Pirate Latitudes: A Novel

“A lusty, rollicking seventeenth-century adventure. . . . History as entertainment.” —USA Today

In this New York Times bestselling novel, master of suspense Michael Crichton delivers an irresistible historical adventure tale of swashbuckling pirates in the New World—a classic story of treasure and betrayal.

The Caribbean, 1665. A remote colony of the English Crown, the island of Jamaica holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses. In this steamy climate there’s a living to be made, a living that can end swiftly by disease—or by dagger. For Captain Charles Hunter, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking in this thrilling treasure hunt, and the law of the land rests with those ruthless enough to make it.

Pirate Latitudes is Michael Crichton at his best: a brilliant adventure tale pulsing with relentless action, crackling atmosphere, and heart-pounding suspense.

“A lusty, rollicking seventeenth-century adventure. . . .History as entertainment.”—USA Today

The Caribbean, 1665. A remote colony of the English Crown, the island of Jamaica holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses. In this steamy climate there’s a living to be made, a living that can end swiftly by disease—or by dagger. 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.

Pirate Latitudes is Michael Crichton at his best: a rollicking adventure tale pulsing with relentless action, crackling atmosphere, and heart-pounding suspense.

“Crichton’s great talent was writing books that were virtually impossible to put down. . . . Pirate Latitudes is no exception.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Crichton’s ultimate adventure.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Unabashed fun.” - New York Times

“A swashbuckling pirate thriller…[that jumps] from one cinematic, doom-filled episode to the next.” - Washington Post

“Crichton’s great talent was writing books that were virtually impossible to put down. . . . Pirate Latitudes is no exception.” - Entertainment Weekly

“Crichton’s ultimate adventure.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“Riveting and marvelously improbable….The action is nonstop. . . . Pirate Latitudes is great entertainment….The pages and minutes fly by.” - Cleveland Plain Dealer

“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

“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

“The plot sucks you in like the giant kraken monster that nearly sinks our hero’s galleon.” - Entertainment Weekly

“Offers unexpected turns and plenty of yo ho ho’s.” - People (3 out of 4 stars)

“A lusty, rollicking 17th century adventure…. History as entertainment…. Crichton has done his homework.” - USA Today

“Cinematic…. Crichton jumps from one spectacular adventure to another without pause.” - Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

“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