Enders, the “barber-surgeon and sea artist,” Sanson, the French assassin (whose name means “without sound”), Lazue, the keen-eyed lookout who holds a surprising secret, and more. The crew that accompanies Captain Hunter is filled with interesting and varied characters: Mr. The author is able to create tension by making the reader understand the precarious position in which privateers existed: only a piece of parchment and the favor of politicians separated them from being branded as criminal pirates. When he hears of a Spanish galleon supposedly filled with treasure on the Spanish-controlled island of Mantanceros, Hunter wastes no time in assembling a crew of cut-throat privateers to set sail for the island, despite the formidable fort guarding the treasure and the terrifying Spanish commander named Cazalla who will destroy anyone in his way to avoid defeat.Ĭrichton creates a surprisingly complex story, as the events within the novel lead the reader on a twisting journey that is in part a heist story, partly a of tale sea creatures and cannibals, and partly a fascinating glimpse at nautical warfare and colonial life. In exchange for a share of his plunder being given to the English government, Hunter was free to sail the seas in search of Spanish resources for the taking. Though pirates were considered criminal outlaws, Hunter worked as a privateer, plundering Spanish ships and resources with written consent of Jamaica’s governor, Sir James Almont. In a time when England and Spain competed with each other for the land and resources of “The Americas,” the Caribbean Sea was filled with rough men, looking for freedom and wealth by any means necessary.Ĭaptain Hunter, a former Puritan from Massachusetts Bay Colony, was no exception. Set in 1655 Jamaica, in the English-dominated town of Port Royal, the exploits of Captain Charles Hunter are told in fast-paced detail.

This historical fiction novel, written by the author of such books as Jurassic Park and Sphere, was discovered among his files after Crichton passed away in 2008.įirst published in 2009, this book paints a visceral picture of the New World. Adventure on the high seas filled with assassins, sea monsters, treasure, and seduction await readers of Pirate Latitudes : A Novel by Michael Crichton.

Michael crichton pirates latitude