The 17th novel in O'Brian's bestselling, highly acclaimed series of naval tales continues the excitement and adventure of "the best historical novels ever written" (New York Times Book Review). Aubrey and Maturin are sent on a bizarre decoy mission to the fever-ridden lagoons of the Gulf of Guinea to suppress the slave trade. But their ultimate destination is Ireland, where the French are mounting an invasion which will test Aubrey's seamanship and Maturin's resourcefulness as an intelligence agent.