The Reverse of the Medal

Returning from South America, Jack Aubrey finds himself led into the half worlds of the London criminal underground in this most unconventional of Patrick O’Brian’s lauded naval tales.

The Reverse of the Medal is in all respects an unconventional naval tale. Jack Aubrey returns from his duties protecting whalers off South America and is persuaded by a casual acquaintance to make investments in the City on the strength of supposedly certain information. From there he is led into the half worlds of the London criminal underground and of government espionage – the province of his friend, Stephen Maturin, on whom alone he can rely.