An Echo in the Bone
First edition cover
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| Author | Diana Gabaldon |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Outlander series (Book 7) |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Published | September 27, 2009 |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 820 |
| ISBN | |
| Preceded by | A Breath of Snow and Ashes |
| Followed by | Written in My Own Heart's Blood |
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 Randall and her 18th-century Scottish Highland warrior husband Jamie Fraser, the books contain elements of historical fiction, romance, adventure and science fiction/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.
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. William Buccleigh, Roger's Scottish ancestor, accidentally appears in their time. 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 appears that he has taken Jem into the past, and Roger and William travel through time to find them; 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, finds an electric train, and starts an escape; his fate is unseen.
In the past, Lord William Ellesmere (actually Jamie's son but raised as Lord John Grey's stepson) is involved in the American Revolution as a Redcoat, but is repeatedly embarrassed until the battle of Saratoga, wherein he distinguishes himself. Arch and 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 Ian shoots her. Ian feels guilty for killing Mrs. Bug; and Arch vows to take his revenge when Ian has 'someone worth losing'. Claire, Jamie, and Ian leave their mountain home for Scotland to see Jenny, Ian, 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 Ian kills him. Claire, Jamie and Ian leave for Scotland to bury Jamie's relative and Ian leaves his dog Rollo with a Quaker woman named Rachel Hunter. Jamie, Claire, and Ian reach Scotland, where Ian the elder, husband to Jamie's sister Jenny, and Jamie's best childhood friend, dying of consumption when they arrive. Ian and Jenny are ecstatic that young Ian has returned; but Jenny is hostile to Claire who is unable to cure Ian. 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 her son, Henri-Christian. 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.
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