Below is a new excerpt from GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, which will be book nine in my OUTLANDER series of novels.
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Jamie and Brianna came back in mid-afternoon, with two brace of squirrels, fourteen doves, and a large piece of stained and tattered canvas which, unwrapped, revealed something that looked like the remnants of a particularly grisly murder.
“Supper?” I asked, gingerly poking at a shattered bone sticking out of the mass of hair and slick flesh. The smell was iron-raw and butcherous, with a rank note that seemed familiar, but decay hadn’t yet set in to any noticeable degree.
“Aye, if ye can manage, Sassenach.” Jamie came and peered down at the bloody shambles, frowning a little. “I’ll tidy it up for ye. I need a bit o’whisky first, though.”
Given the blood-stains on his shirt and breeks, I hadn’t noticed the equally stained rag tied round his leg, but now saw that he was limping. Raising a brow, I went to the large basket of food, small tools, and minor medical supplies that I lugged up to the house site every morning.
“From what’s left of it, I presume that is—or was—a deer. Did you actually tear it apart with your bare hands?”
Brianna snickered.
“No, but the bear did.” She exchanged complicit glances with her father, who hummed in his throat.
“Bear,” I said, and took a deep breath. I gestured at his shirt. “Right. How much of that blood is yours?”
“No much,” he said tranquilly, and sat down on the big log. “Whisky?”
I looked sharply at Brianna, but she seemed to be intact. Filthy, and with green-gray bird-droppings streaked down her shirt, but intact. Her face glowed with sun and happiness, and I smiled.
“There’s whisky in the tin canteen hanging over there,” I said, nodding toward the big spruce at the far side of the clearing. “Do you want to fetch it for your father while I see what’s left of his leg?”
“Sure. Where are Mandy and Jem?”
“When last seen, they were playing by the creek with Aidan and his brothers. Don’t worry,” I added, seeing her lower lip suck suddenly in. “It’s very shallow there and Fanny said she’d go and keep an eye on Mandy while she’s collecting leeches. Fanny’s very dependable.”
“Mm-hm.” Bree still looked dubious, but I could see her fighting down her maternal impulse to go scoop Mandy out of the creek immediately. “I know I met her last night, but I’m not sure I remember Fanny. Where does she live?”
“With us,” Jamie said, matter-of-factly. “Ow!”
“Hold still,” I said, holding the puncture wound below his knee open with two fingers while I poured saline solution into it. “You don’t want to die of tetanus, do you?”
“And what would ye do if I said yes, Sassenach?”
“The same thing I’m doing right now. I don’t care if you want to or not; I’m not having it.”
Click to visit my BEES webpage which has information and links to more excerpts from this new book.
This excerpt was also posted on my official Facebook page on January 19, 2018.
It’s hard to say something you haven’t already heard. The small details you put into every aspect of your stories keep me reading them. I read your books for all the reasons people have already stated. It’s the small details you always add that interest me the most though. I can picture every movement, every look and almost feel like I am reading their mind. You indeed have a real talent. I can’t wait for the next book. I can’t wait to buy the recent dvd. I have all your books. Plus I have bought all the DVD so far. The tv program is wonderful. But your books are better. Thank you for your gift to us.
Thank you for all your books!! I look forward to the next. I am enjoying my first grandchild. Aren’t grandchildren wonderful?
Thank you!
Saw you in Moncton. Had such a wonderful experience with my daughter coming to your “Talk” and book signing. Thank you for all that you do. From Jennifer and I . xo
Diana,
I have read all of your Outlander and John Grey novels (hopefully) in the order you had intended. Whenever I you have a new Outlander novel being published, I go back and reread the entire series again. Hopefully that lets you know how much I love your novels and your writing. You have taken this home-bound woman to Scotland, France, England, the Caribbean and America and filled many, many hours with your wonderful story-telling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks so much for your writing. As a former English teacher, I admire your ability with words to make me laugh, cry, smile, and wonder. My favorite authors are Shakespeare, Dickens, Austin and you. I spend time each night with your books before I go to sleep. Waiting for your next book is hard. Thanks!
I live in Regina Saskatchewan Canada. My daughter got me interested in reading your Outlander series. I just finished reading book 8. I couldn’t stop once I started. I can’t wait to read book 9. About when will it be on the market. For the past 4 years we have spent part of our winters in Mesa Az. Didn’t realize you live so close to there. Would love to meet you. You have a wonderful gift. Sandy
This is so classic Jamie and Claire! Can’t wait for the next book. I’m sure it will be as amazing as its predecessors.
I just watch Outlander and start redin all your books I have all of them in hard cover ,I am on book 4 ,and cant wait to read them all ,I love Winston Graham (POldark ) but you are best ,I hope I don’t die before I read all ,your amegeneshen is tops ,I never read nothing like your books ,and I read planty in Europe and here .
Be well and never stop ,I have Scottish prisoner and all other ,I also print pictures from Starz and put them in books .
thank you I hope some days I will meet you ,I live in Az .maybe on sinning .
Julia
Diana, your books changed my life twenty odd years ago when I picked up Cross Stitch in a book store. I read the four books that were out in the nineties and read them again until for some reason I stopped reading. When the tv series came out, I was overwhelmed and watched the series over and over again. I ordered the next four books and I am on the second time of reading them. I can’t wait for your ninth book, as I’ve cried and laughed at Claire and Jamie’s love/adventure story and also at your amazing writing and detail in your books. Thank you so much.
Looking forward to book 9. Actually I cannot wait !!!!
Also loving the TV series, which puts it all to life.
One question about Murtagh. I keep expecting him to appear in America. I thought I saw him looking at Jamie
Murtagh in tv series looked at Jamie from a queue of prisoners bound for the colonies?
But I must be mistaken as later books say he died at Culloden?
Thank you for these wonderful books poised with excitement for Go tell the bees that i am gone
I just finished the last of the “big” books and I feel very lonely, almost in mourning. The snow is falling on my garden at the moment, how appropriate ! The characters are now like real people living in a corner of my memories, as if I had actually met them. I can’t believe the space they have taken in my life. Which show how good a storyteller you are. Your books are historically very interesting as well. That’s great ! It’s a good excuse to indulge in the pleasure I have to read them. My favorite thing (after the big love story) is the description of a fictional family which could be “the” ideal family, even though you give each of its members some very hard times indeed. Thanks dear Diana. Please keep on writing.
I don’t have any plans to stop writing… <g>
Thanks!
Diana
Dear Diana, I have read the Outlander books twice now, I really must not read them a third time as they intrude on very mundane stuff like housework etc, even though I am now retired, as soon as I pick up my book, (currently reading book 8) , I do find it very difficult to put it down and get on with that mundane stuff.Thank you so much for this amazing story, I can’t wait for book 9, (please how long before its out). I will read this series again but not just yet, hopefully by the time I do, book 9 will be published.
Regards
Lisa
I can hardly wait for BEES to come out!!! Of course I’m worried that someone dear to us is going to die, from the title. One can only hope it implies “gone” back to Scotland.
I just finished binging on Season 2, which I got from the library, and Season 3, which I viewed on Starz. Season 1 also came from the library, last year.I don’t know why it took me so long to watch these, because I’m a great fan of your books, and have read each one at least twice. Can’t wait for Season 4. You are a brilliant writer and story-teller. Now waiting for book 9. Keep up the good work.
Hi diana,
I’m a real fan of jamie and claire and really curious how brianna and roger find the way to frasers ridge. The books are really addictive. I hope you enjoy writing them as much as I like to read them
I am so excited for this new Outlander book! I devoured the whole series in about three weeks; I’m looking forward to delving into your new material!
Hil there! I’m a french reader and I hope my english spoken Will be understandable… I discovered Outlander on the tv Last summer and I really loved the show. Unable to wait september to watch thé season 3, I bought the third book in August. And… it was a really love story Who begun between the book and me. Then I readed the 4, 5, 6 and 7 book. I already just finish the sons of liberty and I Will buy with emergency the book 8 tomorrow!! I am a big big fan!! My poor english cannot translate my passion but I could tellement you MERCI!!!!!!! Tank you…
Hi,
Your English is fine!
Thanks for your kind remarks,
Diana
I read your books as they were released. Then reread the first four after Outlander finally made it to TV.
Broke my foot on xmas day and have read all of the first seven and am on the eighth. Kept me sane when I was on crutches. Love your books.