The Custom of the Army (Novella): An Outlander Novella

Diana Gabaldon

May 2012 · Outlander Book 1 · Sold by Dell

About this ebook

Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author of the acclaimed Outlander series, weaves an engrossing tale of war, history, and suspense in this original novella—now available as a standalone eBook—featuring returning hero Lord John Grey.

London, 1759. After a high society electric-eel party leads to a duel that ends badly, Lord John Grey feels the need to lie low for a while. Conveniently, before starting his new commission in His Majesty’s army, Lord John receives an urgent summons. An old friend from the military, Charlie Carruthers, is facing court-martial in Canada, and has called upon Lord John to serve as his character witness. Grey voyages to the New World—a land rife with savages (many of them on his own side) and cleft by war—where he soon finds that he must defend not only his friend’s life but his own.

Praise for Diana Gabaldon’s novels featuring Lord John Grey 

“Call it what you will—historical adventure, conspiracy thriller—it’s an engrossing story, masterfully paced, with exciting plot twists, swift reversals and robust characterizations.”—The Globe and Mail, on The Scottish Prisoner

“[A] thoroughly entertaining and wonderfully witty historical mystery set in the richly detailed, occasionally bawdy world of Georgian England.”—Booklist, on Lord John and the Private Matter

“From London’s literary salons and political intrigue to fearsome battle scenes in the Seven Years’ War, [Diana Gabaldon’s] writing is always vivid and often lyrical.”—The Washington Post, on Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade

Ratings and reviews

If you are going to want to read all of the short stories surrounding the Outlander series, you will want to buy Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, as it includes both this story and others that you cannot buy separately. I would rather get them all individually, but it is not possible; you'll end up with the Seven Stones book in the end anyway.

All the books I've read are alive with life love Passion and troubles ;great story a variable melting pot of life.

Another great read, really love these books. Starting the Lord John books now.

About the author

Diana Gabaldon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Outlander novels—Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (for which she won a Quill Award and the Corine International Book Prize), An Echo in the Bone, and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood—as well as a collection of Outlander fiction, Seven Stones to Stand or Fall; the related Lord John Grey books Lord John and the Private Matter, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, Lord John and the Hand of Devils, and The Scottish Prisoner; two works of nonfiction, The Outlandish Companion, Volumes 1 and 2; the Outlander graphic novel, The Exile; and The Official Outlander Coloring Book. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband.