That all sounds rather hopeful -- and, again, as though they realise they're not making a film of a particular novel, but rather aiming to recreate the feel of the series by basing the movie on a couple of separate books. (I assign great weight to the 'based on' notion ...) Excellent news, too, about the Rose.

Am just about to reread The Letter of Marque -- as, ahem, secondary source info for pirate research ... Ah, Shelmerston. Having spent an appreciable amount of time recently in Devon and Cornwall, I find it's very clear in my mind's eye.