The Defector

Apollo Murders, Book 2

By: Chris Hadfield

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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.

It soon becomes clear to Israeli intelligence that the pilot is a defector, desperate to come over to the US side. Houston Flight Controller and former test pilot Kaz Zemeckis is charged with bringing the pilot and his plane to the highly secret Area 51, in the Nevada desert. But every defection carries with it a risk. It soon becomes clear that 'Grief' has the technical ability, and now the opportunity, to gain access to the treasures of the Nevada Test Range - either a prototype stealth fighter or the NERVA nuclear rocket engine. Or both.

For Chris Hadfield's second heart-stopping thriller, we move from Space to another rich and exciting part of Chris's professional CV: his time as the top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and as a Cold War pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in North American airspace. Just as Gregg Hurwitz called The Apollo Murders 'an explosive thriller by a writer who has actually been to space and back', here we have a matchless thriller and the nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat, as told by one of the world's top fighter pilots.

©2023 Chris Hadfield (P)2023 Hachette Audio

A great sequel to the Apollo murders

Book 2 focuses more on the aviation aspect of NASA than space flight. It has been written with the same level of excellence. The research and detail immerse the listener into the exciting world of espionage. You become Cas’ co-pilot and share the feel and smell of high powered jets. A must for your library.

On par with Tom Clancy (the original books)

Getting into Chris Hadfield's writing, I must admit, I was initially a bit sceptical, given Hadfield's illustrious career as a fighter pilot, astronaut, and commander of the International Space Station. It seemed almost too much to expect him to also excel as a writer.

I've never been happier to be proven wrong. Hadfield has utterly blown me away. His writing doesn't just match the standards of military and space thrillers; it rockets past them, taking me back to the days of Tom Clancy's original works. Yes, you read that right. Hadfield's writing and storytelling prowess are on par with the master of the genre himself. The detail, the suspense, and the technical accuracy—all combine to create a narrative that's utterly gripping.

"The Defector" isn't just a step up from the first book in the series—it's a giant leap. While I thought the opening novel was impressive, this sequel is brilliant, pure class through and through. Hadfield weaves a tale so compelling, so rich in detail and plot intricacies, that it's impossible not to be drawn in. It's the kind of book that makes you forget you're reading fiction, immersing you in a world that feels as real as it is thrilling.

The progression from the first book to "The Defector" showcases Hadfield's growing skill as a novelist. It's a rare delight to see someone so accomplished in one field demonstrate equal prowess in another, and even rarer still to see them excel at such a high level. Hadfield's narrative is seamless, his character development is deep and thoughtful, and his ability to build tension is masterful.

I find myself eagerly hoping for more books in the Apollo Murders series. Hadfield has not only proven himself as a writer but has set a new standard for thrillers in the process.

In summary, "The Defector" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller, appreciates the intricacies of the space race and military technology, or simply enjoys a well-told story. Chris Hadfield has achieved something remarkable here, and I can't wait to see where he takes us next.