Freedom's Ransom

—
Starlog

Praise for Anne McCaffrey's Freedom series

Freedom's Landing

“McCaffrey has created another set of winning protagonists and a carefully detailed, exotic background.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“There are enough problems and mysteries involved in establishing a colony to keep things interesting and to promise intriguing developments to come.”

—
Locus

“Not for nothing do her fans call the author ‘the Dragonlady' . . . She crafts a sci-fi adventure that will please followers of the genre and of the author.”

—
Dayton Daily News

“Exciting and totally convincing . . . There can be only more action in the sequels McCaffrey presumably plans.”

—
Booklist

“The narrative hits an admirable groove.”

—
Kirkus Reviews

Freedom's Choice

“A fun adventure . . . Delightfully audacious.”

—
Locus

“This episode of the Freedom saga is as exciting and convincing as the first.”

—
Booklist

“The setting is crisp and expertly detailed, and the plot spins out smoothly . . . Readers will be eager for the next installment in the series.”

—
Publishers Weekly

Freedom's Challenge

“The action is fast-paced and riveting, and the characters—human and of other species—are well limned and exhibit great individuality. McCaffrey continues to amaze with her ability to create disparate, well-realized worlds and to portray believable humans, convincing aliens of varied sorts, and credible interactions between them all. A very satisfying tale.”

—
Booklist

“Rip-roaring adventure no science fiction fan could possibly resist.”

—
RT Book Reviews

Freedom's Ransom

“Touching and humorous.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“McCaffrey is masterly at creating universes and characters so memorable that readers can slip comfortably back into [her] world . . . Full of humorous events as well as excitement, the fourth entry in McCaffrey's Freedom series will be relished by fans.”

—
Booklist

Praise for the bestselling novels of
Anne McCaffrey's Tower and Hive series

The Rowan

“A reason for rejoicing.”

—
The Washington Times

“One of the best McCaffrey novels.”

—
Locus

“
The Rowan
introduces readers to the Gwyn-Raven dynasty . . . complete with an interstellar love affair steamy enough to attract those not usually interested in science fiction.”

—
Calgary Herald

“A well-told tale . . . McCaffrey's popularity is immense and justified.”

—
Booklist

Damia

“Dynamic.”

—
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Holds the reader spellbound [with an] artful weave of romance and humor that infuses her characters.”

—
Calgary Herald

“McCaffrey interweaves an engrossing romance with a coming-of-age story as she examines the issue of responsibility in a society where survival depends on the abilities of a gifted few.”

—
Publishers Weekly

Damia's Children

“Winning, carefully developed young characters, an attractive alien society, and an enemy drawn with more than a touch of mystery.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“McCaffrey's fans won't be disappointed . . . Fascinating in its exploration of the brain's potential
and untapped powers.”

—
The Calgary Sun

“McCaffrey skillfully combines elements of family, adventure, action, and the intriguing possibilities of psychic phenomena.”

—
The Toledo Blade

Lyon's Pride

“McCaffrey's protagonists remain as warm and appealing as ever.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“McCaffrey continues to spin a good tale . . . All in all, a rich, compelling novel.”

—
Booklist

The Tower and the Hive

“Readers looking for intelligent, heroic adventure will find it here, and Rowan fans will be especially pleased at this felicitous closing of a popular SF series.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Brings to a satisfying culmination the tale of three generations of a uniquely gifted family.”

—
Library Journal

Ace Books by Anne McCaffrey

The Tower and Hive Series

The Rowan

Damia

Damia's Children

Lyon's Pride

The Tower and the Hive

The Freedom Series

Freedom's Landing

Freedom's Choice

Freedom's Challenge

Freedom's Ransom

IN PUTTING TOGETHER THE DETAILS REQUIRED for a book, the author is sometimes thrown out of his/her depth and seeks the help of experts in particular fields for advice and information.

In this fourth of the Catteni/Freedom series, I required more knowledge of dentistry than my experience or memory could give me. Dr. Les Latner, DMS, Los Angeles, and A. M. Price, DMD, were generous with their help in answering my somewhat rambling requests for information.

Thanks to my loyal friend, Lea Day, I was put in touch with Tony Diorio of Dariene Coffee, Babylon, New York, who gave me information about the transport of coffee beans from their various locations and how it is handled. Wendy Gilbert (aka Hishin) surfed the Web and friends and found out more about coffee plantations in Kenya, for which I am indebted.

Bobbie Parker (aka Short Wave, aka Jake) improved my understanding of satellites beyond the information I found on the Net at various locations. He put me wise to certain minor space difficulties and even designed the
KDM ships that transported my heroic crew on their space adventures. It's not so much gaining information as interpreting it correctly for my needs that is my major problem. Therefore, all mistakes are mine!

My son, Todd J. McCaffrey, a licensed private pilot, was once again on the spot with accurate landing-type protocols.

I also wish to let it be known that I am grateful for the encouragement and help I received from chat line participants on my Web site. They were wonderfully generous with their time, thoughts, and encouragements. They even let me use some of their real names and not just their on-line nicknames. As I have met very few of them, I hope I did not offend in my portrayals from just a name and chats on-line.

My collaborator, Margaret Ball, found me more information about the Masai and their tribal system.

And finally, my thanks to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for her careful editing and comments. My deepest gratitude to Susan Allison at Putnam Berkley for her continued encouragement and especially for her patience.

This book is respectfully dedicated to the people I've met on my chat line: herewith listed in their on-line nicknames. I apologize in advance if I have forgotten anyone, and this list is current even to newbies as of June 19, 2001.

Many of you gave me your time, encouragement, and often explicit help throughout this book. I am pleased to have met all of you listed below. Ciao.