An Echo in the Bone (2009)

An Echo in the Bone is the seventh book in the Outlander series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Centered on time travelling 20th century doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th century Scottish Highlander warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and fantasy.

First published and released in the United States on September 22, 2009, the novel continues the adventures of Claire and Jamie in the 18th century, as well as their daughter, Brianna MacKenzie and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, who returned to the 20th century at the end of the previous book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Plot summary

In the 20th century at Lallybroch, Brianna, Roger, Jem, and Mandy are reading letters from Claire and Jamie from the past, one of which mentions hidden gold, with a location known only to Jem. Roger's ancestor William Buchleigh "Buck" MacKenzie shows up at Lallybroch, having accidentally gone through the stones at Craigh na Dun in 1778. Given his date of death on the family record, Brianna and Roger know he is unlikely to make it safely back. Rob Cameron, one of Brianna's coworkers, kidnaps Jem, and it appears that he has taken Jem into the past. Roger and Buck travel through time to find them, "Take me to Jeremiah," Roger thinks. But Rob appears at Brianna's home and orders her to tell Jem to disclose the location of the gold. Jem is locked underground at the dam where Brianna and Rob work. He finds an electric train and starts an escape; his fate is unseen.

In the past, Lord William Ellesmere (Jamie's son who was raised as Lord John Grey's son) is involved in the American Revolution where he distinguishes himself. Arch and Mrs. (Murdina) Bug go after the gold on Fraser's Ridge. During a confused confrontation, Mrs. Bug shoots Jamie when he tells her to stop, and Young Ian shoots her. Young Ian feels guilty for killing Mrs. Bug; Arch vows to take his revenge when he has "someone worth losing." Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave their mountain home for Scotland to see Jenny, Ian the elder, and their children, and also to recover Jamie's printing press. Before they can leave America, they become involved in the Revolutionary War; Jamie accidentally shoots the hat off William's head at Saratoga. A kinsman of Jamie's on the British side, Simon Fraser of Balnain, is killed, and Jamie and Claire are asked to take his body back to Scotland. Before they leave, a stranger tries to blackmail Jamie, but Young Ian kills him. Claire, Jamie, and Young Ian leave for Scotland to bury Jamie's relative, and Young Ian leaves his dog Rollo with his friend, a Quaker woman named Rachel Hunter. Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian reach Scotland, where Ian the elder, husband to Jamie's sister Jenny and Jamie's best childhood friend, is dying of consumption. Ian and Jenny are ecstatic that Young Ian has returned, but Jenny is hostile to Claire, who is unable to cure Ian Sr. Jamie apologizes to Laoghaire (his second wife) for their separation. Laoghaire's daughter and Jamie's adopted daughter, Joan, requires Laoghaire to marry her lover (a crippled servant), so that she (Joan) can become a nun. A letter from Laoghaire's daughter Marsali reveals that her son, Henri-Christian, is very ill. In this missive, Marsali beseeches Claire's help in treating him. Claire agrees to return to America to treat Henri-Christian, stipulating that Laoghaire marry her lover, stop taking alimony from Jamie, and help Joan become a nun.

Claire saves Henri-Christian's life, with the help of Lord John, and saves Lord John's injured nephew Henry. Lord John's niece Dottie has come to America as well, in love with Rachel's brother, a Quaker physician named Denzell Hunter. Claire receives a letter from Jamie that Ian Sr. has died and Jenny has decided to leave Lallybroch. Word later arrives that Jamie has been lost at sea. Claire is about to be arrested for being a spy when Lord John insists on marrying Claire for her protection, as well as for the protection of Fergus, Marsali, and their children. Arch Bug tries to kill Rachel, but Young Ian fights him, and William kills Arch. Jamie returns alive, with Redcoats after him, and pretends to take Lord John hostage and flees; William realizes that Jamie is his father, flies into a rage, and storms out.

Characters

Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser - Main female character around whom the series revolves. Nurse/Physician. Born in 1918 and married in the 20th century to professor/historian Frank Randall, Claire falls through the standing stones at Craigh na Dun in Scotland at Beltane (1 May) while on a second honeymoon with Frank in 1946, and finds herself in the 18th century Scotland Highlands in 1743. She is forced to marry James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Jamie), whom she eventually falls in love with. Mother of Faith (stillborn, 18th century) and Brianna, adopted mother of Fergus, and mother-in-law to Roger and Marsali. Returned through the stones to 20th century in 1746 to protect hers and Jamie's unborn child (who is then born in Boston in the 20th century). Twenty years later, after Frank Randall has died, Claire discovers (through Roger's research) that Jamie probably didn't die at Culloden, and she returns through the standing stones to 1766 to search for him.

James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser - Laird of Lallybroch (Scotland) and Fraser's Ridge, North Carolina. Former inmate of Ardsmuir Prison. Eighteenth century husband of Claire, whom he affectionately calls "Sassenach". Father of Faith (stillborn - mother : Claire), Brianna (mother : Claire) and William Ransom (mother : Geneva Dunsany), adopted father to Fergus (with Claire).

Lord John William Grey - Retired veteran of the Rising of 1745 and Seven Years' War. The former governor of Ardsmuir Prison. Jamie and Claire's long-time friend. Stepfather of William Ransom, brother to Harold Grey, Duke of Pardloe, and uncle to Benjamin, Henry, Adam, and Dorothea Grey.