Outlander Writer Diana Gabaldon Announces Release Date For New Book

Our favorite Outlander writer, Diana Gabaldon has announced the release date for a new book, but it’s not what you think.

We have a new Outlander book coming out June 27th, 2017. But here’s the letdown: it’s not the much anticipated ninth book in the series Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone. (Diana Gabaldon is still working on the book, and we shouldn’t expect it until 2018.) The new book is called Seven Stones To Stand or Fall, and it’s not exactly new to diehard Outlander fans.

Diana Gabaldon has written a series of companion stories or novellas to go along with the Outlander series. Five of these novellas have been already published in the US and Canada, have then been published but not in places like the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Diana Gabaldon has also added two brand-new novellas in the Seven Stones To Stand or Fall, fans have never read before.

Cover Art for Seven Stones To Stand Or Fall

Here’s a brief description from Diana Gabaldon of each novella as they appear in Seven Stones To Stand Or Fall.

The Custom of The Army

"In which, Lord John Grey’s encounter with said eel (to say nothing of a belligerent poet and Dr. John Hunter (a real surgeon, known for his great contributions to medicine, but known more colloquially in his own time as “the body-snatcher”) leads to him being sent to the wilds of Canada (pretty wild at the time), where he joins General James Wolfe, has sex on a sandbar (though not with General Wolfe), repels Indian attacks (though not necessarily all Indians…) and (among other things) climbs a sheer cliff at night with a number of Scottish Highlanders, in order to attack the Citadel of Quebec."

The Space Between

"In which, the Comte St. Germain explores the mysteries of the universe. Meanwhile, a grief-stricken Michael Murray (middle son of Jenny and Ian Murray) returns to his wine business in Paris, following the death of his father (and the earlier death of his young wife). Given into his charge on the journey is Joan MacKimmie (younger sister of Marsali, younger daughter of Laoghaire), a young woman on her way to join a French convent, in hopes of shutting up the voices in her head. And then there’s Master Raymond…"

A Plague of Zombies

"In which, Lord John is sent to Jamaica, charged with putting down a slave rebellion. Snakes and slaves are the least of it, and when the Governor of the island is found in his bedroom, dead and partially gnawed, Lord John finds himself the temporary military governor of Jamaica. He also finds himself in the midst of something much more frightening than a slave revolt—something to be faced alone, barefoot and weaponless, in a lightless cave where the dripping of water hides the susurrus of scales."

A Leaf on the Wind of all Hallows

"In which, the gremlins in the engine of his Spitfire temporarily ground Captain Jerry MacKenzie, but mechanical difficulties and German machine guns are nothing to what awaits him in a circle of standing stones in Northumbria. This is the story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents, Jerry and Dolly; a story Roger never knew."

Virgins

"In which we follow the adventures of Jamie Fraser (aged 19) and his best friend Ian Murray (aged 20), as young mercenaries in France in 1740. Neither young man has yet killed a man nor bedded a woman, and they’re both rather worried about going to hell. The possibilities for all three rise abruptly when they’re hired to see a young Jewish bride and the priceless Torah that is her dowry from Bordeaux to Paris, and find much more along the road than they bargained for."

Here’s a brief description of the two never seen before novellas in Seven Stones To Stand Or Fall.

A Fugitive Green

"In which, a 17-year-old apprentice dealer in rare books is sent from Paris to England by her father, to obtain incunabula and medieval books of devotion—and whatever secrets of political intrigue or finance may come to hand in the process. In the course of her business, though, Minnie meets Harold Grey (Lord John’s elder brother), the newly-widowed (and alarmingly deranged) Duke of Pardloe, and things Fall Out."

Besieged

"“Well, in justice,” Grey said dubiously, “I suppose the whale _is_ long dead.” He looked at the far wall of his office. There were a number of flies resting along the wainscoting, as usual, fat and black as currants against the white plaster. Sure enough, a couple of them had already risen into the air, circling lazily toward the pot of whale oil. “Where did you get that stuff?”[In which Lord John, anticipating a voyage home to England after his brief stint as military Governor of Jamaica, instead finds himself on his way to Cuba, where the British navy is preparing to lay siege to Havana—and where the Dowager Duchess of Pardloe (aka John’s mother) is a guest (and potential hostage) of Governor Juan de Prado."

I’m excited to read the two new novellas in Diana Gabaldon Outlander saga, but I can’t help feel I’m disappointed we are not getting Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone. I’m not alone in my frustrations. Fans have been vocal about asking when the ninth book will come out. As we already know, Diana Gabaldon will not succumb to pressure to get a book out. She will gift us Go Tell The Bees That I am Gone when she is good and ready.

Next: Book Review: Snowbound at Christmas

Tell us in the comments if you are going to buy Diana Gabaldon’s Seven Stones To Stand or Fall.