Not a perfect book by any means, but I love a fun globetrotting tale, and on those points this book definitely delivered. I loved the various places Ferguson took us too, as well as the whole concept of lost items. Quirky and fun, I'd recommend this one!

Review to be added shortly. Thank you to netgalley, the publisher,and author for a e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to enjoy The Finder. The concept is interesting- a finder who seeks out items like Buddy Holly's glasses to sell to the highest bidder and the book seemed like an outlet for escapism. But the book takes on so much (decades, continents, characters....) that it becomes cumbersome to read. There is no denying Ferguson's strength with prose - his sentence structure is complex; and his literary ambition with a book of this scale. While it wasn't a fit for me, if you're a fan of epic searches and detailed prose, this could be a fit for you.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster & NetGalley for the gifted arc to read and review.

3 based on writing quality and complexity of plot (I hate star ratings. sometimes...)

I read this book while on lockdown and the places the author selected for The Finder were the perfect antidote for the travel-starved reader.
I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in vivid descriptions of places and things.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

This was a DNF for me. I've previously loved Will Ferguson's humorous books (specifically the Canadian ones) but this was... not that. I should have read the description and realized it was not for me, but it had a contrived, trying-too-hard tone of a "rollicking boy's adventure" that just didn't grab me. I'm sorry! This is on me for not reading what it was about and although sometimes I read things that aren't my thing and love them, this was ... not that. But I do like Will's writing and I'll probably buy this to gift to my brother-in-law or my dad. Seems like more their type of thing (and I don't mean that in a sexist way, more that this just wasn't for me).

I usually love Will Ferguson but can't get into this book at all. Maybe it's me, but the writing feels wordy and not focused and several chapters in, I have no clue what am reading. Am not compelled enough to finish. Sorry. I appreciate the ARC and may pick up a paper version someday, but it's the start of 2021 and there is little motivation to continue with a book that isn't bringing me joy.

Definitely a book that requires focus as there are so many facets to it. A mysterious, often ruthless character, "The Finder” jet sets around the world searching for lost treasures. Interpol, namely Agent Rhodes is obsessed with finding him to bring him to justice. Interspersed with the story are anecdotes from travel writers, particularly Tom Rafferty, who also seems to be searching for some meaning to the world.

This novel was just an OK read for me. The vast amount of characters and storylines that flipped back and forth, paired with the drawn-out storyline made the whole novel feel long. I also felt that something was missing from the resolution and that it wasn't neatly tied up as it could have been.

“What the world needs is bolder sheep”

This was not quite what I was expecting. I guess I imagined more of a hunt, worldwide travel, and exploration for the items. While those things happened almost all of them where portrayed as stories told from the past. We don’t go on a true journey with any of the leading characters. Although many of them are in diverse locations; we spend the longest in Christchurch in the before and after the devastating earthquake. We see our characters as they are in a current moment, near the end, if you will, of what seems to be an elaborate and perhaps random treasure hunt.

Literary Style
For anyone familiar with Wil Ferguson’s past works (including 419 which won the Scotiabank Giller Prize from Canada) they won’t be surprised to learn that it’s very literary. I had to look up a handful of words, reread some passages, and certainly couldn’t read this while a bit tired. This is a book that requires some effort to read and get the true experience from. Depending on if you enjoy this style or not will likely dictate your love for The Finder.

Author’s Note
I kind of wish I had read the Authors Note at the back of the book. I always waffle on this, especially with stories I know have true elements. Do I want to experience the story with no prejudice or do I want to know what to watch out for?
In this case I’ll give you a hint towards reading the authors note. If you want to know about the list objects themselves, look for hidden Alfred Hitchcock references, or look up history on places or the items as you read then definitely flip to the back and read Ferguson’s notes.

On Lost Objects
The idea of a treasure hunt absolutely intrigues me. Maybe I watched Indiana Jones too many times as a kid; but my first career choice at the age of ten was to be a journalist in the midst of the action. At the time Desert Storm was everywhere and I imagined myself as a daring woman climbing through dust and rubble to get the real stories. Boy was I wrong.
Today I’m a anxiety medicated computer programmer who loves to be in new places but hates the process of actually getting to them. So maybe that’s why I really wanted more of a worldwide hunt; because my brain loves to feel like I’m travelling from the comfort of my home.
So if you’re hoping to have big reveals or Da Vinci Code like cryptics to solve for the lost items you will be sorely mistaken. That said, all of the items lost (except for one obvious one that is significant to our lead character) are real. And so you can discover more about them on the internet and in the wonderful list of recommended books Ferguson gives in his author’s note.

Overall
The Finder is the kind of book I’ll talk about to people and recommend (with a caveat about its literary style), likely muse about rereading it for years, but never actually get to it. But I’m happy to put my trade copy on my shelf. Not only because Ferguson is a fellow Canadian and Calgarian (where I’m born and raised, having never left up to today) so I want to support local, but also because it’s truly a worthwhile read even though I hesitate and chose not to give it 5 stars.
If you enjoyed Ferguson’s 419 you will be sure to enjoy this. If you like Margaret Atwood (not just Handmaiden’s Tale), Miriam Toews, or Michael Ondaatje then I am very confident you will enjoy this beautifully written story with a cast of varied characters whom (of course) all connect together in the end.

Definitely a book that requires focus as there are so many facets to it. A mysterious, often ruthless character ‘The Finder” jet sets around the world searching for lost treasures. Interpol, namely Agent Rhodes is obsessed with finding him to bring him to justice. Interspersed with the story are anecdotes from travel writers, particularly Tom Rafferty, who also seems to be searching for some meaning to the world.

Will Ferguson is an amazing literary writer with his ability to bring the travel stories and the mystery man to a well constructed conclusion. I highly recommend reading this novel, along with other books by this author.

The finder by will Ferguson is a well written, interesting book. A bit heavy on the details but the character development is so good.

This is my first book by Will Ferguson and I would definitely try another one. His writing is wonderful and there were so many lines that made me pause. Such good writing! However, I did not love this book. It weaves its way around the world, with the central linchpin of a mysterious man who finds objects and will stop at nothing to do his work. We begin in Japan and then move between various characters, including an Interpol agent, a travel writer, and a travel photographer. There is a lot to love (little Catherine in Erowhon; Tamsin Greene, the travel photographer; Police Inspector Shimada and his interest in the young widow on Hateruma). But there are a lot of characters to keep track of and it is tough to know where the story is going, so the story never really came together for me.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC egalley. The novels of Will Ferguson promise to be a good investment of time and energy. The Finder however, won't be recalled in memory as his best narrative. The book takes readers on a journey through Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Scotland in search of The Finder. Throughout history things famous things have gone missing such as Mohammed Ali's Olympic Gold medal, Buddy Holly's glasses, the Faberge egg and other such tangible valuables. The novel's characters agent Gaddy Rhoades, travel writer Tom Rafferty, renowned photojournalist Tamsin Greene and a plethora or others we've in and out of the story giving the reader detail to delight in. There is so much going on and yet not much happening hence the 3 🌟.

I am a fan of Will Ferguson's non-fiction. Unfortunately, I find his fiction less engaging. I really wanted to like this one., but I Did Not Finish. The introductory chapters in Japan were right up my alley. I did not make it past the switch to the investigation team. Not for me. I may try again.

I appreciate the opportunity to read the digital ARC, and to learn about the setting and plot. I know enough to be able to speak to the books strengths - just not for me. Thank you

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. Thank you to the Author, the publisher and to Netgalley. I give this book 2.5 stars.
I found the story to be interesting. But, I also found that there was too much going on, too many different stories happening, and I felt disconnected from the book. I loved the various locations in the book, the story moved rather slowly.
This is the second book that I have read by Will Ferguson, I thoroughly enjoyed the book 419 and have recommended it many times, unfortunately I can't say the same for this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel. Admittedly, I struggled with this book. I found the premise compelling and have enjoyed Ferguson's prior novels, but this one just wasn't for me. There were definitely parts of the story that were interesting (especially the first part) but it was so heavy on the details of each character's story to the point that I just lost interest.

› I use the CAWPILE method to rate books.
0-3 Really bad
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really good
10 Outstanding

› Characters: 9
One of my favourite characters in The Finder is Catherine, a girl living on the edge of the world. Her father is brilliant but doesn't know how to raise her. She's wanting more from life and is sick of being bullied at school. After an earthquake, an injured man shows up and she nurses him back to health.
Tamsin, "the cool machine". Fearless photographer. Two men regret coming across her path in the Australian outback. There's nothing better than a bad-ass, female character.
While working for the Interpol, Gaddy Rhodes has been tracking and trying to find lost objects for ten years. She believes the person who found the Fabergé egg used that money to fund later criminal activities. After presenting all of her ideas she was removed from active duty and transferred to a desk job.



"While other cubicle denizens had photographs of children and spouses, or crayon art and World's Greatest Dad mugs, Gaddy's desk sported a large bottle of awamori with a habu coiled inside, jaw distended, fangs bared. Dragon liquor. Leaning against this formaldehyde curiosity was a folder stuffed with loose papers, marked FINDER."



Habu Sake | Wine bottle, Liquor, Alcohol https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/24748694...

The Finder, the person who's been finding lost items all over the world, is a snake. Slithering around, unseen, unnoticed, taking things that doesn't belong to them.

› Atmosphere: 9
I love the descriptions. Ferguson takes us all over the world and I could picture every setting in my mind.

› Writing Style: 9
Ferguson's writing style is impeccable. Here's one part that I really liked:



"Evil travels in a straight line, you see, hates to tack right or left, hates to change course, and Hateruma's ishi-gan-to stones deflected the razor-like routes that evil followed. The island's spirit lines formed a network, blocked here, averted there, redirected this way, then that, eventually leading to the cliffs at island's edge and then into the sea, in much the same way a wild boar might be corralled. A malicious presence would thus be directed away from the village, avoiding homes and businesses..."




› Plot: 8
In the acknowledgements, Ferguson talks about which parts of The Finder are based on true events. His career has taken him to some pretty amazing places. The plot is slow and often confusing. At first, I was irritated and thought I would rate this book pretty low, but now I can see that Ferguson was perhaps purposely creating a feeling of being lost - we are after all reading about characters who are lost, looking for something - either looking for an object, looking for fame, for love, for friendship, for MORE.

› Intrigue: 7
I definitely wanted to keep reading, although I wouldn't call this a "page-turner". The cultural references were fantastic - if you wish you liked Historical Fiction more and you love mysteries/adventures, then this might be the perfect mixture of learning about our world, history, cultures within an adventurous mystery novel.



"We live on a globe, Catherine. Draw any two lines and they will eventually intersect."



› Logic: 9
I didn't notice anything illogical, however, I didn't understand The Finder's motivation - I'm sure it was explained, I just can't seem to remember their WHY.

› Enjoyment: Overall experience is an 8

Average 8.4

1.1-2.2 = ★
2.3-4.5 = ★★
4.6-6.9 = ★★★
7-8.9 = ★★★★
9-10 = ★★★★★

My Rating ★★★★

› Final Thoughts
• I had a hard time getting into The Finder, but once I was IN - I was IN. You will feel lost, maybe even confused at times, however, keep reading because it really does come together. If you like stories based on real events - then I'll think you'll like The Finder.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.



*Quotes taken from an ARC copy and subject to change*

The Finder is an extremely well written literary mystery about people and objects that are lost and found and Ferguson weaves these into an adventure across several continents. While this is a book I would recommend to people and I think there are a number of great things about it, it was just not for me. I kept waiting for the characters and the places to really sink their teeth into me and unfortunately it just never happened. Maybe I just wasn't in the right head space but I ended up not finishing this due to a loss of interest. Oh well, I will still try other Will Ferguson books in the future since I have read, and really enjoyed, his previous novel Happiness.

The premise behind this book is so fascinating--someone collecting lost objects such as Buddy Holly's glasses, Faberge eggs, and other items. Gaddy is trying to find the person behind this and the items, and along with other characters we weave back and forth all over the world.
I loved the travel aspects of the book and the core mystery, those parts kept me reading when I felt like giving up. But overall, while those features were ultimately satisfying, I didn't like the rest as well and felt like the rest was convoluted and some of the side storylines weren't at all necessary for the plot. This almost could have been separate books there was so much going on.
Bottom line: too much wandering in the narrative and not enough focus. If you like literary novels with a hint of mystery, this might appeal if you can stick with it.

Took me a while to figure out what was going in and some of the description of characters and places seemed to be extraneous. However, the writing is very good and the puzzle of how everything fit together was excellent. Worth reading. I will seek out this author in the future.