Diana Gabaldon is justly famous for her Outlander series, a romance mixed with time travel that seems fated to last almost for ever as more and more volumes appear. An offshoot of this epic is the Lord John series, based around a character who appears only briefly in the 'main' novels.

Lord John is a member of the British aristocracy and of the English army. During a vicious suppression of a Scottish rebellion he falls irrevocably in love with Jamie Fraser, the straight hero of the 'main' novels, and ensures that Jamie escapes execution. John's later love life is always coloured by his feelings for Jamie, but really, that's all you need to know about Jamie and his affairs. You can safely embark on Lord John's adventures without touching the Outlander books.

There are currently three books in the series and the order of reading is somewhat convoluted. Lord John and the Hand of Devils is a collection of three novellas. The first, "Lord John and the Hellfire Club", is the first appearance of our hero outside the Outlander novels. This is followed by the novel, Lord John and the Private Matter. Then we have the novella "Lord John and the Succubus", in the collection. The final novel is Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, and to finish we have the novella "Lord John and the Haunted Soldier", the last offering in the collection. The publishers have further confused everybody by printing the first two novellas as tasters in the same volumes as the novels in some editions... I believe there will be a third full-length novel in 2012.

Lord John is constantly getting involved in matters requiring investigation, matters of crime or of treason. He is an excellent detective, aware of political nuances and possibly hidden agendas in much the same way that he is aware of the social and legal dangers he risks if he gives in to his sexual desires. Although he has had romantic and sexual encounters in the books there is no sign yet that he will live happily ever after. This accords with the probability of happy endings for men loving other men in England at that time.

Through the eyes of the hero and his friends and family we see a historically accurate picture of life in mid-eighteenth century Europe. The author moves effortlessly between ballrooms, barracks and bordellos, and seems as at home on the battlefield as in the drawing room. Minor characters like Lord John's manservant, the shadowy government manipulator, and various gruff soldiers are beautifully drawn. We also see the delicate manoeuvres of men seeking other men in a homophobic society and the rewards and penalties of such searches.

John is a sympathetic character. I hope he finds love. I know it won't be with Jamie Fraser and I worry for my hero; perhaps his own love or hero-worship has spoilt him for other relationships. Meanwhile I am avidly awaiting the next mystery he has to solve.

 

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