29th September 2026
Hi My Lords and Ladies,
It’s great to see you. It’s been a while. Last time I saw you, I handed you the first issue of the Library Reading Group and we placed Booth on the shelf. I would love to know what you think of the part of the Library. You can check this out by going to the Library Reading Group tab.
I wonder what you have been up to?
I haven’t been up to much, expect re-adjusting to being at home at my flat in Dorchester. It’s lovely to be finding my feet again.
I am finding my freedom again, going to Rock Choir and returning to work and volunteering. It’s beautiful. I have been finding a lot of time to read and chill too.
Before I came back here, it was amazing to spend a lot of time with my family for the Purbeck Chamber Music Festival. Thank you for a great time guys.
On the subject of music and Rock Choir, I wanted to share the songs we have started this term.
We have….
The Monkees
I’m A Believer
Snow Patrol
Song
Chasing Cars
Irene Cara
Song
Fame
I just wanted to say a massive Good Luck for Abbey Road soon Rock Choir. We will smash it.
Now, let’s place down our lyrics and pick up our reading journals and a cuppa and let me take you back to last year. I want to revisit the world of Lord John Grey. Step back in time with me, won’t you.
Review
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series: Lord John Grey # 2.5
Novella title: Lord John and the Haunted Solider
Anthology title: Lord John and the Hand of Devils
Imprint: Arrow Books which is a division of Penguin Random House
Audiobook
Narrator: Jeff Woodman
Series Selecter:
Barbara. Thank you, as always for introducing me to the time travelling world of Outlander and the ever loyal Lord John Grey
Lord John Grey
Ways of reading: Audiobook/hardcover
Started: 26th November 2025
Finished: 29th November 2025
Genre: Science Fiction
First published: 11th July 2009
Number of pages: 100
Original language: English
Reading enjoyment 2/5
Ease of read: 2/5
Would I recommend? Absolutely yes! All of the Lord John universe fills in some of the gaps between Voyager (Outlander #3) and Drums of Autumn (Outlander #4). As you will have come across, some of them feature Jamie Fraser and these are important for his character development. Lord John plays a major role in Jamie life.
Lord John and the Haunted Soldier is set in 1758 during the Seven Years War. It is a very gruesome tale that made my skin cruel. I wouldn’t want to come across the soldier the way Lord John has to.
Folk say he’s the ghost of an artillery officer who was killed on the proving, fifty years or more ago. It’s good luck, they say for an artilleryman to see him – not so good, maybe, was you not of h’occupation.’
I would not want to have to deal with my darkest memories through my fellow soldiers. Well done Lord John. I can’t wait to see you again soon.
Anthology: Lord John and the Hand of Devils as a whole review.
Each novella review can be found in the Reading Corner if you go wish to go back through previous review files. I should have really introduced the Series Sofa Sooner to be honest. If I did that though I would have to put my hands over my ears because those standing stones would be loud. Anyway, back to the Devil in hand.
Audiobook length: 9 hours, 44 minutes
Number of pages as a whole: 400
Novellas covered:
Lord John and the Hellfire Club (#0.5)
Lord John and the Succubus (1.5)
Lord John and the Haunted Soldier (#2.5)
All together stars: ***** **** ***
Started: 15th July 2025
Finished: 29th November 2025
Total number of pages: 400
I can’t believe I have finally finished one of Diana Gabaldon’s partnering anthologies. Lord John and the Hand of Devils absolutely blew my mind and kept me on my toes. Each story had so many twists and turns.
It was nice to hear Lord John’s voice become louder and louder, although at times I did struggle with the supernatural elements of the novellas. I am particularly thinking of Lord John’s introduction to the Hellifre Club in ‘Hellfire’ very confusing. I was almost ground to a halt by the descriptions of the Succubus and the Haunted Soldier. However, Gabaldon, the Queen of Compelling and Realistic Characters, has struck again and made me keep turning that page. 1758 is where I just left Lord John Grey. I wonder where I will find him next?
I honestly can’t wait to return to the world of Outlander soon, but there is more about Lord John and his family first.
I hope to see Claire soon too.
What’s next for me Diana?…
I hope you have enjoyed your time with me and we will travel back to the present now. I promise to always share my bookish thoughts with you. Thank you for being my cornerstone guys. I also have loads more reads rattling their pages for my attention and want to tell them I am coming. I always love my reader recommendations. I know I am trying to get through a lot but please keep them coming. I also adore theatre and film too, so will also take those choices too. Soon I will send you and back through the stones and hand you another issue of The Reading Group magazine.
Yours sincerely,
Lady Harriet Greenway
Leave a comment