Cold Iron by Nicolas Freeling

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 Weekly
"Freeling writes like no one. . . . He is one of the most literate and idiosyncratic of crime writers." - Los Angeles Times