From an Edgar award–winner, a shrewd French detective investigates murder in "a meditative, dark, ironic installment in the unconventional Castang series" (Kirkus Reviews).Two violent murders one after another in a provincial district in France is more than enough to agitate the astute mind of Inspector Henri Castang. Especially since the first was so gruesome—he suspects the corpse has been cannibalized. The second killing leads him to a teenage prostitute whose youth and beauty can hardly mask the evil within. Soon enough Castang is questioning human nature itself, even as his investigation opens into political intrigue—and corruption that strikes a little too close to home.Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning...

From an Edgar award–winning author, a psychological thriller about a crime victim who turns criminal when he goes on the run with his assailants. Middle-aged writer Walter Forestier's ordinary existence takes a turn towards violence when he is viciously attacked at home, robbed, and left bound for his wife to find him. Of course, she wants to call the police, but Walter refuses. Even more mysterious, when the burglars strike again, Walter will not testify against them. Instead, he finds himself a party to the gang leader's escape from jail, and once on the road through France with the band of thieves, Walter's life will never be the same again.Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning puzzler into a critique of society and an...

From an Edgar award winner, French Inspector Castang investigates cases close to his personal life in a mystery rich with "penetrating character sketches" (Kirkus Reviews).It seems there's no escape from crime for Police Commissaire Henri Castang. While in Munich with his wife, he becomes embroiled in a child custody case that suddenly turns sinister. Once back at home, Castang is faced with the mysterious disappearance of a friend's wife, along with what could be a romantic double suicide if it didn't look suspiciously like murder. It's all in a day's work for Inspector Castang in these three interconnected mysteries—crimes which challenge even the enigmatic, brilliant mind of France's renowned detective. . . . Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the...

"That artful master of the international policier . . . delivers another one of his uncommonly intelligent procedurals with Inspector Henri Castang." —The New York TimesWhen Police Commissaire Henri Castang is summoned to investigate a missing hotelier, he's not alarmed at the young widow's disappearance. Until a routine inquiry on the hotel's last guest reveals him to be a Jewish artist and concentration camp survivor who never checked in to a room. All clues seem to lead to a dead end, until a terrorist bombing of a church convent sends Castang in search of a mystery that will link back to the crimes buried deep in Europe's war-torn past. "[A] rich and savory ratatouille fans have come to expect from Freeling—ironical and humorous, sad, clever and insightful." —Publishers Weekly"A dark vision of war then-and-now and of tangled loyalties—to God, to country, to man—with love overriding all." —Kirkus Reviews

The Edgar award–winning British crime writer's latest Inspector Castang mystery "takes the international policier to high ground . . . and does the genre proud" (The New York Times).For Detective Castang, being asked to serve as an aid to a British jurist feels more like being fired than promoted, but relocating to Brussels with his wife is a nice perk. When his employer is charged with murder, Castang's investigative skills are brought to the forefront once again. But the more he digs into the darkness, the more unsettled he becomes by the nature of evil, which appears to have no borders—and for which there is no true escape."An insightful look at the human condition. Freeling is a treasure." —Publishers Weekly"One of the better Castang tales, journeying into the maze of European politics, national characteristics, and combustible emotion. Thought-provoking and well told." —Kirkus Reviews

The ninth Inspector Castang murder mystery is "a heady pleasure" in which "learning the identity of the miscreant is only one of the delights" (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:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning puzzler into a critique of society and an investigation of character." —The Daily Telegraph"Freeling rewards with his oblique, subtly comic style." —Publishers...

"An acknowledged master . . . writes with heart and unfailing intelligence" in this meditative Inspector Castang mystery about sexual obsession and love (Publishers Weekly).When Inspector Henri Castang is asked to investigate the death of a colleague and friend, an Irishman whose erratic behavior raises questions about his involvement in the I.R.A., Castang travels through Europe in search of answers. What the detective discovers is a very different picture of the friend he once knew, a sordid tale of sexual obsession that plunges Castang into the world of organized crime, on the trail of a mystery that calls into question the very nature of the human heart.Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning puzzler into a...

From an Edgar award–winning British crime novelist, an Inspector Castang thriller that "has it all—politics, sex, metaphysics" (The New York Times).It's a quiet night at the Police Judiciare in Detective Castang's provincial corner of France when a prominent politician stumbles in, claiming he was in a car accident he can barely recall, with a passenger who is his mistress—and is very likely dead. But when the unorthodox inspector's astute investigation leads him straight into the heart of a political conspiracy, the stakes are suddenly higher for Castang—and for the fate of the French Republic."Exhilaratingly rich in wit and humanity. Indignant at the right things." —Detroit News

From an Edgar award–winning crime author, a mystery featuring unorthodox detective Henri Castang as he hunts for a kidnapper in the Czech Republic.It's every mother's nightmare—their child abducted. But for Anita Rogier, whose son has been missing for four years, a glimmer of hope shines into her dark world when she receives a call that convinces her he is alive. But with few believing her claims, she needs a detective who is able to take the leap into the unknown. She needs Henri Castang. The former French Inspector turned European Community crime expert agrees to investigate, traveling with his wife Vera across Europe on a case that will test his detective skills.Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning puzzler into a...

The final Henri Castang mystery confirms the Edgar award–winning author's "mastery of character and imagery in a superlative study of people and power (Publishers Weekly, starred review).After the murder of dear friends and an attack on his wife, Vera, Inspector Henri Castang is finished with life as an investigator. As the couple settles into an inherited cliff-top home in Biarritz, Castang is just starting to wonder if retirement suits him when his only grandchild is kidnapped, sending him on a terrifying chase that is all too personal. With the local police stunted by politics, it's up to Castang to catch this perp—and he will. Even if it's the last thing he ever does . . . Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of characterization, command of language and breadth of thought, Mr. Freeling has few peers when it comes to the international policier." —The New York Times"Nicolas Freeling . . . liberated the detective story from page-turning...

A British judge and a naked corpse put French inspector Henri Castang on delicate, dangerous ground in this mystery from the Edgar Award–winning author. When a local businessman's car is stolen, he's more concerned about what's inside—the body of his just-deceased grandmother. Then Parisian police Insp. Henri Castang is called to investigate the mysterious appearance of a woman's body found in a car. But just when it seems like his latest case is about to solve itself, Henri discovers a baffling murder wrapped up in a simmering crisis of international relations. On holiday with his family in France, a British high court judge found a naked corpse in the boot of his Rolls Royce. Having made the discovery upon arriving for dinner at a three-star Michelin restaurant, more than a few reputations are on the line. Now Castang must unravel a web of grim coincidences, lies, and political intrigue before another victim gets the boot....

From an Edgar award–winning author, a crime novel about an English ex-pat on the run from danger is "a wondrous, strange trip through a very fine mind" (The New York Times).From the critically acclaimed author of the Van der Valk and the Henri Castang mystery series comes a stand-alone crime novel about a man startled out of his placid life in the South of France by a violent attempt on his life.An aging British crime writer living out his golden years in the south of France, John Charles is reaping the benefits of his successful career. But the moment a single gunshot shocks him out of this quiet existence, his life is forever altered. Fleeing his attackers, Charles finds adventure and excitement as he travels through Europe, staying one step ahead as he tries to uncover the identity of his pursuers. His journey becomes one of self-discovery, until the moment he falls into the hands of his enemies. . . . Praise for Nicolas Freeling:"In depth of...

Dutch police inspector Piet Van der Valk finds himself repeatedly crossing paths wiht the beautiful yet troubled Lucienne Englebert, the daughter of a famous conductor recently killed in a car accident. Whern the maverick inspector investigates the seemingly senseless killing of a man in Amsertdam, will Lucienne turn up again?? In this gripping and tragic thriller, Freeling's irascible and unorthodox protagonist beomes involved in an extraordinary case involving murder, double indentities, and the Eurpoean black market.? The Green Popular Penguins StoryIt was in 1935 when Allen Lane stood on a British railway platform looking for something good to read on his journey. His choice was limited to popular magazines and poor quality paperbacks. Lane's disappointment at the range of books available led him to found a company - and change the world. In 1935 the Penguin was born, but it took until the late 1940s for the Crime and Mystery series to emerge. The genre...