An Echo in the Bone: Discuss Part Three here

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Part Three:  Privateer

23.  Correspondence from the front

24.  Joyeux Noel

25.  The bosom of the deep

26.  Stag at bay

27.  Tunnel tigers

28.  Hilltops

29.  Conversation with a headmaster

30.  Ships that pass in the night

31.  A guided tour through the chambers of the heart.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Another common trait with Jamie, Willie has a facility for languages.  Just when are all these traits-in-common going to collide?

John goes to a brothel run by “Nessie,” obviously a Scotswoman who took her name from Lock Ness.  I wonder if we know her.  And her husband is Rab McNab.  Could this be Rabbie from Lallybroch, Mary McNab’s son?

William is boarding in a Catholic convent.  I wonder if he remembers that Jamie baptized him as a “stinking Papist.”

Fergus, Beauchamp, and the French Connection.  This is going to develop into something. 

Back to Bree and Roger.  She’s off to work and leaves him behind to play househusband.  I doubt is DG is going to split them up, but I really can’t see how these two are going to make it.

I just loved it when Roger found the two books by Jamie and Claire.  Finally, Claire found a way to pass on her knowledge.  And I cried over Jamie’s Grandfather Tales.

Now we find out a little more about Roger and Bree’s transition to the 20th Century.  A collect call to Joe Abernathy.  But what about their 18th century clothes?  A boating accident?  Hope we find out more.

Boy, Roger keeps having 18th century flashbacks.  When he found Leap O’ the Cask, it really brought home to him what happened to Fergus here.  Then Jem shows him Jamie’s cave.  Roger is really a very sensitive guy. 

I’m breathing again.  Bree found a time portal in one of the tunnels.  Wondering when the tigers were digging the tunnel if any of them disappeared.

Mandy said she saw the Nuckelavee outside the window.  I still think it is William Buccleigh MacKenzie.

Uh-oh, Jamie, Claire and Ian sneak out of Wilmington, only to run into a British privateer.  Of course they take Ian, and Jamie isn’t going to let him go, so he goads them into taking him, too.  Anybody surprised that Claire jumped onto the other ship to try to save Jamie and Ian?  By my calculations, she’s about 61 years old.  I don’t think I could leap from one ship to the other, cut the rope and fight off three mean at that age ... or any age.

I got a little confused with jumping from one ship to the other to a third ship, but the important thing is that they rescued Rollo and are on their way to join the rebels.  Fraser’s Irregulars.  Anybody surprised that Jamie is going to be fighting after all?

[millie34]

By my calculations, she’s about 61 years old.  I don’t think I could leap from one ship to the other, cut the rope and fight off three mean at that age ... or any age.

I was thinking the same thing.  If I jumped off anything, that would be the end of my knees.  Of course in order to survive in the 18th century, she's had to be more rugged, but even so!

I guess I like neat scenes.  Someone retrieved some of their belongings from their cabin.  Do you think she got her skirt back, the one with the gold in the hem.  And what about the gold needles, Jamie is going to need those if they're ever going to Scotland.  Although it doesn't look like they're going anytime soon.

About William, his character hasn't really developed yet.  He's not relating to anyone or showing much emotion.  You're right Gertie, so far, he seems to have inherited his father's seasickness and his talent for learning languages, but he obviously got some traits from his mother too.  He's a bit impulsive.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I was thinking the same thing.  If I jumped off anything, that would be the end of my knees.  Of course in order to survive in the 18th century, she's had to be more rugged, but even so!

I think it was Kurt Vonnegut who said, "Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone."  Truer words were never spoken. 

Yes, she's had to be more rugged, but that's the very reason women back then aged earlier.  It was a hard, hard life.  I guess it helped that she spent most of her life in modern times. 

I guess I like neat scenes.  Someone retrieved some of their belongings from their cabin.  Do you think she got her skirt back, the one with the gold in the hem.  And what about the gold needles, Jamie is going to need those if they're ever going to Scotland.  Although it doesn't look like they're going anytime soon.

Yes, I think she got it back, but I like neat scenes, too, and I wish it had been mentioned.

About William, his character hasn't really developed yet.  He's not relating to anyone or showing much emotion.  You're right Gertie, so far, he seems to have inherited his father's seasickness and his talent for learning languages, but he obviously got some traits from his mother too.  He's a bit impulsive.

And reckless.  And doesn't seem to be able to take care of himself very well.  Remember when we first met John?  He was only 16, three years younger than William is now.  He acquitted himself very well for such a young man.  I would expect William to be at least as good as John, if not as good as Jamie, but he isn't. 

[tlshaw *Padded Cell 511*]

I loved the idea that Jamie and Claire wrote books to leave behind. But, I can't understand why Bree doesn't want to read them. That would bring her parents close every time they read from them. I would love to hear what kind of stories Jamie put in his.

William definitely seems to have inherited traits from Jamie - seasickness and ease of languages. I hope he has inherited Jamie's sense of nobility and honor as well.

I was getting a little confused about the boats, like some of the rest of you. I am glad it worked out. Did Jamie becoming captain remind anyone else of the shipwreck in the Carribean? An now, Jamie is also taking on a regiment. They sure take the long route to go anywhere. I have never heard of sailing from Wilmington to Edinburg by way of Fort Ticonderoga.

I never thought of Rab as being Rabbie McNab for Lallybroch, but it does sound reasonable. Old characters keep popping up in the most unlikely places. Who would have thought that little waif would grow up to run an exclusive brothel in London.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I loved the idea that Jamie and Claire wrote books to leave behind. But, I can't understand why Bree doesn't want to read them. That would bring her parents close every time they read from them. I would love to hear what kind of stories Jamie put in his.

Maybe we'll get an extra book like JKR did with Tales of Beedle the Bard.

William definitely seems to have inherited traits from Jamie - seasickness and ease of languages. I hope he has inherited Jamie's sense of nobility and honor as well.

Not only should he have inherited it, he was raised by John who gave him a good example.

I was getting a little confused about the boats, like some of the rest of you. I am glad it worked out. Did Jamie becoming captain remind anyone else of the shipwreck in the Carribean? An now, Jamie is also taking on a regiment. They sure take the long route to go anywhere. I have never heard of sailing from Wilmington to Edinburg by way of Fort Ticonderoga.

Yeah, captain of the boat, shipwrecked, captain of a regiment ... sounds an awful lot like Voyager, doesn't it.  

I never thought of Rab as being Rabbie McNab for Lallybroch, but it does sound reasonable. Old characters keep popping up in the most unlikely places. Who would have thought that little waif would grow up to run an exclusive brothel in London.

And I want to know who Nessie really is.  Probably someone from the LJ books.  I wonder how Mary McNab feels about her little boy being married to a madam and running a brothel.

I bet Fergus brought him to Madame Jeanne's just like he did young Jamie and Michael.  Probably met Nessie there. 

[PraiseGod13]

Okay.... I'm exactly 61 and in quite good shape myself because we live in the country and I haul firewood etc  .... but I would NOT be "ship-leaping" or dukeing it out with the bad guys on the deck of a ship.  And, like you, I had to really concentrate on keeping the scenes with the three ships all straight... especially since we had played "fruit basket upset" with the crews.
     Nessie seems to be a bit puzzling since Lord John isn't terribly interested in women... but he sure knows her likes and evidently cares enough to bring her sweet treats.  I'm thinking that maybe she and Lord John dabble in the spy business together.  And then, her husband is Rab McNab?  I'm wondering if DG is going to tell us any more about him or if she just threw his character back into the mix briefly once again to see if we are paying attention?
     Part 3 hasn't endeared William to me any more..... I keep thinking that eventually there will be something developed in his character that helps me like him more.... but not so far.  I really do want to like him.... being Jamie's only son.....  Jamie has always seemed so capable... the natural leader.  William seems anything but....  At least I hoped he'd have some of Lord John's strengths, but I don't see that either.
     I enjoyed Abram..... neat kid who wasn't at all afraid to argue "politics" with the other sailors.  I thought it was so great how he took his job seriously when Jamie asked him to take care of Claire below while the ships were engaged in battle.  It made me think of Jamie entrusting Claire's safety to a very young Ian in the past.
     As important as the gold is to them and their future, I would have thought that Claire would have asked Jamie about her skirt.... I know I would have!  Or, I thought Jamie would have given her an update on the skirt's status.  But, it seems to have been forgotten by both of them for the time being.
     I don't see DG separating Bree and Roger either.... but I sure don't feel like they're a strong couple.  In the 18th century, Roger wasn't thrilled with the fact that Bree was a better shot than he was so she could hunt and provide food for them better than he could.  I don't think he'd be as accepting of his 20th century role as house-husband as DG is making him. 
     Bree encountering the time portal in the tunnel was definitely daunting.  That totally took me by surprise - especially since the area was so different from the areas with the stones.
     Like all of you, I really liked the two books that Jamie and Claire wrote..... this series continues to have these gems that touch your heart.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I'm wondering if Nessie and Rab are in the LJ books.  I'm going to have to leaf through the one I have to see if I can find anything. 

I think he gets information from her in the course of his Black Chamber activities.

[danfan]

Oh I cried about the books from the past, especially the one with a picture of Jamie & Mandy etc.

Poor Roger. I still think he needs to go back through the stones.

And yes, Claire's heroics on the ship made me almost laugh out loud at first - when she made the jump, I thought WHAAAATT? Are we reading a spy thriller now?
And what's with their sea voyages? Can they not get on a ship without being chased by pirates, Man O' War, finding a plague or becoming fugitives again?  Sheesh. I'm about 2/3 through the ship part. So far Claire has remembered her missing skirt and gold but hasn't got it back.

But at least knowing about the letters & books, we know they'll get out of this one.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Oh I cried about the books from the past, especially the one with a picture of Jamie & Mandy etc.

Very moving. 

Poor Roger. I still think he needs to go back through the stones.

But will he take Bree, Jemmy and Mandy into the middle of a war?

And yes, Claire's heroics on the ship made me almost laugh out loud at first - when she made the jump, I thought WHAAAATT? Are we reading a spy thriller now?
And what's with their sea voyages? Can they not get on a ship without being chased by pirates, Man O' War, finding a plague or becoming fugitives again?  Sheesh. I'm about 2/3 through the ship part. So far Claire has remembered her missing skirt and gold but hasn't got it back.

What was DG thinking? 

But at least knowing about the letters & books, we know they'll get out of this one.

As they usually get out of everything, but there are always plenty of heart-stopping moments until they do. 

[imallbs]

Part 3

I don’t think the Lord John parts are going to get any better.  I want to find out what happens to Fergus but I have no interest in anything else Lord John is doing. 

I wonder if William’s character will change as he experiences war.  He certainly can’t have the same innocence after being in battle.  I laughed at the parallel between his experience with the rebels and John’s experience with Jamie when John was 16.  John overcame the embarrassment and William will as well.  As you said Gertie, William has not only inherited some of Jamie’s better traits (in addition to some less desirable ones - sea sickness) but he was raised by John who is a decent man.  Whatever changes he experiences, I believe he will be as good a man as his fathers.

I’m with everybody else here – love the books Claire and Jamie wrote.  I can’t wait to read them.  Bree needs to get off her --- and start reading these.  I mean really, I can’t actually pick them up and read them myself so Get With It Bree.  Let me read those books, especially Jamie’s.

What struck me about their transition back to the 20th century is that Roger still has no one.  Bree has Joe, he knows the truth.  She was able to go back to school and make a place for herself.  Roger will find his way but he sure is struggling now.   The Jamie, Jem and probably Mandy connection is great.  Jem really loved his Grandda so the connection to him from Lallybroch and the dreams must be a comfort to him.  I wonder how Jem is doing at school and with friends.  He’s not a kid who will sit quietly and some of the things he knows will not be appreciated.

Another time portal.  But Bree went through it without a problem.  I know the time of year has something to do with it but could it also be affected by the fact that 200 years ago that space was solid rock?  And wouldn’t that make this a useless place for time traveling?  The hazing was a little extreme.  I think there is more to it than good natured fun.  Bree and Roger need to watch out for Rob Cameron

All these people showing up from the past; I hope I can keep them straight.  It sounds like Rabbie McNab has turned out a lot like his father.

And now we have a pirate novel.  So Claire is 61 and jumping off a ship.  No wonder her knee hurts.  I don’t see how she got the gold back but it’s nice that she did.

Let’s see if I got this straight.  There were 3 ships and 2 of them are sunk (or grounded).  The people who were prisoners (or at least in an undesirable position) are now is charge of prisoners and Jamie is again in charge of a militia.  I thought, he thought, he was too old to fight with knives, swords and muskets and was going to fight with words instead.  I wonder what will happen when he meets his son across the battlefield.

The part about Ian morning over the dog…at least nobody said he’s just a dog when Ian thought he was dead.  And one of my favorite lines “Besides Auntie’ Ian said reprovingly, ‘he’s a good dog”.  I assume Ian will be falling in love and want to get married in this book (otherwise what good is Arch’s revenge strategy).  I wonder what Rollo will think of this.  I mean, he is used to sleeping with Ian…

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Part 3

I don’t think the Lord John parts are going to get any better.  I want to find out what happens to Fergus but I have no interest in anything else Lord John is doing. 

I really resent all the space given to LJ. 

I wonder if William’s character will change as he experiences war.  He certainly can’t have the same innocence after being in battle.  I laughed at the parallel between his experience with the rebels and John’s experience with Jamie when John was 16.  John overcame the embarrassment and William will as well.  As you said Gertie, William has not only inherited some of Jamie’s better traits (in addition to some less desirable ones - sea sickness) but he was raised by John who is a decent man.  Whatever changes he experiences, I believe he will be as good a man as his fathers.

It seemed like William was in a fog, both figuratively and literally.  I found him nearly as boring as his stepfather. 

Another time portal.  But Bree went through it without a problem.  I know the time of year has something to do with it but could it also be affected by the fact that 200 years ago that space was solid rock?  And wouldn’t that make this a useless place for time traveling?  The hazing was a little extreme.  I think there is more to it than good natured fun.  Bree and Roger need to watch out for Rob Cameron

Did Bree get through the portal or stop herself in time?  Didn't trust Cameron from the beginning.  Never trust a man who smiles too much. 

All these people showing up from the past; I hope I can keep them straight.  It sounds like Rabbie McNab has turned out a lot like his father.

I wonder if Rabbie is in one of the Lord John books to find out how he ended up with Nessie and who she really is.

And now we have a pirate novel.  So Claire is 61 and jumping off a ship.  No wonder her knee hurts.  I don’t see how she got the gold back but it’s nice that she did.

Maybe just a tad far-fetched?  And then a knife fight with three sailors? 

Let’s see if I got this straight.  There were 3 ships and 2 of them are sunk (or grounded).  The people who were prisoners (or at least in an undesirable position) are now is charge of prisoners and Jamie is again in charge of a militia.  I thought, he thought, he was too old to fight with knives, swords and muskets and was going to fight with words instead.  I wonder what will happen when he meets his son across the battlefield.

I gave up on trying to keep the three ships and their captains and fates straight in my mind.  But, yes, just like in Voyager. 

The part about Ian morning over the dog…at least nobody said he’s just a dog when Ian thought he was dead.  And one of my favorite lines “Besides Auntie’ Ian said reprovingly, ‘he’s a good dog”.  I assume Ian will be falling in love and want to get married in this book (otherwise what good is Arch’s revenge strategy).  I wonder what Rollo will think of this.  I mean, he is used to sleeping with Ian…

He better find someone who loves Rollo as much as he does.

[imallbs]

Did Bree get through the portal or stop herself in time?  Didn't trust Cameron from the beginning.  Never trust a man who smiles too much. 

I wasn't thinking that Bree went through the portal but rather that she went through the space where the portal was but didn't time travel.  I wonder if it was the time of year that prevented her from going to a different time or if she did have the ability to stop herself.   If she can stop herself, that would be a big difference from the other times any of them have gone near a portal.  Just wondering...

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I wasn't thinking that Bree went through the portal but rather that she went through the space where the portal was but didn't time travel.  I wonder if it was the time of year that prevented her from going to a different time or if she did have the ability to stop herself.   If she can stop herself, that would be a big difference from the other times any of them have gone near a portal.  Just wondering...

The time of year could have made a difference.  Or maybe she was too far away from the actual portal.  She and Roger kept themselves from going through when they tried to stop Gillian Edgars from going through.

We know there can be underground portals because of the cave in Abandawe.  Maybe that section of the tunnel used to be a cave. 

[Luvmy4brats]

Wow! Claire's getting a bit old to be flying from ship to ship. No wonder her knee hurts. She needs to be more careful or she WILL have a heart attack.

Poor Ian, thinking he'd lost his beloved companion. Rollo is not just a dog. So glad they made it back together.

I'm enjoying the book, except for the LJ parts. I feel it's taking Claire/Jamie & Roger/Bree time away from me.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Wow! Claire's getting a bit old to be flying from ship to ship. No wonder her knee hurts. She needs to be more careful or she WILL have a heart attack.

And don't forget the three sailors she tried to fight off.   

I'm enjoying the book, except for the LJ parts. I feel it's taking Claire/Jamie & Roger/Bree time away from me.

Unfortunately, the LJ parts have to be read, boring as they are.   

[Luvmy4brats]

When I'm listening to the book, I bump the LJ parts up to 2x speed. I can still hear and understand but it gets me through quicker. Once I get past it, I slow it down so I can savor the rest.

I really wish Bree and Roger will read a bit quicker. Especially the books.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

When I'm listening to the book, I bump the LJ parts up to 2x speed. I can still hear and understand but it gets me through quicker. Once I get past it, I slow it down so I can savor the rest.

That feature might just convert me to audiobooks.

I really wish Bree and Roger will read a bit quicker. Especially the books.

Did they even count the number of letters?  I don't think so.

Maybe DG can do a Tales of Beedle the Bard type book with Jamie's bedtime stories.  That would be so neat.  And if they got a good male voice to read them, I would definitely get the audiobook. 

[tlshaw *Padded Cell 511*]

I wasn't thinking that Bree went through the portal but rather that she went through the space where the portal was but didn't time travel.  I wonder if it was the time of year that prevented her from going to a different time or if she did have the ability to stop herself.   If she can stop herself, that would be a big difference from the other times any of them have gone near a portal.  Just wondering...

I agree that Bree did not go through the portal, but just got too close to it. Maybe it was the time of year, as well.

[Luvmy4brats]

I also think Bree got very close to a portal, but didn't go through. That was a pretty extreme case of hazing. Bree handled it very good and kept her head about her. 

I don't think they counted the letters. Their reasons for not reading them all right away don't make sense to me, but maybe it's just because I'm all about instant gratification.

[imallbs]

When I'm listening to the book, I bump the LJ parts up to 2x speed. I can still hear and understand but it gets me through quicker. Once I get past it, I slow it down so I can savor the rest.

Seems to be working better than my methods.  I find my self skimming throught he LJ sections and missing things.  Then there are the times I think I am sleep reading; not real conducive for remembering what you have read.

Unfortunately, the LJ parts have to be read, boring as they are.   

Do they really? By everybod?  Cus I'm thinking I can skip em and read what ya'll have to say about them instead.  Kind of a Kindleboards version of Cliff Notes. 

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Seems to be working better than my methods.  I find my self skimming throught he LJ sections and missing things.  Then there are the times I think I am sleep reading; not real conducive for remembering what you have read.Do they really? By everybod?  Cus I'm thinking I can skip em and read what ya'll have to say about them instead.  Kind of a Kindleboards version of Cliff Notes. 

Okay, here's what we have said.  boring, mind-numbingly boring, snoringly mind-numbingly boring. 

Since I've already read those parts, and others as well as myself have posted about them, go ahead and read what we've written.  I'll try to answer any questions, but those parts were really forgettable.