The Defect - By Jane champagne

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In The Defect, Jane Williams seems to have it all—a promising career, a charming, ambitious husband, and a life far from her small-town Indiana roots. But as Jane’s story unfolds, so does the truth: she’s on a journey that is taking her further from her values, her family, and even herself. Told in a darkly humorous, Agatha Christie-inspired style, The Defect is a coming-of-age story about marriage, forgiveness, and the pursuit of self-worth.

The story begins with Jane and her husband Albert at a funeral in Los Angeles for his childhood friend who died of an overdose—a tragedy that sets off a series of reflections on how far she has drifted from the stability of her Midwestern upbringing. As Jane’s memories unfurl, readers are pulled into her past: from rebellious teenage years, awkward college years filled with bad decisions, and eventually into an idealistic but misguided venture into activism. Drawn to radical ideals, Jane begins to lose touch with her core values, drifting deeper into risky behavior and addiction.

Things begin to change when she meets Albert, a writer who’s also wrestling with his past. Their marriage, full of cultural clashes and hidden resentments, soon begins to strain under the weight of unresolved issues. When they’re both pushed to the breaking point by infidelity and past traumas, a new path emerges. With a nudge from a surprising friend, they tentatively explore faith, forgiveness, and the possibility of renewal.

The Defect is a deeply human story about how it’s never too late to come home—to family, to faith, and to oneself. As Jane learns to strip away her illusions, she discovers that love, sacrifice, and humility might just be the keys to true happiness. Fans of Agatha Christie will appreciate the wry observations and clever twists that keep the pages turning in this unforgettable fictional memoir.