I just finished the audiobook Pirate Latitudes by  Michael Crichton for my tropical setting book. I’d listened to this book a couple of years ago, but didn’t remember it very well. I have the feeling that I could do the same in a couple more years and still not remember it clearly. I enjoyed it, but unlike most of Crichton’s other books, this one was a lot less based in reality and much more just a swashbuckling ramble.

Captain Hunter owns and captains the Cassandra, a small ship with a big goal – to plunder and steal a Spanish treasure ship from under the nose of the most ruthless commander in the whole of the Spanish colonies. Of course they succeed, but only after a huge struggle. Oh, and a whole lot of bloodshed and killing. That is actually the thing that I think will stick with me longest from this book – the blood and gore and its pretty gruesome descriptions at times. I can honestly say I’ve never read a book before that described cannibals preparing their meal of seaman before…

I’ve read online that this book was discovered on Crichton’s computer after he passed away in 2008. It does appear a bit more unfinished and unpolished than the other books I’ve read by him, and the characters are a bit less developed than I’m accustomed to as well. But if you put all that aside and just read it for fun, I think you’ll enjoy the swashbuckling and the drama of the high seas on 1655 Jamaica and its environs.

*****