Try as Jamie Fraser might, he just can't seem to die. He enters the Battle of Culloden devastated by the reality of having to say goodbye to his wife and unborn child, but also assured of their safety, having sent them (and the rest of his Lallybroch men) out of harm's way before the battle begins. Black Jack Randall is the Devil Spoiler Alert: Dinna read unless you have read Dragonfly in Amber. After a particularly busy weekend that involved a wedding, weekend guests and an invitation to a party at a local yacht club (dahhhling) - I finally got a quiet moment to sit down and blog this AM. Given all of the pain and violence Randall has inflicted on Jamie, this confrontation is a big turning point for Jamie's character arc and the show in general. This fight also happens to be a major part of the Outlander Season 3 premiere, which premiered last night on Starz.

Dragonfly in Amber is the second book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century nurse Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.^[1] This installment chronicles Claire and Jamie's efforts to prevent the Jacobite rising that Claire knows will end disastrously for the Scots.

A television adaptation of the series, called Outlander, premiered on Starz in August 2014.^[2] The show's second season—which aired May through July 2016—was based on the events of Dragonfly in Amber.^[3][4]

• 1Plot summary

Plot summary[edit]

Scotland, 1968[edit]

Claire Randall has returned to her own time, where she has been living for 20 years with her husband Frank. Following his death, she brings her daughter, Brianna, to the home of the Randalls' old friend, Reverend Reginald Wakefield. There, Claire hopes the Reverend's adopted son, Roger, can help her discover what happened to the men of Lallybroch after the Battle of Culloden. Roger, using his Oxford credentials to obtain information, finds proof that the men of Lallybroch returned home safely. He accompanies Claire and Brianna to an old churchyard, looking for the grave of Jonathan Randall, Frank's ancestor, but also finds Jamie Fraser's gravestone: it is part of a 'marriage stone', showing Claire's name but no date. Claire reveals Brianna's true paternity to her and Roger. Brianna angrily denies her mother's story, but Roger is fascinated, and Claire recounts her time after the events of Outlander.

Paris, 1744[edit]

At the end of Outlander, Claire has convinced Jamie to stop the Jacobite rising and the consequent slaughter. After learning that Charles Stuart is trying to get money from the French king Louis XV to fund the Jacobite cause, they travel to Paris, where Jamie uses his cousin Jared's wine business to gain the aristocratic connections necessary to plot against Stuart. A French boy named Claudel, brought up in a brothel, helps Jamie flee from some thugs, and Jamie hires him to steal the prince's correspondence, and renames him Fergus. When Jonathan 'Black Jack' Randall arrives, Jamie, despite a promise to spare Randall's life to protect his descendant Frank (Claire's modern-day husband), challenges Randall to a duel, and renders him impotent. Claire miscarries their daughter and is taken to the hospital. Jamie is sent to the Bastille for dueling.

Scotland, 1745 and the Rising[edit]

Claire frees Jamie by an arrangement with King Louis XV of France, and they are banished from France. Back in Scotland with Fergus, they settle into farm life at his home at Lallybroch with Jamie's sister Jenny and her family. Jamie receives a letter from Stuart, announcing his attempt to retake the throne of Scotland, which the prince has signed Jamie's name to, branding him a traitor to the Crown. Left with no choice, he gathers the men of Lallybroch to join the Stuart army. Young Lord John Grey, an English scout, stumbles upon Jamie and Claire. Thinking Claire a prisoner, Grey tries to 'save' her, whereupon Jamie breaks the boy's arm but spares his life. Information gleaned by Jamie from this encounter helps the Highlanders win at the Battle of Prestonpans; but the Rising still fails at the disastrous Battle of Culloden. Claire discovers that she is pregnant again. Jamie and Claire discuss assassinating Stuart, but decide against it. Dougal MacKenzie, having overheard their conversation, accuses Claire of persuading Jamie to betray his people, and attempts to kill Claire. Dougal is stabbed and dies in Jamie's arms. Jamie, knowing that the Jacobites lose Culloden, forces Claire and the unborn Brianna to return to her own time to spare her the battle's aftermath, and returns to Culloden, intending to die in the battle.

1968[edit]

Claire relates that she had returned to Frank, who disbelieved her story but insisted on helping her raise Brianna, and asked that she would only tell Brianna the truth after his death. Upon hearing it, Brianna refuses to believe Claire's story. Claire enlists Roger's help by revealing him as the descendant of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan. Claire admits to Roger that while hiding in the caves of the Highlands, plotting Jamie's escape from prison (as told in Outlander), Dougal had delivered a message from Geillis that read: 'I do not know if it is possible, but I think so' and the numbers 1,9,6 and 8. Claire deduces that these signify the year 1968, and Claire and Roger suspect that Geillis was telling her the year of her own time travel. Claire, Roger, and eventually Brianna witness Geillis Duncan/Gillian Edgars' disappearance through the stone circle at Craigh na Dun after she murders her husband, Greg. Ultimately, Roger informs Claire that Jamie did not die at Culloden.

Critical reception[edit]

Publishers Weekly called Dragonfly in Amber an 'immensely long, compulsively readable sequel to Outlander', and noted that by 'portraying life in court and hut and on the battlefield through the eyes of a strong-minded, modern participant, Gabaldon offers a fresh and offbeat historical view, framed by an intriguing contemporary issue of Claire's daughter's paternity.'^[5]

References[edit]

1. ^Reese, Jennifer (November 27, 2007). 'Book Review: Lord John and the Hand of Devils (2007)'. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
2. ^Ng, Philiana (May 8, 2014). 'Starz's Outlander Gets First Poster, Premiere Date'. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
3. ^Hibberd, James (August 15, 2014). 'Outlander renewed for second season'. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
4. ^Elavsky, Cindy (August 24, 2014). 'Celebrity Extra'. Downriver Sunday Times. King Features. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
5. ^'Fiction Book Review: Dragonfly in Amber'. Publishers Weekly. June 29, 1992. Retrieved October 7, 2014.

External links[edit]

• 'An Outlander Family Tree (Official)'. Random House. 2014.

An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Randall and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/fantasy.^[1]

First published and released in the United States on September 22, 2009,^[2] the novel continues the adventures of Claire and Jamie in the 18th century, as well as their daughter, Brianna MacKenzie and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, who returned to the 20th century at the end of the previous book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Plot summary[edit]

In the 20th century at Lallybroch, Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are reading letters from Claire and Jamie from the past, one of which mentions hidden gold, with a location known only to Jem. William Buccleigh, Roger's Scottish ancestor, accidentally appears in their time. Given his date of death on the family record, Brianna and Roger know he is unlikely to make it safely back. Rob Cameron, one of Brianna's coworkers, kidnaps Jem, and appears that he has taken Jem into the past, and Roger and William travel through time to find them; but Rob appears at Brianna's home and orders her to tell Jem to disclose the location of the gold. Jem is locked underground at the dam where Brianna and Rob work, finds an electric train, and starts an escape; his fate is unseen.

In the past, Lord William Ellesmere (actually Jamie's son but raised as Lord John Grey's stepson) is involved in the American Revolution as a Redcoat, but is repeatedly embarrassed until the battle of Saratoga, wherein he distinguishes himself. Arch and Murdina Bug go after the gold on Fraser's Ridge, during a confused confrontation Mrs. Bug shoots Jamie when he tells her to stop, and Ian shoots her. Ian feels guilty for killing Mrs. Bug; Arch vows to take his revenge when Ian has 'someone worth losing'. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave their mountain home for Scotland to see Jenny, Ian, and their children, and also to recover Jamie's printing press. Before they can leave America, they become involved in the Revolutionary War; Jamie accidentally shoots the hat off William's head at Saratoga. A kinsman of Jamie's on the British side, Simon Fraser of Balnain, is killed, and Jamie and Claire are asked to take his body back to Scotland. Before they leave, a stranger tries to blackmail Jamie, but Ian kills him. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave for Scotland to bury Jamie's relative and Ian leaves his dog Rollo with a Quaker woman named Rachel Hunter. Jamie, Claire, and Ian reach Scotland, where Ian the elder, husband to Jamie's sister Jenny, and Jamie's best childhood friend, is dying of consumption when they arrive. Ian and Jenny are ecstatic that young Ian has returned; but Jenny is hostile to Claire who is unable to cure Ian. Jamie apologizes to Laoghaire (his second wife) for their separation. Laoghaire's daughter (and Jamie's adopted daughter) Joan requires Laoghaire to marry her lover, a crippled servant, so that she (Joan) can become a nun. A letter from Laoghaire's daughter Marsali reveals that her son, Henri-Christian, is very ill. In this missive, Marsali beseeches Claire's help in treating him. Claire agrees to return to America to treat Henri-Christian, stipulating that Laoghaire marry her lover, stop taking alimony from Jamie, and help Joan become a nun.

Does Black Jack Randall Die At Culloden

Claire saves Henri-Christian's life, with the help of Lord John, and saves Lord John's injured nephew Henry. Lord John's niece Dottie has come to America as well, in love with Rachel's brother, a Quaker physician named Denzell Hunter. Claire receives a letter from Jamie that Ian has died and Jenny has decided to leave Lallybroch. Word later arrives that Jamie has been lost at sea; and Claire is about to be arrested for being a spy, when Lord John insists on marrying Claire for her protection, as well as for the protection of Fergus, Marsali, and their children. Arch tries to kill Rachel, but Ian fights him, until William kills Arch. Jamie returns alive, with Redcoats after him, and pretends to take Lord John hostage and flees; but William realizes that Jamie is his father, flies into a rage, and storms out.

Characters[edit]

Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser - Main female character around whom the series revolves. Nurse/Physician. Born in 1918 and married in the 20th century to professor/historian Frank Randall, Claire falls through the standing stones at Craigh na Dun in Scotland at Beltane (1 May) while on a second honeymoon with Frank in 1946, and finds herself in the 18th century Scotland Highlands in 1743. She is forced to marry James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Jamie), whom she eventually falls in love with. Mother of Faith (stillborn, 18th century) and Brianna, adopted mother of Fergus, and mother-in-law to Marsali. Returned through the stones to 20th century in 1746 to protect hers and Jamie's unborn child (who is then born in Boston in the 20th century). Twenty years later, after Frank Randall has died, Claire discovers (through Roger's research) that Jamie probably didn't die at Culloden, and she returns through the standing stones to 1766 to search for him.

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser - Laird of Lallybroch (Scotland) and Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina. Former inmate of Ardsmuir Prison. Eighteenth century husband of Claire, whom he affectionately calls 'Sassenach'. Father of Faith (stillborn - mother: Claire), Brianna (mother: Claire) and William Ransom (mother: Geneva Dunsany), stepfather to Marsali and Joan (mother: ex-wife Laoghaire), adopted father to Fergus.

Lord John William Grey - Retired veteran of the Rising of 1745 and Seven Years' War. The former governor of Ardsmuir Prison. Jamie and Claire's long-time friend. Stepfather of William Ransom, brother to Harold Grey, Duke of Pardloe, and uncle to Benjamin, Henry, Adam, and Dorothea Grey.

Lt. Lord William Ransom - The 9th Earl of Ellsmere, stepson of Lord John Grey, and the illegitimate son of James Fraser and Geneva Dunsany. Cousin to the children of Hal Grey, Duke of Pardloe, as well as the children of Jenny and Ian Murray.

Ian Murray (Jr.) - Jenny and Ian Murray's son, Jamie's nephew, and Fergus', Brianna's and William's cousin. Adopted into the Mohawk, but returned to the Ridge with Rollo, his half-wolf dog.

Brianna Ellen Fraser MacKenzie - Jamie and Claire's daughter born in 20th century Boston and raised by Claire and Frank Randall. Arrives in the 18th century in 1769. She marries Roger and they have two children: a son, Jeremiah, known as 'Jemmy' and a daughter, Amanda Claire MacKenzie (Mandy). Returned to the 20th century at the end of A Breath of Snow and Ashes due to baby Amanda's heart condition.

Roger MacKenzie Wakefield - One-time Oxford professor and historian, folksinger, minister and Gaelic teacher. Twentieth century descendant of Geillis Duncan and Dougal MacKenzie, Great-nephew and adopted son of Rev. Reginald Wakefield (Outlander), and Jamie and Claire's son-in-law. Arrives in the 18th century in 1769. Married to Brianna and father of Jemmy and Mandy. At the end of A Breath of Snow and Ashes, takes his family back to the 20th century to get medical help for baby Amanda's heart condition. The family then moves to live at present-day Lallybroch, the Fraser family home.

Did Blackjack Randall Die At Culloden

Jeremiah 'Jemmy' Alexander Ian Fraser MacKenzie - Roger and Brianna's son, born in 18th century colonial North Carolina, and who, like his parents, granny Claire, and sister Amanda, can time-travel.

Amanda 'Mandy' Claire Hope MacKenzie - Roger and Brianna's daughter, born in 18th century colonial North Carolina, and who, like her parents, granny Claire, and brother Jemmy, can time-travel. Her medical condition caused her parents to travel back to the future, to have it corrected. Jemmy went with them.

Fergus Claudel Fraser - Printer, one-time French pickpocket and spy. Jamie and Claire's adopted son. First appears in Dragonfly in Amber. Married to Marsali.

Marsali Fraser - Laoghaire's daughter, Jamie's stepdaughter and daughter-in-law, and Claire's daughter-in-law. First appears in Voyager. Married to Fergus and mother to Germain, Joan, Félicite, and Henri-Christian.

Henri-Christian Fraser - Fergus and Marsali's youngest son, a little person.

Janet 'Jenny' Fraser Murray - The one time Lady of Lallybroch, 18th century, married to Ian Murray Sr. Older sister of James Fraser and mother of Jamie, Maggie, Katherine, Michael, Janet, and Ian.

Ian Murray, Sr - Jamie Fraser's childhood/lifetime best friend. Married to Janet 'Jenny' Fraser, Jamie's beloved older sister.

Tom Christie - A former inmate of Ardsmuir Prison. Malva's and Allan's father. In love with Claire. Arrives at the Ridge at the end of Fiery Cross.

Denys Randall-Isaacs - The son of Alex Randall, adopted son of Jonathan 'Black Jack' Randall, and ancestor of Frank Randall, Claire Fraser's 20th century husband.

Perseverance 'Percy' Wainwright Beauchamp - English spy married into a French noble family. One-time lover (and later, stepbrother) of Lord John Grey.

Dr. Denzell Hunter - Quaker physician serving in the Revolutionary American Army.

Rachel Hunter - Quaker nurse assisting her brother serving in the Revolutionary American Army. Love interest of Ian Murray Jr.

For both Ian Murrays, Senior/Junior are not used in-character, but rather Old/Young, variants thereof, or the similar Gaelic words Mor/Og.

References[edit]

1. ^Reese, Jennifer (November 27, 2007). 'Book Review: Lord John and the Hand of Devils (2007)'. EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
2. ^Official website of Diana Gabaldon

External links[edit]

• 'An Outlander Family Tree (Official)'. Random House. 2014.