Romance novel enthusiasts are probably familiar with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series starring Jamie and Claire. Lord John Grey, a minor character in those books, got his own historical mystery to solve in Lord John and the Private Matter, and continues his sleuthing in this second book in his series.

Our story opens in London in 1758. Grey, 27 years old, and his older brother Hal (Harold, the Earl of Melton) are home during a lull in the Seven Years War with the French. Hal is a colonel in His Majesty's Army and Grey is a major; now back in the civilian world, they transition seamlessly into being noblemen. Today they wait in the highly prestigious Beefsteak Club. They are to meet General Sir George Stanley, the man who will become their new stepfather.

As the noon hour approaches, the brothers' pocket watches chime. They remember their dead father the Duke of Pardloe who gave them the identical watches when they were boys. Then they begin to banter half-apprehensively about what kind of man the General will turn out to be. It's a witty scene, filled with literary allusions to Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible. Grey is the more flexible and easy-going of the two; Hal is intense and proper, obsessed with his military career.

But all is well. Their stepfather-to-be turns out to be a warm and sincere older man. He brings along his own stepson from a previous marriage, Mr. Percival Wainwright. Wainwright is Grey's age and handsome; the two shake hands warmly, knowing that they will be friends. But, wait. Haven't they met before? Goodness sakes, it was at the Lavender House, the notorious gay brothel! Grey is secretly gay, and so, it seems, is Wainwright. Well, perhaps they will end up as more than friends. Especially if General Sir George Stanley buys his stepson a commission in Hal's and Grey's regiment.

Things seem to be looking up for Grey. His mother's wedding preparations begin. But then Hal receives an anonymous scrap of paper at his offices. It's a page torn out of a journal stolen from their father.

The brothers are horrified. Their father committed suicide 15 years ago after scandal tainted the family name. Supposedly he was not just a traitor to England, but a Jacobite! Everyone hates the Jacobites, those dedicated to putting the Catholic Stuarts of Scotland on the British throne. It's only been 12 years since the Jacobites were defeated at the Battle of Culloden; perhaps they'll try for a come-back.

Hal burns the journal page. He and Grey try to carry on with the wedding preparations. But another journal page gets mailed to their mother. Then footpads and thugs come after Grey in the street. Someone is determined to revive the family scandal.

Grey wants to investigate, but Hal orders him not to for the sake of their mother's wedding. But Grey is no longer certain that their father committed suicide. Half-forgotten memories surface from when he witnessed the scene shortly after his father's death. Only twelve at the time, he had been confused and frightened, but he'd seen details that indicate his father might have been murdered. And so the mystery begins.

Gabaldon is known for her rich historical detail, and she does not disappoint us here. We get lots of exciting sub-plots including a treasonous conspiracy of officers (one bound for the gallows) that Hal asks Grey to look into, and an extended combat scene with the Prussians against the French which vividly illustrates how chaotic the 18th century battlefield could be. (See also Book 1 in the series Lord John and the Private Matter and Book 3 Lord John and the Hand of Devils.)


Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is a satisfying historical mystery that is available on Amazon through this link: Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade