Gun Before Butter — Nicolas Freeling

A Van der Valk Thriller—Winner of the Crime Writer''s Award and the Grand Prix de Roman Policier.

Police Inspector Piet Van der Valk becomes involved in an extraordinary case when he crosses the path of a pretty daughter of a famous dead conductor. This terse crime thriller follows Van der Valk on an exhilarating ride through the unknown.

Born in London in 1927, Nicolas Freeling is the author of over 30 titles, many of which are part of the crime genre. His education was broad and he attended a series of schools in England, Ireland, and France. He served in the Royal Air Force, and from 1950 worked at various jobs in kitchens, hotels, and restaurants throughout Europe. It was this intimate knowledge of the continent that influenced the style and settings of his subsequent books. The first of these was published in 1961. He is best known for the creation of Inspector Piet Van der Valk, an irascible detective engaged in ordinary crime, political intrigue, and international affairs. Freeling is married, has four sons and one daughter and currently resides in France.