This is a spin off novel from the author's trilogy about 17th century French Huguenot families fleeing persecution in their own country and settling elsewhere in Europe and the New World. This centres around French lieutenant turned privateer Didier Ducamp and courtesan turned spy May Stuart. They team together to escape from the activities of the cruel pirate Captain Brook in his hunt for treasure, involving the casual killing of many innocent civilians. I found this last aspect particularly depressing here, perhaps because my mental state has been a bit low recently, and I was really pleased with Ducamp and May getting together at the end and voyaging off to start a new life in America. ( )