A Man's Head - SPOILER Thread - (Maigret #5) (May/June 2022)

[Susan]

Welcome to our May/June 22 buddy read of A Man's Head the fifth in the Maigret's series and aka A Battle of Nerves / Maigret's War of Nerves and first published in 1931.

Slowly the Czech was becoming animated, but in a muted way, so typical of the man. Maigret now noticed his hands, which were long, surprisingly white and dotted with freckles. They seemed to reach out and take part in the conversation.

'Let's be clear that it's not your professionalism which I question. If you understand nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, it's because from the very start you've been working with facts which had been falsified.'

Maigret sets out to prove the innocence of a man condemned to death for a brutal murder. As his audacious plan to uncover the truth unfolds, he encounters rich American expatriates, some truly dangerous characters and their hidden motives.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Judy]

I've finished this very short novel now - I would say it's not so much a whodunit as a how and why, since it becomes apparent well before the end who the real killer is.

I'm wondering if this was one of the first mysteries/thrillers where a stranger commits the murder for money - although it's more because of his personality. I don't find the culprit a very believable character, but he is certainly interesting! Maigret's personality is the real standout, though.

[Sid]

Yes, I agree with all that, Judy, and was wondering the same thing. I still enjoyed the setting and Maigret himself, though, in spite of the implausibilities and dodgy psychologising.

(My review is here if anyone's interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )

[Judy]

That's a great review, Sid - thank you for posting the link.

I think it's a shame we don't find out a bit more about the falsely accused man who is escaping at the start - his personality is a bit of a blank, amid all the "dodgy psychologising" (perfect description) about the real villain.

[Judy]

Has anyone else finished this book now, and if so what did you think of it? I found it quite atmospheric and compelling, as with all the Maigret novels I've read so far.

[Pamela]

Judy wrote: "Has anyone else finished this book now, and if so what did you think of it? I found it quite atmospheric and compelling, as with all the Maigret novels I've read so far."

I also found it atmospheric and compelling Judy. I agree about the psychology of the murderer for the actual killing being rather weak, although his inability to stay away from Maigret and thus giving himself away was quite realistic (it happens a lot in real life apparently).

I was more intrigued by the ‘how’ part especially how the money was moved about, and I always love the way Simenon conjures up Paris so vividly in very few words.

[Sandy]

I've finished and I enjoyed reading it: the vivid Parisian atmosphere and Maigret being Maigret, functioning without sleep, living on pipe tobacco and threatening quietly. However, I feel there have been better plots. The personality reading using handwriting was more extensive than I found believable.

[Jill]

I was at a loss as to what was going on, so I was pleased when all was explained. I think the fact that time running out would have meant more to me if I had read it when it first came out, whereas I knew there were books following.

[Judy]

Pamela wrote: "I was more intrigued by the ‘how’ part especially how the money was moved about, and I always love the way Simenon conjures up Paris so vividly in very few words...."

The moving about of the money was clever, I agree, and Simenon is always great at creating a brooding atmosphere - in the books I've read so far, anyway.

I was hoping to watch the old TV episode with Rupert Davies soon after finishing, but it will be a while until this episode turns up in the repeats on Talking Pictures TV, which I am patiently recording, as it was in the third season of the programme despite being an early episode.

[Judy]

Sandy, that's a great description of Maigret and the effect he has - I think his personality is definitely one of the best aspects of the book.

Jill, I also couldn't work out what was going on, even when it became clear who the villain was. I found the explanation a bit laborious, but was glad to have it explained.

[Wayne]

Just three stars from me this time around, but still enjoyed it. On a lighter note, here's my whimsical reflection on whose head is referred to in the title: Maigret's? (who put his head on the block); Heurtin's? (his larger than average one was heading for the gallows); Radek's? (for the complicated schemes conceptualised in his); Dufour's (oh the horror of a scarred head) or Mr Crosby's? (shame, he really damaged his)

[Jill]

I do think the alternative title, Maigret's War Of Nerves, would have been more apt than this title.

[Sid]

Wayne wrote: "Just three stars from me this time around, but still enjoyed it. On a lighter note, here's my whimsical reflection on whose head is referred to in the title: Maigret's? (who put his head on the block); Heurtin's? (his larger than average one was heading for the gallows); Radek's? (for the complicated schemes conceptualised in his); Dufour's (oh the horror of a scarred head) or Mr Crosby's? (shame, he really damaged his)"

I think Maigret makes reference fairly early in the book to this being a matter of a man's head, meaning Heurtin's life.

[Judy]

I think I remember that reference too, Sid, but it's intriguing to think about the other possible meanings - thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, Wayne!

I think it also has the feeling of the worth of a man's head/life in general, so for me it is a good title.