A Free Trader

Adventures of a Jump Space Accountant #8

by Andrew Moriarty

Free Trades for Everyone!

Successful traders Jake and Nadine are ready for some well-deserved relaxation when they return to Delta. But the shocking news of Dashi’s death throws them both into turmoil. Who killed Dashi? How? Why? And most importantly, how are they going to punish them? Does Jake have the smarts to not only find the killer, but also punish them in a well deserved Jake fashion? And what about Nadine’s feelings – she keeps those sharp knives for a reason.

Jake and friends are back in book 8 in the adventures of a Jump space Accountant. If you like strategy over tactics, and thought before action, this series is for you.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2025

About the author

Andrew Moriarty has been reading science fiction his whole life, and he always wondered about the stories he read. How did they ever pay the mortgage for that space ship? Why doesn’t it ever need to be refueled? What would happen if it broke, but the parts were backordered for weeks? And why doesn’t anybody ever have to charge sales tax? Despairing on finding the answers to these questions, he decided to write a book about how space ships would function in the real world. Ships need fuel, fuel costs money, and the accountants run everything.
He was born in Canada, and has lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Germany, and Maastricht. Previously he worked as a telephone newspaper subscriptions salesman, a pizza delivery driver, wedding disc jockey, and technology trainer. Unfortunately, he also spent a great deal of time in the IT industry, designing networks and configuring routers and switches. Along the way, he picked up an ex-spy with a predilection for French Champagne, and a whippet with a murderous possessiveness for tennis balls. They live together in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[James J Connors II · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an advance copy of A Free Trader (Jake Stewart book 8), and it is a really fun read - the best book of the series! Just a great, well paced sci-fi action yarn with well timed humor. I especially enjoyed Andrew Moriarty’s signature snarky dialog. His characters continued to evolve. You could see how the book would likely end, but there were some interesting and unexpected twists and turns along the way. I highly recommend!

[David Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a beta reader so I get early access. Jake in his usual fashion is plying a long game. Here’s the deal Great and improved world building. The characters keep growing except of course the dead, I didn’t see that coming. A coherent explanation of arbritage. But I don’t think Jake gets shot. You’d think it was boring. Not so. This my be the best book in this series
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[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is the 8th book in the series I love that each of the books are complete stand alone reads. The author continues to create new and exciting adventures for different characters in the crew. I have constantly been amazed by the situations that pop up and the direction that leads us to explore. The world building that the author employs has put me right in the middle of the action that is often breathtaking and always entertaining. I did receive an advance copy for an honest review and I honestly really enjoyed it.

[Beach Bum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was sent an 'Advanced Reader Copy'.
I am a big fan of the "Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire" Usually 5* but usually not so much a fan of the "Jump Space Accountant", usually 4*.
Book 8 is a noticeable improvement in my eyes, so many of the threads that have been hanging in previous books start to come together and make more sense and Jakes scheming reaches a whole new level as this book progresses.
Nadine is still wanting to shoot first and ask questions later and Jake has his work cut out to not do so, until he has asked the questions.
If you have read enough of the authors books previously, you can see where this one is going about half way through, but its enjoyable watching it happen and how Jakes plans coalesce into his final plot.
The last 2 or 3 sentences of the book make for an interesting conclusion and opens the door for an interesting book 9
One thing I would ask for and it is something many authors need to consider, is a synopsis of previous book, to remind us where we actually are in the storyline. Its 2yrs since book 7 and it took me a number of chapters to get the earlier story straight and the new story to make more sense.

[Aleeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Nadine return from their trip to find Dashi, the Admiral and Marrianne dead. Who did it? Because someone needs to pay. Nadine and Jake have very different ideas of how that should be done. Nadine is in favour of the "stab first" ask questions later planning technique, where Jake prefers to ask lots of questions first and then make them pay... financially. Their team dynamic evolves as they both seek information and justice in their own unique ways.
As always, the dialogue is entertaining and the adventure is fast paced. Plots layer on plots resulting in a twisted, but satisfying, conclusion.

[Ryan Pederson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC for review purposes.

This book was a barn burner. Definitely one of the more exciting in the series. They’re all great, but this one was on another level, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Andrew Moriaty can definitely write a gritty street-level space opera like the best of them. The Jump Space Accountant series it what got me into reading these kinds of books.

This one portrays a darker tone than the with a real emphasis on revenge that is truly appreciated.

Buy this book and enjoy.

[Susan Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long-awaited story in Adventures of a Jump Space Accountant. (I received an ARC copy) Jake Stewart is back! And he, along with Nadine are traveling through space. Jake is making his trades and Nadine is keeping her knives sharpened. There are some surprises from beginning to end that I won’t share. But prepare to be shocked. And there’s the usual Jake strategies that I love so much. A really good story in this series.

[Chuck Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, Jake and Nadine at their finest!

I do not know if this is the end of Jake and Nadine’s story but if so, it’s a perfect conclusion. Right up to the very last paragraph. Jake and Nadine have matured over the last 7 books, but they are still true to their characters. Never underestimate a great accountant. Thank you Andrew, Free Trades forever!