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Inspector Maigret #52
Maigret's Doubts: Inspector Maigret
'His artistry is supreme' John Banville While at this time the previous day he had never heard of the Martons, the train set specialist was beginning to haunt his thoughts, and so was the elegant young woman who, he admitted, had boldly stood up to him when he had done everything he could to unsettle her.When a salesman from a Paris department store confides his secret fears to Maigret, the Inspector soon becomes caught up in a treacherous feud between husband and wife that is not as clear cut as it seems.This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret Has Scruples.'A unique teller of tales' Observer'One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories' Guardian
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
100 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,724 books2,272 followersGeorges Joseph Christian Simenon (1903 – 1989) was a Belgian writer. A prolific author who published nearly 500 novels and numerous short works, Simenon is best known as the creator of the fictional detective Jules Maigret.
Although he never resided in Belgium after 1922, he remained a Belgian citizen throughout his life.
Simenon was one of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century, capable of writing 60 to 80 pages per day. His oeuvre includes nearly 200 novels, over 150 novellas, several autobiographical works, numerous articles, and scores of pulp novels written under more than two dozen pseudonyms. Altogether, about 550 million copies of his works have been printed.
He is best known, however, for his 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Commissaire Maigret. The first novel in the series, Pietr-le-Letton, appeared in 1931; the last one, Maigret et M. Charles, was published in 1972. The Maigret novels were translated into all major languages and several of them were turned into films and radio plays. Two television series (1960-63 and 1992-93) have been made in Great Britain.
During his "American" period, Simenon reached the height of his creative powers, and several novels of those years were inspired by the context in which they were written (Trois chambres à Manhattan (1946), Maigret à New York (1947), Maigret se fâche (1947)).
Simenon also wrote a large number of "psychological novels", such as La neige était sale (1948) or Le fils (1957), as well as several autobiographical works, in particular Je me souviens (1945), Pedigree (1948), Mémoires intimes (1981).
In 1966, Simenon was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.
In 2005 he was nominated for the title of De Grootste Belg (The Greatest Belgian). In the Flemish version he ended 77th place. In the Walloon version he ended 10th place.
Although he never resided in Belgium after 1922, he remained a Belgian citizen throughout his life.
Simenon was one of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century, capable of writing 60 to 80 pages per day. His oeuvre includes nearly 200 novels, over 150 novellas, several autobiographical works, numerous articles, and scores of pulp novels written under more than two dozen pseudonyms. Altogether, about 550 million copies of his works have been printed.
He is best known, however, for his 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Commissaire Maigret. The first novel in the series, Pietr-le-Letton, appeared in 1931; the last one, Maigret et M. Charles, was published in 1972. The Maigret novels were translated into all major languages and several of them were turned into films and radio plays. Two television series (1960-63 and 1992-93) have been made in Great Britain.
During his "American" period, Simenon reached the height of his creative powers, and several novels of those years were inspired by the context in which they were written (Trois chambres à Manhattan (1946), Maigret à New York (1947), Maigret se fâche (1947)).
Simenon also wrote a large number of "psychological novels", such as La neige était sale (1948) or Le fils (1957), as well as several autobiographical works, in particular Je me souviens (1945), Pedigree (1948), Mémoires intimes (1981).
In 1966, Simenon was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.
In 2005 he was nominated for the title of De Grootste Belg (The Greatest Belgian). In the Flemish version he ended 77th place. In the Walloon version he ended 10th place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 8, 2024
Most of the story looks like a Balzac novel rather than a policier, so I see quite a lot of people here getting bored.
But the final twist which shows us the mechanism makes all the difference. Once and again, a bright idea is more valuable than fifty pages of small-talk or gun fights...
But the final twist which shows us the mechanism makes all the difference. Once and again, a bright idea is more valuable than fifty pages of small-talk or gun fights...
April 14, 2025
This is a wonderful story and a great idea.
An electric train salesman in a major department store comes to see Maigret, to tell the Chief Inspector that his wife is planning to kill him.
The next day the wife comes to see Maigret.
Maigret knows something is going to happen, but this situation is like working on a case the wrong way round. Usually there's a crime to begin with and only then comes the hunt for motives. This time, they have the motive but no crime as yet.
The investigation into the crime that hasn't happened yet finds both husband and wife have probable lovers, further complicating the situation.
And then Maigret receives an early-morning phone call...
An electric train salesman in a major department store comes to see Maigret, to tell the Chief Inspector that his wife is planning to kill him.
The next day the wife comes to see Maigret.
Maigret knows something is going to happen, but this situation is like working on a case the wrong way round. Usually there's a crime to begin with and only then comes the hunt for motives. This time, they have the motive but no crime as yet.
The investigation into the crime that hasn't happened yet finds both husband and wife have probable lovers, further complicating the situation.
And then Maigret receives an early-morning phone call...
October 2, 2024
Lunchtime Listen September 2024
The listen continues with this fabulous Maigret offering, read as ever by the brilliant Gareth Armstrong.
A slow day in the office, sees Maigret visited by Xavier Manton, a man who sells toy trains, who quite matter of factly tells Maigret that he thinks his wife is trying to kill him. Quite tacken aback Maigret questions him to discover if the man is mad, until after leaving the office briefly, the man disappears. Not really knowing what to do, Maigret puts it to one side until the man’s wife appears and complicates matters by saying she is worried about her husband and his sanity.
With no crime yet committed Maigret is very limited in what he can do, but he still uses his Inspectors to get more information on the Mantons
However the more they investigate the more issues and complications come to light, and then a body is discovered and Maigret has to use all his experience and deductive power to solve this murder.
I have to say this is slightly different and therefore really makes a fantastic story. One of the best Maigrets !!
The listen continues with this fabulous Maigret offering, read as ever by the brilliant Gareth Armstrong.
A slow day in the office, sees Maigret visited by Xavier Manton, a man who sells toy trains, who quite matter of factly tells Maigret that he thinks his wife is trying to kill him. Quite tacken aback Maigret questions him to discover if the man is mad, until after leaving the office briefly, the man disappears. Not really knowing what to do, Maigret puts it to one side until the man’s wife appears and complicates matters by saying she is worried about her husband and his sanity.
With no crime yet committed Maigret is very limited in what he can do, but he still uses his Inspectors to get more information on the Mantons
However the more they investigate the more issues and complications come to light, and then a body is discovered and Maigret has to use all his experience and deductive power to solve this murder.
I have to say this is slightly different and therefore really makes a fantastic story. One of the best Maigrets !!
July 15, 2025
Interesting story. A paranoid neurotic husband comes to Maigret saying he suspects his wife wants to murder him. Maigret is bemused when the mans wife comes the next day and voices her concerns about her husband’s mental state.
Maigret secretly investigates and finds the wife is having an affair. He also learns that Martin is in love with the sister-in-law Jenny who is a widow living with them. Maigret has there house watched after Marton declares to him if his wife poisons him he will shoot her before he dies.
Marton is found dead. Poisoned but so was his wife who survived. Maigret finds that Marton was the poisoner but due to his wife’s caution she swapped cups and drank the tea which was meant for him. An interesting psychological case where the victim had neuroses.
The disconnect between the police and justice bureaucracy is very apparent in this story.
The interview at the end where Madame Marton calmly explains how she changed cups and was only sick. Unbeknownst to the husband, Jenny had poisoned her sister’s cup which he drank and killed him. The chilling aspect is the wife and her manner of factness how she had driven her husband to his paranoia and actions. Jenny is arrested for the murder of the man she loved
Maigret secretly investigates and finds the wife is having an affair. He also learns that Martin is in love with the sister-in-law Jenny who is a widow living with them. Maigret has there house watched after Marton declares to him if his wife poisons him he will shoot her before he dies.
Marton is found dead. Poisoned but so was his wife who survived. Maigret finds that Marton was the poisoner but due to his wife’s caution she swapped cups and drank the tea which was meant for him. An interesting psychological case where the victim had neuroses.
The disconnect between the police and justice bureaucracy is very apparent in this story.
The interview at the end where Madame Marton calmly explains how she changed cups and was only sick. Unbeknownst to the husband, Jenny had poisoned her sister’s cup which he drank and killed him. The chilling aspect is the wife and her manner of factness how she had driven her husband to his paranoia and actions. Jenny is arrested for the murder of the man she loved
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2018
At times this was a difficult read. It isn’t so much a detective story but an insight into human psychology and the workings of the justice system.
It also starts with the premise that no crime has been committed and yet Maigret is certain that fact is likely to happen very soon.
It follows a visit to his office where the husband alleges that his wife is trying to poison him. He leaves before he provides Maigret with all the evidence. Only for the wife to show later that same day to express her concern for her husbands mental health.
Maigret is greatly troubled and legally he cannot make a formal investigation. On the quiet however he does some basic enquiries setting his inspectors to follow them discretely and ensure no-one suspects the police’s involvement.
After a second visit from the husband Maigret suspects matters will finally come to a head and puts surveillance on the marital home overnight.
He wonders who might kill the other and does all he can to avert any murder taking place.
An interesting story written in the late fifties when psychiatry and mental illness were becoming more in vogue with criminal activity.
There is a wonderful contrast between the love and enduring relationship Maigret’s marriage represents as to the broken loveless marriage that exists with the potential suspects.
A clever back to front story which keeps you unclear of the outcome and any potential crime. Maigret May have had doubts but it is without any doubt that Simenon is a great written and worthy of his acclaim.
It also starts with the premise that no crime has been committed and yet Maigret is certain that fact is likely to happen very soon.
It follows a visit to his office where the husband alleges that his wife is trying to poison him. He leaves before he provides Maigret with all the evidence. Only for the wife to show later that same day to express her concern for her husbands mental health.
Maigret is greatly troubled and legally he cannot make a formal investigation. On the quiet however he does some basic enquiries setting his inspectors to follow them discretely and ensure no-one suspects the police’s involvement.
After a second visit from the husband Maigret suspects matters will finally come to a head and puts surveillance on the marital home overnight.
He wonders who might kill the other and does all he can to avert any murder taking place.
An interesting story written in the late fifties when psychiatry and mental illness were becoming more in vogue with criminal activity.
There is a wonderful contrast between the love and enduring relationship Maigret’s marriage represents as to the broken loveless marriage that exists with the potential suspects.
A clever back to front story which keeps you unclear of the outcome and any potential crime. Maigret May have had doubts but it is without any doubt that Simenon is a great written and worthy of his acclaim.
February 2, 2025
جنایت از ته
داستانی متفاوت
مردی ادعا میکند که همسرش خیال کشتنش را دارد و
اگر کسی پیدا میشد که قادر باشد جنایتی شسته رفته مرتکب شود، همین زن بود
جنایتی رخ نداده ولی این زوج عجیب ذهن مگره رو درگیر و آشفته میکند
مرز بین مسئولیت و عدم مسئولیت جایی نامشخص، منطقه ای تاریک است که قدم نهادن در آن خالی از خطر نیست
از نظره مگره قضیه خاتمه یافته بود. بقیه به قاضی ها مربوط میشد و او اصلا دلش نمیخواست جای آنها باشد
داستانی متفاوت
مردی ادعا میکند که همسرش خیال کشتنش را دارد و
اگر کسی پیدا میشد که قادر باشد جنایتی شسته رفته مرتکب شود، همین زن بود
جنایتی رخ نداده ولی این زوج عجیب ذهن مگره رو درگیر و آشفته میکند
مرز بین مسئولیت و عدم مسئولیت جایی نامشخص، منطقه ای تاریک است که قدم نهادن در آن خالی از خطر نیست
از نظره مگره قضیه خاتمه یافته بود. بقیه به قاضی ها مربوط میشد و او اصلا دلش نمیخواست جای آنها باشد
January 19, 2025
The best Margrethe I have read so far.
April 13, 2019
I enjoy reading the Maigret mystery series by Georges Simenon. Maigret Has Scruples is the 52nd book in the series. I haven't read the series in order, more as I've found books available for sale, but it doesn't seem to be necessary to read them in sequence.
Maigret has Scruples is a different sort of case for Inspector Maigret of the Paris police. Like most police officers, he's used to working on cases where the crime has already occurred. In this story, the possible suspects / victims come to visit him before anything has happened.
First is Xavier Marton, a married man who works in a Paris department store as the toy department manager and is a model train enthusiast. He indicates that he thinks his wife might be trying to murder him and that he has been to a psychiatrist to prove he isn't mad. Later the same day, Marton's wife, Gisele, visits Maigret as well, partly to ascertain what her husband went to see Maigret for and also to express her concerns about her husband.
Maigret is somewhat at a loss what to do. Is it a case he should investigate? He asks his boss and also the Public Prosecutor and that leaves him undecided. In the end he has some of his inspectors keep a tab on the two to try to provide more info on their lives and anything else that might be useful. The wife is a successful businesswoman who works in a lingerie shop. Living with the family is Gisele's sister. So there you have it, all the clues necessary for you to solve the case. Got it yet?
It's a short story, as are most of the Maigret mysteries. Maigret is a crusty, grumpy police inspector. We always have tidbits about his family life with Mme Maigret, always understanding and clearly the love of his life, even if he isn't the most expressive man. He uses his detectives well, in this story we have Janvier and Lapointe playing the main roles. It's an interesting story and moves along nicely to the climax. I think the ending was somewhat pat but still satisfying enough. It's always an enjoyable series. (3.5 stars)
Maigret has Scruples is a different sort of case for Inspector Maigret of the Paris police. Like most police officers, he's used to working on cases where the crime has already occurred. In this story, the possible suspects / victims come to visit him before anything has happened.
First is Xavier Marton, a married man who works in a Paris department store as the toy department manager and is a model train enthusiast. He indicates that he thinks his wife might be trying to murder him and that he has been to a psychiatrist to prove he isn't mad. Later the same day, Marton's wife, Gisele, visits Maigret as well, partly to ascertain what her husband went to see Maigret for and also to express her concerns about her husband.
Maigret is somewhat at a loss what to do. Is it a case he should investigate? He asks his boss and also the Public Prosecutor and that leaves him undecided. In the end he has some of his inspectors keep a tab on the two to try to provide more info on their lives and anything else that might be useful. The wife is a successful businesswoman who works in a lingerie shop. Living with the family is Gisele's sister. So there you have it, all the clues necessary for you to solve the case. Got it yet?
It's a short story, as are most of the Maigret mysteries. Maigret is a crusty, grumpy police inspector. We always have tidbits about his family life with Mme Maigret, always understanding and clearly the love of his life, even if he isn't the most expressive man. He uses his detectives well, in this story we have Janvier and Lapointe playing the main roles. It's an interesting story and moves along nicely to the climax. I think the ending was somewhat pat but still satisfying enough. It's always an enjoyable series. (3.5 stars)
July 30, 2020
A very interesting and intriguing case, a problem for Maigret over a crime that hasn't yet been committed but both parties playing the game and stating their cases and worries.
This is amongst my favourites that I have read so far, top quality writing, great plot, charcaters and enough action.
This is amongst my favourites that I have read so far, top quality writing, great plot, charcaters and enough action.
February 1, 2021
These are very gentle books. The violence, if there is any, almost always takes place offstage. I like that. This one was more of a psychological thriller that most of his other books. Another enjoyable read.
November 13, 2023
Such fun. Maigret’s world weariness is wonderful
January 26, 2018
Simenon creates another perfect little diamond.
January 1, 2014
Un Maigret originale, in cui si arriva fin quasi al finale senza il morto, ma solo con una morte preannunciata: un uomo si è presentato al Quai des Orfevres per esprimere al commissario i suoi timori di essere vittima prossima di un omicidio da parte della moglie; lo stesso giorno anche la moglie dell’uomo si presenta in commissariato ad esternare a Maigret i suoi dubbi su un esaurimento nervoso del marito. Comincia in questo modo un racconto originale, in cui il commissario si arrovella su questioni psichiatriche: uno dei due mente, uno dei due è vittima di nevrosi, o forse lo sono ambedue? Maigret, incerto se considerare il tutto come un caso inesistente ma al contempo tormentato da dubbi su anche un minimo di fondatezza dei racconti dei due coniugi, comincia una vera e propria analisi psicologica dei protagonisti della storia, con l’ausilio del suo amico dottor Pardon e di libri di psicologia che trova in commissariato, fino a convincersi che nessuno studio scritto è paragonabile a quanto si impara con l’esperienza, unica, che deriva dallo studio diretto delle persone, delle parole e dei gesti con cui si porgono, che sono un po’ come una carta di identità non scritta. E così, abbandonando i libri e versandosi un bicchierino di distillato di prugnole che la cognata alsaziana gli manda sapendolo ghiotto, il commissario alla fine risolve anche questo rompicapo, svelando ancora una volta il lato più meschino dell’essere umano.
November 2, 2019
چه بسیار جنایتهای بالقوه و ممکنی وجود دارد که بعضی هایشان هم در ذهن جانی با کمال دقّت طرح ریزی شده اند اما هیچ وقت به فعل در نمی آیند. چه آدم هایی که قصد دارند خودشان را از دست کسی خلاص کنند و همه ی وسایل رسیدن به هدفشان را هم در نظر می گیرند ولی در آخرین لحظه جرأت نمی کنند دست به عمل بزنند.
📚دلواپسی های مِگرِه
✍ژرژ سیمنون
مرز بین مسئولیت و عدم مسئولیت جایی نامشخّص، منطقه ای تاریک است که قدم نهادن در آن خالی از خطر نیست.
📚دلواپسی های مِگرِه
✍ژرژ سیمنون
از خواندن کتابهای پلیسی لذت نمی برم اما این یکی متفاوت بود. پلیس نظاره گر بود نظاره گر جنایتی درونی، جنایتی بالقوه نه بالفعل جنایتی برخاسته از ظن دو زوج جوان
📚دلواپسی های مِگرِه
✍ژرژ سیمنون
مرز بین مسئولیت و عدم مسئولیت جایی نامشخّص، منطقه ای تاریک است که قدم نهادن در آن خالی از خطر نیست.
📚دلواپسی های مِگرِه
✍ژرژ سیمنون
از خواندن کتابهای پلیسی لذت نمی برم اما این یکی متفاوت بود. پلیس نظاره گر بود نظاره گر جنایتی درونی، جنایتی بالقوه نه بالفعل جنایتی برخاسته از ظن دو زوج جوان
April 5, 2021
An entertaining, engaging, satisfying crime fiction novel. Xavier Manton comes to Maigret stating his wife wants to kill him. Maigret learns that Xavier is an unusual, unhappy character. Xavier has been married to his wife for 12 years and they have no children. His wife has a successful career as a salesperson. She is having an affair with her married boss. Her widowed sister comes to live with the Mantons.
This book was first published in France in 1959. It is the 52nd novel in the Maigret series.
This book was first published in France in 1959. It is the 52nd novel in the Maigret series.
February 17, 2019
Easy reading, blissfully devoid of gratuitous voyeuristic sex and violence. Maigret is a much nicer man than his creator and these whodunnits lack the nauseating snobbishness, antisemitism and prejudice of Christie or Sayers.
Maigret exists in his believable milieu, but neither war nor politics impinges on him, so he remains untarnished, just an honest respectable policeman with a happy marriage and the ability to understand the folly of humankind.
Maigret exists in his believable milieu, but neither war nor politics impinges on him, so he remains untarnished, just an honest respectable policeman with a happy marriage and the ability to understand the folly of humankind.
March 5, 2018
A 'Maigret' novel that is heavily concerned with psychology and with anticipating and preventing a crime rather than solving one, which makes it slightly different from most other novels in the series.
March 31, 2017
مرز بین مسئولیت و عدم مسئولیت جایی نامشخص، منطقه ای تاریک است که قدم نهادن در آن خالی از خطر نیست.
December 30, 2018
An unusual Maigret, almost a three-hander between Maigret and a husband and wife who each, unasked, come to talk to him, almost to plant the thought that they are in danger from the actions of the other. And their is the wife business partner, and the husbands sister-in-law in the mix too. But how can a possible future crime be investigated? And then, inevitably, there is a death to investigate ....
A gem.
The GR blurb:
‘When a salesman from a Paris department store confides his secret fears to Maigret, the Inspector soon becomes caught up in a treacherous feud between husband and wife that is not as clear cut as it seems.
While at this time the previous day he had never heard of the Martons, the train set specialist was beginning to haunt his thoughts, and so was the elegant young woman who, he admitted, had boldly stood up to him when he had done everything he could to unsettle her.
'A unique teller of tales' Observer
'One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories' Guardian’
A gem.
The GR blurb:
‘When a salesman from a Paris department store confides his secret fears to Maigret, the Inspector soon becomes caught up in a treacherous feud between husband and wife that is not as clear cut as it seems.
While at this time the previous day he had never heard of the Martons, the train set specialist was beginning to haunt his thoughts, and so was the elegant young woman who, he admitted, had boldly stood up to him when he had done everything he could to unsettle her.
'A unique teller of tales' Observer
'One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories' Guardian’
September 8, 2018
Simenon wrote so many Maigret stories that, inevitably, he had to try and invent unusual characters and situations. Alas, this particular plot stretches credibility in a way I found deeply irritating. When are French police forces so underworked that they can spend time investigating crimes that haven't yet happened? This is yet another of Simenon's claustrophobic tales of married hell. Gisèle Marton is bored with her husband Xavier, France's leading specialist in toy trains, and prefers the company of her married lover Maurice. On the other hand, Xavier has fallen for his widowed sister-in-law Jenny. Instead of getting a divorce, he goes to see Maigret and tries to convince the famous detective that his wife is about to kill him. Then he tries to kill her himself, but since he doesn't liaise with Jenny, the poison ends up in his cup and he is the one to die. Poppycock!
August 5, 2023
A man who makes his living selling toy trains comes to Maigret to say that he thinks his wife is planning to kill him. The wife (a lingerie saleswoman) also visits Maigret, and tells the Inspector that she thinks her husband is going insane. But no crime has been committed, so the inspector can't do anything. Yet he's certain that a crime is coming...
I've never been able to actually enjoy Maigret novels, though I try from time to time. This one is dull, plodding and far too long even at a mere 128 pages.
I've never been able to actually enjoy Maigret novels, though I try from time to time. This one is dull, plodding and far too long even at a mere 128 pages.
May 9, 2021
Az egyik legérdekesebb és legjobb hangulatú Maigret sztori volt. Kedvenc bűnügyisem most előre tudta, hogy több mint valószínű, bűntény lesz, a hogyan és a szereplők is adottak, de még nyomozni nem tud, mert nincs hulla.
July 14, 2025
Another solid Maigret novel which I consumed in under a day despite there being no crime investigated for much of the length, and even at the end the crime wasn't exactly what it might have been. An interesting take on crafting a novel around such an hypothesis with some strong characterisation as usual. Enjoyed it.
October 5, 2019
Read this based on an article I recently read on the author Simenon and the fact that the books have recently been re-translated.
Quick simple read, nothing special.
Quick simple read, nothing special.
February 21, 2022
devo dire che non ho capito un granché il titolo...
la storia è, come sempre, intrigante
la storia è, come sempre, intrigante
October 19, 2024
Il responsabile del reparto trenini elettrici di un negozio di giocattoli si rivolge a Maigret, sostenendo che la moglie voglia avvelenarlo. Anche la donna si rivolge al commissario raccontando la propria versione. L’innata curiosità porta Maigret ad indagare sulla vita dei coniugi: l’uomo soffre di depressione unita ad un senso di inferiorità nei confronti della moglie, la donna probabilmente è l’amante del suo datore di lavoro, la sorella di lei, innamorata del cognato, vive nella stessa casa ricambiando l’ospitalità facendo le faccende.
Una bella famiglia!
Maigret quindi si trova ad indagare su un delitto non ancora commesso.
Ma...
Alla fine riesce a venire a capo della storia, anche se troppo tardi.
L’analisi dei personaggi è perfetta, la scrittura ineccepibile, la storia è originale. Nonostante tutto ciò, lascia un po’ di amaro in bocca, perché alla meschinità delle persone non c’è mai fine.
🇫🇷 LdM - Sfida 2024: Francia
✍️ GS/Maigret
Una bella famiglia!
Maigret quindi si trova ad indagare su un delitto non ancora commesso.
Ma...
Alla fine riesce a venire a capo della storia, anche se troppo tardi.
L’analisi dei personaggi è perfetta, la scrittura ineccepibile, la storia è originale. Nonostante tutto ciò, lascia un po’ di amaro in bocca, perché alla meschinità delle persone non c’è mai fine.
🇫🇷 LdM - Sfida 2024: Francia
✍️ GS/Maigret
January 21, 2014
This is an unusual story - instead of the usual discovery of a crime, Maigret starts to investigate a crime which is about to happen. Maigret's office is going through a slow period - 'calme plat'. Paris is grey and rainy, Simenon evokes a feeling of general discontent and rumination. Into this comes Xavier Marton. He says that his wife is going to kill him. Then an unsolicited visit from Mme Marton, who denies having any intention of killing her husband. Maigret has no jurisdiction over crimes that haven't happened yet, but something about the couple disturbs him, as it did me.
There are some wonderful moments in this book. M et Mme Maigret's trip to the cinema was so vividly described, their relationship as heart-warming as ever. For me 'cosy crime' never gets cosier than a Maigret and reading it in French helps me to keep practising the language.
There are some wonderful moments in this book. M et Mme Maigret's trip to the cinema was so vividly described, their relationship as heart-warming as ever. For me 'cosy crime' never gets cosier than a Maigret and reading it in French helps me to keep practising the language.
September 4, 2021
(#52 in series) This was a story of psychological suspense.
A marriage of convenience. A man with an undiagnosed mental illness. A sister(-in-law) who complicates matters.
A man and his wife visit Maigret separately. The man suspects his wife is trying to kill him. The wife explains to Maigret that her husband is suffering from a mental illness. Maigret does not know what to do, so has them both followed. He learns that their household also includes the wife’s sister, a widow from New York. This complicated family arrangement leads to a desperate situation.
This is unlike any previous entry in the Maigret series. I do recommend it, but it’s not the best introduction to the world of Maigret, though it does work as a stand-alone.
Drink of note: herbal tea
A marriage of convenience. A man with an undiagnosed mental illness. A sister(-in-law) who complicates matters.
A man and his wife visit Maigret separately. The man suspects his wife is trying to kill him. The wife explains to Maigret that her husband is suffering from a mental illness. Maigret does not know what to do, so has them both followed. He learns that their household also includes the wife’s sister, a widow from New York. This complicated family arrangement leads to a desperate situation.
This is unlike any previous entry in the Maigret series. I do recommend it, but it’s not the best introduction to the world of Maigret, though it does work as a stand-alone.
Drink of note: herbal tea
August 30, 2016
Una storia inconsueta per il commissario Maigret: le sue indagini, i suoi dubbi, iniziano prima che avvenga il delitto. Si affida persino ai libri di psichiatria per raccapezzarsi in quella situazione anomala che lo tormenta e lo riempie di scrupoli!
Il finale gli svela, invece, una realtà terribilmente normale.
Come al solito Simenon ci racconta, con arte, una storia fatta di impressioni, di sensazioni, di sospetti, di atmosfere rarefatte nel freddo parigino dove le azioni sono quasi rallentate …
Mi ha piacevolmente intrigato sin dal primo momento!
Il finale gli svela, invece, una realtà terribilmente normale.
Come al solito Simenon ci racconta, con arte, una storia fatta di impressioni, di sensazioni, di sospetti, di atmosfere rarefatte nel freddo parigino dove le azioni sono quasi rallentate …
Mi ha piacevolmente intrigato sin dal primo momento!
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