Another bracing blast of sea-foam from Patrick O'Brian. This time it's a barn-burner.

In the fifth installment, the books have settled into a routine: Aubrey and Maturin bumble around on shore for a while, incompetent in business and love, before being rescued by a sea-mission. Aubrey captains a ship with Maturin as his ships's surgeon. At sea, they're in their element and their adventures fill the bulk of the book.

As usual, O'Brian packs the book with historical and naval detail, enough to overwhelm a lubber like me. Sometimes I cracked open Google to learn the difference between a hawser and a bowser, but mostly I let it wash over me. The depth of detail transports me like few books do.

There are battles, perils, and drama. Aubrey and Maturin feel like old friends at this point -- of mine as well as each other. Their friendship, stability, and professionalism counterpoint the chaotic action that happens around them in a way that elevates the story to mythic proportions. It's gripping.

I'm looking forward to the next one.