955. "An Echo in the Bones" by Diana Gabaldon -- 5 Stars

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon – 5 Stars

Publisher: Delacorte Press

ISBN: 9780440338871

My desires to read about the Fraser and MacKensie families made reading about Lord John and Willie difficult and a bit boring until the interface between Willie and Ian (as the Indian) connected. Then, as usual in Ms. Gabalton’s Outlander series, Willie and Lord John became as interesting and every character. Every character is developed to the degree that begs you to seek their future and connection to the Frasers, and in this book, the American Revolution.

Jamie remains Jamie, meaning, he continues his adventurous and always lightning, courageous, dangerous activities while faithfully protecting his family. As we learned in the previous book, Roger and Briana and children journeyed back to the future, but remained so close in their minds that Jamie and Claire wrote letters of there feats and disappointment, boxed them up, and sent them in the mail to the MacKenzies IN THE FUTURE! They received it when they moved to Scotland and continue to follow the  Fraser’s events in the Revolution. And, to further connect them to the past, Roger’s GGGGandfather shows up at their door. Now, how can that be? Can the time travelers now jump to the future when they are really born in the past? Mindboggling, but still an open question.

As before, Ian never disappoints and finds his honey. Of course, Ian can’t make life simple. His choice is a Quaker. How will that work out? Again, we need to find out in the next book. Yet, now the Hunter family is added to characters to follow and enjoy.

Claire continues to impress us with her medical feats, handling of precarious events, and stubborn perseverance given the tons of stress thrown at her. The love between her and Jamie burns so strong they stick together, even if a marriage to someone else must happen to prevent prosecution as a spy. Say what?

Meanwhile, the next generation, Jemmy MacKenzie, steps up to the plate to keep our interest in future books. How will the Stones affect his and family’s life?

The Outlander Series could last forever. However, at the time of this reading, Book 10 is supposed to be the last. Well, I’m off to Book 8. Don’t forget that Ms. Gabaldon has also spun off a Lord John series of books and several novelettes supplementing the Outlander series. Despite a great Startz TV show where the Outlander series presents a visual of the excitement of her books and varies slightly to shorten the 1000-page reads of her books, I will always choose reading first to get ALL the details. I love both.

Reviewer: Rich