Sabine

Castang meets Sabine Arthur when she comes to share her concern that something is wrong in her household. Sabine is an elderly widow who means well, but manages to be abrasive to everyone she meets. This talent has put her at odd with her son, and Sabine is afraid. Castang believes that she has something to be afraid of, but there isn't anything the police can do for her, since nothing had yet happened.Her death finally allows Castang to take action, as her case becomes his first fully-fledged homicide inquiry. One of the things that Freeling does best is explore the uncertainties and games that underlie middle-class European life. His look at the tiny French town of Soulay is a masterful example of this talent. One of the best Castang books (although I still prefer the Van Der Valk series).