This hilariously exciting book already reads like a film treatment, jumping from one cinematic, doom-filled episode to the next as it cuts its bloody way through the encyclopedia of piracy from "Ahoy" to "Yo-ho-ho"…As in any Crichton novel, all of this breakneck adventure is decorated with little bits of historical and technical instruction that float down like parrot feathers here and there…Crichton always had a perfect sense of how much (or how little) background most readers really wanted. He may stop a moment to explain the jury system required by Parliament in 1612 or the predictive nature of waves, but then he's quick to shout, "Hoist anchor! Lively with the lines!" and we're off again. If you're on the lookout for some light adventure…thar she blows!
—The Washington Post
In Crichton’s posthumously published novel, Capt. Charles Hunter leads a lovable gang of pirates in a raid on a Spanish ship loaded with gold off the coast of Jamaica. Hunter’s determination must contend with a host of rapacious cannibals, hurricanes, sea monsters, simmering mutiny, and capture by sadistic Spaniards. Crichton draws on every pirate cliché in the book, refreshing and reanimating them with heady atmosphere, crackling dialogue, and an endearing hero—all of which are brought to life by John Bedford Lloyd, who excels at accents and colorful personalities. Lloyd’s deep and controlled voice projects energy and excitement, and steers clear of caricature. A Harper hardcover. (Dec.)
Riveting and marvelously improbable….The action is nonstop. . . . Pirate Latitudes is great entertainment….The pages and minutes fly by.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Unabashed fun.” — New York Times
“Hilariously exciting…. Crichton has crossbred Johnny Depp and Daniel Craig to create the coolest, handsomest, daringest sea dog in the world. (Guys, if you don’t want to be Charles Hunter, have your testosterone levels checked immediately.)… If you’re on the lookout for some light adventure this holiday season, thar she blows!” — Ron Charles, Washington Post
“Offers unexpected turns and plenty of yo ho ho’s.” — People (3 out of 4 stars)
“It’s not an ironic pirate novel. It’s not a pirate novel with a secret gimmick. It’s simply an entertaining tale filled with crafty privateers, despicable villains, treasure hoards, double crosses and a sea monster. Go figure.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“A lusty, rollicking 17th century adventure…. History as entertainment…. Crichton has done his homework.” — USA Today
“The plot sucks you in like the giant kraken monster that nearly sinks our hero’s galleon.” — Entertainment Weekly
“Great entertainment. . . . The story moves along like a ship with a great wind in its sails, carrying us through the siege of the island, an ocean chase, gun battles at sea, a hurricane, war with a giant squid, capture by cannibals with a terrifically satisfying ending that is doubly surprising because it never veers from the actual course of events.” — Alan Cheuse, NPR, All Things Considered
“Crichton makes place and time come alive.” — Boston Globe
“Cinematic…. Crichton jumps from one spectacular adventure to another without pause.” — Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers
