Volkov Is Dead

In a final act before his fall from grace, Volkov, Commissar of the secret police, has given Andrei a way out. Instead of execution he will be sent to Siberia.

Meanwhile Anna is in hiding, waiting for the birth of their baby.

Helen Dunmore's sequel to 'The Siege' concluded by Sara Kestelman.

Set ten years on, the starvation and bitter cold of the war years of Leningrad have been replaced with fear and suspicion. City residents do their best to keep their heads down and their lives unremarkable in an era of accusations, arrests and the midnight knock at the door.

Helen Dunmore (1952-2017) was the writer of 12 novels and 10 poetry collections winning several accolades for her work.

Abridged by Sally Marmion
Producer: Di Speirs

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2010.