Treason's Harbour

Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 9

By: Patrick O'Brian

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The espionage activities of cunning ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin have kept him at odds with the most important French agent in the Mediterranean, Lesueur, a man with a long memory and a taste for revenge. When that revenge takes the shape of the delicate and distracting Mrs. Fielding, who also attracts the ever-wandering eye of Jack Aubrey, Stephen's sensibilities are severely tested.

Don't miss the rest of the Aubrey/Maturin series.

©1983 Patrick O'Brian (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"...comic, grim, farcical, and tragic. An essential of the truly gripping book for the narrative addict is the creation of a whole, solidly living world for the imagination to inhabit, and O'Brian does this with prodigal specificity and generosity." (A.S. Byatt)

Suberbly written and performed!

My favorite tactical maneuvering by Aubrey and no other reader but Tull can make it sing so!

Setting up the bigger story

I’m seeing bad reviews bi this book sets up a much bigger story!
Patience will pay off

Another good Aubry story.

The only thing I dislike about all the Aubry stories is that they're too short.

A rollicking read

In the best possible way, you cannot predict what will happen next. Overall this is not among my top favorites in this series, but long stretches of the story are O'Brian at his best. Stick with it, as it's most certainly worth your time.

Back to Sea! Enough Drama, Let's Sail!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I had worried about a series so long, glad to find the middle still entertains and pleases! I'd reccomend it to anyone with any interest in the sea or period history... quite good!

What other book might you compare Treason's Harbour to and why?

Similar to the last book in style of course, but they also both end abruptly with tense sailing action! Another good one in the series!

Which character – as performed by Patrick Tull – was your favorite?

Killick is always my favorite in all the books... his grumbling always makes me laugh!

If you could take any character from Treason's Harbour out to dinner, who would it be and why?

much tho I'd be tempted to say Jack or Steven, tho he might get tedious, I'd probably most enjoy dinner and drinks with the midshipmen... it would be neat to see them outside of their forced formality with members of rank and I bet they'd tell the best stories!

Any additional comments?

Glad to see this one get back more to the sea side of things... it got bogged down there for a while with ladies, laws, and finances while all my favorite parts are at sea. Glad to read this one as more of a return to the more adventurous and discovering aspects... with some heated battles to get your blood pumping! Much Better By Me!

Treason's harbour

This book had more with Maturin as a spy as well as the ship's physician. Loved the descriptions of Malta and I followed on the map the land travel across the Suez to the Red Sea. Patrick Tull is a great narrator. Can not wait to listen to book 10.

Another classic

Once again O'brian builds a world that seems complete in every way and then takes the "reader" on an insiders tour of that world. And Patrick Tull as a narrator brings it all to life.

O'Brian does it again, by land and by sea!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. O'Brian shakes things up in this book by having our beloved characters spend quite a bit of their time on land, traveling through the Suez deserts instead of solely at sea. But I really enjoyed the change of pace and scenery as it gave a new image of the world at this time before the crew of the Surprise returned to sea once again.

I would be remiss to mention the fact that I absolutely loved all of Maturin's diving bell misadventures. From obtaining this massive bell to using it to rescue the dropped loot crates, it was a hilarious bout!

The last third of the book really drove home the fact that Jack won't get to keep his lucky Surprise. I will be quite sad to see it go but I'm still eager to see what ship he'll command next.

All in all, O'Brian gives us another great tale with naval combat, perilous desert travel, lover's intrigue, and the emotional ups and downs of any great drama. Thank you again good sir!

Here sets the bar

Patrick O'Brian's writing is multilayered, wry, exciting, succinct. I have read and listened to this whole series (21 books) several times.

The enemy is among us

Would you listen to Treason's Harbour again? Why?

I enjoyed the book and yes after a year or so I might listen to it again

What did you like best about this story?

It showed you can never really trust anyone who has serious vices like gambling they are easy turned to the other side

Which character – as performed by Patrick Tull – was your favorite?

I liked both Jack and Steven they make the whole story stick together

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoyed Jack saving the dog that was a true light on his character

Any additional comments?

Wished I would find out what happens to the traitor