"Andromeda Strain" and "Jurassic Park" author Michael Crichton's posthumous novel "Pirate Latitudes" released

Michael Crichton may have passed away last November, but the author of such classic thrillers as "The Andromeda Strain" and "Jurassic Park" lives on through his latest book, "Pirate Latitudes."

The novel, discovered after Crichton's death but likely written at about the same time as his 2006 novel "Next," tells the tale of a 17th century pirate in Jamaica who gathers a team to rob a Spanish galleon.

It's a strange subject for Crichton, whose novels are more traditionally in the realm of science fiction. "The Andromeda Strain," for example, tells the story of a group of researchers who have to investigate a mysterious microorganism that fatally clots human blood.

"Pirate Latitudes," on the other hand, seems to more closely resemble "The Great Train Robbery," one of Crichton's few works without a sci-fi focus. Rather, "The Great Train Robbery" tells the fictionalized story of a real train robbery in 19th century London, much as "Pirate Latitudes," tells the fictionalized story of what real pirates did in 17th century Jamaica--although "Latitudes" doesn't refer to a specific pirate.

Reviews are middling, with many acknowledging Crichton's skill but unable to say the book was especially great. One review, from Entertainment Weekly, suggests that, "When it comes to sharp, slick techno-thrillers that you can polish off on a flight to Chicago, there's never been anybody better. But a hackneyed historical novel filled with bosomy maidens and blustery old navy dialogue (''Mizzen top blown!'') is not what Crichton should be remembered for."

Still, I personally look forward to reading the book. I'm a huge fan of Crichton, and actually really enjoyed "The Great Train Robbery." It may not be as enjoyable as some of his science-fiction works, like "The Andromeda Strain," but that's no reason not to enjoy a great author gone before his time.