The Surgeon's Mate by Patrick O'Brian

Captain Aubrey and Dr Maturin are finally on their way home to England, but they are chased by some very determined and menacing privateers as they leave North America. Then a bunch of other stuff happens to them... this book has lots of good Aubrey/Maturin action including stormy seas, the capture of prizes, a shipwreck and a prison escape. Unfortunately the annoying woman who Dr Maturin continues to be obsessed with makes another appearance, and I was really peeved by the ending of this novel which features this annoying woman. Oh well - the story was really good otherwise.