DRUMS OF AUTUMN is the fourth book in the OUTLANDER series, following VOYAGER. Here Claire and Jamie, with Jamie’s nephew Young Ian, seek to find a place for themselves in the colony of North Carolina, treading a dangerous line between Governor Tryon’s patronage and Claire’s knowledge of the brewing revolution in America, between the help of Jamie’s Aunt Jocasta, last of his MacKenzie kin (“MacKenzies are charming as larks in the field–but sly as foxes with it.”) and the unwanted obligations of her slave-run plantation. As they find mountain land and begin to build their first cabin, their newfound life is bittersweet, with the thought Brianna–the daughter Claire has left behind, the daughter Jamie will never see–always near.
Brianna is thinking of her parents, too. And she’s discovered something dangerous in the historical record; a notice of a fatal fire on Fraser’s Ridge. The time-traveler’s ultimate dilemma raises its head once again: can the past be changed? If it can…what’s the price?
Roger MacKenzie has found the same newspaper notice–and after some soul-searching, has decided not to tell Brianna about it, not wanting her to risk her life for what may be impossible. She doesn’t tell him, either–and his first inkling that she’s found that notice is a shipment of boxes from Brianna, containing her family memorabilia and a note reading, “Everybody needs a history. This is mine. Please look after it ’til I come back.”
Roger follows Brianna into the past, where she has gone on a quest to save her parents’ lives, and upon discovering that she has sailed for America, he takes ship himself…with a Captain Bonnet. (from Diana's website)
Reunited Jamie and Claire travel along with nephew Ian to North Carolina to build a home and life together. Their journey/plan does have it's ups and downs. The story also centers around Brianna and Roger in the present 1968 and again in the past 1767. Their experiences as they travel back in time are exiting, heartbreaking, and frustrating. As it did the first time, the mix up with Roger's identity made me angry. I knew it was coming and still gritted my teeth through those scenes. Loved their reconciliation. Jamie is able to have and experience life with his child and grandchild instead of hearing about them. I loved that the most this time around. So much happens in this chunkster to move these character's lives forward. Listening to the book narrated by the phenomenal Davina Porter is an experience that enhances the storytelling by leaps and bounds. Can't wait to begin The Fiery Cross.
