★★★★☆ Stephen's spying and Patrick Tull's vivid narration

Treason's Harbour (Aubrey & Maturin, #9)

Patrick O'Brian, Patrick Tull (narrator)

I listened to this audiobook eleven years ago (28-Aug-2011). I no longer have a vivid memory of this specific book, though I do well remember my impressions of the later Aubrey/Maturin novels. As the series continued, Patrick O'Brian found himself in difficulties. One of the things we love about these books is their historical accuracy. But as the story advanced to Jack's later years we entered a historical period in which there were few exciting battles of tall ships to recount. One of the ways O'Brian deals with this is to tell more stories about Stephen and his dangerous espionage activities. I liked this -- I always loved Stephen, and it was fun to see him as not just a bird-lover, but also a dangerous swordsman. Some of the other late books don't work quite so well. I didn't enjoy the books in which we wallow in Jack's financial miseries, or those in which Stephen's travails with laudanum and Diana come to the fore.

I am not sure if I have the right edition here. I listened to the recording released on Audible by Random House Audio o4-Jan-2001, narrated by Patrick Tull. I do not believe that version is any longer available. Tull's vivid narration was a great pleasure.

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