Freeman Wills Crofts 
The Cask 

‘The Cask’ is a mystery novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, originally published in 1920. The story follows the investigation of a murder case involving a mysterious cask of wine, which disappears from the crime scene. The detective, Inspector French, must unravel a complex web of clues and suspects to uncover the truth behind the murder and the missing cask. The novel is known for its intricate plotting and attention to detail, and is considered a classic of the ‘golden age’ of detective fiction.