Title: Pirate Latitudes

Author: Michael Crichton

FICTION

Genre: Historical

Ranking: 7.0 out of 10.0

Buy: Maybe

Borrow: Yes

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VL1CFS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Summary: The Caribbean, 1665. The island of Jamaica is a remote colony of the English Crown and holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses. For Captain Charles Hunter, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking, and the law of the land rests with those ruthless enough to make it. Word in port is that a galleon, fresh from New Spain, is awaiting repairs in a nearby harbour. Hwe is a privateer and not a pirate. The distinction made by being authorised by the governor to attack Spanish ships.

Main review: 

Pirate Latitudes is a tale of swashbuckling pirates in the New World – a classic story of adventure and betrayal. But in fact it is about a renowned privateer, Captain Charles Hunter who having being authorised by the governor to attack Spanish ships is not officially deemed a pirate.

Jamaica, in 1665 is a lone outpost of British power amid Spanish waters and colonies in the vast Caribbean. Its capital, Port Royal, a town of taverns, grog shops and bawdy houses – the last place imaginable from which to launch an unthinkable attack on a nearby Spanish stronghold. Yet that is exactly what Captain Charles Hunter plans to do, with the connivance of the governor, Sir James Almont.

The target is Matanceros, guarded by the Spaniard Cazalla, and considered impregnable with its gun emplacements and sheer cliffs. Hunter's crew of buccaneers must battle not only the Spanish fleet but other deadly perils – raging hurricanes, cannibal tribes, even sea monsters. But if his ragtag crew succeeds, they will make not only history … but a fortune in gold. This they do, but alas they lose half due to the treachery of one of Hunter's lieutenants.

Further reading suggestion: The Great Train Robbery - https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=EJGpDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT3&lpg=PT3&dq=michael+crichton+historical+novels&source=bl&ots=Cj5if8FDYi&sig=bwo-CUePi3dMx6k54cJsniD-AXs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCqf2e9IvPAhUHBsAKHSEjCgEQ6AEIbzAO#v=onepage&q=michael%20crichton%20historical%20novels&f=false