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Apollo Murders #3
Final Orbit: A Novel
From the author of the international bestseller The Apollo Murders: an edge-of-the seat Cold War thriller, set against the backdrop of the real 1970s "Space race" between the US, USSR, and China . . .
1975. A new Apollo mission launches into orbit, on course to dock with a Russian Soyuz three NASA astronauts and three cosmonauts, joining to celebrate a new dawn of Soviet-American cooperation.
But a third power is rising, in the race to dominate Space. As NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis listens in from Earth, three of the six astronauts are killed in a depressurization accident. And from a remote location in east Asia, a capsule secretly launches with China's very first astronaut aboard, purpose unknown . . .
Full of Cold War intrigue and real historical characters, Final Orbit accelerates to a thrilling conclusion – and brings to life the loneliness, majesty and pure rush of Space flight, with all of the hard-won experience of a writer who is himself one of the most decorated astronauts alive.
1975. A new Apollo mission launches into orbit, on course to dock with a Russian Soyuz three NASA astronauts and three cosmonauts, joining to celebrate a new dawn of Soviet-American cooperation.
But a third power is rising, in the race to dominate Space. As NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis listens in from Earth, three of the six astronauts are killed in a depressurization accident. And from a remote location in east Asia, a capsule secretly launches with China's very first astronaut aboard, purpose unknown . . .
Full of Cold War intrigue and real historical characters, Final Orbit accelerates to a thrilling conclusion – and brings to life the loneliness, majesty and pure rush of Space flight, with all of the hard-won experience of a writer who is himself one of the most decorated astronauts alive.
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
238 people are currently reading
6662 people want to read
About the author
Chris Hadfield
29 books1,660 followersChris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. The top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 1988 and U.S. Navy test pilot of the year in 1991, Hadfield was selected by the Canadian Space Agency to be an astronaut in 1992. He was CAPCOM for 25 Shuttle launches and served as Director of NASA Operations in Star City, Russia from 2001-2003, Chief of Robotics at the Johnson Space Center in Houston from 2003-2006, and Chief of International Space Station Operations from 2006-2008. Hadfield most recently served as Commander of the International Space Station where, while conducting a record-setting number of scientific experiments and overseeing an emergency spacewalk, he gained worldwide acclaim for his breathtaking photographs and educational videos about life in space. His music video, a zero-gravity version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," received over 10 million views in its first three days online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
August 28, 2025
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the ARC. I had read the author Chris Hadfield's two previous action-packed space thrillers in digital format and enjoyed them so much that I bought the hardcover editions.
Final Orbit is set in 1975, when the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft are scheduled to dock together, marking a new era of Soviet-American cooperation in space. It contains both science and fiction, but should not be considered SciFi. Instead, it is historical fiction based on actual astronauts, cosmonauts, politicians, diplomats, government officials, fighter pilots, and NASA flight controllers. It uses the names of real people in the roles to which they were assigned in this alternate past.
I had to wonder how real people named in the alternate version of their fictional past viewed how they were portrayed. Kaz Zemeckis is a recurring character in all three books. He works for NASA, monitoring space flights. He was training to be an astronaut but lost an eye in an accident and was subsequently assigned to a desk job. With a military background as a fighter pilot, he possesses the expertise to discern what is happening around him. He is becoming a supreme action hero. Even with broken ribs and a damaged hand, he dominates when faced with violence. He observed some suspicious activity involving Chinese at a nearby restaurant, which resulted in his kidnapping. He is developing romantic feelings towards Svetlana, a Soviet cosmonaut .
I'm unsure how some of the real characters would feel about being portrayed as killed in the story.
There are several storylines, each fast-paced and riveting. Chaos reigns from the beginning. Mission Control is attacked with gunfire by domestic terrorists, and a bomb is set to explode. While this is happening, a depressurization accident occurs while Apollo is docking with Soyuz, and half the participants are killed. The three remaining are directed to dock with the abandoned research station, Sky Lab. They are to move a couple of the bodies there and to retrieve a highly classified weapon prototype.
To add to the turmoil, China is secretly launching its first astronaut, Fang Kai-chun. He is on a collision course with the three from the Apollo-Soyuz spacecraft, who are also approaching Skylab.
The plot is far-ranging, spanning from Mission Control and events in space to the White House, Area 51, China, and points in between. This exhilarating, pulse-pounding story contains international espionage, domestic terrorism, American and Chinese government orders, accidents, injury, deaths, intrigue, violence, kidnapping, and flight pilots under political orders.
The author Chris Hadfield moves the story along. He is a much-decorated Canadian astronaut, the experienced and accomplished Commander of the International Space Station. He served in both the American and Russian space programs and was the director of NASA in Star City. This book follows two bestsellers that incorporate realistic scientific and technical details while maintaining highly readable storylines. The science lends the story an added sense of authenticity without detracting from characterization or events. His extraordinary knowledge and experience infuse the story with credibility and atmosphere.
Highly recommended.
Final Orbit is set in 1975, when the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft are scheduled to dock together, marking a new era of Soviet-American cooperation in space. It contains both science and fiction, but should not be considered SciFi. Instead, it is historical fiction based on actual astronauts, cosmonauts, politicians, diplomats, government officials, fighter pilots, and NASA flight controllers. It uses the names of real people in the roles to which they were assigned in this alternate past.
I had to wonder how real people named in the alternate version of their fictional past viewed how they were portrayed. Kaz Zemeckis is a recurring character in all three books. He works for NASA, monitoring space flights. He was training to be an astronaut but lost an eye in an accident and was subsequently assigned to a desk job. With a military background as a fighter pilot, he possesses the expertise to discern what is happening around him. He is becoming a supreme action hero. Even with broken ribs and a damaged hand, he dominates when faced with violence. He observed some suspicious activity involving Chinese at a nearby restaurant, which resulted in his kidnapping. He is developing romantic feelings towards Svetlana, a Soviet cosmonaut .
I'm unsure how some of the real characters would feel about being portrayed as killed in the story.
There are several storylines, each fast-paced and riveting. Chaos reigns from the beginning. Mission Control is attacked with gunfire by domestic terrorists, and a bomb is set to explode. While this is happening, a depressurization accident occurs while Apollo is docking with Soyuz, and half the participants are killed. The three remaining are directed to dock with the abandoned research station, Sky Lab. They are to move a couple of the bodies there and to retrieve a highly classified weapon prototype.
To add to the turmoil, China is secretly launching its first astronaut, Fang Kai-chun. He is on a collision course with the three from the Apollo-Soyuz spacecraft, who are also approaching Skylab.
The plot is far-ranging, spanning from Mission Control and events in space to the White House, Area 51, China, and points in between. This exhilarating, pulse-pounding story contains international espionage, domestic terrorism, American and Chinese government orders, accidents, injury, deaths, intrigue, violence, kidnapping, and flight pilots under political orders.
The author Chris Hadfield moves the story along. He is a much-decorated Canadian astronaut, the experienced and accomplished Commander of the International Space Station. He served in both the American and Russian space programs and was the director of NASA in Star City. This book follows two bestsellers that incorporate realistic scientific and technical details while maintaining highly readable storylines. The science lends the story an added sense of authenticity without detracting from characterization or events. His extraordinary knowledge and experience infuse the story with credibility and atmosphere.
Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
4.0 Stars
This was an enjoyable hard science fiction thriller. I previously read the Apollos Murders which I admit disappointed me. As a result, I went into this sequel with low expectations and ended up being wonderfully surprised.
This was a great balance between an engaging thriller plot, facts about astronaut life and details on the real history of the space program. If you enjoy thrillers with a science fiction twists, I would recommend this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was an enjoyable hard science fiction thriller. I previously read the Apollos Murders which I admit disappointed me. As a result, I went into this sequel with low expectations and ended up being wonderfully surprised.
This was a great balance between an engaging thriller plot, facts about astronaut life and details on the real history of the space program. If you enjoy thrillers with a science fiction twists, I would recommend this one.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 20, 2025
ARC for review. To be published October 7, 2025.
3 stars
He story, set in 1975, follows Kat Zemeckis who is working as NASA’s primary CAPCOM flight for the joint American/Russian Apollo-Soyuz mission. At the same time Chiba secretly launches its first manned spacecraft. Calamity ensues.
I love me some space stories, but I didn’t know this was part of a series of books. This one stands alone but perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the others? Anyway, there’s really far too much going on in this book with five major storylines which, naturally, can only be handled by one man.
And even though the book is set in 1975 I could have done without the misogyny - astronaut Deke Slayton speaking of the female cosmonaut, “So far she’d made no mistakes, but he fundamentally didn’t trust her. In a lifetime of flying in combat, as a test pilot and with NASA, he’d never flown with a woman.” There’s also a scene where the female gets food for the males, when she considers that they would feel more comfortable having her serve them. Ugh.
And although I enjoyed the sections set in space (well, for most of the book, one major plot point bordered on insanity, it was all just a bit too much.) The author also begins the book by saying that a lot of the contents actually happened. I have to take issue with the “a lot;” a lot of real names were used, but really this is generally all fiction, and pretty far-fetched at that.
3 stars
He story, set in 1975, follows Kat Zemeckis who is working as NASA’s primary CAPCOM flight for the joint American/Russian Apollo-Soyuz mission. At the same time Chiba secretly launches its first manned spacecraft. Calamity ensues.
I love me some space stories, but I didn’t know this was part of a series of books. This one stands alone but perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the others? Anyway, there’s really far too much going on in this book with five major storylines which, naturally, can only be handled by one man.
And even though the book is set in 1975 I could have done without the misogyny - astronaut Deke Slayton speaking of the female cosmonaut, “So far she’d made no mistakes, but he fundamentally didn’t trust her. In a lifetime of flying in combat, as a test pilot and with NASA, he’d never flown with a woman.” There’s also a scene where the female gets food for the males, when she considers that they would feel more comfortable having her serve them. Ugh.
And although I enjoyed the sections set in space (well, for most of the book, one major plot point bordered on insanity, it was all just a bit too much.) The author also begins the book by saying that a lot of the contents actually happened. I have to take issue with the “a lot;” a lot of real names were used, but really this is generally all fiction, and pretty far-fetched at that.
August 25, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Chris Hadfield, and Mulholland Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to explore the writing of Chris Hadfield, I gladly reached for this space-influenced thriller! There is something about Hadfield’s writing that always gets me excited, as it mixes the well-paced layout of a thriller with the scientific know-how of the author’s experience with space travel and its intricacies. When the latest Apollo mission launches from Houston in 1975, hopes are high for success. Apollo is set to dock with the Russian Soyuz for a joint mission. However, Kaz Zemeckis watches from Earth with a troubling feeling, exacerbated when an explosion rocks NASA’s Mission Control. The mission is important, but there is an unexpected actor pulling strings, both political and ideological, which could derail the mission and further divide the Cold War enemies on a level well away from solid ground. Chris Hadfield delivers a gripping story that has it all and keeps the reader enthralled.
In the summer of 1975, Houston is abuzz with action. The latest Apollo mission is set to launch with a new and exciting project. Apollo will head into orbit and dock alongside a Russian Soyuz, creating a team of three astronauts and three cosmonauts, working together to expand knowledge about space and its capabilities. The importance of these Cold War foes working together is lost on no one, but there is something else brewing alongside the American-Soviet cooperation. NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis keeps track of everything from his seat at Mission Control and has a bad feeling about it all.
It began with a sighting at a restaurant in a Houston suburb and has grown from there. Things culminate when there is an explosion at Mission Control that knocks out communications with Apollo and sends things into a frenzy. This is exacerbated by an accident at the docking station that has significant consequences, leaving both the Americans and Soviets in a panic.
All the while, unbeknownst to anyone, the Chinese have secretly launched their own manned spacecraft. The mission is to target Apollo and instil significant damage without taking responsibility. Kaz becomes aware of this as the political spin points at Soviet aggression. There is little time to ponder options, as Kaz has the Apollo crew on his mind and must bring them home safely, as geo-politics heats up around the world. A stunning depiction of history and thoroughly addictive thriller read that shows not only Chris Hadfield’s abilities, but also how unique perspectives can prove highly entertaining.
To call this third book in the series exciting would be a significant understatement. Chris Hadfield delivers a story that mixes history and fiction with an area of science he knows best. Hadfield takes his narrative and concocts a story that the reader can enjoy, while never fully able to sit back and relax. The depictions in the book are full of tension, both political and scientific, but the reader is not left in the dark. All is explained well and the gaining momentum of the story pulls the reader into the middle. The characters of the book find their niche and enrich the reading experience. Hadfield develops his characters on all sides to flavour the story and make a point that resonates with the attentive reader. Plot points emerge to entertain and surprise the reader. The use of historical fact and fiction ensures that there is no clear idea of where things are headed or how Hadfield intends on getting there. This is surely a book not to be missed and series well worth the time of any curious reader!
Kudos, Mr. Hadfield, for a piece that is (literally) out of this world!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to explore the writing of Chris Hadfield, I gladly reached for this space-influenced thriller! There is something about Hadfield’s writing that always gets me excited, as it mixes the well-paced layout of a thriller with the scientific know-how of the author’s experience with space travel and its intricacies. When the latest Apollo mission launches from Houston in 1975, hopes are high for success. Apollo is set to dock with the Russian Soyuz for a joint mission. However, Kaz Zemeckis watches from Earth with a troubling feeling, exacerbated when an explosion rocks NASA’s Mission Control. The mission is important, but there is an unexpected actor pulling strings, both political and ideological, which could derail the mission and further divide the Cold War enemies on a level well away from solid ground. Chris Hadfield delivers a gripping story that has it all and keeps the reader enthralled.
In the summer of 1975, Houston is abuzz with action. The latest Apollo mission is set to launch with a new and exciting project. Apollo will head into orbit and dock alongside a Russian Soyuz, creating a team of three astronauts and three cosmonauts, working together to expand knowledge about space and its capabilities. The importance of these Cold War foes working together is lost on no one, but there is something else brewing alongside the American-Soviet cooperation. NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis keeps track of everything from his seat at Mission Control and has a bad feeling about it all.
It began with a sighting at a restaurant in a Houston suburb and has grown from there. Things culminate when there is an explosion at Mission Control that knocks out communications with Apollo and sends things into a frenzy. This is exacerbated by an accident at the docking station that has significant consequences, leaving both the Americans and Soviets in a panic.
All the while, unbeknownst to anyone, the Chinese have secretly launched their own manned spacecraft. The mission is to target Apollo and instil significant damage without taking responsibility. Kaz becomes aware of this as the political spin points at Soviet aggression. There is little time to ponder options, as Kaz has the Apollo crew on his mind and must bring them home safely, as geo-politics heats up around the world. A stunning depiction of history and thoroughly addictive thriller read that shows not only Chris Hadfield’s abilities, but also how unique perspectives can prove highly entertaining.
To call this third book in the series exciting would be a significant understatement. Chris Hadfield delivers a story that mixes history and fiction with an area of science he knows best. Hadfield takes his narrative and concocts a story that the reader can enjoy, while never fully able to sit back and relax. The depictions in the book are full of tension, both political and scientific, but the reader is not left in the dark. All is explained well and the gaining momentum of the story pulls the reader into the middle. The characters of the book find their niche and enrich the reading experience. Hadfield develops his characters on all sides to flavour the story and make a point that resonates with the attentive reader. Plot points emerge to entertain and surprise the reader. The use of historical fact and fiction ensures that there is no clear idea of where things are headed or how Hadfield intends on getting there. This is surely a book not to be missed and series well worth the time of any curious reader!
Kudos, Mr. Hadfield, for a piece that is (literally) out of this world!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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March 18, 2025SQUEAL. Chris hadfield has a new book and I can’t wait to read it!
December 10, 2025
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November 9, 2025Verdict
Chris Hadfield delivers a tightly constructed and technically vivid finale in FINAL ORBIT, blending geopolitical suspense with authentic space-flight detail. The result is a satisfying and atmospheric conclusion to his Cold War-era trilogy.
Review
FINAL ORBIT is the third book in Chris Hadfield’s Apollo Murders trilogy that has focused on space exploration and the United States - Soviet Union relationship during the Cold War. Both countries have made great strides in space engineering, developing not just technology to fly to the Moon and orbit around the Earth but also spyware to keep tabs on each other. Set in 1975, the novel imagines the real Apollo–Soyuz joint mission, where the US astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts did a handshake in space. But China has covertly been increasing its capabilities and has chosen this time to get a man into space. When the two missions coincide, both anticipated and unforeseen disasters follow..
FINAL ORBIT’s first strength is its strong pacing. Chapters move with urgency, shifting between mission control, spacecraft interiors, and political offices without losing clarity or momentum. The second is its grounding in the historical and political landscape of that time, particularly President Ford’s unplanned presidency and the various policies around Chinese immigration into the USA. Hadfield balances action with tension and thorough background.
Throughout the series, the main character, Kazimieras "Kaz" Zemeckis, has been faced with unimaginable obstacles. As a Navy pilot who dreamed of becoming an astronaut, losing one of his eyes was a huge setback, one that he never thought he would get over. Yet, his sharp intellect, training and compassion for his colleagues has led him to a very important position in NASA during these international missions. In FINAL ORBIT, he continues to follow his instincts.
Svetlana, the recurring Soviet cosmonaut inspired by a real figure, continued to be steady, smart, and grounded. Her command of English becomes a lifeline when disaster strikes the crews. Kaz supports Svetlana from the ground as they navigate the dangers they face and figure out a way to bring everyone back home safely.
Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. His experience enhances the sensory realism of the situations on the ground and in orbit. He masterfully unfolds catastrophe through the lens of people trained not to panic. The technical writing is sharp and cinematic, though the abundance of procedural detail may slow the narrative for readers unfamiliar with aerospace terminology.
Still, FINAL ORBIT excels as both a tense thriller and an homage to an era when scientific cooperation and national rivalry coexisted uneasily. It closes the trilogy on an explosive note while also making it bittersweet to leave behind Kaz and Svetlana and wish them the best in their careers.
Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book for my honest thoughts.
~ Kriti for Armed with A Book
Chris Hadfield delivers a tightly constructed and technically vivid finale in FINAL ORBIT, blending geopolitical suspense with authentic space-flight detail. The result is a satisfying and atmospheric conclusion to his Cold War-era trilogy.
Review
FINAL ORBIT is the third book in Chris Hadfield’s Apollo Murders trilogy that has focused on space exploration and the United States - Soviet Union relationship during the Cold War. Both countries have made great strides in space engineering, developing not just technology to fly to the Moon and orbit around the Earth but also spyware to keep tabs on each other. Set in 1975, the novel imagines the real Apollo–Soyuz joint mission, where the US astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts did a handshake in space. But China has covertly been increasing its capabilities and has chosen this time to get a man into space. When the two missions coincide, both anticipated and unforeseen disasters follow..
FINAL ORBIT’s first strength is its strong pacing. Chapters move with urgency, shifting between mission control, spacecraft interiors, and political offices without losing clarity or momentum. The second is its grounding in the historical and political landscape of that time, particularly President Ford’s unplanned presidency and the various policies around Chinese immigration into the USA. Hadfield balances action with tension and thorough background.
Throughout the series, the main character, Kazimieras "Kaz" Zemeckis, has been faced with unimaginable obstacles. As a Navy pilot who dreamed of becoming an astronaut, losing one of his eyes was a huge setback, one that he never thought he would get over. Yet, his sharp intellect, training and compassion for his colleagues has led him to a very important position in NASA during these international missions. In FINAL ORBIT, he continues to follow his instincts.
Svetlana, the recurring Soviet cosmonaut inspired by a real figure, continued to be steady, smart, and grounded. Her command of English becomes a lifeline when disaster strikes the crews. Kaz supports Svetlana from the ground as they navigate the dangers they face and figure out a way to bring everyone back home safely.
Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. His experience enhances the sensory realism of the situations on the ground and in orbit. He masterfully unfolds catastrophe through the lens of people trained not to panic. The technical writing is sharp and cinematic, though the abundance of procedural detail may slow the narrative for readers unfamiliar with aerospace terminology.
Still, FINAL ORBIT excels as both a tense thriller and an homage to an era when scientific cooperation and national rivalry coexisted uneasily. It closes the trilogy on an explosive note while also making it bittersweet to leave behind Kaz and Svetlana and wish them the best in their careers.
Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the book for my honest thoughts.
~ Kriti for Armed with A Book
October 12, 2025
#ad much love for my finished copy @novelsuspects + @mulhollandbooks #partner
FINAL ORBIT
This book was EVERYTHING I was expecting the Atmosphere book to be!
"Men are so simple. How the fuck do they get to run the world?,” (p. 80).
^ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Grab a Xanax, take a shot - something, because oof, this book! You know how some books have lots of action and then just kind of putter out? Well you won’t find that with this book. Nonstop action - even when not in the main action scenes, there’s action happening.
This is what a five star type of read looks like. Your mind doesn’t wonder off on you, you don’t start to get bored. Just a fantastic time reading where you’re engaged the entire time.
They have a dubious plan, payback won’t be pretty.
Apollo-Soyuz - Apollo and Soyuz will dock to each other in space. The USA and the Soviet Union. It will be a great show of how working together is best for the greater good of all. But some have other plans. China has sent its own separate cosmonaut into space - without anyone knowing, at first. Then all hell breaks loose - a collision, a bombing, a missile, secrets, attempted assassinations, and more.
When I say I was on the edge-of-my-seat the entire time I was reading this book, I mean it! Holy crappers!
While this is the third book in the series it can be read and understood fully without reading the previous two - I listened to the audios of the previous two a while ago but don’t remember them. So I can confirm you’ll be fine reading this as a standalone. But I def ordered the previous two books because I need the full picture. Haha.
I love me some space thrillers and this book did not disappoint! While most of it is about things that actually happened, the author still managed to produce an engaging and thrilling read. From start to finish I was hooked throughout.
I love how the author describes everything having to do with space, and while I’ve read a lot of diving and space thrillers this is the first real solid explanation of “the bends” I’ve ever read. But also everything having to do with space travel was expertly explained so even us readers with limited knowledge can comprehend it. But at the same time, it’s also not simple - how he managed that I don’t know, but everyone can enjoy this book.
For a story with several different moving parts, Hadfield has also managed to tell a cohesive and easy to follow story. Someone give this author all the awards because I’m blown away by this book.
A must read. Compelling
FINAL ORBIT
This book was EVERYTHING I was expecting the Atmosphere book to be!
"Men are so simple. How the fuck do they get to run the world?,” (p. 80).
^ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Grab a Xanax, take a shot - something, because oof, this book! You know how some books have lots of action and then just kind of putter out? Well you won’t find that with this book. Nonstop action - even when not in the main action scenes, there’s action happening.
This is what a five star type of read looks like. Your mind doesn’t wonder off on you, you don’t start to get bored. Just a fantastic time reading where you’re engaged the entire time.
They have a dubious plan, payback won’t be pretty.
Apollo-Soyuz - Apollo and Soyuz will dock to each other in space. The USA and the Soviet Union. It will be a great show of how working together is best for the greater good of all. But some have other plans. China has sent its own separate cosmonaut into space - without anyone knowing, at first. Then all hell breaks loose - a collision, a bombing, a missile, secrets, attempted assassinations, and more.
When I say I was on the edge-of-my-seat the entire time I was reading this book, I mean it! Holy crappers!
While this is the third book in the series it can be read and understood fully without reading the previous two - I listened to the audios of the previous two a while ago but don’t remember them. So I can confirm you’ll be fine reading this as a standalone. But I def ordered the previous two books because I need the full picture. Haha.
I love me some space thrillers and this book did not disappoint! While most of it is about things that actually happened, the author still managed to produce an engaging and thrilling read. From start to finish I was hooked throughout.
I love how the author describes everything having to do with space, and while I’ve read a lot of diving and space thrillers this is the first real solid explanation of “the bends” I’ve ever read. But also everything having to do with space travel was expertly explained so even us readers with limited knowledge can comprehend it. But at the same time, it’s also not simple - how he managed that I don’t know, but everyone can enjoy this book.
For a story with several different moving parts, Hadfield has also managed to tell a cohesive and easy to follow story. Someone give this author all the awards because I’m blown away by this book.
A must read. Compelling
September 13, 2025
Apollo Murders, #3
This science-fiction Cold War-era story takes us back to 1975 during the joint Apollo-Soyuz mission but in his spin, Mr. Hadfield didn’t want things to go smoothly. A depressurization accident takes half the crew of the mission and kicks of a plot to the next level bringing China, a new player to join the space race…nothing like a geopolitics drama to spice a good story.
Although this is the third book in the series it works well as a stand-alone. Mr. Hadfield blends with ease real historical personages and events and gives them life with stormy action and along the way some historical backgrounds infused.
I love how this pulse-pounding adventure develops into a battle in space with critical errors killing two astronauts, one cosmonaut and destroying the Russian ship and forcing the remaining crew to Skylab an old abandoned station orbiting nearby…. but once there, company awaited them…. yes, confrontation involving guns and machete all kinds of brouhaha to keep us pinned on the action and invested till the remaining crew heads back to the joy of mission control and everyone on earth.
The narrative is inevitably peppered with an abundance of technical jargon, although the momentum is never lost by this, it keeps a steady pace and move along quite well. But why stay in space, few sub-plots on hearth bring more drama to the plate.
From start to finish this is a well-said and well-done story I enjoyed passing time with.
I received this book from Mulholland Books via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
November 11, 2025
This one had me hooked! It’s pretty rare for the final book of a trilogy to be just as good, if not better, than the first.
I read this practically in a day so now I’m off to touch grass so I can stop thinking about space espionage and flight for a while.
I read this practically in a day so now I’m off to touch grass so I can stop thinking about space espionage and flight for a while.
December 13, 2025
WHAT A FANTASTIC FINALE.
This is such a competent payoff for having read the other two books. I love Chris Hadfield's approach to realism and science.
Also, such a great way to trick me into reading THREE war/spy thrillers.
This is such a competent payoff for having read the other two books. I love Chris Hadfield's approach to realism and science.
Also, such a great way to trick me into reading THREE war/spy thrillers.
December 27, 2025
Fast moving and entertaining. Loved the twists. This story picks up from where the second book leaves off with a rendezvous of Apollo and Soyuz. Unfortunately we don't get to find out why Kaz was abducted.
October 28, 2025
I wanted to give this book a rating of 4 or 5 stars, but several things caused me to reduce the rating. First, I found the start of the book disjointed as the reader is flipped back and forth between different characters and sub-plots. I also found there was too much detail and it reduced the urgency of the scenes in the story. There were also a few parts of the plot that didn't make sense to me.
October 31, 2025
This was a fun book. I think the author has improved with each release. It moved at a fast pace, it held my interest from start-to-finish; I hated having to put it down. I liked how he incorporated Skylab into the story - I was vaguely familiar with Skylab while growing up and remember the reading the newspaper stories expressing concern over its final descent from orbit. Such a sad day, that this early space station could not be saved! In any case, it was fun to learn more about Skylab through this story.
The plot:
I have blathered on long enough about this book. I enjoyed how it mixed "historical facts" with the author's fiction, and I thought the author did a great job creating a story that held my interest from start-to-finish. The way this book ends, I found myself hoping that he might write some more stories involving Kaz and Svetlana by veering off from how America's space program actually went and continuing to write about "what if this happened instead?"
I am not saying the book is not without its weaknesses, and I do feel some of the plot could have been shortened if not cut out (as their removal would not have impacted the story that much). However, where the story shines are the moments where we clearly see "the man knows his stuff" when it comes to space travel and the vessels we used to traverse space back in the late 60s and early-to-mid-70s. Again, I loved his description of Skylab - I felt like I could picture it in my mind's eye (although I suspect the scale in my mind is much too large than reality, hahahah!). As much as I enjoyed this book, I would probably rate it between 3.35 and 3.5 stars. I will leave it at 4 stars for now because I did like it more than 3 stars, but some of the weaknesses in the story do nag at me; if (when) I reread it again, I may drop it down to 3 stars, but for now, 4 stars it is.
The plot:
I have blathered on long enough about this book. I enjoyed how it mixed "historical facts" with the author's fiction, and I thought the author did a great job creating a story that held my interest from start-to-finish. The way this book ends, I found myself hoping that he might write some more stories involving Kaz and Svetlana by veering off from how America's space program actually went and continuing to write about "what if this happened instead?"
I am not saying the book is not without its weaknesses, and I do feel some of the plot could have been shortened if not cut out (as their removal would not have impacted the story that much). However, where the story shines are the moments where we clearly see "the man knows his stuff" when it comes to space travel and the vessels we used to traverse space back in the late 60s and early-to-mid-70s. Again, I loved his description of Skylab - I felt like I could picture it in my mind's eye (although I suspect the scale in my mind is much too large than reality, hahahah!). As much as I enjoyed this book, I would probably rate it between 3.35 and 3.5 stars. I will leave it at 4 stars for now because I did like it more than 3 stars, but some of the weaknesses in the story do nag at me; if (when) I reread it again, I may drop it down to 3 stars, but for now, 4 stars it is.
October 2, 2025
I admittedly have not read any science fiction novels before jumping into The Apollo Murders, and I am not a particularly large fan of politics. However, I have been wanting to dip my toe into the science fiction genre, and what better way to do that than to read a series written by a world-famous astronaut? Even though it seemed out of my comfort zone, I felt confident I would enjoy the trilogy.
The majority of the scenes in Final Orbit (just like with the rest of the series) are meticulously written in a way that makes them read like fact. It is probably fact. This contrasts so heavily against some scenes that could only be pure fiction due to their insane improbability. I won't be going into specifics due to spoilers. Yes, Final Orbit is a book of fiction, but with so much of the book rooted in fact, it makes certain scenes seem that much more outrageous and therefore unbelievable.
The long and usually drawn-out descriptions of nearly everything the characters come across were excessive to the point that it took away from the pacing of the plot and my reading experience. While I understand that a large part of this entire series revolves around space exploration and, therefore, some descriptions will need to be made, Hadfield takes it to another level entirely. At times, I went pages (on my Kindle) without a single piece of dialogue longer than a couple of words. There are so many ways Hadfield could have injected his writing with the interworking of space exploration without writing long-winded paragraphs that span pages. While there were a few parts that sucked me in and had me truly engrossed in the story, they were few and far between.
I've thought this since book one, but have kept it to myself because I wanted to see how the trilogy wrapped up. Kaz, the longtime narrator you follow, is a positively nonsensical character. Even though he is written with a soldier-like inner monologue that could convince some otherwise, his involvement in any of the books is wholly far-fetched. I would have much rather had an omniscient third-person narrator (and I hate those) than having to read about the most random things with Kaz because Hadfield had to keep him relevant in the storyline. This is especially apparent in Final Orbit. Kaz is given his own plotline, and while it does marginally tie into the overall story, it also cheapens the entire book with its absurdity.
This series has been one of my fiancé's favorites, and I wanted to love it. While no one can argue that Hadfield has a wealth of knowledge regarding the events that transpire throughout The Apollo Murders trilogy, that does not excuse the textbook-like storytelling throughout. If you have a genuine interest in space exploration and political espionage, and want to read a combined twelve hundred-plus pages on it, I think you'll love it. However, I think with the way these books are written, Hadfield made his pool of possible readers smaller than it could have been if he had written with more creativity and prose.
SPOILER RANT SECTION
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts above are my own.
The majority of the scenes in Final Orbit (just like with the rest of the series) are meticulously written in a way that makes them read like fact. It is probably fact. This contrasts so heavily against some scenes that could only be pure fiction due to their insane improbability. I won't be going into specifics due to spoilers. Yes, Final Orbit is a book of fiction, but with so much of the book rooted in fact, it makes certain scenes seem that much more outrageous and therefore unbelievable.
The long and usually drawn-out descriptions of nearly everything the characters come across were excessive to the point that it took away from the pacing of the plot and my reading experience. While I understand that a large part of this entire series revolves around space exploration and, therefore, some descriptions will need to be made, Hadfield takes it to another level entirely. At times, I went pages (on my Kindle) without a single piece of dialogue longer than a couple of words. There are so many ways Hadfield could have injected his writing with the interworking of space exploration without writing long-winded paragraphs that span pages. While there were a few parts that sucked me in and had me truly engrossed in the story, they were few and far between.
I've thought this since book one, but have kept it to myself because I wanted to see how the trilogy wrapped up. Kaz, the longtime narrator you follow, is a positively nonsensical character. Even though he is written with a soldier-like inner monologue that could convince some otherwise, his involvement in any of the books is wholly far-fetched. I would have much rather had an omniscient third-person narrator (and I hate those) than having to read about the most random things with Kaz because Hadfield had to keep him relevant in the storyline. This is especially apparent in Final Orbit. Kaz is given his own plotline, and while it does marginally tie into the overall story, it also cheapens the entire book with its absurdity.
This series has been one of my fiancé's favorites, and I wanted to love it. While no one can argue that Hadfield has a wealth of knowledge regarding the events that transpire throughout The Apollo Murders trilogy, that does not excuse the textbook-like storytelling throughout. If you have a genuine interest in space exploration and political espionage, and want to read a combined twelve hundred-plus pages on it, I think you'll love it. However, I think with the way these books are written, Hadfield made his pool of possible readers smaller than it could have been if he had written with more creativity and prose.
SPOILER RANT SECTION
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts above are my own.
October 10, 2025
“Final Orbit” is the third installment of author and former astronaut Chris Hadfield’s series starring fighter pilot/astronaut Caz Zemeckis. Like the first in the series, “The Apollo Murders,” it is an alternative history/adventure tale based on real missions undertaken by NASA. “Final Orbit” takes as its subject the 1975 joint US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission meant to help promote détente between the two nations.
While the real mission encountered few glitches and was considered a great success, Mr. Hadfield’s fictionalization turns it into an epic tale of international intrigue and conflict filled with disasters followed by looming catastrophes both in space and on the ground. An assassination attempt, sabotage at Mission Control, a kidnapping, a clandestine Chinese space mission, space piracy, and spacecraft malfunctions fill its pages. He includes a number of historical figures as characters, including President Gerald Ford, Chairman Mao-Tse-Tung, Ambassador George H.W. Bush, Apollo astronauts Deke Slayton, Tom Stafford, and Vance D. Brand, and Soviet cosmonauts Alexi Leonid (the first man to walk in space) and Valery Kubasov. Fictional character, female cosmonaut Svetlana Gromova completes the book's Soyuz crew. (The actual mission involved only two cosmonauts).
Mr. Hadfield keeps the tension and suspense at maximum levels while also giving readers in-depth technical explanations of whatever the story involves. Topics covered include the Apollo and Soyuz crafts, the differences in their designs that engineers had to overcome, the Johnson Space Center, Mission Control’s configuration and staffing, China’s first manned mission (fictional), Skylab, the mechanics of explosions, and even 13th Century Chinese warfare, just to mention a few.
Those who enjoy techno-thrillers and space-faring novels will find much to absorb them; as will fans of works like Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff,” Andrew Chaikin’s “A Man on the Moon,” and Andy Weir’s “The Martian,” or the films based on those works, or films like “Apollo 13” and “Space Cowboys.”
While the real mission encountered few glitches and was considered a great success, Mr. Hadfield’s fictionalization turns it into an epic tale of international intrigue and conflict filled with disasters followed by looming catastrophes both in space and on the ground. An assassination attempt, sabotage at Mission Control, a kidnapping, a clandestine Chinese space mission, space piracy, and spacecraft malfunctions fill its pages. He includes a number of historical figures as characters, including President Gerald Ford, Chairman Mao-Tse-Tung, Ambassador George H.W. Bush, Apollo astronauts Deke Slayton, Tom Stafford, and Vance D. Brand, and Soviet cosmonauts Alexi Leonid (the first man to walk in space) and Valery Kubasov. Fictional character, female cosmonaut Svetlana Gromova completes the book's Soyuz crew. (The actual mission involved only two cosmonauts).
Mr. Hadfield keeps the tension and suspense at maximum levels while also giving readers in-depth technical explanations of whatever the story involves. Topics covered include the Apollo and Soyuz crafts, the differences in their designs that engineers had to overcome, the Johnson Space Center, Mission Control’s configuration and staffing, China’s first manned mission (fictional), Skylab, the mechanics of explosions, and even 13th Century Chinese warfare, just to mention a few.
Those who enjoy techno-thrillers and space-faring novels will find much to absorb them; as will fans of works like Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff,” Andrew Chaikin’s “A Man on the Moon,” and Andy Weir’s “The Martian,” or the films based on those works, or films like “Apollo 13” and “Space Cowboys.”
October 6, 2025
I want to thank Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Final Orbit. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
4.75 rounded to 5
Final Orbit is the third installment in the Apollo Murders series, and it fits in perfectly! Overall, the series reads much like a Tom Clancy novel. Full of intrigue, mystery, and lots of political implications.
Final Orbit takes the readers back to the depths of space, which is something The Defector did not do.
We are reunited with characters we have known and enjoyed, as well as one that we may have even missed from the first book.
Several characters and events in the book are based on real-life. While what happened in the book with these real people may not have been what really happened, it’s nice to consider it all plausible. Hadfield includes a guide at the end of the novel that identifies the real people. He also admits that he may have twisted and adjusted timelines to fit the story, rather than accurately recounting what really happened.
Who would I suggest read this book? Do you like action-adventure movies? What about books set in space? Or books that feature political intrigue, especially from the Cold War era? If you answered yes to these questions, you should definitely give Final Orbit a read.
4.75 rounded to 5
Final Orbit is the third installment in the Apollo Murders series, and it fits in perfectly! Overall, the series reads much like a Tom Clancy novel. Full of intrigue, mystery, and lots of political implications.
Final Orbit takes the readers back to the depths of space, which is something The Defector did not do.
We are reunited with characters we have known and enjoyed, as well as one that we may have even missed from the first book.
Several characters and events in the book are based on real-life. While what happened in the book with these real people may not have been what really happened, it’s nice to consider it all plausible. Hadfield includes a guide at the end of the novel that identifies the real people. He also admits that he may have twisted and adjusted timelines to fit the story, rather than accurately recounting what really happened.
Who would I suggest read this book? Do you like action-adventure movies? What about books set in space? Or books that feature political intrigue, especially from the Cold War era? If you answered yes to these questions, you should definitely give Final Orbit a read.
December 6, 2025
This is a mystery-thriller historical fiction set in space, and I hesitate to call it sci-fi since it never really pushes past what was plausible. It feels like only Chris Hadfield could have written it, and that’s exactly why I picked it up. Growing up in Canada in the ’90s, he was such an icon of possibility. We watched him float around the ISS, he visited schools, he made science feel accessible and exciting, and he deserves an airport bigger than the tiny one in his hometown. I loved the notes at the end explaining which people and events were real. I was even more impressed with how he stitched together history with this bombastic story. It is dense with technical details at times, but it felt believable. I wasn’t alive in the ‘70s, but the atmosphere and tension felt real. I didn’t particularly relate to any characters, maybe Svetlana came closest with her internal eyerolls at the men around her and their casual misogyny, even as she’s clearly the most competent. The book is much more plot than character, but the motivations made sense. A few loose ends could have been tied up, but geopolitics is ongoing, I guess. With the right team, it would make a fantastic movie, absolutely something I’d see with my dad.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for access to this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for access to this book.
September 1, 2025
It’s 1975, and a joint US-Soviet manned space mission is underway where an Apollo craft will dock with a Soyuz craft. But when three of the astronauts die in an accident after docking and simultaneously China secretly launches its first manned space mission. the remaining crew members must work together in this Cold War era thriller. Final Orbit is full of tension and intrigue as the three superpowers vie for space supremacy. There are several plot points here, all increasing the suspense until they mesh together in this action packed story. The technical details are kept to a minimum as the focus is centered on the space missions and the support staff at Mission Control, with plenty of twists and shockers throughout. Loved this one! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
{3.5 stars}
Thanks to Mulholland Books for gifted access via NetGalley.
I love a good space book. Just like Hadfield‘s other books, I was super invested in the beginning of the story. But his style is many different characters and chapters that take you all over the place at first building the story. To me that is a risky strategy if you’re really engaged in one piece of the story and not quite sure where the others fit in. I feel like every one of these, I’m invested enough to push through to the end but I do struggle in the middle. In the end, I enjoyed the story, but I feel like it could have been trimmed up quite a bit.
Thanks to Mulholland Books for gifted access via NetGalley.
I love a good space book. Just like Hadfield‘s other books, I was super invested in the beginning of the story. But his style is many different characters and chapters that take you all over the place at first building the story. To me that is a risky strategy if you’re really engaged in one piece of the story and not quite sure where the others fit in. I feel like every one of these, I’m invested enough to push through to the end but I do struggle in the middle. In the end, I enjoyed the story, but I feel like it could have been trimmed up quite a bit.
December 30, 2025
In his 3rd volume of 'The Apollo Murders', Chris Hadfield's one-eyed pilot hero Kaz Zemeckis is once more here to save the day. On this occasion, the villains of the piece are those inscrutable Chinese, who it seems have the audacity to impinge on the space race dreams of not one but two empires in the first stages of decline.
The stage for the events of this alternate timeline is the Soyuz-Apollo joint Soviet/US mission of 1975. But rather than the public relations success of our history, a tragic accident (one which highlights the dangers and risks of space exploration) takes the lives of 3 of the 6 spacefarers - one Russian and 2 Americans. Hadfield delights in the technical description of the reasons for the catastrophe. Of course, it is arguable that the more complex US spacecraft might be at least as likely a source of tragedy than a component of the more basic Soyuz, but this choice might be more due to the market in which the novel sells, than any estimate of probability.
The reader's suspension of disbelief is however, stretched to the limit in the convoluted plot elements that follow. One might think that getting the survivors back to Earth might be the primary focus, but that is not the case. It seens those nefarious Chinese might have their eyes on recovering secret (and treaty violating) US experimental equipment left on the abandoned Skylab facility.
So of course the return to Earth must be via a complex mission to Skylab to recover said contraband, keeping this part of the task from the surviving 2 cosmonauts with the ostensible cover of leaving two dead Americans on Skylab for future recovery by the yet-to-fly Space Shuttle. And doing this quickly because 'The Chinese are Coming!'.
Added to this Hadfield squeezes in an assasination attempt, a diversionary bombing, a kidnapping and audacious escape, a diversionary missile launch and a live fire test of an anti-satellite weapon!
Many of these plot elements are largely so that Hadfield can expound at length on the technical aspects of these missions, and the equipment used in their execution. These diversions are required to pad out the tale, and to make up for the exeptionally thin characterisation. We are 3 books into the career of Kaz Zameckis, and he still remains resolutely one-dimesional, though unfeasably competent to boot.
The conclusion sadly allows only one of the players to keep their prizes. Which is very unfair. As cosmonaut Svetlana observes 'they spy on us, we spy on them'. And such activity is so preferable to the liberal dispersion of instant sunshine to the world through cold war uncertainty and fear.
It is not a bad novel, a fast and entertaining enough read, but disappoints in its failure to advance the story of its main protagonist.
The stage for the events of this alternate timeline is the Soyuz-Apollo joint Soviet/US mission of 1975. But rather than the public relations success of our history, a tragic accident (one which highlights the dangers and risks of space exploration) takes the lives of 3 of the 6 spacefarers - one Russian and 2 Americans. Hadfield delights in the technical description of the reasons for the catastrophe. Of course, it is arguable that the more complex US spacecraft might be at least as likely a source of tragedy than a component of the more basic Soyuz, but this choice might be more due to the market in which the novel sells, than any estimate of probability.
The reader's suspension of disbelief is however, stretched to the limit in the convoluted plot elements that follow. One might think that getting the survivors back to Earth might be the primary focus, but that is not the case. It seens those nefarious Chinese might have their eyes on recovering secret (and treaty violating) US experimental equipment left on the abandoned Skylab facility.
So of course the return to Earth must be via a complex mission to Skylab to recover said contraband, keeping this part of the task from the surviving 2 cosmonauts with the ostensible cover of leaving two dead Americans on Skylab for future recovery by the yet-to-fly Space Shuttle. And doing this quickly because 'The Chinese are Coming!'.
Added to this Hadfield squeezes in an assasination attempt, a diversionary bombing, a kidnapping and audacious escape, a diversionary missile launch and a live fire test of an anti-satellite weapon!
Many of these plot elements are largely so that Hadfield can expound at length on the technical aspects of these missions, and the equipment used in their execution. These diversions are required to pad out the tale, and to make up for the exeptionally thin characterisation. We are 3 books into the career of Kaz Zameckis, and he still remains resolutely one-dimesional, though unfeasably competent to boot.
The conclusion sadly allows only one of the players to keep their prizes. Which is very unfair. As cosmonaut Svetlana observes 'they spy on us, we spy on them'. And such activity is so preferable to the liberal dispersion of instant sunshine to the world through cold war uncertainty and fear.
It is not a bad novel, a fast and entertaining enough read, but disappoints in its failure to advance the story of its main protagonist.
September 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Overall it was ok. There was a lot going on and a lot of people to keep straight. Mostly it did all come together but there were some parts that I did not know what they were included. I did enjoy it enough to finish and I would consider reading more in this series.
October 25, 2025
The third instalment of “Kaz and Svetlana really going through it”, and the most exciting of the series by far! Guns in space again!
Love Ray Porter’s narration as always. The author’s note at the end that explains which parts were real is still so cool. I know this book only just came out, but I have hope that Kaz’s story isn’t finished yet (or Laura’s, or Svetlana’s).
Love Ray Porter’s narration as always. The author’s note at the end that explains which parts were real is still so cool. I know this book only just came out, but I have hope that Kaz’s story isn’t finished yet (or Laura’s, or Svetlana’s).
December 5, 2025
I was so excited for this final book, but unfortunately, I felt it wasn't as strong as the first two.
There was too many perspectives that stole from the storytelling of immediate characters, and while Kazz was, I think, supposed to be one of the main protagonists, in book 3, it feels like he sits on the sideline until the last 3rd of the book.
The first two thirds of the book felt slow, and were quite a struggle to get through, however, the final third of the book was almost outstanding.
I'm not sure if it was a pacing issue, or too much world building, but I struggled to stay engaged for the first half and pushed through because I knew the author wrote action incredibly well and there was sure to be some action in there somewhere.
Characters are great, even if the female characters are only there to play the ying, to the male protagonists yang, and because the audibook was narrated by Ray Porter was the lifeblood that kept me to the end.
All in all, the weakest of the trilogy, but still an informative, interesting and good read.
There was too many perspectives that stole from the storytelling of immediate characters, and while Kazz was, I think, supposed to be one of the main protagonists, in book 3, it feels like he sits on the sideline until the last 3rd of the book.
The first two thirds of the book felt slow, and were quite a struggle to get through, however, the final third of the book was almost outstanding.
I'm not sure if it was a pacing issue, or too much world building, but I struggled to stay engaged for the first half and pushed through because I knew the author wrote action incredibly well and there was sure to be some action in there somewhere.
Characters are great, even if the female characters are only there to play the ying, to the male protagonists yang, and because the audibook was narrated by Ray Porter was the lifeblood that kept me to the end.
All in all, the weakest of the trilogy, but still an informative, interesting and good read.
November 21, 2025
Chris Hadfield's Final Orbit, an alternate history techno thriller set around the events of the Apollo-Soyuz, is a real page turner. I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to see what he next comes up with.
October 11, 2025
This was so good. I totally forgot what a big deal Skylab was! 4 stars!
November 20, 2025
Yeah, it’s a fun alternative history space thriller. That’s it. However (and mild spoilers follow) the first half of the book is scarily similar to some of the bigger action moments in the Apple TV series For All Mankind - mainly the terrorist plot to blow up Mission Control. I know these are both the same genre, using a mixture of exaggerated real characters and new, with an alternative timeline but I found it had to not see this as an alternative script idea which frankly worked better on screen. The writers of the show and Hadfield will of course draw similar conclusions of likely historical events so perhaps I’m being too harsh.
The attempt on the Presidents life in mission control felt too much in addition to the bomb threat… and this is where my issue lies with this 400 page novel. There are too many side stories / big action ideas. Sure, the chapters being short makes it pacy and quick to get through, but it just breaks up the action and this would have been far better if 3-4 parts of the story were cut. The tension of Mission Control, maybe one homely background to a staff member for some characterisation, and what’s occurring in space. I much prefer the approach of keeping the ‘enemy’ as mysterious when it comes to the Cold War rather than exposing their thoughts and plans.
Parts I would have cut:
The prologue giving a backstory into Kaz’s character saving the life of a child at the Great Wall of China during a Presidential visit.
The ludicrous waste of time of Kaz and his mate getting suspicious about a local Chinese restauraunt being a front of perhaps something more dangerous, repeated visits to do some spying (including flying over in a private plane) and most of all his ridiculous kidnapping, torture and escape story. All this did was distract. His running around Mission Control to thwart the terrorists would have been enough of trepidation and believable after a tip-off and some intuition on who might be guilty.
The story arc following the Chinese lorry drivers to setup a mobile launch pad, along with the intersection of plot covering the US reconnoissance pilots (despite my love of aviation) spying and spotting the launch site.
The inside view of Mao, exposing their plans.
Additionally, the Chinese astronaut on the covert op could have done with more pages, internal thoughts could have provided enough context to fill out the exposition for the mission and China without the need to have Mao featured and a meeting between him and the USA.
But, despite all that (!) the main story of the Apollo-Soyuz mission, the tragedy that befell some of the crew members, the adaptation of the mission goals into one of saving their lives, the discovery of a secret Chinese craft, the realisation and plan to stop the Chinese getting access to the secret weapons system on the deactivated Sky Lab and inevitable action packed clash were more than enough to hold the tension. The breaking between the Apollo craft / Sky Lab and Mission Control working well as a way to explore the situation, come of with solutions and worked well as a plot device due to the breaks in communication windows. This did ultimately feel like 2 episodes worth of For All Mankind, perhaps around 3/4 through a series… and that’s a good thing. I would like to see more alternative space race stories coming out and gaining popularity.
The attempt on the Presidents life in mission control felt too much in addition to the bomb threat… and this is where my issue lies with this 400 page novel. There are too many side stories / big action ideas. Sure, the chapters being short makes it pacy and quick to get through, but it just breaks up the action and this would have been far better if 3-4 parts of the story were cut. The tension of Mission Control, maybe one homely background to a staff member for some characterisation, and what’s occurring in space. I much prefer the approach of keeping the ‘enemy’ as mysterious when it comes to the Cold War rather than exposing their thoughts and plans.
Parts I would have cut:
The prologue giving a backstory into Kaz’s character saving the life of a child at the Great Wall of China during a Presidential visit.
The ludicrous waste of time of Kaz and his mate getting suspicious about a local Chinese restauraunt being a front of perhaps something more dangerous, repeated visits to do some spying (including flying over in a private plane) and most of all his ridiculous kidnapping, torture and escape story. All this did was distract. His running around Mission Control to thwart the terrorists would have been enough of trepidation and believable after a tip-off and some intuition on who might be guilty.
The story arc following the Chinese lorry drivers to setup a mobile launch pad, along with the intersection of plot covering the US reconnoissance pilots (despite my love of aviation) spying and spotting the launch site.
The inside view of Mao, exposing their plans.
Additionally, the Chinese astronaut on the covert op could have done with more pages, internal thoughts could have provided enough context to fill out the exposition for the mission and China without the need to have Mao featured and a meeting between him and the USA.
But, despite all that (!) the main story of the Apollo-Soyuz mission, the tragedy that befell some of the crew members, the adaptation of the mission goals into one of saving their lives, the discovery of a secret Chinese craft, the realisation and plan to stop the Chinese getting access to the secret weapons system on the deactivated Sky Lab and inevitable action packed clash were more than enough to hold the tension. The breaking between the Apollo craft / Sky Lab and Mission Control working well as a way to explore the situation, come of with solutions and worked well as a plot device due to the breaks in communication windows. This did ultimately feel like 2 episodes worth of For All Mankind, perhaps around 3/4 through a series… and that’s a good thing. I would like to see more alternative space race stories coming out and gaining popularity.
October 10, 2025
Tom Clancy Of Space. Except Hadfield Has *Been* There. One of the things that struck me most about this book were the several sequences that were so technically detailed and explaining the almost microsecond by microsecond events that were taking place that it honestly felt like Clancy's infamous pages upon pages of the first nanoseconds of a thermonuclear detonation in The Sum Of All Fears... except Hadfield's passages here were nowhere near as long, despite being very similarly exacting and detailed.
Outside of these passages, what we get here is a seeming conclusion to an alt-history trilogy based in and around the time of the Apollo missions, here specifically the Apollo-Soyuz mission.
Using his experiences as everything from a fighter test pilot to NASA pilot to NASA liaison at the Roscosmos HQ to being Commander of the International Space Station (all detailed in his excellent memoir An Astronaut's Guide To Earth), Hadfield brings the reader into Low Earth Orbit as only an astronaut who has been there - and been there several times - can. The launch sequences rattle and jostle with real power as though you yourself are there in the capsule awaiting ignition of the then-most powerful rocket humanity had ever built - one controlled by a fraction of the computing power (and in particular a fraction of the lines of code) of whatever device you're reading this review on. Pick your favorite movie showing such a sequence, and here Hadfield has its literary equal if not better. The precise details of NASA and Roscosmos procedures - even technically in the era before Hadfield actually joined NASA - are here, at least at the public or at minimum now outdated levels.
Indeed, the alternate history of this tale actually works as well as it does - and introduces another level of similarity to both Clancy and similar military technothriller author Dale Brown - specifically because the real history details are buttoned up so solidly. Hadfield is able to create a world so similar to our own that it feels just as real... even as certain elements play out seemingly as they only ever do in action books of various forms.
Truly breathtaking in many ways, this is one of those books that will have you checking your own heart's health as it races with the action at times, but also giving some space to slow down and take a breather as other elements are setting up.
Indeed, if there is one criticism of this book, it is perhaps that one particular inclusion of one particular side tale may arguably be a touch too much and could have likely been left on the editing room floor with no hindrance at all to the tale told here, but even there it is interesting enough and wouldn't have spared enough pages to make the book feel any shorter.
At slightly over 400 pages, this is one of those books that both feels it and at the same time almost doesn't, as there is just so much action here. Indeed, we get well into the 90% range of this text before the final moments of the action... and yet the conclusion doesn't feel rushed at all. Truly well done, beginning to end.
Very much recommended.
Outside of these passages, what we get here is a seeming conclusion to an alt-history trilogy based in and around the time of the Apollo missions, here specifically the Apollo-Soyuz mission.
Using his experiences as everything from a fighter test pilot to NASA pilot to NASA liaison at the Roscosmos HQ to being Commander of the International Space Station (all detailed in his excellent memoir An Astronaut's Guide To Earth), Hadfield brings the reader into Low Earth Orbit as only an astronaut who has been there - and been there several times - can. The launch sequences rattle and jostle with real power as though you yourself are there in the capsule awaiting ignition of the then-most powerful rocket humanity had ever built - one controlled by a fraction of the computing power (and in particular a fraction of the lines of code) of whatever device you're reading this review on. Pick your favorite movie showing such a sequence, and here Hadfield has its literary equal if not better. The precise details of NASA and Roscosmos procedures - even technically in the era before Hadfield actually joined NASA - are here, at least at the public or at minimum now outdated levels.
Indeed, the alternate history of this tale actually works as well as it does - and introduces another level of similarity to both Clancy and similar military technothriller author Dale Brown - specifically because the real history details are buttoned up so solidly. Hadfield is able to create a world so similar to our own that it feels just as real... even as certain elements play out seemingly as they only ever do in action books of various forms.
Truly breathtaking in many ways, this is one of those books that will have you checking your own heart's health as it races with the action at times, but also giving some space to slow down and take a breather as other elements are setting up.
Indeed, if there is one criticism of this book, it is perhaps that one particular inclusion of one particular side tale may arguably be a touch too much and could have likely been left on the editing room floor with no hindrance at all to the tale told here, but even there it is interesting enough and wouldn't have spared enough pages to make the book feel any shorter.
At slightly over 400 pages, this is one of those books that both feels it and at the same time almost doesn't, as there is just so much action here. Indeed, we get well into the 90% range of this text before the final moments of the action... and yet the conclusion doesn't feel rushed at all. Truly well done, beginning to end.
Very much recommended.
October 19, 2025
My goodness this was a whirlwind of action and suspense! Author Chris Hadfield really wastes no time setting up the action in this third installation in his Kaz Zemeckis series, and once it gets going the action doesn't stop until the end and the result is a very entertaining blend of historical fiction and action thriller that had me nervous and invested the whole way through.
Set during the real-life joint American-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, what starts off as a straightforward space mission and diplomatic endeavor quickly goes sideways. Events on the ground and in the air quickly derail the mission and force everyone to figure out how to safely bring the astronauts/cosmonauts home.
I loved the science and technical detail Hadfield includes throughout this novel. It offers a sense of verisimilitude and immediacy that's thrilling. Hadfield has served on missions in the space shuttle and on the ground in mission control, so he's able to give details from both perspectives that really help set the stage and emphasize the stakes. Because this is a historical fiction thriller, there's also a lot of explanation of older methods and technologies used in earlier space missions which was fascinating, and fun to read through names that were new to me alongside names the world has come to know over the years. Hadfield also departs from history to create his own story, which added an extra element of thrill because I couldn't just rely on history to know how everything would play out.
Since so much of the story takes place in space, my mind kept flitting through news reports and history of previous space missions, remembering key details from the tragic ones and panicking for the crew any time a ship took damage. History has shown that the slightest change to a ship's integrity can be fatal, and Hadfield sets up his scenarios so we see the sometimes chain reaction of events just before the dominoes fall. He gets the science and the mechanics, and even though I don't, he describes it all well enough to read the writing on the ship wall -- DANGER! It's thrilling and heart-stopping.
I enjoyed this read immensely. I had read the first book in this series, but missed the second, though it's important to now that this can easily be read as a standard. That being said, I see myself going back to read book two soon... maybe once my heart rate recovers a bit!
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and the publisher, Mulholland; this review is entirely my own.
Set during the real-life joint American-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, what starts off as a straightforward space mission and diplomatic endeavor quickly goes sideways. Events on the ground and in the air quickly derail the mission and force everyone to figure out how to safely bring the astronauts/cosmonauts home.
I loved the science and technical detail Hadfield includes throughout this novel. It offers a sense of verisimilitude and immediacy that's thrilling. Hadfield has served on missions in the space shuttle and on the ground in mission control, so he's able to give details from both perspectives that really help set the stage and emphasize the stakes. Because this is a historical fiction thriller, there's also a lot of explanation of older methods and technologies used in earlier space missions which was fascinating, and fun to read through names that were new to me alongside names the world has come to know over the years. Hadfield also departs from history to create his own story, which added an extra element of thrill because I couldn't just rely on history to know how everything would play out.
Since so much of the story takes place in space, my mind kept flitting through news reports and history of previous space missions, remembering key details from the tragic ones and panicking for the crew any time a ship took damage. History has shown that the slightest change to a ship's integrity can be fatal, and Hadfield sets up his scenarios so we see the sometimes chain reaction of events just before the dominoes fall. He gets the science and the mechanics, and even though I don't, he describes it all well enough to read the writing on the ship wall -- DANGER! It's thrilling and heart-stopping.
I enjoyed this read immensely. I had read the first book in this series, but missed the second, though it's important to now that this can easily be read as a standard. That being said, I see myself going back to read book two soon... maybe once my heart rate recovers a bit!
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and the publisher, Mulholland; this review is entirely my own.
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