"The finest writer of sea-stories in the English language."--J. de Courcy Ireland

The inspiration for the major new motion picture starring Russell Crowe.

Ship's doctor Stephen Maturin, a British intelligence agent, stands as the sole bulwark against the sabotage of his friend Captain Jack Aubrey's mission in Malt

Malta, in 1813, is ostensibly a safe harbour, yet the island is a nest of French spies, and even those in authority are not to be trusted.

Aubrey and Maturin are caught in the outbreak of the War of 1812.