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Bliven Putnam Naval Adventure #3
The Devil in Paradise: Captain Putnam in Hawaii
Captain Bliven Putnam returns, venturing into the Pacific to fight pirates in Malaya and match wits with the royals in Hawaii, in this next installment of award-winner James L. Haley's gripping naval saga.
Following the naval victories of the War of 1812 and the Second Barbary War, the United States is finally expanding its navy to take a place of prominence in world affairs. Bliven Putnam, now Captain of the sloop of war Rappahannock, has come into his own as a leader and is ordered to the Pacific. But with this new tour of duty to last more than two years, his patient wife, Clarity, unwilling to accept such a brief time together, at last puts her foot down. If she can't keep Putnam with her, then she'll just have to go with him.
As Putnam sets sail for his new home port in Honolulu, Clarity joins a new missionary effort from Boston to Hawaii. On their respective paths, the Putnams encounter a new breed of pirate and meet an unexpected force of nature: Kahumanu, the formidable queen of the Hawaiian Islands. Inspried by the real-life Olowalu Massacre and the famed Congregationalist missoin of 1819, this third outing will be unlike any adventure the Putnams have faced before.
Following the naval victories of the War of 1812 and the Second Barbary War, the United States is finally expanding its navy to take a place of prominence in world affairs. Bliven Putnam, now Captain of the sloop of war Rappahannock, has come into his own as a leader and is ordered to the Pacific. But with this new tour of duty to last more than two years, his patient wife, Clarity, unwilling to accept such a brief time together, at last puts her foot down. If she can't keep Putnam with her, then she'll just have to go with him.
As Putnam sets sail for his new home port in Honolulu, Clarity joins a new missionary effort from Boston to Hawaii. On their respective paths, the Putnams encounter a new breed of pirate and meet an unexpected force of nature: Kahumanu, the formidable queen of the Hawaiian Islands. Inspried by the real-life Olowalu Massacre and the famed Congregationalist missoin of 1819, this third outing will be unlike any adventure the Putnams have faced before.
432 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 30, 2019
This novel, the 3rd entry in the Bliven Putman series, is somewhat a (positive) departure from the first 2 books covering the early 19th century United States Navy. While the main plot line details the U.S. missionaries on the Hawaiian islands (which the author has already published an excellent non-fiction. It is listed as one of the 'further reading' entries.) many other historical topics are covered as well.
This is very easily the most readable fiction yet, and brings to the fore Bliven's wife Clarity as much more than a supporting character. The great deal of non-fictional information is very subtly inserted through the plotting, reading more as a novel than a history book.
Many who enjoyed the first 2 in this series will be somewhat disappointed that this book is not jammed-full of sea battles. The author isn't interested in creating a series like the Hornblower/Aubrey-Maturin books. He is creating 'true' historical fictions, giving the readers incredible insight into little-known American (and world-wide) activities. More readers of fiction and non-fiction should follow this author, his writing is superb.
This is very easily the most readable fiction yet, and brings to the fore Bliven's wife Clarity as much more than a supporting character. The great deal of non-fictional information is very subtly inserted through the plotting, reading more as a novel than a history book.
Many who enjoyed the first 2 in this series will be somewhat disappointed that this book is not jammed-full of sea battles. The author isn't interested in creating a series like the Hornblower/Aubrey-Maturin books. He is creating 'true' historical fictions, giving the readers incredible insight into little-known American (and world-wide) activities. More readers of fiction and non-fiction should follow this author, his writing is superb.
March 20, 2022
I have always enjoyed a good seafaring novel or history from the days of sail. This is the third book in a four book series about the naval career of a fictional U.S. Naval Captain Putnam. I chose to read the third book because of the subject of the first missionaries to the Hawaiian Islands around 1820’s. Can be easily read as a stand alone story. The author has previously written a history of Hawaii, drawing from that research.
I enjoyed this story very much. It was a light read. All the characters were interesting and Captain Putnam was very likable. However, there is no comparison to the tome “Hawaii” by James Michener, the best on the subject.
I enjoyed this story very much. It was a light read. All the characters were interesting and Captain Putnam was very likable. However, there is no comparison to the tome “Hawaii” by James Michener, the best on the subject.
October 11, 2019
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway It is a great tale of the US Navy around 1820 and the introductio of the first missionaries into Hawaii. Full of historical details as well as a good tale. Reminiscent of Patrick O'Brien's tales. Almost as good as C S Forester. Lots of ship details and an episode in the waters around SE Asia. Highly Recommended.
January 2, 2023
A decent but not exceptional naval adventure. As always, read the publisher's introduction first. Author Haley has done his homework, and there is a fair amount of good stuff here. Unfortunately it's mixed in with quite a lot of padding and filler, such as long, made-up letters to and from Capt. Putnam and his wife. After awhile I just started skipping over those, and the Hawaiian period stuff is quite good. Overall the book comes in as a weak 3-star rating from me, and I doubt that I will continue on with the series.
June 5, 2021
This exciting fast-paced historical novel provides a different narrative on the relationship of missionaries and Hawaiians in the early 1800s than we learned of in James Michener book Hawaii. The contrasts of the mix of religion and politics in several cultures is revealing.
June 22, 2023
-Though praise should be given for each of the books in this series, it’s important to point out the level of detail that the author puts into his novels. This book continues with the seafaring exploits of Bliven Putnam, now a Captain, following the War of 1812. We meet him when he’s tasked to patrol the waters of the Caribbean for pirates and follow how he uses what we would term as “street smarts” to outwit his quarry and capture several slave vessels. His abhorrence to the slave practice, which was bred in him by his New England upbringing, has him trying to aid these slaves and give them a chance to survive as free men. It’s the level of detail in operating a ship that the author blends beautifully throughout the story that is most impressive, so you feel more of the hardships experienced by the seamen and an appreciation of what it took to operate a ship powered only by the wind.
-The main story, though, is being laid out by Bliven’s wife, Clarity. A native of one of the islands of Hawaii had come to the new United States to learn of the ways of the country and had converted to Christianity. This Hawaiian native had always longed to return to his homeland to tell his family and countrymen of all he had seen in the time that he was away from them, but he’d fallen ill and died. Before passing, he beseeched Clarity to go to Hawaii and give a message to his family there that he loved them and for her to tell of his life in the US. She deeply wanted to go, as the native had said that she, as someone that felt for others with sincerity and with an understanding of their individual humanity, was the best emissary that he could think of to properly express his last feelings to those he loved. How to do so was a problem that she now grappled with.
-The solution to her problem was presented to her by the events which now seemed to propel her husband to a new adventure. After completing his venture into the Caribbean, Bliven is now ordered to sail to the Pacific and the Far East, where American ships are being plagued by pirates. Here, too, we receive a lesson in history, as Bliven’s commanding officer explains the complicated state of foreign affairs in that area, due to certain pirates being under the protection of particular European countries, and are therefore, immune from attack by an American ship. Because of his record in dealing with sensitive political situations, he’s considered to be the perfect person to be sent, though the trip may take anywhere up to 3 years to be completed.
-When Bliven tells Clarity of his new orders, she realizes that this is a perfect situation which will allow her to go to Hawaii. Bliven must pass those islands on his way to the Orient, and it will give her a chance to be with him during his stopovers there, and it will allow her to obey the last wishes of her Hawaiian friend.
-Though Hawaii is considered by many Americans and Europeans to be a paradise, Clarity discovers that there is much intrigue among the ruling classes, and punishments to those against those in power could be highly barbaric. All of this, as well as part of Bliven’s trip to the Far East is only a prelude to a quandary that Bliven is faced with, as he much choose to either save the life of his wife and the Americans she travelled with, or commit an act which will result in the loss of his commission and result in a dishonorable discharge from the navy.
-Though the previous books in this series had an antagonist that was readily perceived from the start, as opposed to the story line here where all is a lead in to the final pages, this book is mainly descriptive of the details of a fighting ship; how the navy of the early US was run; and the history of the rulers of Hawaii, and how similar to the intrigues of the royal houses of France and England were to the goings on in this group of Pacific islands. For those interested in what appears to be an accurate history of the various regions of that time period, which is embedded in a well constructed story, this is a well written book and very interesting novel, though it’s lacking in a certain amount of tension that was present in the first two books of the series.
-The main story, though, is being laid out by Bliven’s wife, Clarity. A native of one of the islands of Hawaii had come to the new United States to learn of the ways of the country and had converted to Christianity. This Hawaiian native had always longed to return to his homeland to tell his family and countrymen of all he had seen in the time that he was away from them, but he’d fallen ill and died. Before passing, he beseeched Clarity to go to Hawaii and give a message to his family there that he loved them and for her to tell of his life in the US. She deeply wanted to go, as the native had said that she, as someone that felt for others with sincerity and with an understanding of their individual humanity, was the best emissary that he could think of to properly express his last feelings to those he loved. How to do so was a problem that she now grappled with.
-The solution to her problem was presented to her by the events which now seemed to propel her husband to a new adventure. After completing his venture into the Caribbean, Bliven is now ordered to sail to the Pacific and the Far East, where American ships are being plagued by pirates. Here, too, we receive a lesson in history, as Bliven’s commanding officer explains the complicated state of foreign affairs in that area, due to certain pirates being under the protection of particular European countries, and are therefore, immune from attack by an American ship. Because of his record in dealing with sensitive political situations, he’s considered to be the perfect person to be sent, though the trip may take anywhere up to 3 years to be completed.
-When Bliven tells Clarity of his new orders, she realizes that this is a perfect situation which will allow her to go to Hawaii. Bliven must pass those islands on his way to the Orient, and it will give her a chance to be with him during his stopovers there, and it will allow her to obey the last wishes of her Hawaiian friend.
-Though Hawaii is considered by many Americans and Europeans to be a paradise, Clarity discovers that there is much intrigue among the ruling classes, and punishments to those against those in power could be highly barbaric. All of this, as well as part of Bliven’s trip to the Far East is only a prelude to a quandary that Bliven is faced with, as he much choose to either save the life of his wife and the Americans she travelled with, or commit an act which will result in the loss of his commission and result in a dishonorable discharge from the navy.
-Though the previous books in this series had an antagonist that was readily perceived from the start, as opposed to the story line here where all is a lead in to the final pages, this book is mainly descriptive of the details of a fighting ship; how the navy of the early US was run; and the history of the rulers of Hawaii, and how similar to the intrigues of the royal houses of France and England were to the goings on in this group of Pacific islands. For those interested in what appears to be an accurate history of the various regions of that time period, which is embedded in a well constructed story, this is a well written book and very interesting novel, though it’s lacking in a certain amount of tension that was present in the first two books of the series.
May 8, 2024
Anovel version of South Pacific- 19th century style
This novel combines two interesting thread, the beginning of America’s expansionist ambitions (as part of the Monroe era) and the zeal of the Protestant revival movements in converting/educating peoples previously views only as savages. A good mix of nautical lore, including a harrowing trip around the Horn, the struggles of the navy in peacetime, and of course the exotica of the Far East, from Hawaii to the Yellow River. Naval novels as a genre tend to limit their female characters to supporting roles, but in this case, Clarity Putnam, takes on an increasingly central ( and sympathetic) role. Some great detail of the original interactions between European society and Hawaiian, as well as a peak into early trading missions in Canton. Perhaps, fittingly as Putnam is now well into his thirties, this is the most mature and balanced of all of these novels to date. A worthy read, a little more accessible than the Jack Aubrey canon, but far less ‘Boys Own’ than Hornblower, Bolitho et Al.
This novel combines two interesting thread, the beginning of America’s expansionist ambitions (as part of the Monroe era) and the zeal of the Protestant revival movements in converting/educating peoples previously views only as savages. A good mix of nautical lore, including a harrowing trip around the Horn, the struggles of the navy in peacetime, and of course the exotica of the Far East, from Hawaii to the Yellow River. Naval novels as a genre tend to limit their female characters to supporting roles, but in this case, Clarity Putnam, takes on an increasingly central ( and sympathetic) role. Some great detail of the original interactions between European society and Hawaiian, as well as a peak into early trading missions in Canton. Perhaps, fittingly as Putnam is now well into his thirties, this is the most mature and balanced of all of these novels to date. A worthy read, a little more accessible than the Jack Aubrey canon, but far less ‘Boys Own’ than Hornblower, Bolitho et Al.
August 7, 2023
I love novels that are based on historical facts. This entire series is a pleasure to read. James L. Haley does a great job researching every book. Captain Blivin Putnam is a complex character who is endlessly fascinating. His adventures as a sailor in the U. S. Navy starting when he was a teenage midshipman to captain of his own warship is a great odyssey. The author has a way of seamlessly weaving historical characters into his stories. I love all of them. I learn something new with every book.
June 13, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.. This is an historically accurate fictionalized story of the voyage of the USS Rappahanock to the new trade areas of the Pacific. It is not on par with 'Capain and Commander' or 'Horation Hornblower' but it gives a easy flowing adventure with clearly delineated good guys and bad guys. I would question the level of English language skills that 1819 Hawaiian native wouls have had. This story had all of them with near fluency which seemed a stretch.
November 26, 2019
Loved this book.
Great details about sailing to the Sandwich Islands to deal with pirates in the Pacific. Christian missionaries are part of tgge story as well. Good plot and subplots
Great details about sailing to the Sandwich Islands to deal with pirates in the Pacific. Christian missionaries are part of tgge story as well. Good plot and subplots
April 23, 2020
Good but not great
I enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about Hawaii’s history. It lacked the amount of naval action of other books of this genre. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed the book and learned quite a bit about Hawaii’s history. It lacked the amount of naval action of other books of this genre. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 24, 2020
Third book does not disappoint
Very good book. Drags a bit in the middle but in true Haley fashion it picks up at just the right moment. Can’t wait for the next installment of the Putnam series!!!!!!
Very good book. Drags a bit in the middle but in true Haley fashion it picks up at just the right moment. Can’t wait for the next installment of the Putnam series!!!!!!
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May 14, 2022Two separate adventures happening one with the mail protagonist and the other with the female protagonist. They come together and blend into one grand finale. Solid storytelling, lots of knit bits accurate historical facts weaved in a interesting fictional story.
January 25, 2025
Same comments and rating for all four books: Very entertaining reading and a story arc that comes off as very plausible and not as a hagiography. The story of a good man who encounters ups and downs in his career but always rises to the occasion. I enjoyed his journey.
October 30, 2019
Entrancing, I was swept away from the first to the last pages. Romance, pirates, exotic uncharted islands with brutal intelligent men and women that have left their mark on history.
November 20, 2019
The Devil in Paradise makes me want to own a boat or get on a boat or find a boat and sail the seven seas! The cover is striking and I enjoyed this one!
November 26, 2019
FANTASTIC
February 6, 2020
Unfortunate use of language....
February 1, 2022
It was interesting from an historical perspective but lacked the action of the 1st two books.
December 15, 2022
Another great story in the Putnam Navy series by James Haley. Haley has also written on the history of Hawaii, so weaving that into this storyline was an added benefit.
June 22, 2023
Clairity's excellent Hawaiian adventure! More travelogue than naval story.
June 1, 2025
Fun read
November 23, 2025
Unfortunately rather dull compared to the earlier installments in the series, suffering from the lack of a payoff at the end. Much more of a period travelogue than the previous books in the series; no real sea battles! The sites Putnam and co visited were seemingly less interesting than in past books. I was also disappointed by the off-screen death of a character I'd liked.
December 29, 2025
Read this last January, good time. Pirate Pirate!
May 12, 2019
Very interesting book, loved the history that was included in story line! What a time to have lived, so different from today.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews