The Defector (Maron novel)

The Defector is a 2009 mystery novel by American author Margaret Maron. It features Judge Deborah Knott, the recurring protagonist in Maron's series of novels set in Colleton County, North Carolina. The novel centers around the arrival of a mysterious defector from the former Soviet Union who seeks asylum in Colleton County, disrupting the quiet life of its inhabitants and drawing Judge Knott into a complex web of intrigue. The case involves issues of espionage, political asylum, and the long-lasting effects of the Cold War, all interwoven with the familiar setting and characters of Maron's Colleton County series. The narrative explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. The defector's secrets and the people protecting him (or perhaps exploiting him) form the core mystery Judge Knott must unravel.