The Surgeon’s Mate is book 7 in the Aubrey-Maturin stories. This book continues following the escape from America, Jack and Stephen end up dealing with French imprisonment.
The book further explores the relationship between Dr. Maturin and Diana Villiers, while we see almost nothing of Aubrey’s own family.
I’m continually impressed with Patrick O’Brian’s knowledge, not just of the management and operation of tall ships and the British Admiralty, but of the English culture and politics as well. Of course, I’m presuming he is accurate. 🙂
The stories are well written and I always look forward to the next adventure.