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Lord John and the Private Matter Audiobook
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(3.00) - 15,320 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The epic, multivolume Outlander saga is the starting point for a brilliant new series that begins with the novel Lord John and the Private Matter. Filled with intrigue and mystery and starring one of the most popular Outlander characters, Lord John Grey, this fresh new tale is utterly captivating. In a richly drawn 18th-century London, Scottish exile Lord John faces a difficult situation. His cousin Olivia is engaged to marry the Honorable Joseph Trevelyan, but he has just observed something of a rather personal nature that, if confirmed, might put an end to any talk of marital bliss. Determined to investigate further, Lord John is distracted when the Crown calls for his services. A comrade in arms has been slain, and to complicate matters, the victim may have been a traitor. Now Lord John has not one, but two puzzling mysteries to solve.
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"I have actually found myself enjoying the Lord John series more than the Outlander series. I love the mysteries and the intrigue that Lord John always seemed to find himself in. Jeff Woodman is a fantastic narrator, and I would probably listen to him reading the phone book and enjoy it. The intimate scenes are written a bit graphically, but you can always skip over whatever you don't want to hear. It saddens me that some people are rating this series with one star without even reading or listening to the books simply because they don't agree with his sexuality. This book is interesting and well-written, and I am glad Ms. Gabaldon is continuing the series. "
— Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Gabaldon showcases her impeccable knowledge of the period and unique storytelling skills…As always, the way she presents history is as engrossing as the plot. She breathes life into it by capturing everything about an era, including the vernacular.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars) -
“A compelling narrative that also offers a wealth of juicy detail about eighteenth-century London…Grey is a competent and likable sleuth, and Gabaldon’s prose is crisply elegant.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Jeff Woodman is at his best in another fabulous novel drawn from Gabaldon’s Outlander series…Woodman brings every character to life, making each unique and interesting. However, his greatest gift might be the always fascinating conversational tone that he brings to the text itself. Listeners will feel they’re in eighteenth-century London, eavesdropping on private and scandalous situations. Gabaldon and Woodman makes fans of even thouse who shy away from period fiction.”
— AudioFile -
“[A] daring novel of illicit love, intrigue, and murder. Woodman’s highly entertaining narration makes this a most enjoyable audio experience. He grace fully moves between dialects, ranging from upper-class British to broad Irish, effortlessly changing tone and pitch to match each character’s personality…Lord John is a true historical hero; Woodman captures his dilemma in this well-read historical mystery.”
— Booklist (audio review) -
“[A] thoroughly entertaining and wonderfully witty historical mystery set in the richly detailed, occasionally bawdy world of Georgian England.”
— Booklist -
“Gabaldon’s lively prose and gift for historical details make this an enjoyable read. Fans of Lord John will appreciate learning more about his past. Strongly recommended.”
— Library Journal -
“Gabaldon takes readers for a walk on the wild side, offering an intriguing look into London’s gay underworld…A compelling and unique period mystery.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
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A Booklist Editors’ Choice, October 2003
Lord John and the Private Matter Listener Reviews
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Rosie Ruiz, 10/4/2022
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SUSAN BURDETT, 7/23/2021
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Heather Cleland, 3/6/2020
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Amanda McClure, 6/29/2016
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" I decided to read the Lord John series because I enjoy his character so much in the Outlander series. This book was well written and interesting. Full of mystery and intrigue. I have to admit that I think I was disappointed that it evolved around such a short period of time and only one specific set of circumstances are addressed. Not what I'm used to with Diana Gabaldon. However it was still entertaining and I've found out more about Lord John, which I suppose is the point in the first place. I will be reading the other Lord John novels, as well as the novellas. "
— Christina, 2/11/2014 -
" I never finished the book, just couldn't get into it. "
— Heather, 2/4/2014 -
" My first DG book - I found it an enjoyable and entertaining read. "
— Lorelei, 1/31/2014 -
" Definately not a book to read if you can't handle "intamite" matters. "
— Carrie, 1/22/2014 -
" This is 1st in his series that goes along with the Outlander books. It was interesting getting inside LJ's head on learning more about his past, etc... "
— Brandy, 1/19/2014 -
" I enjoy this hero. will read the rest of the series and look forward to any Ms.Gabaldon may write in the future. "
— Michele, 1/16/2014 -
" Another awesome read from Diana Gabaldon. I never was a Lord John fan, but now am warming up to him. "
— Kelly, 1/3/2014 -
" I really wanted to liked this book but . . . just couldn't get too into it. If I could give it 2.5 stars I would, however. "
— Tracy, 1/3/2014 -
" I was anxious to see if I would enjoy the Lord John books as well as the Outlander series and am happy to report that I was not disappointed. A great short story to read. "
— Donna, 12/15/2013 -
" Historical Fiction (not science fiction) "
— Susan, 12/12/2013 -
" Tone and style are different here from her Outlander series--but work well. I'm not sure I buy all the coincidences in the plot, but I enjoyed the deeper view of Lord John Grey than she's given (up until book #7 anyway) in the other series. "
— Beth, 12/5/2013 -
" Was hesitant but still glad I read it. Too nosey about any of the Outlander characters not to! "
— Barb, 11/30/2013 -
" I was introduced to Lord John Greys character in book #2 or #3 of the Outlander series [ also written by Diana Gabaldon:],and was slowly drawn to him.It was a fun adventure to read. "
— Jenna, 11/25/2013 -
" Good short story. I like the character Lord John and was not disappointed in this story, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. "
— Patricia, 11/12/2013 -
" I don't like the Lord John stories quite as much as the Jamie and Claire stories. Mostly, I think, because I care more about the characters and their fates. But one thing they have going for them is they are a much more manageable length! "
— Marianne, 11/7/2013 -
" Another series I will not read "
— Arlene, 10/15/2013 -
" Very good start of a series by Diana Gabaldon about an eighteenth century Scotsman named Lord John Grey. He is a spin-off character from her extremely popular Outlander series. Good historical fiction and a fun read. "
— Helen, 9/20/2013 -
" I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I don't really remember but doesn't Trevelyn appear in one of the Outlander books too? "
— Sara, 11/8/2012 -
" `This book was o.k. but I wish Diana would just focus on the next in the Outlander series. I felt like this was a "filler" book. Maybe it is because Lord John is not one of my favorite characters. "
— Janet, 8/15/2012 -
" Delightful and engaging and plotty and bawdy and fun. A large part of my enjoyment came from the reader, whose voice acting made the characters come alive through deft use of accent. I particularly loved his Scots Nessie and his German Von Namtzen. "
— Isis, 7/15/2012 -
" Really interesting approach to an interesting situation. "
— Jane, 5/22/2012 -
" These are not quite as good as the Outlander series, but still have some appeal - mainly a very interesting main character. "
— Carrie, 5/9/2012 -
" An interesting and intriguing look into both male homosexuality and warfare in the 1750's....the protagonist is an intelligent and brooding military hero that I find quite refreshing. "
— Foxytocin, 10/23/2011 -
" Loved Lord John in the origional series but I did not like this book at all. "
— Maggie, 10/10/2011 -
" Like all the books of Gabaldon, nice easy reading. Entertaining "
— Taddie, 6/7/2011 -
" A lot of characters to follow. I knew there would be homosexuality but...... Good book but not as good as her Outlander Series. "
— Deb, 5/24/2011 -
" The relatively short length of this novel is refreshing after the Outlander novels, each the length of two or three novels. I enjoyed the character of Lord John, although I can't forgive him his torture of Jamie Fraser. "
— Mary, 5/21/2011 -
" Somehow, the Lord Grey series just hasn't grabbed me like Jaime and Claire.... "
— Lauren, 5/18/2011 -
" Although I've always liked and enjoyed the character of Lord John in the Outlander series, this book was way too graphic in descriptions of his sexual exploits. I had no desire to finish it. "
— Trisha, 4/30/2011 -
" Definitely not the Outlander series, but a good read none the less. "
— Kerry, 4/29/2011 -
" Loved Lord John in the origional series but I did not like this book at all. "
— Maggie, 4/27/2011 -
" Just as the author finds Lord John one of her favorite characters, I like him a lot, too. "
— Karen, 4/18/2011 -
" 3.5 stars. A fun historical mystery. "
— Michelle, 4/6/2011 -
" A much shorter read than Gabaldon's Outlander series, I found this wasn't as gripping, either. It was still enjoyable, but I really missed the romance I'm used to from her! "
— SerraDee, 4/5/2011 -
" London, 1700s, a in the closet gay military man investigates two murders. "
— Janice, 4/3/2011
About Diana Gabaldon
Rebecca Lowman is an actress and audiobook narrator who has won numerous Earphones Awards. She has starred in numerous television shows, including Law & Order, Big Love, NCIS, and Grey’s Anatomy, among many others. She earned her MFA from Columbia University.
About Jeff Woodman
Jeff Woodman is an actor and narrator. He is a winner of the prestigious Audie Award and a six-time finalist. He has received twenty Earphones Awards and was named the 2008 Best Voice in Fiction & Classics, as well as one of the Fifty Greatest Voices of the Century by AudioFile magazine. As an actor, he originated the title role in Tennessee Williams’ The Notebook of Trigorin and won the S. F. Critics’ Circle Award for his performance in An Ideal Husband. In addition to numerous theater credits on and off Broadway, his television work includes Sex and the City, Law & Order, and Cosby.