How did all the MacKenzies get back to the Ridge in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

We found out that it was definitely the MacKenzies heading over the hill at the end of Outlander Book 8. How did they all get back in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?

Of course it was Bree, Roger, and their children coming over the Ridge. We all knew it, even without Diana Gabaldon’s Daily Lines confirming that the MacKenzies were back. The very first chapter of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone made it clear that the family was back, and it didn’t take long for Roger to confirm that they were back for good.

It wasn’t an easy journey, though. All four members of the family had to travel through the stones together, and they all had to get to the exact same time. We’ve seen with others that it’s not guaranteed that those who enter the stones together will end up in the same time period.

There was one special member of the family who kept everyone together.

Mandy got everyone back in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

While all four were thinking of the same people, they weren’t necessarily thinking of them in the same way. This was pulling the MacKenzie family apart, and Mandy realized that as they were coming through the stones.

To prevent that, Mandy managed to get everyone to think of the same thing. She shouted out “Grandpa, blue pixties” (note, I’m writing that based on hearing through the audiobook and I don’t have the written copy in front of me so the spelling might be off!) to keep everyone focused on the exact same thing. This was the important part. They needed to be focused on one thing together to end up in the exact same time in the exact same place.

For me, this certainly points to Mandy’s extra abilities. While Claire is gaining her blue light to heal, Mandy is gaining the ability to hear and sense others, and not just time travelers. It’s certainly exciting to see where Mandy’s story will go, and I love that the baby of the group was the one to keep everyone together.

What did you think of the story of the MacKenzies getting through the stones in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone is now available to read.