Published: Oct. 09, 2009
Words: 102,062 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452367750

Short description

‘This is a remarkable thriller – chillingly violent, full of tension and with a very original ending.’ Publishing News. What will you do, when it's you or them? This is the dilemma at the heart of The Defector - can Martin Cormac turn his back on his ruthless past as a currency trader, a big city player, and do the right thing? Not when he's looking for answers in sleazy bars...

Extended description

What will you do, when it's you or them?

This is the dilemma at the heart of The Defector - can Martin Cormac turn his back on his ruthless past as a dealer, a major city player, and do the right thing? Not when he's looking for answers in a succession of sleazy dives...

One night, Cormac gets caught trying to chat up the bar owner's girlfriend and soon needs rescuing. Unfortunately, his white knight is anything but - Janac's a big-time drug baron with a psychotic urge to test people to the limit, and if possible... over it. (Read more) What will you do, when it's you or them?

This is the dilemma at the heart of The Defector - can Martin Cormac turn his back on his ruthless past as a dealer, a major city player, and do the right thing? Not when he's looking for answers in a succession of sleazy dives...

One night, Cormac gets caught trying to chat up the bar owner's girlfriend and soon needs rescuing. Unfortunately, his white knight is anything but - Janac's a big-time drug baron with a psychotic urge to test people to the limit, and if possible... over it.

And soon Cormac is running from more than his past, he's running from the most dangerous game he will ever play. When he runs into the arms of his ex-girlfriend - and his only real love - even the wide open spaces of the ocean may not be a big enough place to hide.

The Defector is a suspense thriller with a psychological twist, and a finale that ranks with the all-time classic sea adventures - read the opening chapters in the sample.

Reviews for The Defector.

'An excellent drug-smuggling thriller.'
The Bookseller.

'This is a remarkable thriller – chillingly violent, full of tension and with a very original ending.'
Publishing News.

'New British fiction writer Mark Chisnell will have to go a long way to top his debut.'
Bristol Observer.

'A fabulous and brilliantly written story.' Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

'Compelling, hard to put down but not for the squeamish or faint-hearted.'
CityMix Auckland.

'I really enjoyed this book, it's a tense action thriller with a great psychological edge.'
Booked Up.

'Well plotted and as smoothly written as anything else I’ve read lately.'
Kindle Obsessed.

'If you’re a fan of fast-paced psychological thrillers, you’ll love The Defector.'
JulieW8.com.

'I finished the book over an hour ago and my stomach is still in a small knot. Decompression could take a while.'
Let’s Book It.

'It was a pleasure to read a thriller in which some of the conflict was physical, some romantic, and some took place on the battlefield of competing philosophies.'
Reading Review.
(Less)

Tags

thriller, spy thriller, psychological thriller, sailing, james bond, 007, spy, adventure action, prisoners dilemma, cussler, john grisham, james patterson, sea adventure, crime adventure, crime action, michael prescott, wilbur smith, helgason, alex cross, stieg larson

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.

Format	Full Book	Sample First 20%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
RTF (readable on most word processors)	Buy	No sample available
Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting)	Buy	No sample available
Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page)	Buy	No sample available
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	No sample available
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Buy	No sample available

Reviews

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Review by: Edward Glantz on Sep. 06, 2012 :
A wonderful surprise, a great read!
The only problem was in the format (not the writing, but the PDB conversion). Quotation marks converted to multiple random symbols. Annoying, but I got used to it, and the book is good enough to enjoy even with this problem.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Jeanne Alford on Oct. 30, 2011 :
Deliciously intense. Hate love experiance
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: tom stafford on Sep. 26, 2011 :
Outstanding mystery. Many twists and turns. Highly recommend.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Michael Gibbs on Feb. 13, 2011 :
Started quite well, but was spoiled for me by the authors apparent ignorance when it came to technical matters. Particularly towards the end of the book when the protagonists were attempting to escape on an 80ft racing sailboat. At that point the errors came thick and fast, as anyone who has done any sailing would be quick to notice. If one has no such knowledge, no doubt many will find it to be quite an entertaining book.
Having said that, I didn't find the villain of the story, a character by the name of Janac, very believable. His single minded pusuit of the good guys, without any apparent reason, seemed a little far fetched to say the least.
(review of free book)

Review by: Bill Ashton on Feb. 02, 2011 :
Had read it in hardback but even better second time around. Great plot with well crafted story and characters make it a gripping read. When's it going to be made into a film?
(review of free book)

Review by: Linda Phillips on Jan. 31, 2011 :
This is an excellent book and for free at that. This is a book you don't want to put down, once you get going. Once it is over you are kind of sad as it was so good you want it to go on and on. This writter is very good and the plot is beyond description. Read it for yourself and you will see. The world definately needs more from this author!
(review of free book)

Review by: James Doshar on Jan. 24, 2011 :
It is a very intelligent book. The characters are believable. This author is very good at what he does and his research is incredible.
(review of free book)

Review by: lesley f on Jan. 22, 2011 :
What a great writer. I was completely lost in the plot. Gripping, thrilling and suspenseful. I hope Mark Chisnell writes many more books, this one is such a great read. Thank you Mark. I tell everyone I can about your talent.
(review of free book)

Review by: Rupert Holmes on Dec. 31, 2010 :
Original, fast-paced and gripping – full of suspense and surprise until the very end. I found it impossible to put down, even on a second reading. Strongly recommended.
(review of free book)

Review by: Arctocephalus gazella on Dec. 02, 2010 :
Gripping! One of the best thrillers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It has everything - great plot, convincing characters, all wrapped up with a series of intense events and locations and enough jeopardy to make your spine tingle with the anticipation of what is coming next.

Highly recommended, I've already passed it on to as many others as possible.
(review of free book)

Review by: Séamus F. Murphy on Nov. 23, 2010 :
Absolutely amazing! I was completely immersed in the story and the characters. Fast moving, thrilling, and intriguing... my senses were on high alert while reading.

Being a professional and recreational sailor, I have been an avid Sam Llewellyn fan for years, and this book excites me with the knowledge that we have another author creating superb thrillers involving maritime themes.

Great work Mark. Looking forward to reading 'The Wrecking Crew.'

Highly recommended!
(review of free book)

Review by: Carol Devine on Nov. 18, 2010 :
Drug smuggling? Chilling violence? Sordid rape? This is not the sort of book I would ordinarily pick up, preferring to have my sensibilities tested by no more than the angst of a good romance; but I’m glad I did. A riveting page-turner that takes you from the oppressive fear-soaked bars of Bangkok to the sailing world of Sydney and the beautiful but treacherous pirate-ridden Coral Sea. Martin Cormac is a man already running from some bad decisions when he fatefully encounters the monstrous villain Janac. But now the decisions he is forced to make become life-changing and against increasingly terrifying odds. Tempted initially by his gambler’s instincts, but then persistently presented with more unsavoury choices, Cormac becomes a sort of unwilling Dice Man, only without the luxury of a die. At the heart of the book is a twisted game and the ultimate dilemma; can Cormac do the right thing and still survive? A chancer by nature, what price is he willing to pay to prove his integrity to himself and to the woman he loves? From a disquieting and original beginning, the pace of action does not stop, and in Janac we have the kind of relentless psychopath who will make your palms sweat with foreboding. And the question lingers, what would you do in Cormac’s position? Co-operate, or defect? I couldn’t put this book down and have already begun the follow up, The Wrecking Crew. Highly recommended.
(review of free book)

Review by: chris leamon on Nov. 01, 2010 :
Only two other wordsmiths have ever managed to hold my attention the way that this book did .... one was Dan Brown the other was Sam Llewellyn ..... fantastic thanks Mark you deserve a great future in writing !
(review of free book)

Review by: Gemma Care on Nov. 01, 2010 :
Thrilling, chilling and full of suspense. This book is a great read with the perfect balance of action and emotion. Loved it!
(review of free book)

Review by: Rob Andrews on Oct. 28, 2010 :
Great book, very modern action thriller. The on water action is so real you almost duck as waves hit you!
Highly recommended
(review of free book)

Review by: jonathan prag on Oct. 27, 2010 :
I really loved this book - it's totally gripping stuff and the dilemma is nailbiting. Towards the end there is a fantastic yacht chase that is as good as 'Riddle of the Sands' and there are far too few books with sailing in them fiction-wise. More please.
(review of free book)

Review by: Vicky Mac on Oct. 24, 2010 :
Gritty yet mesmerizing… I had read it before (in hardback) yet, once again, found once started I could not tear myself away. An E-ticket ride, straight through to the finish. Highly recommended.
(review of free book)

Review by: Frances Clarke on Oct. 12, 2010 :
Tense and gripping, full of unexpected twists and then a stunning sequence involving a yacht chase - and a believeably human male lead as well. Great book.
(review of free book)

Review by: Julianne Weight on Sep. 30, 2010 :
Oh my goodness - why are you giving this away for free? Get it formatted correctly and you've got a bestselling e-book.

I couldn't put it down.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Siany on Sep. 21, 2010 :
Great read, gripping sycological thriller. The ultimate mind game and great adventure.
(review of free book)

Review by: Tony Bull on Sep. 15, 2010 : (no rating)
Darn good action thriller, found myself musing during day about getting home to find out what happens. Nice to read a sailing thriller with knowledgeable background.
(review of free book)

Review by: kwhitley on Aug. 25, 2010 :
Great audio book. Absolutely enthralling. I would thoroughly recommend this, particularly to any sailors.
(review of free book)

Review by: M L Chisnell on Aug. 24, 2010 :
Reviews from original hardback and paperback publication:

‘An excellent drug-smuggling thriller.’
The Bookseller

‘This is a remarkable thriller – chillingly violent, full of tension and with a very original ending.’
Publishing News

‘New British fiction writer Mark Chisnell will have to go a long way to top his debut.’
Bristol Observer

‘A fabulous and brilliantly written story.’
Peterborough Evening Telegraph

‘This thriller moves at huge pace, mixing philosophical debate with breathless action. The culmination of the game will astound you.’
Trade-a-boat

‘Compelling, hard to put down but not for the squeamish or faint-hearted.’
CityMix Auckland

‘The novel has an evil storyline, with little relief and with great tension created, particularly around the yacht chase.’
Hawkes Bay Today
(review of free book)

Review by: Carcharodon carcharias on March 30, 2010 :
Unputdownable!

Great lead characters, the descriptions of whom made me feel like I was part of 'the game'!

Fast-paced and edgy, I look forward to the sequel.

Strongly recommend this read.
(review of free book)

Review by: anne simpson on March 26, 2010 :
This is a great thriller- fast paced and with a sexy male main character. A must read.
(review of free book)

Review by: Carol Newman Cronin on Jan. 06, 2010 :
Although I don't usually enjoy thrillers, the plot of The Defector hinges on personality - and that makes all the difference. With tough decisions for his main character to make at every turn, author Mark Chisnell shows that people can change for the better without stretching the limits of our belief. His descriptions of a variety of locations made me feel like I'd been there before - even when I hadn't. A great travel read, especially for sailors.
(review of free book)

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