October 1789, and storm clouds thunder over Europe when Richard Bolitho steers the Tempest into the perilous waters of the Great South Sea. His mission: to protect vulnerable English shipping lanes from her sea-going enemies.

He must face the hazards of fickle winds, pirates, and savage islanders. But he is menaced, too, by deeper fears - the men of the Bounty have mutinied in these same waters, and from distant France comes news of a revolution.