Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 1B breakdown

Outlander Book Club: Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 1B breakdown

As a dedicated fan of the Lord John Grey series, I’ve read my fair share of intriguing stories that keep me hooked till the very end. However, “Lord John and the Haunted Soldier” Part 1B left me feeling a bit puzzled.


In “Lord John and the Haunted Soldier” Part 1B, Lord John Grey encounters a soldier wearing an unfamiliar uniform. Could this figure be a spectral being instead?

Another soldier holds this belief, and it seems that the fallen soldier hailed from Crefeld. This thought then prompts John to reflect on the lieutenant who met his end in combat, possibly at the hands of the gun.

Instead of John solely dwelling on the idea of faulty cannons, could it be that the gunpowder was intentionally produced incorrectly?

Breaking down Lord John and the Haunted Soldier Part 1A

Following his departure from Jones and Gormley, Lord John Grey first intends to go to the Foundry. However, he decides to leave there as well, and makes his way to see Tom Byrd instead. Originally, John had planned to join his stepfather for dinner, but it’s now past that time. This realization brings relief to John, sparing him from having to discuss Percy.

As John is walking away, he catches a glimpse of a soldier in an outdated, strange uniform at the square. The soldier vanishes before John is approached by another soldier. This second soldier informs John that the first one was the Arsenal Ghost, leaving John to ponder if the ghost bore Philip Lister’s features.

I put my thoughts on hold and make my way to meet Tom at Bell Street. We head to a pub with tasty grub, but its accommodations leave something to be desired. As we settle in, I begin to mull over the interrogation that awaits me. I’m determined to understand if there was any role I played, intentionally or unintentionally, in the events of Crefeld. That way, I can clear up any misunderstandings and avoid potential accusations.

John has a concern that the gun crew might have inadvertently inserted two rounds or placed a faulty one, which went unnoticed because it didn’t explode. Nevertheless, John doubts there is any proof to support these possibilities. The mention of Edgar and Twelvetrees’s contentious behavior lingers in John’s thoughts.

Upon returning to London, John makes his way to the Beefsteak Club and specifically seeks out “Hermit’s Corner,” a secluded area with three chairs by the windows. Those who occupy this spot intend to be left alone. Alas, Harry Quarry harbors different intentions. He presses John for information regarding his interrogation, while they touch upon the topic of the Ghost at Arsenal.

Harry harbors some significant details; Twelvetrees aims to harm Hal, but would be content if John stepped down from his military post. John is enraged by this revelation. Furthermore, it’s disclosed that John had previously accused Marchmont’s relative of treason, and this individual was then imprisoned in the Tower. Not every commissioner was hostile towards John.

An intriguing discovery has emerged: John’s gun wasn’t the sole explosive device. A total of nine guns detonated. However, the authorities are keen on downplaying this information and instead emphasize that they were sabotaged. With this newfound knowledge, John connects the dots and suspects Edgar’s involvement, although he remains puzzled as to why Edgar would tamper with the gunpowder. Consequently, John resolves to visit Edgar for clarification.

On his way to visit Edgar, John received an unexpected letter from Mr. Lister of Sussex, who is Philip’s father. John carried with him Lister’s old sword, which he believed Mr. Lister might value. The letter also asked if Philip had any final messages. John declined to share the harsh language Philip used before his death and instead reported that he passed away courageously, an account that was not entirely accurate as the Listers disapproved of Philip’s profession.

Based on the information provided, it seems that Philip’s life took an unexpected turn when he decided to pursue a military career instead of marrying the minister’s daughter. This decision ultimately led to the end of their engagement and caused quite a scandal within the congregation. The situation became even more complicated when Philip, in a moment of desperation or defiance, broke into the minister’s house and eloped with the daughter.

John intends to investigate the matter, but Tom finds this idea reckless. Notably, the Listers’ community is situated near Edgar’s location. Additionally, he seeks a distraction from his personal woes by delving into others’ affairs.

And so the real story begins.

Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?

John’s exploration of this matter appears quite unusual to me. In fact, I find it unlikely that this brief tale would feature in a potential “Lord John Grey” series adaptation. The most significant aspect seems to be the subplot involving Twelvetrees. This could potentially be developed further as a separate side story.

After that point, it would be unnecessary to include the entire chapter. The portion about Lister would no longer be required, allowing more emphasis on Harry’s actions at The Beefsteak and revealing the links between the men of the inquisition and Hal and John.

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2024-07-16 18:38