The Defection of A.J. Lewinter.

Robert Littell. Read by Scott Brick. New Millennium. 6 tapes. 8 hrs. $32.95. 1-590-07285-5. Cardboard; author, reader, plot notes. A

It is the height of the Cold War in this period thriller. A.J. Lewinter, an MIT professor visiting Japan for a conference, walks into the Soviet embassy and defects, taking with him some of the most crucial and sensitive secrets of the US military, secrets that would enable the Soviets to build an effective anti-missile defense against the MIRVs, the most advanced weapons the US was building. The Soviets have to decide if he is a spy or a plant; the Americans have to decide if he does, in fact, know anything of value to the Soviets. Each spy network tries to outsmart the other, and each spy within each network tries to outsmart domestic rivals.

This book thrills and chills from tape to tape. Brick's outstanding, fully voiced reading has appropriate voices for each character, a good sense of rhythm and timing, and keeps the story moving quickly, but not too quickly. For spy buffs. Some sex; some profane language. Susan Offner, Teacher, Lexington H.S., Lexington, MA

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.