Ghostdrift: The Finder Chronicles, Book 4

Finder Chronicles #4

by Suzanne Palmer

The fourth and final installment of the Finder Chronicles, a hopepunk sci-fi caper described as Macgyver meets Firefly , by Hugo Award–winner Suzanne Palmer

Fergus Ferguson, professional finder, always knew his semi-voluntary exile wouldn’t last, but he isn’t expecting a friend to betray him. One of the galaxy’s most dangerous space pirates, Bas Belos, wants him, and what Belos wants, he gets. Belos needs help finding out what happened to his twin sister, who mysteriously disappeared at the edges of space years ago, and he makes Fergus an offer he can’t refuse.

Mysterious disappearances and impossible answers are Fergus’s specialties. After he reluctantly joins Belos and his crew aboard the pirate ship Sidewider, he discovers that Belos is being tracked by the Alliance. Seeking to stay one step ahead of the Alliance, Fergus and Belos find themselves marooned in the middle of the Gap between spiral arms of our galaxy, dangerously near hostile alien territory, and with an Alliance ship in hot pursuit.

That’s just the beginning of the complications for Fergus’ newest—and possibly last—job. The puzzle is much bigger than just Belos’s lost sister, and the question of his future, retirement or not, depends on his ability to negotiate a path between aliens, criminals, and the most powerful military force he’s ever encountered. The future of entire planets hangs in the balance, and it remains to be seen if it’s too big for one determined man and his cranky cat.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Audiobook, Space, Science Fiction Fantasy

Audible Audio

First published May 28, 2024

Reviews

[carol. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth installment in Palmer's Finder series is a lot of fun. After the wild events of book three, Fergus is doing what he'd always claimed he wanted: making tea and gazing at the ocean. He's become almost Zen-like in his calmness. Unfortunately, an old acquaintance locates him and before long, he's involved with space pirates, deep-space waystations, the Alliance, traveling uncharted wormholes, and having even more alien encounters.



The Finder series is an interesting one. Palmer is not a prolific author, with a year between each of the first three books, and a wait of three years before this one. Perhaps because of the evolution of Fergus as a character, changes in the publishing industry and, well, life, each book has a different feel. Book one was the Price of Altruism, book two a Lone-hero Adventure, book three Heists and McGuffins, and this one, well, this one is all-out Space Adventure. I think the reluctant hero is a tricky one, and each book had Fergus feeling more and more boxed in. This one frees him, and his mild altruism opens it up for more fun, less obligation, and less fear. I hate to say too much for the risk of spoilers, so I'll just note that I felt like Palmer did a good job walking the line of keeping the story unpredictable, yet congruent.

"'Exactly,' Belows said. 'You would have made an excellent real pirate, you know, if only you were a little more inclined toward violence.'"

The tone matches the plotting. I like that Palmer neatly avoids all the romantic stuff; there's a line in this one that made me realize the lack of entanglement might have been deliberate:
"Marche glared at Fergus, as if this was all somehow his fault.
“Don’t look at me,” Fergus said. “I’m not much of a smoocher.”

I'll acknowledge to quibbles, two of my own and one others'. For myself, I felt that while Palmer talked a lot about the horrible and evilness of the Belos' space pirates, they really weren't. I was great with the positive feel, but I don't know that she achieved that dichotomy--were they really that evil, or was it their own marketing ploy? I lean towards the latter, personally. "It's quite the tale, though I don't know how much of it is real.' 'Some, but not all, of course.' Belos said. 'Go on.'" I'll also note that the writing felt a little less polished in places than Bot 9 stories. A few fragments, a little less atmosphere, a few cultural references ('spaceship turducken'? Really?) that seemed odd. But that's more a product of very high expectations over poor quality.

Regarding the general complaint of the omnipotent plot device: yes, the Asiig make an appearance (as they do), and though they are accused of being the ultimate deux et machina (much like Q in Next Generation), more of their intentions become apparent.

Really, any complaints from me are slight. This was an engaging adventure, start to finish. I sucked it up in a day. Alas; all things come to an end. Perhaps, as Palmer hints, even the Finder series, though I sincerely I hope not (I'd also love a spin-off with either/both Belos). I'll be looking for whatever Palmer chooses to write next (insert plea for more Bot 9 here!).


Re-read 1/2025. No additional notes. A strange combination of thrilling and comfort read.


~Much appreciation to Neil~

[Lee (the Book Butcher) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fergus Ferguson turns into a pirate, or more or less is shanghaied on Bas Belos space pirate crew. Belos a legendary pirate is looking for his twin sister Bella. The twins work in tandem to catch big corporate hauls. Bas captures Fergus because he can find anything. surprise, surprise Fergus finds Bella. the ship is attacked and crashes. the story evolves into sci-fi excitement. with higher life forms. the Alliance who is also after Bas Belos crash as well. when they see Fergus the universes greatest villain, they switch objectives. this is a very fun sci-fi series. did i mention the cat that continues to follow Fergus across the universe.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostdrift
By Suzanne Palmer
I wanted to get through this faster than I did, but life got in the way. Since I ended up reading it in pieces, it probably would have been a 5 star if I had read it straight through. Things would still be clear in my mind.
I loved this one. It flowed well, and our guy tackled everything! I loved the ending, too.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel as though I ought to offer a few disclaimers to start out with: First, I found Suzanne Palmer through her series of incredibly charming bot short stories.
Second:There is a certain character type that is just an absolute pet peeve of mine: the character who is melodramatically haunted by their past, pathologically assumes responsibility for the welfare of those around them--to such an extent that they go sailing past others' boundaries and actually curtail the agency of other adults who should be able to choose to take their own risks--is the only one who can/should endanger themselves while wrapping others in bubble wrap, and generally being a presumptuous ass with a side of masturbatory guilt. (Read: "guilt indulged in compulsively to scratch some psychological itch," not anything to do with literal sexuality.)

If I've learned anything over the last handful of reading years, it is that what people mean by "cozy" varies wildly from person to person. I am being utterly affectionate when I say these books are my personal definition of cozy sci-fi.

I read books 1 and 2 of this series and they were both solid, 3-star reads for me. Fun, lighthearted reads with a few chuckles, where the dialogue is banter-y and glib enough that even purportedly serious situations never feel all that immersive or high-stakes. Which is perfectly fine, of course, but it's extra impressive because Fergus Ferguson is EXACTLY that character I try to avoid.* I should say that I liked book 2, Driving the Deep, considerably better than the first book in the series. I skipped book #3 based on some GR friends' reviews telling me all I needed to know about that book leaning into Fergus' "burdened by guilt and plumbing the past" thing and I have no regrets. (Thanks, carol.!)

(As a totally random aside, an obsessive, ruminating guilt thing is why, despite loving most of Reynolds' writing, I read and really liked Revelation Space, read Redemption Ark and liked it with caveats, and have passed on Absolution Gap.)

I'm thrilled to say that Ghostdrift was a delight! If, like me, you come to this, the 4th installment in the series, not having faithfully read every preceding book, you'll be fine. I definitely got a benefit from knowing some of Fergus' backstory and knowing how he got some of his physical quirks and his history with the (very) alien race known as the Asiig, but there is enough included in the text to keep a new reader from being lost. Fergus still has his "rogue with a heart of gold [and pile of guilt stuff]" going on, and it's still the kind of book where you just know things are going to turn out mostly okay for all the good guys, but the plot felt richer and moved along faster, and Fergus has done quite a bit of growing up since the first book (and he didn't require a romantic relationship or female muse-figure in any form to achieve that--hallelujah!).

Though now that I'm thinking about it, I'm actually not 100% sure how much my changed feelings about Fergus (compared with the first book) are attributable to his growing up vs. wearing me down to being charmed by him like everyone else is.

Even the pirates are pretty rogueishly adorable and charming (see: cozy) and despite this being the official end of this series, I found it gratifying that the end leaves things open for further adventures, if Palmer ever decides to return.

I hope she does; her craft has developed with each book, and I'm positively partial to Fergus by now.

I was given a digital ARC by DAW and Netgalley. My opinions are my own.





*In Palmer's defense, Fergus comes by his issues re: attachment and reckless disregard of his own safety very honestly, but they didn't make him less incredibly annoying in Finder for this particular reader.

[Brok3n · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picaresque with Hooloovoos

This review will be unfair to Suzanne Palmer's Ghostdrift, and that is my fault. I wasn't paying attention when I requested it and thus failed to notice that it is the fourth and last book of the Finder Chronicles, none of which I had previously read.

How big an issue is it to jump into a series in the middle, or even at the end? Usually people asked that question respond by discussing the plot. But of all the jump-in issues, the plot is the least important. More important are characters and, for speculative fiction, world-building. By the time you have finished three novels about Fergus Ferguson, the central character of the Finder Chronicles, you probably know him fairly well, and with any luck you like him and are happy to spend more time in his company. Furthermore, you know a great deal about the science-fictional galaxy he inhabits. Those were advantages I lacked.

I didn't feel that I lost a great deal by not having known Fergus. Fergus is pretty much a standard-issue picaro, so I know his type. On the other hand, though, not knowing the world was a problem. It isn't that it was difficult to follow -- instead, it was difficult to care. I haven't learned to care about the things that matter to Fergus and the people of Fergus's universe. This is one of those stories in which the universe is inhabited by hyperintelligent shades of the color blue (not literally -- those would be the Hooloovoos of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) some of whom patronize and essentially make pets of humans. Fergus has received the attention of at least one such species in previous books, and they show up here, too. They are not quite as annoying as Star Trek's Q, but they are still fairly obnoxious. The final third of the book is just deos ex machinis everywhere, the gods in question being not literal gods, but Hooloovoos. (OK, not literally them, either...)

So, bottom line: am I planning to get the previous three books and read them? No, I am not.

Thanks to NetGalley and DAW for an advance reader copy of Ghostdrift. Release date 28-May-2024.

Blog review.

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: 5 out of 5.

When we last saw Fergus, he had been saved from imminent and very painful death by the Asig, while he in turn saved the known galaxy. But all is not sunshine and roses in this book. Yes, Fergus is alive and even whole, but he is the most wanted man in the humanity settled cosmos, with a hefty price on his head and a lot of powerful enemies. So he has been in hiding. Which means that he has been alone with is cat and no contact with his family and friends. But when one such friend finally comes calling and asks for his help to free another friend from pirates, of course he will say yes.

Suzanne Palmer has a gift for creating likeable characters. I mean, we are dealing with a ship full of pirates here, yet I grew rather fond of all of them in the end. I think this is also due to the fact that Fergus always tries to see good in people, or at least to find ways to coexist with those he has no choice but to interact with due to various circumstances.

It also helps that all of the characters are painted in different shades of gray and all have their own needs, wants and motivations. The villains aren't even just for the sake of being evil, they have their own reasons behind their actions. The good guys aren't always exactly good either. Everyone is human and bound to make an absolute mess out of things.

I also liked the main mystery of this book - a missing ship, possible rogue active jump points. A solitary planet in the middle of the Gap between two sections of the galaxy. Oh, and new kinds of aliens, who turn out not so evil in the end after all. Oh, and Fergus being his usual "interesting" self. We get more Asig as well, and get introduced to some of the other humans they changed.

I had a lot of fun with this story, and I am looking forward to following Fergus on his future adventures.

PS: I received an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you liked this review, check out my blog.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of the third book was quite the cliffhanger for Fergus. Meeting him on that beach was very unexpected. Tea Master, seriously? And Tai Chi? How very chill of our most-wanted and reluctant hero. Too bad someone finally finds him and disturbs his piece to drag him off back into space.

I am so happy that we did return to space with this fourth installment. Enceladus was fun as well, but Finder was still my favourite book about Fergus. I might have to re-read it to decide if I enjoyed Ghostdrift more (very likely). Really good. Pirates! Weird aliens! Spaceships! Enough said.

Characters with depth. Quite the trip for Fergus. Great world building, loved the setting on that planet, great imagery. Loved the found family. Loved all the aliens. Sweet ending. Can Palmer please hook up with Becky Chambers and co-write some books with her.

This was absolutely delightful and great fun. All the stars. May Fergus go on many more adventures. I so wish that this won’t be the last book of the series. 🌌🍵🐈‍⬛👾🛸

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

[Spad53 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this series, the third one was a little weaker, still very good though, and now the fourth is back to top class. So three out of four get top ranking, I see that I didn’t give the first a five, but I should have done. I like Fergus because he’s so human, he thinks he’s pretty bad at thing, but in fact he’s rather good. I also like that he’s basically decent. He’s had several female counter-parts in these books, and I’ve mostly liked them, but I think Suzanne Palmer aced it in this book, with two nice ones. The cat is also good, just a cat, no extras, but well described.
I know it’s the last one, but the end sort of opens for a continuation. On the other hand I’ll read anything by Suzanne Palmer, I’ll just humbly wish that she continues with Science Fiction.
I highly recommend the Finder Chronicles.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savor this book, as it’s the fourth and, unfortunately, final in the Finder series.

Fergus has found, for the most part, some peace and contentment after all his close shaves and adventures. He and his cat Mister Feefs are as off-the-grid as he can manage, although he knows that eventually, his past will catch up with him.

When an old colleague comes calling, asking for his help, Fergus knows his peaceful existence is over, but doesn’t know the depth of danger he’ll once again encounter. He’s used to pay ransom to a space pirate who is looking for trouble and likely to find it in a section of space where ships go in but don’t come out.

There are new species, old enemies, and new allies. Fergus, who possibly has more lives than Mister Feefs, has to use all his uncanny abilities to navigate the machinations of the various characters and prevent yet another interstellar war.

There’s a misfit pirate crew following a leader with a lost cause, who is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, even at the cost of the galaxy. There are aliens who are willing to do the same, and think nothing of genocide.

There’s also humor and humanity and healing. It’s a great ending to the series, if there indeed has to be one.

Why you should read this book: The worldbuilding is great and the different species are well-developed. There are no cardboard characters here. But most of all, you should read it for Fergus. He’s just a guy, doing his best, who keeps getting pulled into things that should be way beyond his ken. He’s been given some abilities he doesn’t want, but he feels obligated to do what he can to help.

Why you might not want to read this book: I can’t think of a reason, unless you just want to delay reading it until you reread the first three.

4.75 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from DAW via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the finder novels SO STINKING MUCH

Impossible and funny and thrilling and well thought out and fun and smart and you should read them

Suzanne Palmer does it again, writing compelling interesting humorous Science Fiction. When we meet Fergus Ferguson this time he is living in self imposed exile on the oceanic planet Corolla living the life of a monastic hermit with his cat Mr Feefs. When an old friend shows up asking for help Fergus has no choice but to say yes. Unfortunately he has no idea what he has said yes for and he finds himself once again kidnapped and thrown into the deep end of trouble. But when trouble calls Fergus is always ready to answer back with his own special brand of trouble. Buckle up and get a cup of tea (its bitter like life itself) and enjoy the ride.

[Maria Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. I just love this book and this entire universe. What is not to love for a science fiction fan? I mean, there are various weird and wonderful aliens, there are mysterious artefacts and strange planets, there are space pirates, and, most of all, there is Fergus Ferguson who finds trouble like no one else and also gets out of trouble like no one else. A highly entertaining science fiction adventure with real heart and soul and a quiet sense of humour.

[Dirk Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to the author in the acknowledgments, this is the last in the series—a pity, because I would love to read more adventures of Fergus and his cat, Mr. Feefs. There’s still more to explore in the story of the Pallai and their maker, and the universe Palmer has built is both fascinating and original. Let’s hope she changes her mind in the coming years...

Completely different again from book three, where the action was mostly centered on Earth, this one is set in deep space—specifically, in an almost starless region between two arms of the galaxy.
Fergus makes new friends and new enemies, of course.
Only the final section felt a little rushed, but overall, it was a very good read—and for me, the best of the series.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series. Highly recommended if you're looking for an enjoyable romp with spunky characters, feel-good vibes, questionable choices, a temperamental rescue cat and plenty of adventure to just get lost in for a while.

[Andrew Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed the Finder series since the very first book and was excited to see Fergus return. The latest (and sadly final apparently) chapter is no disappointment and we get to follow Fergus and he tries to solve a conflict across 2 different alien races while being held for ransom to find a missing sister of one of his arch rivals.

The story moves along quickly and the world building for the planet that the ship crashes on is fantastic. Im sad to hear that the series is ending but highly recommend all four books for some great scifi adventure.

[༶ Laura ༶ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Fergus Ferguson still doesn't miss.

[Dan O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with what I like in SF...aliens, asshokes, and heroes with a sense of humor and attitude

A good story. Everything I like in a SF novel...aliens, action, assholes and a hero with an attitude, oh, and a sense of humor.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many times I have bemoaned what appeared to be the FINAL book in a series only to happily discover, some years later, that the next book is about to be published.

Amazon's blurb said, "the fourth and final installment of the Finder Chronicles". This time I hope that Amazon is wrong.

The Finder Chronicles have been a particular delight. Our protagonist, Fergus Ferguson, is really good at his job, which is finding that which has become lost. He also frequently finds himself in the middle of the action.

Amazon also describes this series as MacGyver meets Firefly.

As it happens, I never watched MacGyver, but its reputation is that give MacGyver a paperclip and some other unlikely tool, and he can get himself out of most any fix. Fergus also is an extremely gifted problem solver, and also uses whatever tools he or his companions have to hand.

Firefly is found family making the best of the few resources available to them, again like Fergus.

Highly recommended to fans of space opera, capers/heists, dealing with known & unknown alien races, and just a thumpingly enjoyable adventure tale!

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t resist. Even though I knew going in this was one of those situations where you don’t know whether to cry because it’s over or smile because it happened, I had to find out just what happened to Fergus Ferguson that led to Ghostdrift being the final book in the utterly awesome Finder Chronicles.

Over the course of the series (Finder, Driving the Deep, The Scavenger Door and now Ghostdrift), Fergus has proven to be the consummate survivor. Not because he’s particularly good at any one thing except finding the stuff he’s been contracted to find, but because no plan seems to survive contact with Fergus – not even his own. No matter how big and how scary the villains are, no matter how many layers within layers of plans they have to get away with whatever it is they think they’re getting away with, the minute Fergus happens to them Murphy’s Law arrives in his wake and the shit keeps hitting the fan – both theirs and his – until he emerges from the wreck of everything they expected.

It’s a gift. It’s also a curse. A judgment that does not depend on whether you are on the side of Fergus or his enemies. As I said, Fergus’s own plans don’t survive contact with him either.

But it does explain why his friend (or sometimes frenemy) Qai doesn’t feel all that terrible about kidnapping Fergus and delivering him – alive and unharmed, along with his cat Mister Feefs – into the custody of notorious space pirate Bas Belos in exchange for the safe return of Qai’s partner Maha – yet another of Fergus’s friends.

Qai knows Fergus can handle himself and knows that Belos’ plan isn’t likely to survive Fergus either. She’s basically delivering her revenge on Belos for kidnapping her partner in a Fergus Ferguson shaped form and isn’t sorry about it in the least.

She’s sure she’s brought Belos more trouble than even an interstellar space pirate can handle. And she’s right. It’s the way in which she’s right and the places that right takes the pirate, his ship, his crew, Fergus AND Mister Feefs, that makes the whole entire story.

Fergus’s story. Belos’s story. And quite possibly the whole damn universe’s story – again – if Fergus doesn’t manage to pull off one more doggedly determined find.

Escape Rating A+: June is Audiobook Month, and this final book in the Finder Chronicles was the perfect audiobook to listen to this month, particularly as I listened to the first book in the series, Finder, in June of 2019.

Even though I didn’t want this story to end – I desperately needed to know how it ended, so I started alternating between audio and text just past halfway – as much as I hated to miss out on the totality of narrator Paul Woodson’s perfect read of Fergus Ferguson’s universe-weary, ‘been there, done that, got all the t-shirts’ voice.

(Fergus really does have all the t-shirts – and he wears them throughout the series. The man has definitely been around.)

The series as a whole rides or dies on that voice, to the point that if you like Fergus you’ll love the series but if he drives you as insane as he does the people he runs up AGAINST you probably won’t. Also, if you like a universe-weary, first-person or first-person focused protagonist, you’ll probably also love Michael Mammay’s Carl Butler in his Planetside series. (I digress, just a bit.)

What about this particular entry in the series? It combines some really classic tropes into one single terrific story.

First there’s the whole ‘White Whale’ angle. Actually, it’s two of those angles. On the one hand, pirate captain Bas Belos just wants to find out what happened to his twin sister and her crew. It’s been ten years since she disappeared, he knows that the ‘Alliance’s’ claim that they killed her and hers was a lie. He’s kidnapped/hired Fergus to lead him towards closure – no matter what it takes.

And then there’s the real Captain Ahab of this story, an Alliance captain for whom Bas Belos is his white whale, and he’ll trail the pirate literally past the end of the galaxy to catch him – even if he’s leading his crew straight to their demise. And wasn’t that Ahab all over?

But then there’s the third corner of this delicious story, the one where Belos and his crew, the Alliance captain and his, all end up stranded in the gap between galaxies, on a little tiny planet that threatens to be their own ‘Gilligan’s Island’ – because it already has.

Together, those three plots, Belos’ need for closure, Captain Ahab – actually Captain Todd – following Belos where no one REALLY should have gone before, or again, and all the crews stuck on their very own tiny Gilligan’s Island planetoid, doing their best – or worst – to get along well enough to get back home.

With Fergus in the middle, knowing his personal goose is cooked either way. Unless he can find a really, truly, seriously out-of-the-box solution for his own dilemma as well as theirs.

I loved this last adventure in the Finder Chronicles. On top of this beautiful layer cake of a story, there was also a bit of marvelous icing in Fergus’ relationship with Mister Feefs that will add extra feels for anyone who has ever loved a companion animal and grounded their very existence on that love. (Don’t worry about Mister Feefs, he comes out of this adventure just fine – it’s Fergus we have to worry about. As usual.)

The only sour note in this whole thing is in the author’s note at the end, where she declares that this really is Fergus’ last recorded adventure. And it could be, she left him in a good place – WITH MISTER FEEFS – and they’ll be just fine. But she also left them in a place where it’s clear that Fergus will manage to make his way back to his own galaxy, one way or another, given enough time and supplies. And he has the supplies. So he could come back. We could come back at some point in the future to see whose plans Fergus is destroying at that point in his life. I don’t expect we will, but I can still hope.

Originally published at Reading Reality

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I have loved the Finder Chronicles series because I really enjoy Fergus.   I love this science fiction, space opera with Fergus being sort of a detective / Equalizer / McGyver kind of guy with a real layer of humor.  In Finder, Fergus "retrieves" a lost space ship and returns it to the rightful owner in the middle of a civil war.  In Driving the Deep, he has to locate his scientist friends who have been abducted and he deals with some family issues. In The Scavenger Door, Fergus gets a chance to spend some time with his family and save the world.

Fergus has been hiding out since the Alliance and a lot of others are mad at him (want to kill him).  But one of his friends comes to ask for help because her partner has been kidnapped.  She gets him involved with a notorious pirate who is looking for his lost sister.  The Alliance is after this pirate and their own ships which disappeared when the pirate's sister did.

To fit in with the crew, Fergus becomes Vetch.  The Captain knows his real story, of course.  They go looking where his sister was last seen with her ship and end up being chased by the Alliance ships through the same bizarre to escape.  So they end up crashed on an alien planet after being nearly destroyed by other alien ships.

I don't want to spoil the story but know that Fergus is his usual handy and save the world self.  He has to deal with Alliance crews, pirates, and multiple types of aliens.  Luckily, he is experienced with this.  It's a satisfying conclusion to the series but really I want more Fergus.

"I still think you're an asshole." Yolo offered helpfully.

"Thanks," Fergus said. "I do my best."

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope there is a sequel series

I really enjoyed this series. Fergus is very fun to follow around, and one of the other characters is correct when she says he brings chaos wherever he goes. The end of this book tied off the majority of plot threads for the individual book, but left some things open in the series as a whole.

I hope there is a sequel series though. For one, I would love to read more of Fergus’ adventures, but two, I think it would be fair to describe at least two of those loose plot threads as more akin to loose plot ropes which isn’t necessarily bad, but 100% leaves room for more books. On the other hand, I also understand that it’s okay to leave things unexplored so that the characters can continue to exist and grow “off-screen” so to speak even after the final page is read. Bittersweet tea, if you will.

***Spoilers ahead!***

Some areas that I would be interested in seeing explored though:
1. The series ends with Fergus still not reunited with the found family that he has built across the galaxy. He himself described that found family is your home, so in a way, he ends the series still cut off from his home. It’s implied he’ll seek them out, but there’s no on-page closure of that.
2. Fergus’ next quest is to seek out the Palla and take them out of the hands of people who use them for evil. In my opinion, that could be the basis of an entire sequel series right there. There are many Palla and many unresolved questions about their past, present, and future. So far they’ve only really been MacGuffins, but they’ve certainly grabbed my interest.
3. The Mars rebellion and the Alliance. Since it’s been left unresolved, I can easily see a lot of potential crossover with unresolved plot rope #2.
4. Or maybe something entirely new! The universe is infinite after all.

I guess to summarize, I love this series. I’d be delighted if there were sequel series that addressed the areas I’m still curious about, but if we never visited Fergus again and only said goodbye to him as he flew off into the sunset towards adventures unknown, I would also be content. Thank you for the series!

[The Void Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Book Review: *Ghostdrift (Finder Chronicles #4)* by Suzanne Palmer**
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Suzanne Palmer’s *Ghostdrift* is a thrilling and fitting conclusion to the Finder Chronicles series, offering readers an unforgettable ride across the farthest reaches of space. As someone who has followed Fergus Ferguson's misadventures from the very start, I can confidently say that this book encapsulates everything fans have come to love: daring heists, clever problem-solving, political intrigue, and moments of heartfelt humanity amidst all the chaos.

Fergus, the ever-resourceful "finder," faces his biggest challenge yet—working alongside space pirate Bas Belos, whose offer to locate his missing sister pulls Fergus into an intricate web of mystery, betrayal, and interstellar stakes. The interactions aboard the pirate ship *Sidewinder* are charged with tension and camaraderie, while the chase sequences, with the Alliance in relentless pursuit, keep readers at the edge of their seats.

One of the highlights of *Ghostdrift* is its seamless blend of action and introspection. Amid the adrenaline rush, Palmer explores themes like loyalty, survival, and the choices that define us. Fergus’ growth throughout the series is especially evident in this installment, as he grapples with his own future while navigating impossible odds. And let’s not forget his feline companion, whose antics add a touch of levity to the story's darker moments.

This hopepunk sci-fi caper is not just a story about space exploration; it’s about resilience, teamwork, and the enduring fight for what matters most. Palmer’s world-building remains stellar, vividly portraying the awe-inspiring yet perilous universe Fergus inhabits. Each twist feels earned, and the resolution is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.

As a fan, your enthusiasm is spot on—*Ghostdrift* not only delivers a thrilling conclusion but also leaves the door tantalizingly open for more adventures with Fergus and his motley crew. Fingers crossed Suzanne Palmer decides to revisit this universe someday. Until then, this book—and series—is a must-read for fans of heist-filled, character-driven sci-fi with a heart.

Happy reading 🚀

[The Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahoy there mateys! I love Fergus Ferguson and his penchant for trouble. This is the fourth and last book of the series. I really enjoyed it. Fergus is a wanted man throughout the galaxy. He has spent a few years hiding and relaxing on the beach on the planet Corolla with his cat Mr. Feefs. But he knows it is only a matter of time before someone finds him.

And he is found . . . but not by anyone he expects. Fergus makes the choice (because spoilers!) to help an dangerous space pirate solve a mystery. Of course, everything goes crazy because Fergus Ferguson is involved. One of the best things about this novel is that Fergus is no longer fighting himself or his abilities. He is scared to die but also determined to do what he believes is right under less than ideal circumstances.

I loved how Fergus grows to like and influence the space pirates. I loved the planet Solo and all of the adventures there. I love the Agents. And I wanted even more time with Mr. Feefs.

The science of this book and how the conflicts resolve don’t always make complete sense but I absolutely loved how Fergus’ part in things worked out and where he is headed next. I know this is the last book in the series but if the further adventures of Fergus Ferguson are ever written, I would be happy to read them. Arrr!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for me honest musings.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, I don't know whether the author is ready to move on from this series, the publisher is pushing her to wrap it up, or what - but HOW COULD YOU END THE SERIES WITH FERGUS ON A WORMHOLE ACCESS ONLY PLANET ABOUT TO START A HUGE NEW QUEST WITH HIS SECRET ELECTRICITY INTACT AND A NEW BEST FRIEND?!?!

Seriously - this series started off good, got great, and has finally hit its full stride with this installment - and you're going to pull the plug now?!? We need to see the Our Flag Means Death pirates (I picture Bas as Stede and Ed's distant descendent and the rest of the crew as Izzy, Lucius, etc.) meet the Pluto shipyard gang and go on a group visit to Gavin's pub. We need to check back in with Mari and find out if she's also made better friends.

Even the narration hits perfection this time - the narrator seemed to not quite get the vibe of the first book, reading it more like an old school, tech heavy space story...but he's found his groove now with the humanized tone of the series and seems just as sad about it ending as the rest of us.

So enjoy this one, and here's hoping there's a change of heart in the future and we'll see a fifth (and beyond) installment someday.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Michael McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kindness brings you

So I’m not writing these reviews for anyone but me. I find that I’m getting through entire series and have to reread the first 20 pages before I remember. So I’m writing reviews. Moments after finishing. The entire series is personal level space opera. It’s not perfect. Plot and tech holes abound and there are enough pedantic people out there to write that review.

This isn’t about that. It’s about approaching problems with kindness and the assumption of good intentions. Finder for hire, always finding himself in unfortunate circumstances but always finding a way out.

The ending is too pat. The human exceptionalism just grates on me. But who doesn’t want to believe that they’re special in that moment.

Resolution of the Asiig (bug aliens who like the dark) was well done, the new aliens Havna were delightful, if brief interlude.

This stuff almost qualifies as Cozy-Sci-fi it’s so warm and wholesome at the end. It doesn’t challenge (unless you’re an authoritarian fascist) your social notions. But it’s fun

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

These adventure SF novels are really kinda everything I need right now. Is that saying a lot? Maybe it's not saying enough.

Fergus just keeps landing in it.

He's got some amazing skills and intelligence, but that doesn't help him when he's always finding a good reason or eight to skip out on all his friends because of SOME KIND of BONEHEAD universe-saving curiosity shtick that proves, yet again, that no deed ever goes unpunished.

Governments hate losing their shiny deadly shit, after all. Fergus is just tends to really sink neck deep in these kinds of new situations -- like being kidnapped by pirates and forced to serve on their crew.

And it doesn't end there. One of the strongest parts of all these Finder novels is the wildly different situations Fergus keeps finding himself in -- and often, it's part of a much bigger alien (or human!) crapstorm than we generally assume it'll be.

Top notch popcorn SF, as usual. Fergus really can find anything -- it's just a shame he can't keep out of all those damn traps he finds for himself.

[Michael Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series had set on my shelf for too long and receiving the opportunity to review the last installment in the Finder series gave me the excuse to get started. I should have done this previously. I went straight through the first 3 books in this series and loved them. The fourth and last in the series, Ghostdrift, was excellent.
These remind me quite a bit of Jack McDevitt's series which is a great thing. The characters are smart, self aware, and motivated to do good even when in bad situations.
I don't want to give too much away of the book but if you like first contact stories, detective stories set in space, or far flung adventures these books are for you. Plus, there is a cat...in space. How could that ever be wrong?
I am going to miss Fergus Ferguson, Vetch, and all the other names he goes by. I do hope that Suzanne Palmer decides to return to this universe at some point because we can all use more stories like this in our lives.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant sci fi adventure

I read Ghostdrift on release day, but it was a library copy, and I wanted my review to post as a verified purchase. So, I bought Ghostdrift as a kindle ebook, and I reread it with as much joy and hope and love for Fergus as when I read it two weeks ago. I have reread the previous books in this series multiple times. The stories are filled with thrills, laughs, danger, violence, sorrow, joy, mystery, surprises, and hope. The worldbuilding is phenomenal and immersive. The characters feel real, and variously flawed, loveable, evil, and weird, depending on their part in the story. George from Ghostdrift is hilarious, non-human, and wonderfully imagined. Fergus's extended interactions with the mysterious Asiig are catnip for me. And the planet Solo is a beautiful piece of science fiction. I highly recommend this series and hope Fergus has more adventures in the future.

[Leslie YS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghostdrift is definitely the strongest out of all the Finder books - and I’m pretty sad it’s the last one, but glad for Finder that he just gets to chill with his cat, Mr Feefs without the fear of being hunted anymore, and finally coming to an understanding with his little zaps.

This book starts off strong, and continues strong throughout. Full of excitement and adventure, and characters that you really cheer for.

Finder is back to his sarcastic self after his gloomy self in book 3, and he’s joined by a crew of space pirates, who surprisingly are just as likeable. Minus Marche, she’s just sort of…there. Rabbit and Len, my personal faves.

As always, I loved the mysterious Asiig, and was glad to see more of them this book. And it was nice to have no real “evil villains”, and instead just having the Bomo’ri who were essentially just self-aggrandizing jerks who made an oopsie that was just too beneath them to clean up.

[Kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Finder Chronicles has been one of those series I eagerly anticipate the next installment. Each story is set in a completely different setting than the previous novel, giving the world depth, but Fergus always remains a fun, interesting main character - and he has growth throughout each adventure.

Ghostdrift is billed on the back cover as the fourth and final novel in the Finder Chronicles. That makes me sad. No more of these adventures?! This does make a satisfying resolution to Fergus' story though, as he comes to accept who he is and what's been done to him. The ending of Ghostdrift leaves the world and possibilities open to new stories though. So I will hope for more when the author decides to return to Fergus.

Read the entire series! Then read it again! I can only imagine reading these books back to back would make an even better adventure!

Review eARC provided by Netgalley.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying return to form! I was a bit disappointed by the last Fergus book (it was good, but not nearly as good as the rest of the series) and I think that and the long gap kept me from reading this one for a while. But fortunately this book was both excellent and compelling, once I got through the first chapter or so.

I love how every time Palmer is able to introduce new side characters and make them come to life. This time it’s our loveable (?) pirate crew, who had quite grown on me by the end - I wouldn’t be sad to see a spin-off. There was also a nice blend of small scale and large scale stakes, and the plot did a good job of keeping me on my toes.

I hope that there will be more in this series, although if there isn’t I think we left things at a place with just enough closure that I’ll be okay with it.