Library Journal-Rezension

O'Brian's tenth book in the Aubrey/ Maturin series (e.g., The Surgeon's Mate, Audio Reviews, LJ 4/1/94) finds Jack sadly contemplating the impending retirement of his favorite ship, Surprise, now outdated by the heavier oceangoing fighters perfected during the War of 1812. But the "dear Surprise" is saved from her fate by the need to send British shipping to "the far side of the world"-the Great South Sea-to protect English whalers from the U.S.S. Chesapeake. At the same time, Jack's friend and ship's surgeon, Stephen Maturin, is slated to perform more of the intelligence work that has caused confusion among the French since the start of the war. In one of the most suspenseful episodes of the entire series, Stephen falls overboard at night, and when Jack leaps in to rescue him, the Surprise sails placidly away, leaving the two treading water in the shark-infested tropical waters-a situation for which the listener can see no possible solution. O'Brian's ability to create suspense and provide clever and plausible outcomes to this and other predicaments is a hallmark of the series. Well narrated by Patrick Tull, the complete series is highly recommended for public libraries.-Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Univ. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.