Dear Readers–
Well, AN ECHO IN THE BONE debuts on the New York Times list next week at #2! (My publisher sent me a large bottle of single-malt Scotch in congratulation–and, I suspect, in apology for having released Dan Brown’s book a week before ECHO [g].)
HUGE thanks to all of you, and I’m thrilled that y’all seem to be enjoying the book!
A word about the ending…I did say, did I not, “Nobody’s going to hit the end of _this_ book, and think it’s the last one?” [g] Indeed it is not. There will certainly be a Book Eight–and no, I have no idea when that one will be out. At the moment, I’m home on a (very brief) furlough from book-touring; back on the road Monday, and won’t be home for good until Thanksgiving, which is the soonest I could reasonably resume anything like a productive writing routine–as well as a prequel volume about Jamie’s parents, a Volume II of the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, and heaven knows what-all else. But the story is definitely not over!
Thanks for the spoiler alert
My friends and I had a great time @ Changing Hands Book store on Friday night. Just started the book and I will be taking my sweet time reading it. I want to enjoy every word. Thanks again we completely enjoyed every minute of the book signing, I will never forget it.
Just finished ECHO, I wanted to scream NOOOOOOOOOO, it can't end like this!!! I LOVED the book as I love the whole Outlander series, but it is going to be hard waiting for #8. Thank you for this wonderful series, I have read and re-read all the books several times and plan to start over again this week. Congratulations on NY Times #2 (it should have been #1)!!
I eagerly await the next in the series.
A really wonderful book. I devoured it in just on 9 hours of straight reading – couldn't stop. Of course I now can't wait for the next book(s)? because the ending – what ending – in Echo has just left me clamouring for more (in a nice und undemanding reader way). Please enjoy the book tour, take some breathing space, and write the next ones quickly!! But I did think Echo was one of the best you've written … well done.
Oh it is so frustrating that we here in Britain have to wait until January for Echo :~(((
CONGRATULATIONS on reaching #2 Diana and I will be MOST surprised if you don't reach #1 VERY soon.
Am chomping at several bits here!
Like many of your readers, your books are the only ones I read and enjoy over and over again.
Enjoy your scotch and some rest.
All the best to you ~
I loved Echo! I was worried when I got toward the end because of all of the comments about "the ending", but perhaps because I built up huge disappointing scenarious in my mind, the actual ending didn't seem anything to get too riled up about.
I especially enjoyed the return to Scotland and rejoining the Murray family. It was like I was going home, as well!
Thanks, Diana! I'm about to order a second copy for my Kindle, and get the Audible version as well! (Three copies of the same book isn't too much, is it?)
I'm about a third of the way through "Echo" and am loving it so far!
I just finished the book – and found it very satisfying – first because it's a great book and every character has some place to go. Ian got Rachel – yahoo!! – Jenny has come to America – sure to be fun to watch. And Jamie isn't dead.
I've loved every book and I loved this one.
thank you for creating these amazing characters.
Carol
*Snicker at the Dan Brown thing* I had to giggle to myself when I went looking for your book. It had sold out at one store I went too, and they had a huge stand of unsold Dan Brown's on display. The second store I went to had a notice up saying they'd sold out (lots of DB's though) and only by asking did I discover they had just had a delivery of more. (Yay for me!) My friend who works for another major book store chain said the publishers are running out here in New Zealand.
I cannot wait to begin reading it!!! I don't want to rush through the other books so my signed copy (giggles) will have to wait! However, can someone tell me when I should begin reading the Lord John books? A fan at the Lexington book signing said that it's helpful to read those books prior to beginning either book four or book five? I can't remember, can someone fill me in!?
Leaving on holiday this friday and of course… jamie and claire will be coming with me.
Congratulations, Diana. I'm reading Echo at a pace to savor it. The Outlander series has been with me before kids and hopefully you'll write me through their teen years …. please! I'll need the escape more than ever and that should put you at about Book 9
It was a treat to see you in Atlanta again.
AngieLass
I just LOVE this series! One of my favorite reading adventures. Thank you! I hope that there is also a book 9 and even 10 – will be so sad once the series is over. Jamie and Claire are such wonderful characters, and the historical and medical aspects of the novels are great! Keep on writing Diana – you are so very talented.
I can't say anything more than anyone else has already said…I will sum it up…Diana, you rock! Take a break (but not too long) and then tell us more about these wonderful characters that live in your head. I am a fan for life. Bless you!
Diana, thank you for giving Lord John a major story arc in Echo. I love him him like an old friend and were he a real 'flesh and blood' person, I would invite him around for tea. His stories tied me over between re-reading ABoSaA and Echo and I adore him as a result! Lord John is a wonderful character and I hope that those who don't 'get' him (I'm loathe to say dislike because he's just so great, you know?) take the time to at least try to acquaint themselves better with him – I think they might be surprised!
I haven't finished Echo yet so I'd best not read any more comments (they're rather spoilery). Thanks again, good luck with your tour and Young Ian best watch out, Lord John is fast catching him up on my Favourite Character list!
Thanks again for everything!! : )
I didn't pre-order but I was at my bookstore as early as possible on September 22nd to get a copy and I managed to get all the way back to the office before I started reading it!
I usually read through from the beginning of the series with each new book (and a few times in between).I was trying to read slowly but I'm done already!
I found that I have joined a group of 'recruiters'. I didn't want to give out my copy any more so I started buying used copies wherever I came across them and giving them out(I have 4 out on loan at the moment)- The conversation always started the same way- I would suggest the book- they would say I don't read that kind of book – I would say it's really difficult to describe, read the first 2 chapters and if you don't like it I won't say another word – several days later they would come and ask for the next one.
Fortunately I like the Lord John series too
I look forward to meeting you again in Surrey BC (and I'll probably bring some friends along).
I didn't pre-order but I was at my bookstore as early as possible on September 22nd to get a copy and I managed to get all the way back to the office before I started reading it!
I usually read through from the beginning of the series with each new book (and a few times in between).I was trying to read slowly but I'm done already!
I found that I have joined a group of 'recruiters'. I didn't want to give out my copy any more so I started buying used copies wherever I came across them and giving them out(I have 4 out on loan at the moment)- The conversation always started the same way- I would suggest the book- they would say I don't read that kind of book – I would say it's really difficult to describe, read the first 2 chapters and if you don't like it I won't say another word – several days later they would come and ask for the next one.
Fortunately I like the Lord John series too
I look forward to meeting you again in Surrey BC (and I'll probably bring some friends along).
Diana, the only thing that I wanted to be the same was the way the previous books drew me in. I'm sorry, Echo did not do that.
I've read your series more than 10 times. And I've always felt that if a reader didn't perceive the emotions or motivations of a character or characters that it is not the fault of the reader.
Ian and Rachel do not make sense. LJ and Claire did not make sense. I'm not going to complain about that at some other forum and not say it to you directly. I'm sure that you want your readers to be direct.
Echo skimmed the top of Jamie and Claire's emotions. Not your usual depth that we all love.
And, no, I don't care for Lord John overmuch. But, this IS the story of a marriage. Jamie and Claire.
Congratulations on the bestseller list ranking though. Good luck on the tour.
Congratulations! And thank you for signing my books in Chicago last week, it was so nice to meet you face-to-face!
There seems to be a problem with my copy – the last few chapters are missing! Because I KNOW you didn't just end it like that, right?
Ok, I finally picked up my copy from the library this morning, and with some delays (ballet class etc) am now up to chapter 10.
The bit about ways of transporting bits of gold reminded me of the following which my mother told me about her aunt (Q is for "Queenie", R was my great grandmother) and her family:
"Grandfather PB used to send gold sovereigns to his daughter R. When the family were all rushing to catch the American warship (R had 'bullied' or persuaded the captain to take them), they sewed the sovereigns into the lining of Q's fur coat. Q was a tiny 4 year-old, and said she was apparently so heavy, the nurse had trouble picking her up to carry her."