Outlander Book Club: The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 27 breakdown

It’s time to solve the murder of Siverly in The Scottish Prisoner. Of course, that means putting some theories together, and John and Jamie do that in The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 27.

When there’s a murder, Lord John Grey can’t help himself. He just has to figure it out. Honestly, I love him playing detective, and I love him working with Jamie Fraser for this one. Seeing some sort of side quest stories of the two of them solving murders would be great. In another life!

This chapter sees John and Jamie trade ideas and information. However, they’re still not both fully open with each other.

Breaking down The Scottish Prisoner Chapter 27

Jamie and Quinn get John and Tom to Inchcleraun. While there, Tom receives the treatment he needs to get the ball from his wound. Brother Infirmarian shares that Tom should be fine within a day or two. He’ll live!

Jamie now talks to Father Michael, sharing that they won’t be seeking sanctuary, but that Quinn knows about the Cup and is dedicated to the Cause. Michael and Quinn need to talk.

Now it gives John and Jamie time to talk. John is sure that Edward Twelvetrees killed Siverly, but he’s not sure why. He refuses to believe that Twelvetrees is a Jacobite, so he thinks that either Twelvetrees found out Siverly was a Jacobite or he did it for money. Jamie shares (although doesn’t say the information came from Minnie) that Twelvetrees has been moving large amounts of money to Ireland. The men need to check Siverly’s papers, believing that this will also help him find out who all the members of the Wild Hunt are.

With Siverly dead, Jamie’s terms of service to John are now fulfilled. However, John assumes that Jamie will join him on the next part of the journey. Jamie struggles with this, though, as it would mean helping to betray the Irish Jacobites. While he isn’t part of the Cause and wants nothing to do with it, he doesn’t want to hurt innocent people or those fighting for something they believe in. At the same time, he needs to prevent another Rising, and that part wins over. He decides to stay.

The end of the chapter sees Jamie get a letter from Quinn, who is on his own journey to bring about another Rising. In the letter, Quinn says that he saw John kill Siverly and that Twelvetrees is part of the Jacobite conspiracy. Quinn wants Jamie to help Twelvetrees when he gets back to London. Jamie decides to tear the letter into pieces.

Why would Jamie tear up the note? My theory is that he doesn’t believe John killed Siverly, but others may think that. He needs to get rid of the possibility of a “witness.”

Could this chapter be used in a TV adaptation?

If The Scottish Prisoner was used for a TV series, this chapter would definitely be needed. It continues the murder plot, with Jamie and John trying to figure out who did it. We also see Jamie choose to stay in Ireland with John to help with this next part. However, it’s not for John’s sake, but to protect others. I don’t know how we could see Jamie think this through without talking to John about it, but he wouldn’t trust John. I wonder if he could find solace and “talk” to Claire or someone.

We’d also need to see the last part of the chapter. It’s clear that the murder is going to be a huge part of the story from this point. It’s also clear that Twelvetrees has something to hide.

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