The Coldest Case, the 16th immersive, charming installment in British journalist Martin Walker's detective series, brings to light new evidence in a seemingly unsolvable murder case. Bruno Courrèges serves as police chief in an idyllic French town. When he visits an archeological exhibit at a local museum, he has a revelatory thought: What if the same artistic skill that brings ancient faces to life could help fellow police officer J-J learn the identity of a long-dead murder victim? While trying to crack this 30-year-old cold case, Bruno discovers possible connections to the East German Stasi and threats to national security that complicate the investigation. As always, Bruno proves to be a level-headed and competent investigator, making him a trustworthy character to follow on this journey.
But Bruno also has a softer side. In addition to his gritty career investigating homicides, he enjoys the finer things in life--expensive red wine, exquisitely prepared meals, long walks in the woods with his beloved basset hound. Parts of the book read like a diary of leisure rather than a crime drama, such as when Bruno and his companions go horseback riding past a vineyard on a summer evening and Bruno's "mood eased at the knowledge that these grapes were now being farmed organically." At times, the sprawling, mouthwatering descriptions of Bruno's meals are more intriguing than the murder investigation--but with historical surprises and engaging prose, this police procedural offers poolside escapism for the dog days of summer. --Angela Lutz, freelance reviewer