The Defector

the unmissable Cold War spy thriller from the author of THE APOLLO MURDERS
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( 4,448 ratings, 468 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Defector by Chris Hadfield is a gripping crime thriller that follows the intense efforts of investigator Kaz Zemeckis. When a top military officer goes missing, Kaz is drawn into a web of espionage and danger, racing against time to uncover secrets that could alter the balance of power. With international stakes and a fast-paced plot, the book immerses readers in a world of intrigue and suspense.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by espionage and high-stakes geopolitics, as it plunges into a tense world where loyalty is tested, and thrilling intrigue keeps you on edge. It's ideal for those who appreciate twists, turns, and insights from an author who knows his way around a suspenseful narrative.

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The Defector

From the author of the international bestselling thriller The Apollo Murders comes the supersonic hunt for a shadowy Soviet defector known only as 'Grief'.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride!

Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series

Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller?

Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The 9th Man and the Cotton Malone series

Israel, late 1973. As the Yom Kippur War flares into life, a state-of-the-art Soviet MIG fighter is racing at breakneck speed over the arid scrublands below . . . and promptly disappears.

NASA Flight Controller and former US Navy test pilot Kaz Zemeckis watches the scene from the ground - and is quickly pulled into a dizzying, high-stakes game of spies, lies and a possible high-level defection that plays out across three continents.

The prize is beyond value: the secrets of the Soviets' mythical 'Foxbat' MiG-25, the fastest, highest-flying fighter plane in the world and the key to Cold War air supremacy. But every defection is double-edged with risk, and Kaz must tread a careful line between trust and suspicion. Ultimately, he must invite the fox into the henhouse - bringing the defector into the heart of the United States' most secret test site - and hope that, with skill and cunning, the game plays out his way.

For Chris Hadfield's second heart-stopping thriller, we move from Space to another rich and exciting part of Chris's CV: his time as a top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and as an RCAF fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in North American airspace.

Full of insider detail, excitement and political intrigue drawn from real events, The Defector brings us the nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat, as told by one of the world's best fighter pilots.

Praise for The Apollo Murders

A nail-biting Cold War thriller James Cameron

An exciting journey to an alternate past' Andy Weir

Not to be missed Frederick Forsyth

Explosive Gregg Hurwitz

Exciting, authentic Linwood Barclay

Series: The Apollo Murders Series

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

With a mix of Tom Clancy-style action and Chris Hadfield's real-life pilot experience, The Defector is praised for its thrilling narrative and high-octane aerial combat sequences. The reviews highlight Hadfield's ability to infuse the story with authentic detail and expert pacing, drawing comparisons to classic thrillers like Top Gun and works by Frederick Forsyth. Featuring nail-biting suspense and expertly crafted espionage, it is celebrated as an exciting and intelligent read, making Hadfield a notable figure in the techno-thriller genre.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529423105

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Quercus Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 460g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Colonel Chris Hadfield is one of the most seasoned and accomplished astronauts in the world. A multiple New York Times bestselling author, his books An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, You Are Here and The Darkest Dark have sold over a million copies worldwide.

He was the top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and a Cold War fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in North American airspace. A veteran of three spaceflights, he crewed the US Space Shuttle twice, piloted the Russian Soyuz, helped build space station Mir, conducted two space walks, and served as Commander of the International Space Station. He was also NASA's Director of Operations in Russia.

Chris is the co-creator and host of the BBC series Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? and helped create and host, along with actor Will Smith, the National Geographic series One Strange Rock. His zero-gravity version of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' has received more than 50 million views, and his TED talk on fear over 10 million.

He advises SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and other space companies, chairs the board of the Open Lunar Foundation, leads the CDL-Space international tech incubator, and teaches a MasterClass on space exploration.

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