Outlander Book Club: The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 24 breakdown

We see a strange turn of events for John and Jamie in The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 24. It’s time for Jamie Fraser to do the saving.

Off the back of the previous chapter, we learn that Lord John Grey is being arrested. Jamie and Tom head over to Siverly’s house to get information and to see John get carted off. We all know that John didn’t murder Siverly, but can anyone prove it?

It’s a turn of events for sure. This would need to be included in an adaptation if there was one.

Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 24

When someone is arrested for murder in the past, it’s scary. There wasn’t the same notion of innocent until proven guilty back then. Someone who was arrested would need to prove that they hadn’t done it, and it’s not like anyone would have really cared to hear the defense.

Well, that is except Jamie. So, when he hears that John is being arrested for murder, he and Tom head out to Siverly’s house. As Tom watches John and tries to speak with him, Jamie gets closer to the servants to see if he can hear what they’re saying. That leads him to the Summerhouse, where he finds Siverly’s body. Jamie realizes that Siverly’s head was bashed in with the club that Siverly tried to kill Jamie with.

Jamie goes back to the main house to see Joh get carted off in the wagon. Because John’s hands are tied behind his back, he can’t hold on to the seat, and he almost launches forward as the wagon takes off. Jamie remembers that happening to him before.

Tom comes to Jamie with a dagger. John gave Tom that with the order to get Jamie to get John out of prison. Jamie makes a note to Tom not to stab anyone with the dagger unless he orders him to, because Jamie can’t save two people! This chapter is dire, but there’s also still some humor to help.

My problem with this chapter is that we know nothing will happen to Lord John Grey. He turns up in later Outlander books!

Could this chapter be used in a TV series?

This chapter is necessary for the plot. We would need to see it if The Scottish Prisoner was ever adapted into a TV series. Not only does it continue the murder mystery, but it also puts John’s life in danger.

Jamie now needs to figure out the murder. He also needs to get John out of prison, and this really is the turn for their friendship. Jamie wouldn’t free John if he didn’t trust him and know him not to be the murderer.

So yes, we would need to see this chapter.

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