"Keeping the Wolf Out" is an audio-drama set in '60s Hungary, centred on idealistic police detective, Bertalan Lázár, and his devoted, and underestimated, wife, Franciska. As Berti fights to maintain his moral centre in a corrupt police state, Franciska begins to rise up the hierarchy of "The Ministry", from lowly archivist to ruthless and feared spymaster.
There's a good balance between the crime and espionage plot and character development.
The voice acting is exceptional, both Leo Bill and Clare Corbett invest their roles with depth and emotion, though I thought Andy Linden stole every scene in which he appeared as the terrifyingly demented Chief of Police, Tibor Farkas. I'd love to see this made as a TV show.
Available as an audiobook from Penguin and Audible, and free to stream from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07jysdn ( )