Author of police procedurals and thrillers, he invented the characters
of Dutch policeman Inspector Piet Van der Valk, who solves crimes with
his French wife Arlette, and Henri Castang, a veteran of the French
National Police.
According to his obituary in the Daily Express newspaper, his birth
name was Nicholas Davidson.
Served in the Royal Air Force after World War II.
Born in London of English parents, he lived most of his life in France and Holland.
After Freeling killed off his hero Van der Valk, many fans were outraged. In Sweden and France, Freeling ceased to be published.
Did not turn to writing until his 30's. He served as a sous chef in seaside hotels and was employed at an Amsterdam hotel when the police, investigating an underworld ring, took him in for questioning and inadvertently inspired his writing career.