reviews
Jan 16, 2012
John
rated it: 
Simenon's Inspector Maigret reads to me like a character with one foot on the crisp, well-lighted terra firma of Holmes and Auguste Dupin and the other foot in the foggy hardboiled netherworld of Philip Marlow and Sam Spade. This novel is one of over seventy Inspector Maigret mysteries that Simenon penned over his hyper-prolfiic career. It is a fairly conventional story, hewing closely to the beats of the traditional sleuth story (a murder occurs, the sleuth gathers information, some of it contr
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May 12, 2011
Elijah
rated it: 
Wait, is that title symbolic or did they actually still use the guillotine in 1931? Someone mentions it, but I didn't know if they were being flowery or not...
Anyway, this was my introduction to Simenon and his extremely famous (in much of the world) Maigret character, and it was a pretty unique experience. Would it seem as unique if I'd read a few more of the seventy-plus books written about the character? Probably not, but to see where detective fiction was going in France in a tim More...
Anyway, this was my introduction to Simenon and his extremely famous (in much of the world) Maigret character, and it was a pretty unique experience. Would it seem as unique if I'd read a few more of the seventy-plus books written about the character? Probably not, but to see where detective fiction was going in France in a tim More...
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Oct 10, 2011
Maureen
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this is the first novel i've read by georges simenon period, and the first i've read in his detective series featuring inspector maigret. having just read my first martin beck novel, i was much struck by the similarities between the two heroes: both have a determined, patient, and inexorable approach to the crimes in question though maigret, being french, seems to give a bit more of his inner turmoil away, and in general seems more loved and respected by his peers. and really, one feels how fren
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Feb 04, 2011
Zee
rated it:
The Maigret Mysteries of Simenon are not so widely read anymore, which is a shame, because this is a good little book to delve into when you have the time. Although it is not as complex as Poe's tales of 'ratiocination' or as refined as Christie's Poirot; Simenon's story stands up as a good example of how to do a character study of a villain. In short, it dusts off the quaint Victoriana and Gothic garbs that became synonymous with the genre, and sets a decidedly gritty, modern tone. More...
Dec 06, 2011
Eric_W
rated it:
A short Maigret in the classic Simenon tradition wherein Maigret solves a baffling mystery. An old woman and her maid is killed by a man to whom all the evidence points, yet even though he was the arresting officer, Maigret cannot reconcile the psychology of the man with the evidence. He arranges for the convicted killer to escape, risking his reputation and job discovering the identity of the true murderer while drawing on his pipe and sipping at his Calvados.
The Maigret novels are More...
The Maigret novels are More...
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Nov 28, 2011
Ogni libro su Maigret scritto da Simenon è un piacere leggere. Mi incollo al libro e......finché il colpevole non viene assicurato alla giustizia non dormo sonni tranquilli :)
In questo romanzo Maigret mette in gioco la sua reputazione e carriera per trovare il colpevole di due efferati delitti e scagionare dalla pena di morte il "poveretto" di turno.
E' un Maigret un po sottotono, insicuro della pista da seguire, tutto sembra scollegato e senza senso, così preferisce "giocare la p More...
In questo romanzo Maigret mette in gioco la sua reputazione e carriera per trovare il colpevole di due efferati delitti e scagionare dalla pena di morte il "poveretto" di turno.
E' un Maigret un po sottotono, insicuro della pista da seguire, tutto sembra scollegato e senza senso, così preferisce "giocare la p More...
Aug 04, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
Again, selected for my travels to Belgium, The Netherlands and Prague, I had no idea about the author or the book --ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The murder mystery had enough twists (won't give any away I promise) to keep you guessing and not so outlandish as to be unbelievable. Reminded me of Crime and Punishment the way the police inspector kept coming back to his suspect putting that subtle psychological pressure on him.
Dec 06, 2010
Mmyoung
rated it:
A comparatively disappointing outing for Maigret after the high quality of the last two books. Simenon continues his exploration of Paris life but in a manner less convincing, or compelling than his recently published books. The conceit behind the opening two chapters of the book is surprising and the reader looks forward to a fresh insight in the ways in which Maigret himself, as opposed to the system in which he works, comes to conclusions as to guilt and innocence. Unfortunately that opening
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Oct 14, 2010
Michele
rated it: 
So this is my first Maigret and I can't really understand what all the fuss was about. This book was a cheap find in a thrift store so maybe that should have told me all I needed to know.
It passed a few easy hours but that is all. My poor brain seems unable to cope with more discerning stuff at present.
It passed a few easy hours but that is all. My poor brain seems unable to cope with more discerning stuff at present.
Apr 25, 2011
Sara
rated it: 
Maigret takes a risk by freeing a convicted "murderer" from La Santé prison and sets in motion a process which eventually reveals a most interesting murderer. Motiveless malignancy, like Iago? There are some parallels...
This is one of Simenon's best Maigrets.
This is one of Simenon's best Maigrets.
Jun 05, 2010
Mary
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In this outing, we see Maigret put his job on the line. He is convinced that a convicted killer is not guilty of the crime, even though he is the one who put him behind bars. Unraveling the truth takes some time (and a lot of police trailing). The ending reveals why it was so difficult to ascertain the truth.
Jan 09, 2012
Jane
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Great story, really enjoy the character of Maigret! Interesting villain - and victim who is not the subject of the murder but someone set up to be falsely accused.
Jan 24, 2009
Paulg
rated it:
Good little pocket-sized Inspector Maigret mystery to read on the train. As good as any of the other Maigret mysteries.
Jul 07, 2008
Brian
rated it:
The back cover copy calls Simenon a giant of 20th Century literature, which would give my dear friend Mike Penncavage a place in the pantheon as well. This book has precisely ONE idea - the criminal mind consists of the need to commit crimes and to confess to them - which is barely explored through the use of a one-dimensional Mike Hammer meets Hercule Poirot sleuth-cum-take-no-bullshit PI. A lark, and nothing more. Would it kill to add some subtext or depth beyond the follow-through on the prem
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Jun 26, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Georges Simenon's detective creation, Jules Maigret, brings his unique style to investigating crimes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g0y0d
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00g0y0d
Jul 21, 2011
Ann
rated it:
clever! Enjoyed his choice of words, such as: diddled, hullabaloo, obdurate
Nov 12, 2011
Karen
rated it:
3 1/2 really. I wonder if the novels ever reveal more of Maigret's personal life.
Oct 12, 2010
Sasha
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This book is unusual for the Maigret series. It is one of those plots which hinges on an 'evil maladjusted genius'. This is clear from almost the very beginning of the book. Rather than suspense, there is a lot of tension until at last the conclusion is reached. Essentially there's a lot of information given at the beginning, and then a lot of information given at the end... in the middle one basically reads and waits. In short, not the most enjoyable of the Maigret books, for me at least. Still
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May 29, 2011
Deanne
rated it:
Very quick read which a fast paced plot, an ingenious crime and a villain you'll love to hate.
Sep 06, 2008
Jason
rated it:
Definitely wouldn't have seen this ending coming, one of his darkest and most psychologically complicated Maigret stories that I've read. Most are pretty slick and good enough to just keep reading one after another, this one actually made me stop and think afterwards.
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Jun 05, 2010
Kim
rated it:
Perhaps I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for a mystery, but I found this book to be terribly dull. It was rather obvious who was behind the murder, but it didn't matter because I didn't care. Thank goodness this was only 150 pages long!
Jan 29, 2012
Phil
rated it:
A man's Head
The Bar on the Seine
My friend Maigret
Madame Maigret's Own Case
The Bar on the Seine
My friend Maigret
Madame Maigret's Own Case
Feb 07, 2012
