Is Geillis Duncan in Lord John: A Plague of Zombies?

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As a seasoned Outlander fan with a library of books that could rival Claire’s herb collection and a timeline of events more complex than Jamie’s love life, I can’t help but feel a thrill at the prospect of Geillis Duncan making an appearance in A Plague of Zombies. It’s not every day you stumble upon a witch turned plantation owner in 18th-century Jamaica!

Preparing for the upcoming Lord John Grey novel, it’s essential to assess the setting and consider whether any characters from previous Outlander stories might reappear. Among them is Geillis Duncan. Is she expected to feature in A Plague of Zombies?

Typically, Lord John Grey wouldn’t have encountered Geillis Duncan, as it was believed she perished during the witch trials at Cranesmuir. However, we discovered in Voyager that Geillis didn’t actually meet her end there. Instead, she managed to flee and established a life in Jamaica.

In the novel “A Plague of Zombies,” it is where we encounter Lord John Grey. He has been dispatched to that location with the mission of halting the uprising among the slaves. Could this potentially lead him to encounter the so-called “witch”?

Geillis Duncan is in A Plague of Zombies

Indeed, it’s affirmative. Lord John Grey encounters Geillis due to the demise of her husband, Mr. Abernathy. Upon learning about the seemingly fortuitous death of Rose Hall’s owner, someone advises him to visit the property now owned solely by the widow, Mrs. Abernathy. Unbeknownst to John, this widow is none other than Geillis Duncan.

Indeed, it’s clear that John is unaware of Geillis’s past connections with Claire and Jamie. The only information he’s gathered is that she now owns Cranesmuir, and she possesses a tale regarding the manner in which her spouse met his end.

It appears that if Geillis did kill her husband, it’s likely she managed to escape punishment since we find her later as a plantation owner when John becomes the Governor of Jamaica. The novel provides insights into how this story unfolds. Additionally, given the timing of Claire and Jamie arriving in Jamaica, Geillis remains the only plantation owner for some time, showcasing her significant influence over the land, even as a woman.

Additionally, we encounter another character linked with Geillis in “Voyager”. Ishmael joins the narrative, assisting John with his duties as they are stranded on the island.

We start our read-through of A Plague of Zombies on Monday, Oct. 14.

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2024-10-13 13:37