The War of 1812 continues, and Captain Jack Aubrey sets course for Cape
Horn on a mission after his own heart: intercepting a powerful American
frigate outward bound to wreak havoc with the British whaling trade.
Meanwhile, Stephen Maturin has a mission of his own in the world of
secret intelligence and comes face to face with the harsh realities for
women of the age. Disaster in various guises awaits them in the Great
South Sea and in the far reaches of the Pacific--typhoons, castaways,
shipwrecks, an ill-fated affair, murder, and criminal insanity--as well
as a bold rescue by a crew of seafaring female warriors.