Pirate Latitudes

By Michael Crichton

The new thriller from Michael Crichton, one of the most famous authors in the world, the most exciting, anticipated publication of Christmas 2009.

Jamaica, in 1665 a lone outpost of British power amid Spanish waters in the sunbaked Caribbean. Its capital, Port Royal, a cuthroat 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 renowned privateer Captain Charles Hunter plans to do, with the connivance of Charles II's ruling governor, Sir James Almont.

The target is Matanceros, guarded by the bloodthirsty 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Nov 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9780007346103

Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton (1942-2008) was the author of the bestselling novels The Terminal Man, The Great Train Robbery, Jurassic Park, Sphere, Disclosure, Prey, State of Fear, Next and Dragon Teeth, among many others. His books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, have been translated into forty languages, and have provided the basis for fifteen feature films. He wrote and directed Westworld, The Great Train Robbery, Runaway, Looker, Coma and created the hit television series ER. Crichton remains the only writer to have a number one book, movie, and TV show in the same year. Daniel H. Wilson is a Cherokee citizen and author of the New York Times bestselling Robopocalypse and its sequel Robogenesis, as well as ten other books. He recently wrote the Earth 2: Society comic book series for DC Comics. Wilson earned a PhD in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. He has published over a dozen scientific papers and holds four patents. Wilson lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews for Pirate Latitudes

[readingover50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not his best book, but still a good read. Seemed to be a lot of historical facts that were interesting.

[karenduff · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this but the part where they are fighting the kraken was just really stupid and should have been cut.Other than that if you want a quick read where you will be entertained and you won't have to engage your brain then this is the ideal book.

[justagirlwithabook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first Michael Crichton novel I've ever read and I was really surprised in some ways with how much I enjoyed it. It had a bit of a feel of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' in a way. I love the swashbuckling and the overall adventure of the story.

[bravenewbks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ending was a little hasty and unfinished-seeming but I enjoyed the rest of it very much; it read more like a Clive Cussler novel than a Michael Crichton one, but I've always enjoyed the former so that was okay by me. Would have easily been for stars if the ending hadn't been so abrupt.

[delta351 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Decent story about privateers and sea battles, based in Jamaica but moving around a little. Makes me want to read about Henry Morgan sacking Panama.Definitely a beach read

[anigl-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm reading this because pirates, but I will note that it still doesn't come near the shores of the POTC movies. The verdict is still out on the POTC novel though; that's next in line to read.

[authorpsbartlett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I must say first that no, this wasn't the best pirate story I've ever read but it was definitely a great one.
Being a pirate storyteller myself, I appreciated this book on a whole different level than let's say, the more contemporary or classic books I've read. The reason is; I read pirate novels not only for entertainment but for research.
I was excited that so much of this story takes place in Port Royal, Jamaica because I recently spent quite a few hours researching that area of the world during the Golden Age of Piracy and found his descriptions really brought the place to life for me.
I read this book while my last novel was being edited and my head swirled with ideas and imagery that I felt my own story was lacking. The end result? Several rewrites on my own novel. :)
I suppose my hope is to someday reach the level of success this gentleman did. Even if writing on a topic that is near and dear to my heart was not his forte, I could tell he was having a lot of fun with it and I wanted to climb into the story and enjoy it with him!

[buffalogr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I expected SciFi and got none of that....just a pirate historical fiction story.. There is a plot and some memorable characters, The plot proved that Crighton did his research well--read that in the publisher's review. He developed compelling characters involved in interesting situations, One cannot finish a review of a pirate story without using the word "swashbuckling", so here it is.

[thejohnsmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fast paced, swashbuckling adventure set in the 17th Century Caribbean. A real page turner.

[ikeman100 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really fun read. Crichton can tell a story. It's fun to read a period piece by an author that researched the period. Bad guys and high adventure. What's not to love.

[atdcross · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fun book by Crichton with adventure, betrayal, unexpected turns, exotic locations, and...a fabled monster.However, it seems to me this may be a book that was draft form, which Crichton himself may not have finished before his death. It reads as if someone sort of fleshed it out, trying to keep as best he could in step with Crichton's style. If so, the anonymous co-writer doesn't succeed to well, in my opinion, for two reasons: (a) it's not as sharp and fast-paced as past books by Crichton, and (b) there's some sexual innuendo (nothing too explicit) that, unless I'm mistaken, is not Crichton's style.Nevertheless, worth the read for sure!

[jbarringer-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't generally expect Michael Crichton's books to remind me of Horatio Hornblower's adventures, but this book is very much in that vein, only without all the sappy pseudo-romance that Hornblower books are riddled with after a while. The ending felt a bit rushed, but considering that this book was found in his files after his death and published posthumously, perhaps this is simply the unpolished version of a resolution that might under better circumstances have been more fully fleshed out.

[ahopkinsbibliomaniac · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a gift. This story is a favorite of mine and I've bought other copies for my friends. I fully recommend this book. I went through a period where I hadn't read a book for months and this book brought me back to one of my favorite places. That place where only a good book and a cup of tea can take you. I fell in love with the story and the characters. It helps when you've been to the Caribbean and seas interest you. I also am a fan of pirates. It's a fun must read. Mr. Chrichton describes his characters flawlessly.

[benjaminhahn · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was a book club pick and seemed a bit rushed or unfinished. It seems Mr. Crichton had been working on this thing since the 70's and never got around to publishing it. That's probably because he never really put the finishing touches on it. It lacks any real surprises or twists. It's entertaining in a sort of swashbuckling adventure novel sort of way. Crichton was clearly a fan of historical naval trivia. He inserts a great deal of it throughout the book and I found it enjoyable. But some of the chapters felt like synopses that he never gotten around to finishing. Its a bit sad to read really. The family probably should have left this one alone and just treasured it as a family keepsake.

[Jay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast paced, very meticulously researched book. There are the beginnings of a sub-plot about witchcraft that fizzle out as they start, but that doesn't really affect the book.

[kwskultety · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lusty seafaring story about pirates in the 1600's. I think this is a complete departure of Crichton's works, and much better than the last few that I have read recently. The story is rife with nautical terms and colorful language, and likeable characters as well. This was an easy and entertaining read.

[signsofapirate · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I want to give it a 3.5 really! I LOVE pirate stories! The beginning was kinda 'meh this better get going soon' bit I was determined to finish it even if it hadn't picked up a bit! I do wish MC had the chance to revise and edit fully before his death; I'm sure he wishes as well! Either way I did enjoy the book all in all. Yes, I would recommend this to anyone who wants a new story but I wouldn't be telling EVERYONE I pass on the street.

[jthierer_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun read but the ending felt a little rushed. I saw where he was going with the pushy second in command suddenly turning against the crew and trying them for piracy but the execution just didn't work for me. I would have preferred to see the book end with them sailing into Port Royal and let me fill in their further adventures.

[brookeashley-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's difficult to tell if Crichton ever intended this to be published, but for better or worse, it's a fun, over-the-top pirate adventure that was really easy to read.

[trgllylibrarian · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

2 1/2 stars for this one; my least favorite of Michael Crichton's so far. Impeccably researched as usual, but I just don't think historical fiction suits his style as well as the science fiction does.

[chaghi-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very easy reading, but in the end, the novel is just "meh". The plot is extremely simple, almost predictable, and at the same time, it manages to throw in the mix every pirates novel cliche.
I don't think Pirate Latitudes would have been published had Crichton been alive. At least not in the way it was published. I've read (and enjoyed!) several Crichton novels, and this is by far the weakest, at all levels.

[yougotamber · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great solid Pirate book! It has everything you want for an adventure genre. I haven't read Crichton in years and it makes me want to pick up another one of his in the near future. He puts quite a bit into making the story live and breath with so many details. I recommend this as a beach book read... one that goes quickly but won't disappoint.

[piersanti-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A good book, but not a great book, because of course, Crichton didn't get a chance to finish it. There are parts that are very well developed, but then there are more parts that read like they didn't get past the first or second draft. However, I also felt like this provided interesting insights into the author's writing process.

[storeyonastory · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A different genre for Michael. Typically known for his technothrillers, Pirate Latitudes is a historical fiction novel. It's alright, but not what I look to Michael Crichton for. Unfortunately, there will be no more exciting science at its worst novels from him. He will be missed.

[fbswss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous writing. The story felt so "true life" like you just can't make this stuff up - yet Crichton did. Amazing.

[literarychanteuse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had a hard time putting this down. Action packed. Exactly what you would expect from pirates.

[al9g · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From the final page of the book, "'Pirate Latitudes' was discovered as a complete manuscript in his files after his death in 2008." An unpublished manuscript by one of my favorite authors - how could I pass it up? It is typical Crichton: a fast paced plot with several twists and turns designed to keep the reader off balance, a final plot twist at the end for those who think they have anticipated the conclusion, well developed characterizations, and well researched historical settings all combine to make this a good read. If you are historically minded or interested in authentic 'privateers' then this is a book for you. Set in mid-1600's Jamaica, Crichton explores the true piracy of the Caribbean with aplomb. Amid the ongoing feud between England and Spain is Charles Hunter, the son of an English gentleman born in the colonies, he has turned privateer (pirate), but is still susceptible to patriotism and agrees to raid an unassailable Spanish outpost on another island, unofficially for the British crown. Hunter is cocky and bold, but able to walk his talk, and with a fairly small crew and a bold plan he attacks the fortress and steals a Spanish galleon laden with treasure. But that is not, of course, the end of the story, only the beginning. Reminiscent of "Sphere" or "Congo" this book doesn't end with a fait acommpli but pulls the reader inexorably forward to see how Hunter and crew can survive the theft and get home, and in a new twist, what they will find when they arrive, for not everyone agrees with the crown's use of a privateer. "Pirate Latitudes" will share insight into the politics and history of piracy in the Caribbean as well as entertainment and adventure. A great conclusion to Crichton's brilliant career.

[ameise1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was enjoyable fast-paced reading. Charles Hunter, a pirate, who is based at the colony of Jamaica is planning and undertaking a theft from the Spanish crown in the Caribbean. Therefore he is looking for the most skilled men who are coming along with him. He is making an unorthodox approach to get to his target.The story is written very gripping and I could laugh out loud at the different incidents which have taken place during this endeavour.

[lkernagh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My love for rollicking adventure stories continued with my read of Crichton's Pirate Latitudes. Building upon an actual event and grounded in a rather accurate portrayal of 17th century Jamaica, it is easy to see why a number of readers may compare this story with the movie The Pirates of the Caribbean. I admit I did, more so for the mere fact that both are adventures with boats, treasure, damsels in distress and a crew of potential disreputable individuals than for any noticeable direct comparisons. The characters are lively, with some wonderful banter and I will admit that I always seem to have a soft spot for ship captains who like to play things fast and loose while still abiding by a personal moral code of ethics, be they pirates or privateers. Part of the story dragged a little bit, and yes, I did catch myself rolling my eyes when the kraken makes its appearance but overall, this was a decent read and is what it is - an adventure story, pure and simple.

[nataliesw · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not by any means Crichton's best, but I believe this was the one found in a drawer after his death. Entertaining in a very light way. Protagonist sort of a Mary Sue. :-)