The fortunes of the Cutler family continue to rise, and the exploits of its extended members continue to enthrall readers of William C. Hammond's ongoing series.

Early pages of A Return to Duty, the eighth book in the series, reveal that there are now many, many Cutlers in the prosperous Massachusetts family, and it is hard a times to keep track of them all ... particularly since every generation seems name its children after the generation before.

At the center of the action are Richard and his wife Anne Cutler, the protagonists of the previous book, To Distant Shores, which saw them marooned -- separately -- in New Zealand. Anne has given birth to their second child, and Richard is preparing to resign his commission in the U.S. Navy to focus on his family and the family business. He has one last mission to undertake, however, in the distant seas near China.

Of course, they are not alone in the story, and readers will interact with several additional members of the Cutler clan, including some in far-off places and a couple of young women who have prominent roles to play.

Although the expansive Cutler family is at the center of the book, two men in their orbit also have major parts in the unfolding saga. Jack Brengel and Jonathan "Jonty" Montgomery both have served and continue to serve with Cutler men at sea, and both have romantic designs on Cutler women. As is common in fiction, romances evolve quickly.

The story's settings range widely, from Boston to Batavia and the seas off Hong Kong. The book is light on action but, when it occurs, it is fast-paced and brutal. Set in the early 1850s, the novel takes place at a time when wind-driven ships are giving way to their steam-powered counterparts, although Hammond does not give much attention to the coal-burning engines that drive them.

The plot this time does not center on a single antagonist, but several, ranging from Chinese pirates to an unscrupulous Boston businessman. The major adversary, however, is opium, the trade of which is flooding American shores along with a host of accompanying problems. The Cutlers have strong opinions on its use and their role in its import, but that doesn't mean they are immune from its effects in their community.

There are victories and losses along the way. One death in particular, coming completely out of the blue, hits especially hard.

Hammond continues crafting a family saga that could, potentially, continue for generations to come. I hope it doesn't end any time soon!