Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

This was a great classic of a story, a 17th century pirate tale based in a factual world with the suspense and twists that Michael Crichton will always be remembered for. This new novel, discovered by Mr. Crichton’s assistant in his computer files after his death, featured a pirate named Captain Charles Hunter and the governor of Jamaica, and their plan to raid a Spanish treasure galleon. I am thankful that the publisher decided to publish this book, even if it was a rough-cut edition. It was a wonderful "final gift". I thoroughly enjoyed this pirate adventure very much for what it was - a fun story. It was readable, a genuine tale with a modest attention to detail without bogging the reader down, and a story line was tied up nicely at the end. I just wish there were more adventures forthcoming with Captain Hunter and his friends.

The story opens in the capitol city of Britain's Jamaica colony, Port Royal. The gout- plagued governor is eager to strike a deal with the privateer Captain Charles Hunter, Harvard educated, courtly mannered, womanizer, merciless killer and more. Captain Hunter dreams up the unthinkable: take the Spanish Island of Matanceros with its impregnable Spanish fortress, loaded down with gold in its harbor, assemble an expert team and a small crew of 60, and sail away to waves of trouble for them and fun for us. What is in store for them along the way you ask? They steal the gold, rescue the royal governor's niece, fight a broadside battle against ridiculous odds, get caught in a hurricane, beat down a kraken only to find that all is not what is seems as they return to port.

I had trouble putting the book down from the very first chapter. I was even reading at work every spare moment I had. The characters are well developed, and the story added to the magic of the book. It’s packed with great detail about navigation and how pirates operated, a historical perspective on the New World, the Caribbean, and the clash between England and Spain. It was a fun adventure. I give it five stars. I will miss Michael Crichton for his adventures and his great stories.