It's been a while since I've read the first eight books in the series - truth is, the local library didn't have the ninth, and while being temporarily in a different city for a residency programme, I found it in their library instead. So I thought I better read it, before the chance slipped away... and I'm glad I did, because it's one of the most enjoyable of the series. I think it may be my favourite thus far. Partly because a lot of the focus here is on the political and scientific meanderings of Stephen Maturin, who is by far the more entertaining of the two protagonists. (Being interested in politics and science, and being not interested at all in ships, you can see how my preference developed.) As for that sailing, I am pleased to say that much of this book took place on land, but there was still the odd interminable battle and wittering on about different sail types, and really, I know this is a sailing series, but I cannot bring myself to care.