Cold Iron

The ninth Inspector Castang murder mystery is "e;a heady pleasure"e; in which "e;learning the identity of the miscreant is only one of the delights"e; (Publishers Weekly).Recently promoted to Commissaire of a small province in northeastern France, Inspector Castang must tread lightly when the wife of a prominent wine merchant is murdered. Especially since the victim's sister is very well-connected in political circles. Castang has his work cut out for him, especially when his lead suspect turns up dead. . . . Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"e;In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier."e; -The New York Times"e;Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning puzzler into a critique of society and an investigation of character."e; -The Daily Telegraph"e;Freeling rewards with his oblique, subtly comic style."e; -Publishers Weekly"e;Freeling writes like no one. . . . He is one of the most literate and idiosyncratic of crime writers."e; -Los Angeles Times