The Coldest Case

In Martin Walker's "The Coldest Case," Chief of Police Bruno Courrèges is drawn into a chilling cold case after attending an exhibit on facial reconstruction. The re-creation of an anonymous skull ignites his curiosity, leading him to investigate a thirty-year-old murder in the idyllic Périgord region. The trail quickly leads Bruno to Henri Bazaine, a reclusive vintner whose past is shrouded in mystery. Bazaine, who was reportedly declared dead decades ago, has been living under an assumed identity, raising Bruno's suspicions. As Bruno delves deeper, he uncovers disturbing connections to a defunct vocational school in a former Communist territory, hinting at Stasi involvement and Cold War-era espionage. The investigation becomes increasingly complex, with Parisian bureaucrats intervening due to potential diplomatic fallout, suggesting high-stakes international implications. Amidst this labyrinthine mystery and a severe summer drought plaguing the Dordogne, Bruno must navigate political pressures and personal secrets, all while maintaining his signature calm and, of course, indulging in the region's culinary delights.