The Defector

Real-life figures collide with fictional espionage in former astronaut Hadfield’s gripping sequel to 2020’s The Apollo Murders. In the fall of 1973, U.S. Navy commander Kazimieras “Kaz” Zemeckis is on a beach in Israel when he spots an unusual contrail in the sky. He calls his boss, Gen. Sam Phillips, to report the sighting, and Phillips discovers that Soviet Air Force pilot Alexander Vasilyevich Abramovich has landed his MiG 25 Foxbat—the world’s newest, most dangerous aircraft—in Israel and announced his wishes to defect to the U.S. With Israel on the brink of the Yom Kippur War, Prime Minister Golda Meir offers to trade Abramovich and his ultra-valuable plane to the U.S. in exchange for arms and other supplies. There’s just one question: is the defection real, or is Abramovich a double agent? Kaz proves resolute and resourceful as he ferrets out an answer, and Hadfield keeps the suspense steady before delivering a knockout air battle that brings everything to a white-knuckle close. Kaz’s adventures continue to electrify. Agent: Rick Broadhead, Rick Broadhead & Assoc. (Oct.)