I’ve not read the two preceding books in Galernter’s Captain Gray series. Despite that disadvantage, I found this third volume very accessible and easy to read. While familiarity with the period is a plus - knowing your Hornblower and Aubrey makes this more fun - the historical situation is laid out neatly and the central plot theme is clear. The story is firmly based in fact, with a real Spanish convoy intercepted by a British squadron, and several of the characters are historical figures. The intelligence story is wrapped around the history, with plenty of pirates, adventure, and derring do. Dialogue sounds authentic and appropriate for the period. I like naval fiction more than spy fiction but I would give other books in the series a try.