The Defector Audiobook By Chris Hadfield cover art

The Defector

A Novel

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Defector

By: Chris Hadfield
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.83

Buy for $21.83

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

From a New York Times bestselling author, astronaut, and fighter pilot comes a "full-throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner" (Jack Carr, New York Times bestselling author) and Cold War thriller perfect for fans of Top Gun and The Hunt for Red October.

Israel, October 1973. As the Yom Kippur War flares into life, a state-of-the-art Soviet MiG fighter plane plummets to an unexpected landing. NASA Flight Controller and former US test pilot Kaz Zemeckis watches from the ground—unaware that its arrival will pull him into a high-stakes game of spies, lies, and secrets that hold the key to Cold War air and space supremacy.

For within that plane is a Soviet pilot pleading to defect, offering a prize beyond value: the workings of the Soviets' mythical "Foxbat" MiG-25, the fastest, highest-flying fighter plane in the world. But trusting him is risky, and Kaz must tread a careful line. As Kaz accompanies the defector into the United States, to the military’s most secret test site, he must hope that, with skill and cunning, the game plays out his way.

Rich with insider detail and political intrigue drawn from real events, The Defector is a propulsive thriller from a growing master of the genre, filled with the nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat as it could only be told by one of the world's best fighter pilots.

"Wondering what to do until
Top Gun 3 arrives? Don't worry, Hadfield's got it covered.” —Rowland White

“Brimming with detail and realism and full of pulse-pounding action.” —Mark Greaney

"Hadfield’s writing is superb. Fans of
The Apollo Murders will seek out this one, but newcomers will also thoroughly enjoy it.” —Booklist

Praise for
The Apollo Murders

“A Cold War thriller packed with cosmic action.” —
New York Times

“An exciting journey into an alternate past.” —Andy Weir, author of
The Martian

“Propulsive . . . a space race thrill ride.” —
Newsweek

“An intelligent and surprising nail-biter that Tom Clancy fans will relish.” —
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

©2023 Chris Hadfield (P)2023 Mulholland Books
Espionage Historical Military War & Military Fiction Exciting Transportation Aviation War US Air Force United States Air Force Cold War
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

“Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well rounded characters—what more could you want from a thriller? Oh, the author is a former astronaut who knows what he’s talking about and a lot of what’s in the story actually happened. Perfect."—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

What listeners say about The Defector

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    182
  • 4 Stars
    38
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    189
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    155
  • 4 Stars
    38
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Can’t wait for the next book!

Chris Hadfield did an amazing job of world building and weaving in historical facts with believable fiction.
I’m excited to see where this series goes in the future.

Per usual Ray Porter crushed it. He’s my favorite narrator up there with RC Bray.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story and read

Even though the story is about flying and astronauts it's well grounded in reality making it a believable and engaging. I listened to almost all of it in one day on a long road trip and it really did help pass the miles. I look forward to Chris's next book :)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Katz-tastic!

I fully enjoyed the story. What I also enjoy is the airplane/pilot details that I, as an airplane mechanic understand. The background on the new perspective from another country was very educational to me. I’m only a bit bummed that the “fact from fiction” part wasn’t at the end like The Apollo Murders. Great writing Mr. Hadfield! Thanks!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Well crafted action and technical detail. Only someone with hands on experience could have written this one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Mainly the basics and overall picture

Decent book, definitely worth the listen. Great narrator, he’s one of my favorites.

Story isn’t the most exciting, but it’s not bad at all. I’d recommend this book, it’s a solid listen. There was never a point where I didn’t want to listen to the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Satisfies the Aviation Nerd in me!

Hadfield does a masterful job of translating his past life into a thrilling, engaging, but factually accurate story!

This is a must-listen for anyone who is a fan of Dale Brown, Tom Clancy, or other realistic fiction authors.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Is there anything Chris Hadfield can’t do well?

I absolutely loved this book. I especially like that there’s a clear lead character, but Chris makes sure all perspectives have been seen throughout. I only wish that the cosmonaut storyline had progressed a bit more. Oh and the description of the dog Alma was basically like hearing my own dog being described and any storyline that involves animals suffering as a plot point loses some ground with me. I understand the reasoning it was used, but I still don’t have to like it. Still a fantastic alternate history story though!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Better than the first

I am not a big fan of The Apollo Murders, so wasn't sure about getting this book. But I had a spare credit and nothing else to try so I got it anyway. I like this book quite a bit! I've listened to it multiple times already and keep picking up on new details each time. A nicely woven story. Looking forward to more adventures with Kaz!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Didn't think Apollo Murders could be topped

But man was I wrong. Maybe not topped, equalled. Both are action packed, captivating with great plot twists. One of my favorite writers, already jonesing for the next!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An absolute banger!

After Apollo Murders I thought there was no way that could be topped, but Chris Hadfield has somehow managed to outdo himself yet again. What a great read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful