I thoroughly enjoyed The Buccaneer Coast, the first book in the Blood, Steel & Empire series, which introduced readers to the inscrutable French buccaneer and renegade pig hunter known only as Jean-Baptiste LeBoeuf. But, although I was eager to read more about his adventures in the Spanish-controlled West Indies, there was no second book to be had. James L. Nelson, the author, was not rushing with the next book's publication, and I found myself distracted by, among other things, his 12-volume series set in the Viking age called, simply, The Norsemen Saga.

So, when The Tortuga Plantation did finally come out, I was busy reading other things. I set it aside and assumed I would get to it fairly soon.

It took me a little longer than I expected.

Recently, when looking for a book to pack for a week's vacation along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, Tortuga caught my eye and I tossed it in my carry-on and started it on the plane. And, for the next few days, I carried it with me in a satchel, reading it on the beach, at bedtime, during the frequent thunderstorms that punctuate any given day in Florida in late July, and whenever a few spare moments presented themselves.

It's very good. I enjoyed it so much that I quickly paid a visit to Nelson's website to see if the next book was on its way. Sadly, there is no mention there of a sequel ... yet. (Aaarggh!)

As in the previous book, LeBoeuf is only one of a handful of main characters. And while some might seem thoroughly evil, others come in shades of gray. Take for instance Don Alonso Menendez de Aviles, lieutenant governor of Hispaniola, who is tricky and greedy and self-serving but also wants what's best for the island under his care. Or Henriette, the shrewish Frenchwoman who has attached herself to LeBoeuf for protection and a certain degree of domestic partnership, but only so long as it serves her interests and furthers her desire to find a way back to France.

LeBoeuf once again finds himself at odds with de Aviles, whose claim to the titular plantation LeBoeuf has stolen from a wrecked ship. For his part, LeBoeuf would like to settle down on the plantation and live a peaceful life, but that isn't in the cards ... particularly considering that Captain General Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo, a renowned Spanish military commander, plans to sweep every non-Spaniard from the island.

Also in the mix are Don Nicolas Perez de Maldonaldo, the corrupt and powerful mayor of Santo Domingo who is a constant thorn in de Aviles' side; local criminals Benjamin Graves and Maja, former foes who now have a tenuous truce and work in a mutually beneficial partnership, of sorts; and Van Loudersong, a treacherous Dutch sailor in LeBoeuf's band who wants to seize for himself a sunken cargo of gold that LeBoeuf believes should be his (and, to some extent, Henriette's).

And let's not forget Other Dog, LeBoeuf's faithful mastiff.

The narrative rotates among the various characters, with Nelson giving readers many perspectives into the storyline. LeBoeuf is ostensibly the main protagonist of the story, but he's no hero; he cares little for the lives of others, and he even conspires to conceal the gold shipment from the loyal men who follow him, who arguably deserve a share.

Nelson writes a good tale, and anyone who has been reading his books from the beginning -- by which I mean books such as By Force of Arms, The Guardship and Glory in the Name -- will have seen his novels grow in strength and complexity. I liked his older books a lot, but his newer stuff ... wow.

Circumstances for everyone will have changed greatly by the end of The Tortuga Plantation, and once again I find myself wondering when LeBoeuf's story will continue. I'll be watching for an announcement from Nelson ... let's hope it's soon!

[ visit James L. Nelson's website ]