We see how the relations between this set of Twelvetrees family members are like with Lord John Grey in A Plague of Zombies Section 9. There’s also a connection to an Outlander character.
John needs to get more information about the zombies and the obeah-man, who everyone seems to be afraid of. Well, it turns out that people from his home country are also leaning into the local superstitions.
This chapter also brings up Rose Hall. We know that place from Voyager. Is Mrs. Abernathy the same one that we know?
Breaking down A Plague of Zombies Section 9
The chapter starts with Lord John Grey heading to the Twelvetrees plantation. He’s not sure how he’ll be received considering everything that has happened in the past. We’re not caught up fully with past events, with Diana Gabaldon leaving us to remember. We need to remember that one brother was killed by Hal Grey in a duel, and another was killed by Lord John Grey in a duel.
Philip Twelvetrees is actually more welcoming than anyone would expect. His wife, Nancy, is not at first. She has heard about the family drama, and she doesn’t want to be the “bigger person” at this point. That is until she learns that John is not married. She quickly starts to pay him some attention, and John is definitely left a little uncomfortable.
John does manage to get Nancy to tell him about the zombies and the obeah-man. It’s the zombies that freak Nancy out the most, and she suggests that John pays a visit to Mrs. Abernathy at Rose Hall. Philip doesn’t believe that this is necessary, but it’s clear that he is hiding something.
Nancy also says something about how the governor should be removed, but she doesn’t further explain this. It’s certainly interesting that Nancy wants him gone. Why? And how many others want him gone?
Could this chapter be used in a TV series adaptation?
If A Plague of Zombies was used in an adaptation, we would definitely need this chapter. On a personal level, it brings the Twelvetrees up again. We need to see just how far this family expands, and we need to see how the news travels. Is everyone in the family against the Greys? Maybe not.
It’s also important for the overall plot. We need to see how Nancy reacts to the zombies, and we need someone to send John to Rose Hall. After all, that is where the next part of the story takes place!
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