The Devil In Paradise, Haley - B +

                                  This is the third book in this series and I can't say enough about it. Historical novels, and in this instance penned by an accomplished historian, can and do convey lessons to be learned. Here, Putnam sails the Caribbean in 1817, saves a handful of Africans from being sold into slavery as part the naval prize laws by the U.S. Treasury, and returns to Boston. His new orders send him to the Pacific, specifically the Straits of Malacca and the Sandwich Islands. He is to go to Hawaii, pay his respects and eliminate any pirates he comes across in the Straits, while not offending the Dutch or British. After a Hawaii stop, Putnam sails to Singapore, takes on supplies and heads out. He also paints the ship so that it would appear to be a merchantman. Although his subterfuge does not fool the local pirates, he still sinks their vessel. They are off to Canton, back to Hawaii where they act against a rogue American pirate and then, head back home.