8th September 2025
Greetings my Lords and Ladies,
How are you all?
I am aright thank you. I have been doing so much reading and chilling. I am spending some much needed time with my beautiful parents. We have been having some lovely evenings together. I am missing my home at Cambridge Court but this time has been so restful. I have been setting up a lot of blogs and watching Outlander.
I have been chatting with the fabulous Ria too and she has been busy getting her craft on. It’s so nice to feel connected to my new home and Swanage at the same time.
Heart wall hanging – £5
This is a perfect gift for anyone looking to brighten up their home. It can be hung up anywhere.
Teddy bear – £5
This is a cuddly crafted teddy, perfect as an ornament in a home.
Duck – £5
Another cute ornament to be cherished. All hand made and painted with care.
Now, let’s go from painted ducks back to the world of Lord John Grey in 1757.
Review (may contain spoilers)
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Novel title: Lord John and the Private Matter (Lord John Grey Book 1)
Publishers: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Century
Audiobook narrator: Jeff Woodman
He has narrated Lord John and the Hand of Devils as well as A Fugitive Green.
Audiobooks: A Fugitive Green (Outlander 2.5)
Lord John and the Hand of Devils: International Edition (Lord John and the Hellfire Club – Lord John Grey 0.5)
Lord John and the Private Matter: International Edition (Lord John Grey Book 1)
Outlander series narrators so far that I listen to:
Allan Scott-Douglas
Virgins (Outlander 0.5)
Davina Porter
Outlander (Outlander Book 1)
Dragonfly in Amber: International Edition (Outlander Book 2)
Jeff Woodman takes the baton for A Fugitive Green and hands it back to Davina Porter for Voyager: International Edition Parts 1 and 2 (Outlander Book 3)
And then we hit the Lord John Grey,so Jeff Woodman has taken the baton back for a little while.
Lord John and the Private Matter comes after Lord John and the Hellfire Club which we covered last time we visited him.
I hope that is helpful so you the order the books go in so far.
Anyway, go on, turn the page and check out my thoughts on Lord John and the Private Matter.
Ways of reading: Audiobook/Hardback
Started reading: 31st July 2025
Finished reading: 7th August 2025
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Historical
First published: 24th September 2003
Original language: English
Read rating: ***
Number of pages: 464
Ease of read: 3/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Would I recommend? Yes, this one is a bit of a puzzle.
Dedication
Barbara thank you for introducing me to the written world of Outlander and thank you to Mum and Dad for escaping with me in the evenings and watching as that world comes to life.
This book is full of action for Lord John Grey. There’s a murder to investigate and marriage to prevent. It’s almost a struggle to follow but Diana Gabaldon lets Grey lead us where we need to go. I think what makes as well, what is hard for me to get my head around is the use of the third person, where Outlander as a series, is mostly told in the voice of Claire; in this the reader looks at what is happening with a bird’s-eye view. This makes Lord John’s intentions become lost at times.
Lord John and the Private Matter is still a story full of intrigue though, as Lord John begins to properly find his feet after Ardsmuir prison in London, 1757.
‘A romantic or a novelist might count well lost for love. As far as Grey’s own opinion counted, a love that sacrificed honour was less honest than simple lust, and degraded those who professed to glory in it.’
Lord John still dreams of Jamie Fraser, thinking about the difference between Jamie, who he has left in service at Helwater, and the man his cousin Olivia is supposed to marry, Joseph Trevelyan. Trevelyan is a key suspect is the murder of one of Grey’s fellow soldiers. I am not sure he would be the best man to marry. Jamie on the other hand has many other qualities. He is loyal and will never give up on you, to name just two of the many.
Thank you for keeping me hooked in a different way, Diana Gabaldon. I can’t wait to read the next adventure for Lord John Grey.
I hope you have enjoyed the first installment of a Lord John double bill. See you next time in The Reading Corner.
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Love Hatts
Xxx
Hatty’s Reading Corner 
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