The latest big book in the Outlander series - seven years waiting this time, finally arrived.  When we last saw Jamie and Claire, they were racing down the hill to greet Brianna, Roger and the children.  Bree and the children had escaped present-day Scotland and the evil intentions of one Rob Cameron.  Cameron had managed to convince them that their son had been taken through the stones to the past; so Roger and his many-times-removed grandfather, Buck, had followed.  Since Bree knew Roger would never give up the search and she had no way to tell him that their son was safe with her, she determined they must also go through the stones and find him.  Once they'd reunited, they decided their safest course of action (for the children) was to go through the stones to Jamie and Claire rather than risk trying to return to the present.

Jamie and Claire are back on Fraser's Ridge and in the midst of rebuilding their home.  The unrest in the colonies is beginning to be felt even in the hinterlands of North Carolina.  Jamie knows that some of his tenants are sympathetic to the rebels and others cleave to the English throne.  Unfortunately, emotions about the situation are hot and the damn fools who are loyal to the throne think it a good idea to kidnap Jamie.

Meanwhile in Georgia, Lord John is dealing with his unhappy son, William.  Willie is dealing with the recent knowledge that his father was not an English Lord but a lowly Scottish groom, otherwise known as Jamie Fraser.  With that knowledge, Willie decided he no longer was entitled to be Lord Ellesmere and wished to give up his titles and land.  This, understandably, upset Lord John who still regarded the boy as his own son.  He hatched a convoluted little plot to bring Brianna to Georgia, under the pretext of a commission to paint a portrait, but really for the purpose of speaking to Willie.  He hoped that somehow their familial connection might help Willie get through his confusion and unhappiness.  Bree was delighted at the idea of honest work and through an equally convoluted plot concocted by her father, she and her family set off for Georgia.  Along the way, they intended to deliver her cousin Germaine back to his family along with a hidden load of firearms for the coming revolution.  And, Roger intended to meet with a Presbyterian contingent in order to finally be ordained.  A lot on their plate.

Lord John is also dealing with the arrival of John Cinnamon, a man whom Willie encountered and brought back with him.  John, an orphan, had conceived of the idea that he was Lord John's son.  This disconcerted Willie and lent itself to all sorts of drama in the household.  But the drama didn't stop there; Willie is still looking for his Uncle Ben.  He does eventually find him but not before he falls in love with Ben's abandoned wife and not where he might expect to find him.

There are several new births, lots of surgeries, great big gobs of politics and violence, an adoption, another time-traveler, and the author's usual cliff-hanger.  I cannot give any details as the event, very near the end of the book, was rather unexpected.  It will, however, precipitate an encounter - maybe a reconciliation - between Willie and Jamie.

In the massive 888 pages there are several decent little plots but I couldn't help but feel (and I feel rather traitorous saying so…) that there wasn't an overlying thread that would tie it all together. It felt rather like a ramble through and around Jamie's and Claire's lives.  There were some enlightening moments but much was left unresolved.  Ms. Gabaldon has made no secret that she intends to wrap up the series in book ten (this is number nine) so I fully expect her to pull all those unresolved issues in - is Rob Cameron or his cronies coming to the past to steal the Jacobite gold? Will Claire learn to harness the mysterious healing "blue light?" And if so, will she be able to effect another healing on Roger's throat?  Could he ever sing again?  Will Brianna continue to have heart health issues?  What was the purpose in bringing in John Cinnamon; will he have a continuing effect on Lord John's family?  Will Willie marry Amaranthus or renounce his title?  Will Willie acknowledge Jamie as his father?  And if so, what does that do to Jamie's and Lord John's relationship?  Will Hal kill his own son, Ben?  Who will survive the coming revolution? And what ever happened to Buck?

Inquiring minds are dying to know and desperately hoping it won't be another seven years to find out.  ~~ Catherine Book

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