An Echo in the Bone: Discuss Part Four here

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

Part Four:  Conjunction

32.  A flurry of suspicion

33.  The plot thickens.

34.  Psalms 30

35.  Ticoneroga

36.  The Great Dismal

37.  Purgatory

38.  Plain speech

39.  A matter of conscience

40.  The blessing of Bride and of Michael

41.  Shelter from the storm

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

Denys Randall-Isaacs.  How did I miss the “Randall” part of his name?  Sheesh.  Everyone we meet is important either historically or as part of the series.

Now, John is having dinner with Harry Quarry.  Wasn’t he the governor of Ardsmuir before John?

Okay, DG named a character Nigel Bruce.  He played Dr. Watson to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes, right?  But the point is, we still don’t know about the mysterious Richardson, who seems to be trying to get William killed. Any thoughts?

Baron Amandine and his sister Cecile.  John gives hints, but I don’t think we really know what went on there.  At least they introduced him to Ben Franklin, but I’d bet my last nickel, there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

Bree and Roger; Roger is almost singing, and at least Bree appreciates it.  Do you think Bree and Roger have come to a way to combine their faiths without conflict?

I guess noting everything down that they for Jem and Mandy to read later is the best they can do to explain what happens with the stones.  I don’t know how I would handle it.  Jem would understand, unless he took it in his head to ditch school one day and go looking for his grandda.  Mandy was too young when she came through the stones. 

I think Gaelic was actually banned for a while under Cumberland, along with tartans.  Now, Roger is going to teach a class in Gaelic.  He’s finding himself bit-by-bit, I think.

I’m so glad Ian talked to Claire about his problems with Emily.  I suspected RH Factor as the problem.  Then he was gone without a word.  I don’t think Ian will ever quite adjust to civilization and family again.

William in The Great Dismal.  Can the boy not stay out of trouble?  Good thing Ian was there to rescue him.  Ian knows who he is and that he’s Jamie’s son, but William goes along with a relationship so the Indians don’t take him.  Somehow, some way, he’s going to find out that Jamie is his father. 

He’s remembering the groom on his grandfather’s estate that taught him how to gig frogs.  He’s got to at least make the connection between Jamie and Mac, the groom. He remembers Mac finding him in the fog.  Very suspenseful. 

Even William’s grandmother says he is impulsive and reckless like his mother.  I wonder if he’ll develop more like Jamie later on.

And more ... “Dinna fash; it will be all right.”  I really can’t stand this suspense.

He remembers his secret name (James) and he’s left-handed.  I can’t believe he still has the rosary Jamie gave him, and he doesn’t remember what Mac looks like.  I mean, Mac and Jamie are both big, red-headed Scots.  Jamie stands out wherever he is.

Once again, we find out that Richardson has deliberately sent William into danger.  What is his agenda?  I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.

Ian gives William another clue, the bear tooth from the Bear-Killer.  I hope he puts it all together, soon. 

The Hunters are kind of an enigma.  Well, there are fighting Quakers.  I’m trying to remember the name of the Quaker who thought he was the rightful governor of North Carolina in the 17th Century and wasn’t afraid to fight for it.  I think his name was Thomas Carey.  Anyway, I’m sure the Hunters are going to be in the middle of a lot of intrigue.  Rachel doesn’t strike me as a meek little Quaker girl.

[tlshaw *Padded Cell 511*]

Gertie; I am like you. I never caught the Randall part of Randall-Isaacs' name until I read who his parent were.  There are just too many characters to keep up with sometimes.

I have wondered if William remembered anything about Jamie. I loved the idea that he still had the rosary, and James was his secret name. I keep hoping with each piece of the puzzle, that he connects Jamie to Mac, but I wonder who will spill the beans about Jamie being his father. It was funny when Ian told him he had a red beard, something else he inherited from Jamie.

Roger seems to be finding his way, slowly but surely. This is the same way it was for him in the 18th century. He is such a thoughtful person, that he has to look at things from all sides and work through them in his mind. Bree is hard on him, but I don't think it is out of selfishness, as much as it is she doesn't understand someone who is not as self-confident as she is. Allowing Jem to sing in the Children's Choir with Roger will be a big step in bringing the family closer and allow them to be together without ruffling too many feathers.

I fully expect Jem, at some point, to at least try to go back to find Jamie and Claire. He remembers them, and has a special tie to Jamie.

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

Gertie; I am like you. I never caught the Randall part of Randall-Isaacs' name until I read who his parent were.  There are just too many characters to keep up with sometimes.

And DG just leaves us hanging with him. 

I have wondered if William remembered anything about Jamie. I loved the idea that he still had the rosary, and James was his secret name. I keep hoping with each piece of the puzzle, that he connects Jamie to Mac, but I wonder who will spill the beans about Jamie being his father. It was funny when Ian told him he had a red beard, something else he inherited from Jamie.

Yes, I really liked that part, too.  He must have felt that special bond with Jamie very deeply, because kids that age tend to forget people. 

Roger seems to be finding his way, slowly but surely. This is the same way it was for him in the 18th century. He is such a thoughtful person, that he has to look at things from all sides and work through them in his mind. Bree is hard on him, but I don't think it is out of selfishness, as much as it is she doesn't understand someone who is not as self-confident as she is. Allowing Jem to sing in the Children's Choir with Roger will be a big step in bringing the family closer and allow them to be together without ruffling too many feathers.

I agree, but I'll just say, there's more to come.

I fully expect Jem, at some point, to at least try to go back to find Jamie and Claire. He remembers them, and has a special tie to Jamie.

I would think so.  I wish she would stop writing all this Lord John shinola and concentrate on finishing up.  Too many loose ends. 

[millie34]

It's so nice to see Roger happy again.  Bree broke down when she heard him singing.  I guess she does love him, she was obviously praying for him.

I can't imagine who this Richardson is, but he's really trying to sabotage William, not that he needs any help.  I can't believe he got lost again.  Somebody give him a compass.

William is showing a bit of interest in Rachel, I guess he's not smitten with his cousin after all.  There's some other reason for the story he wrote to his father.  We'll find out soon enough, she's on her way to the colonies.

What would possess Johnson to offer his hospitality and then try to kill them.  He had to be demented, and his wife reminds me of that woman who's husband had a stroke.  I can't recall their names.  But she too had an evil man controlling her, and she also spoke with a lisp.  For a second I thought that character was resurrected.

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

It's so nice to see Roger happy again.  Bree broke down when she heard him singing.  I guess she does love him, she was obviously praying for him.

I think Bree had resolved her feelings for Roger before they traveled back to the future.  I think she has no idea how to help him find himself, and maybe even doesn't think she should have to. 

I can't imagine who this Richardson is, but he's really trying to sabotage William, not that he needs any help.  I can't believe he got lost again.  Somebody give him a compass.

I don't know.  He's got me stumped.  He sort of just shows up once in a while.

William is showing a bit of interest in Rachel, I guess he's not smitten with his cousin after all.  There's some other reason for the story he wrote to his father.  We'll find out soon enough, she's on her way to the colonies.

Yes, I think it's pretty obvious something else is going on.  We never hear an inkling of any thought William has about Dottie, and them boom, here's the letter. 

What would possess Johnson to offer his hospitality and then try to kill them.  He had to be demented, and his wife reminds me of that woman who's husband had a stroke.  I can't recall their names.  But she too had an evil man controlling her, and she also spoke with a lisp.  For a second I thought that character was resurrected.

Guess they liked to rob unsuspecting travelers.  They killed him, and then didn't they wrap up the wife in a rug or something?  Did they just leave her there?  I can't remember. 

You're thinking of Fanny Beardsley. 

[PraiseGod13]

Okay.... I was nearly screaming out loud in frustration as William once again gets himself lost in the fog.  This young man was trained as an officer???  But then...... there is Ian.  I was really hoping that maybe since William was in a pretty dire situation with his infected arm.... somehow Ian was going to tell him that he's Jamie's son - like before William died or something like that.  But no..... the secret continues.
     I'm reeling from Ian finding Emily!!!!!!!  And, her son knows he is the child of Wolf's Brother's spirit.... and Ian claims the right to give the boy his Indian name??  So.... this is Ian's child???  And.... Ian told the boy he will be with Ian if Ian lives!!??!!  Is Ian going to challenge Emily's husband??  DG needs to follow this story line and relegate all of the Lord John story to the Lord John series.
    

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

Okay.... I was nearly screaming out loud in frustration as William once again gets himself lost in the fog.  This young man was trained as an officer???  But then...... there is Ian.  I was really hoping that maybe since William was in a pretty dire situation with his infected arm.... somehow Ian was going to tell him that he's Jamie's son - like before William died or something like that.  But no..... the secret continues.

And continues and continues and continues. 

     I'm reeling from Ian finding Emily!!!!!!!  And, he son knows he is the child of Wolf's Brother's spirit.... and I an claims the right to give the boy his Indian name??  So.... this is Ian's child???  And.... Ian told the boy he will be with Ian if Ian lives!!??!!  Is Ian going to challenge Emily's husband??  DG needs to follow this story line and relegate all of the Lord John story to the Lord John series.

It took me a while to realize that Swiftest of Lizards is NOT Ian's biological child.  I think the old lady was just offering Ian some consolation as she threw him out of the tribe.  In other words that Emily really loved Ian and wanted his child, so she would think of her firstborn as his.  Does that make sense? 

And I agree about LJ.  Keep him in his own series. 

[PraiseGod13]

I think that what had me stumbling about Swiftest of Lizard's paternity was that the grandmother had told him to not say anything to his father about it.  I thought that surely he was aware of the fact that Emily and Ian loved each other deeply and desperately tried to have a child together.  So, I thought that if "Swiftest" was supposed to keep it a secret about Ian from his father.... that there must be more to it than just their wishing they had been able to have a child that lived.  Without going back to read in ABOSAA, I was trying to remember the timing of when Ian was told to leave the tribe.....  but I'm sure you're right, Gertie about Ian not being the biological father.
     Richardson has me perplexed.  He disappears.... so has secretive things going on.... and really does seem to have tried to get Ian killed.  But, we don't have a clue why.  Just like we really don't have a clue about the vicious attacks on William and the Hunters by the Johnsons.  There seemed to be no purpose at all to the attack.... but it had the viciousness of being personal (which it couldn't have been).  Again, this almost struck me as being something DG "dropped" into the story to increase the number of pages but without enhancing the story.  Obviously, there is an attraction/interest between William and Rachel.... none of us believed he is serious about Cousin Dottie..... so I'm wondering if William's murdering Mr Johnson will keep Rachel from getting too serious about William because of her Quaker beliefs.
     We also have Denys Randall-Isaacs..... and Baron Amandine and Cecile.... and Benjamin Franklin... and on and on.  It's probably just me..... but there's just almost too much going on on too many fronts.... with too many people and too many stories-within-stories going on and too many loose ends.  I find myself not enjoying the reading nearly as much because I just have so much to keep straight.... and I miss "spending time with" Jamie and Claire.... and Fergus and Marsali...... I even miss Duncan and Jocasta!  In the past, I've never wanted this series to end..... and now I do.......

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

    Richardson has me perplexed.  He disappears.... so has secretive things going on.... and really does seem to have tried to get Ian killed.  But, we don't have a clue why.  Just like we really don't have a clue about the vicious attacks on William and the Hunters by the Johnsons.  There seemed to be no purpose at all to the attack.... but it had the viciousness of being personal (which it couldn't have been).  Again, this almost struck me as being something DG "dropped" into the story to increase the number of pages but without enhancing the story.  Obviously, there is an attraction/interest between William and Rachel.... none of us believed he is serious about Cousin Dottie..... so I'm wondering if William's murdering Mr Johnson will keep Rachel from getting too serious about William because of her Quaker beliefs.

I think DG has been doing a lot of padding over the past four books.  She admits that the way she writes is to say ... oh, this will be a neat story.  She writes it and then ties everything together.  This hasn't worked for me in a while. 

    We also have Denys Randall-Isaacs..... and Baron Amandine and Cecile.... and Benjamin Franklin... and on and on.  It's probably just me..... but there's just almost too much going on on too many fronts.... with too many people and too many stories-within-stories going on and too many loose ends.  I find myself not enjoying the reading nearly as much because I just have so much to keep straight.... and I miss "spending time with" Jamie and Claire.... and Fergus and Marsali...... I even miss Duncan and Jocasta!  In the past, I've never wanted this series to end..... and now I do.......

No, it's not just you.  I enjoyed the book, but I think it will improve on rereading since it will be easier to keep the events and people straight in my mind. 

Yes, I'm ready for the next one to be the last one, too.  Hopefully, as Teresa said ... oh, no, I can't say it and if I put it in spoiler tags, you guys will peek anyway.   

[PraiseGod13]

You're absolutely right.... you know us so well after all of these months together..... we WOULD peek!!
     The way I feel right now.... I may wait a little while and then re-read Outlander just so I can get back to the beauty of the way that book is written.... and spend time with Jamie and Claire before the "cast of thousands" was added.
     On to Part 5.......

[danfan]

I'm starting to get used to William in this part. All the dreams sequences are a bit much, but at least we're starting to see some personality.
And oooo surely he'll find out about Jamie. Surprised he remembers "Mac" and with so much fondness. I am sure he'll make the connection & Ian's "cousin" remarks will start meaning something to him maybe.

Ian - so glad he's making peace with his past. Poor boy! Lovely scene with Emily & I was glad she was so respectful. I always got the impression she'd wanted him gone but obviously not.

John Grey & France... I got to thinking about time travelling & it running in families. Who did Claire inherit it from? The Beauchamps maybe?  Or is Raymond involved somehow? I am wondering if this is coming into play somewhere.

Roger's singing! And I like that Bree's showing him some affection & understanding finally. I hope they make it.

[PraiseGod13]

I've always thought that Raymond is Claire's ancestor and that's where her time traveling was inherited from.  My memory is not great, but it almost seems like there might be a Raymond to Geillis connection too???  I think a Master Raymond series that DG had promised at one time would be incredible.  He's such a fascinating character and the family link to Claire (and maybe Geillis) would be excellent reading!!  In recent discussions with DG, she doesn't seem to mention the Master Raymond series like she has in the past, so I hope it's not being put "on the back burner".


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

I'm starting to get used to William in this part. All the dreams sequences are a bit much, but at least we're starting to see some personality.
And oooo surely he'll find out about Jamie. Surprised he remembers "Mac" and with so much fondness. I am sure he'll make the connection & Ian's "cousin" remarks will start meaning something to him maybe.

I thought for sure Ian calling him cousin might strike a chord.  

Ian - so glad he's making peace with his past. Poor boy! Lovely scene with Emily & I was glad she was so respectful. I always got the impression she'd wanted him gone but obviously not.

When I read that the old woman who sent him away said that the next child would be the child of his spirit, I new Emily still loved Ian.  Of course, I had to read that part several times before I understood that this was spirit only, and allowing Ian to name the child, made Lizard truly his spirit child.

John Grey & France... I got to thinking about time travelling & it running in families. Who did Claire inherit it from? The Beauchamps maybe?  Or is Raymond involved somehow? I am wondering if this is coming into play somewhere.

I have the feeling unless she writes the Raymond books, there's a lot we won't know.  I'll just say this ... I don't feel I can tell people anymore that these are not time travel books.

Roger's singing! And I like that Bree's showing him some affection & understanding finally. I hope they make it.

Roger singing was one of the highlights of the book.  

I've always thought that Raymond is Claire's ancestor and that's where her time traveling was inherited from.  My memory is not great, but it almost seems like there might be a Raymond to Geillis connection too???  I think a Master Raymond series that DG had promised at one time would be incredible.  He's such a fascinating character and the family link to Claire (and maybe Geillis) would be excellent reading!!  In recent discussions with DG, she doesn't seem to mention the Master Raymond series like she has in the past, so I hope it's not being put "on the back burner".

I held out hope for a long time, but after reading what she put in her blog and her emphasis on the LJ series, I'm thinking I won't live to see the day.

                                                500  POSTS!!!      WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big YAY!!!

[imallbs]

Part 4
I’ve been waiting for a Randall to show up.  I’m interested in learning about his character.  I hope there isn’t much of his uncle in him.

Ah, the well known eccentricities of Ben Franklin, the man was different and this was brought out every well.   I have a nice picture in my head of John and Ben discussing philosophy while they bathe in the air.  (John has been described as very fit)

I think William is starting to get a little more character in this section.  The author is definitely building the connection with Jamie.  Now that he is growing up, he will probably notice the resemblances once they do meet.  I wonder if it will be in battle; Jamie and William are bound to meet across a battlefield.  Jamie will do everything he can to protect him though.  Of course William will have to find the battlefield 1st.  If he desserts it would probably be because he turned the wrong way.   He can’t even pick the right fork in the road.

I wonder what Richardson is up to.  William will not make a good spy.  I don’t think Richardson is trying to trick William – that thing about Henry Washington.  If I remember my American history correctly (and there is no guarantee that I do), Henry Washington was a black man, a slave owned by George Washington.  He worked in the Great Dismal.  Henry was a loyalist.  He ran away during the war and fought with the British.  I think he ended up moving to Canada and then returning to Africa, part of a group that settled in Sierra Leone, maybe.  If that is the case, Richardson is probably also a loyalist.

Ian seems to have picked up Jamie’s way of talking “Aye, well.  I suppose I’ll have to keep ye from dying because if ye do die, ye’re bound to go to hell, usin’ language like that”  I really could hear Jamie saying the same thing.

I’m guessing both Ian and William will be attracted the Rachel.  Will that throw them together or create another difficulty for them?  Jamie found a way to help William without letting on who he is, but where did he find a horse?  The attack in the cabin was interesting.  The two men in this book that Rachel could become attracted to (at least at this point) live lives filled with violence.  How will she reconcile that?  She’ll probably pray about it…

The part with Ian and Emily was confusing to me.  It was a great scene between Ian and Claire.  Ian really is suffering.  I hope the thing with Arch gets settled soon and Ian can find some happiness.  I get what you are saying, Gertie, about Swiftest of Lizards being Ian’s spiritual son, but I’m still struggling with that part.
“the old woman who sent him away said that the next child would be the child of his spirit, I new Emily still loved Ian”  I missed this part, maybe that’s why this doesn’t make sense to me.

Roger, Bree and the kids seem to be doing pretty well.  How long will that last?  Roger is finding his way little by little.  Will he be a teacher?  a preacher? or a writer?  Maybe all three.  I love that Roger is singing again. 

“Roger seems to be finding his way, slowly but surely. This is the same way it was for him in the 18th century. He is such a thoughtful person, that he has to look at things from all sides and work through them in his mind. Bree is hard on him, but I don't think it is out of selfishness, as much as it is she doesn't understand someone who is not as self-confident as she is. Allowing Jem to sing in the Children's Choir with Roger will be a big step in bringing the family closer and allow them to be together without ruffling too many feathers”
I think that is an excellent description of Roger and Bree. 

“I think DG has been doing a lot of padding over the past four books.  She admits that the way she writes is to say ... oh, this will be a neat story.  She writes it and then ties everything together.  This hasn't worked for me in a while.”
I didn’t know she wrote this way, but it makes sense when you read the books.  She seems to be dropping characters in and out without any real reason behind it.  Maybe it will make sense later on.

“No, it's not just you.  I enjoyed the book, but I think it will improve on rereading since it will be easier to keep the events and people straight in my mind.”
Ya think? I don’t know if it will help me.

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

Of course William will have to find the battlefield 1st.  If he desserts it would probably be because he turned the wrong way.   He can’t even pick the right fork in the road.

 

I wonder what Richardson is up to.  William will not make a good spy.  I don’t think Richardson is trying to trick William – that thing about Henry Washington.  If I remember my American history correctly (and there is no guarantee that I do), Henry Washington was a black man, a slave owned by George Washington.  He worked in the Great Dismal.  Henry was a loyalist.  He ran away during the war and fought with the British.  I think he ended up moving to Canada and then returning to Africa, part of a group that settled in Sierra Leone, maybe.  If that is the case, Richardson is probably also a loyalist.

Good memory.  I didn't make the connection.  Here's the entry from Wiki for everyone.

Henry 'Harry' Washington was a one time African American slave of the first president of the United States, George Washington and part of the first group of immigrants to what eventually became Sierra Leone. Henry Washington was a Black Loyalist and one of the 3,000 Black Americans who were evacuated to Nova Scotia at the end of the Revolutionary War. After spending a number of years in Birchtown (the largest free African American city in North America), Washington joined the 1,192 black colonists who migrated to Sierra Leone. Washington later married and his descendants and those of other African Americans make up a portion of the Sierra Leone Creole people.

Ian seems to have picked up Jamie’s way of talking “Aye, well.  I suppose I’ll have to keep ye from dying because if ye do die, ye’re bound to go to hell, usin’ language like that”  I really could hear Jamie saying the same thing.

Gotta love Ian. 

I’m guessing both Ian and William will be attracted the Rachel.  Will that throw them together or create another difficulty for them?  Jamie found a way to help William without letting on who he is, but where did he find a horse? 

And if I remember correctly, Ian had two horses, one of which he left for William.  The next time we see Ian, he didn't have a horse.

The attack in the cabin was interesting.  The two men in this book that Rachel could become attracted to (at least at this point) live lives filled with violence.  How will she reconcile that?  She’ll probably pray about it…

Think ... Rollo.   

 think that is an excellent description of Roger and Bree. 

“I think DG has been doing a lot of padding over the past four books.  She admits that the way she writes is to say ... oh, this will be a neat story.  She writes it and then ties everything together.  This hasn't worked for me in a while.”

I didn’t know she wrote this way, but it makes sense when you read the books.  She seems to be dropping characters in and out without any real reason behind it.  Maybe it will make sense later on.

I think DG made the wrong choice when she decided to write this way.  She seems to have scattered herself with writing the LJ books, the graphic novel, working on (or at least thinking about Brian and Ellen's story).  She's not putting her energies into a continuous story.

“No, it's not just you.  I enjoyed the book, but I think it will improve on rereading since it will be easier to keep the events and people straight in my mind.”
Ya think? I don’t know if it will help me.

I'll let you know.   

[imallbs]

And if I remember correctly, Ian had two horses, one of which he left for William.  The next time we see Ian, he didn't have a horse.

I did not pick up on that, thanks

Rachel, William and Ian:

Think ... Rollo.   

That works.  I was hoping for Rollo in this one.