The Red Balcony

Wilson’s (The Hiding Room) latest legal thriller, set in 1933 Palestine during the time of the British Mandate, is based on the true unsolved murder of Haim Arlosoroff, a prominent and controversial socialist Zionist leader. Ivor Castle, a Jew from a wealthy family and a recent graduate of Oxford University, is sent to Palestine to assist in the defense of two Russian Jews accused of the murder. In his naivete, Ivor reluctantly becomes involved in the explosive politics of 1930s Palestine. Additionally, he falls madly in love with Tsiona, an unconventionally beautiful Jewish artist who has information on the case and whose motives are murky. Does she truly enjoy his company, or is she using him to obtain information about the Arlosoroff case? Wilson immerses the listener in the tumultuous times, complicated by the pressing plight of Europe’s Jews. His description of Palestine’s magically beautiful landscape adds to the emotional impact of the story. Peter Noble provides an outstanding performance, ably capturing the characters’ diverse personalities and accents.