THE DISSIDENT

This post-Cold War thriller set in Moscow in 1976 is primarily a murder mystery with a cameo of Henry Kissinger. Its enjoyable listening benefits from David Aranovich's well-paced narration. The central character is Viktor Moroz, a Russian refusenik who stumbles on a murder scene and is given a choice: Find the murderer, or the KGB will name him the murderer. From there, the real pleasure begins. Aranovich has a blast creating characters, including Viktor's wife and a visiting American, each with a distinct personality and a range of interests that makes the listener anticipate every minute until the satisfying ending. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]