Death Threats and Other Stories

by Georges Simenon, Ros Schwartz (Translator)

Five Chief Inspector Maigret short stories. The back cover states that three of them have never been translated into English previously.

We find Maigret all over France: in Paris, in retirement in Meung-sur-Loire, in Cannes, in the Vendee marshlands, and in Coudray in the Seine valley.

The stories are: 1. The Improbable Monsieur Owen, 2. The Men at the Grand Café, 3. The Man on the Streets, 4. Candle Auction, and 5. Death Threats. The ones not available in English until this collection are #1, #2, and #5.

Librarian's note: this is a collection of five short stories. Each of the individual stories, including the title story, has its own entry elsewhere on Goodreads. Note that titles vary slightly depending on the translator. All 28 / 29 Simenon short stories about Inspector Maigret can be found by searching Goodreads for: "a Maigret short story."

Genres: Short Stories, Crime, Fiction, Mystery

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2021

About the author

Georges 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.

Reviews

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 4 out of 5]

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The team at Penguin were kind enough to send me a copy of Death Threats and Other Stories by Georges Simenon. I remember my grandma calling me “Inspector Maigret” when I was small and nosy, and I know he was a famous book character, but this memory somehow fogged up, until I encountered the name again. And I knew I was going to be in for a ride.

Synopsis:

This new selection of short stories featuring Inspector Maigret – three of which are published in English for the first time – takes the detective from a mysterious death in a Cannes hotel to a love triangle in the Loire countryside and a bitter rivalry within a Parisian family.

My Thoughts:

As a whole, I really enjoyed the short stories. I met Inspector Maigret and I really loved his approach to the murders and investigations. He has certain ways of doing things that intrigue me. He takes the “thinking outside of the box” and brings it to a whole new level. Below I have listed all the short stories in this collection, alongside with a brief description of the synopsis and my thoughts for each story. There are NO spoilers, however, as these are short stories, sometimes even the synopsis can be too much, so read at your own risk. 🙂

The Improbable Monsieur Owen

When a murder happens in a hotel where Inspector Maigret is staying at, he tries not to be involved. However, his curiosity gets the better of him. I love how he planned to find out the killer and his execution. However, I wasn’t too happy with the fact that the guilty person didn’t get the punishment they deserves. I found this to be a very interesting frustration, because in other books we don’t always get the information of what happens after. We just assume someone gets a proper punishment – and I found this only bothered me just now.

The Men at the Grand Cafe

Inspector Maigret goes to the Grand Cafe regularly to play cards with the locals. One day, the butcher is murdered as he was returning from the Cafe. As soon as the news spread, the inspector decides that he wants nothing to do with the investigation. Various people visit him at home; to share secrets, alibis, ask him for help, but he refuses to say anything. It’s very interesting to see that despite him being uninterested, he very much enjoys the attention he gets with people coming to him. I enjoyed how the story unravelled, although I can’t understand the reason why someone would decide to act in such a way, when everything could have been less impactful.

The Man on the Streets

A murder happens and Maigret is doing a re-construction and fake arrest the next day. One guy is interested and the follow him around for days. After a few days of these shenanigans, inspector Maigret thinks of something very clever that makes this guy to start talking. I liked the inspector’s unorthodox approach to this case and the mind games he was also playing. I wonder if practices like these are today forbidden due to the distress it may cause to some individuals, but it was cleverly written and I certainly enjoyed it.

Candle Auction

The night before an auction happens in the small town, a guy full of cash is murdered. Inspector Maigret is asking all people that were in that inn to keep doing whatever they were doing that night. This way, he can reconstruct the night before the murder. After a series of events, the inspector is able to find the guilty person and close the case. It was a very short story, but one of the most captivating ones in the book.

Death Threats

The chief speaks with inspector Maigret and tells him about the unusual case: Monsieur Grosbois received a death threat. Maigret spends some time in the house. He gets to find out about all the family members and their dirty family secrets and arguments. What I found interesting was that none of the family members were trying to hide what went on in the family and they argued as if the inspector was never here. Usually, even if you don’t get along with someone in your family, when a guest comes over, you do your best to be friendly and keep the peace, but this wasn’t the case with this family and I was intrigued by that. Emile, scared of the death threat, makes the whole family sit on the terrace the whole day. In the evening, a murder attempt does happen – and inspector Maigret gives an interesting explanation.

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection of short stories, and I am definitely a fan of Maigret’s way of investigation and the way his thinking process works. He comes up with clever ideas to trick the murderers into falling into his trap. It’s very easy to read the stories as they are very gripping. I would warmly recommend this collection as the perfect introduction to Inspector Maigret’s adventures!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a fan of Maigret. I was delighted when Penguin Classics began a true labour of literary love. Bringing each novel into English with modern and new translations. A bonus was they were released one per month in their original publication chronology.

I read each in turn and built in my mind at last, the journey of this renowned and respected canon of detective fiction.

I love Simenon’s writing and character driven crimes about human behaviour and interactions. Readers over time are given insights into Maigret himself but unlike modern police procedurals it isn’t about the main character yet conversely it is all about him. His observation, perseverance and understanding of the interactions and frailties of humanity.

Death Threats is a continuation of this process in as much as it includes five short stories from the life and career of the Chief Inspector. Many stories were serialised initially and some have been rarely translated into English. For this reason all five were new to me.

I sometimes struggle with the author’s other novels but it was like falling into a comfy chair, picking up this book and the momentum within each short story made this collection a joy to read. These are not ideas shared towards the end of Simenon’s life, making ends meet, by rehashing tales of his now famous central character. These are earlier writings and as mentioned, not always brought into translation or included in published books.

Yet strangely the two earliest stories and the first two in this book relate to Maigret having retired. Being on holiday and living in the countryside are familiar themes in his longer novels as the author initially retired his detective off early before returning to the novels set in Paris.

In a sense it is a collection that reflects the larger set of 75 books with glimpses of Maigret in different but always interesting and revealing situations. A great portal to fall in love with this character who is distinct in every case we read yet fundamentally the unchanging presence in each investigation.

This is what I love about these stories. The familiar yet unique circumstances of the various crimes he is called to prevent or solve. With some modern writers you feel it is write what you know readers like for another best seller.

I loved each of the five stories; easily allowing for five stars. Some will strike chords with fans and new readers alike, to be favoured more or less appreciated such as any Maigret novel but each account provides a fresh insight; a forgotten cloudy window pane to see the Maigret many have come to love and read about and follow in TV dramas.

I’m sure one or two tales here will provide you similar enjoyment and refresh you relationship or open a new desire to read a crime series. There is only one Maigret, quite unique, but fortunately many books to please and enjoy.

[Jack Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars. A nice little collection of Chief Inspector Maigret short stories, three of which have not been available in English for decades - if ever! I had trouble finding them and then voila, this recent book. In the first of the three, "... Monsieur Owen," Maigret is in Cannes among the rich and famous. His friend, a doorman at the Excelsior, draws his attention to a strange death in the hotel. It's the best in my view. The second, "... Grand Café," sees Maigret in retirement playing cards at the local pub in Meung-sur-Loire. Later that same evening, one of his friends is found dead in his vehicle. And the third? In "Death Threats," a menacing note arrives saying that a leading businessman in Paris will not live past Sunday, and Maigret is assigned as protection. There are two more which are available in other collections with slightly different titles to avoid using someone else's translation. "The Man on the Streets," is the search for the killer of a doctor in the Bois de Boulogne, and "Candle Auction" relates to a farmer with too much money in his pocket. Not bad either. None are the best of the Maigret short stories, but they're a good introduction. (July 2022)

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories featuring the down to earth French police officer. Two see a retired Maigret trying avoid mysteries that fall into his lap. Without the resources of his old department, he falls back on his own insight and cunning, drawn in despite himself, but willing to turn a blind eye when he deems it fit. The other three are from his long police career. There's a fascinating sequence where Maigret trails, over 5 days, a man who refuses to go home. A tense time in an inn, recreating over and over the events surrounding a murder, until the murderer is identified. An endless afternoon spent with an unlikable family, one of whom has received a death threat.

I miss the immersion in a new world with each full length Maigret novel, but these are all very good additions to the canon, and perfect for when you need a quick, taut mystery at bedtime.

[Rhys · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all the 'Maigret' novels, all 75 of them, so it would be churlish of me not to attempt to also read all the short stories featuring the famous Detective Chief Inspector. There are five stories in this volume. The title story, rather oddly, is the weakest by far. My two favourites were the two shortest pieces, 'The Man in the Streets' and 'Candle Auction', both of which were frantic, nightmarish tales. The opening story, 'The Improbable Monsieur Owen', was also good. I had the feeling that Maigret was a slightly different personality here from the Maigret in the novels. He is more short tempered, less understanding, harsher.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of five short stories about Maigret, the crime solver. In the first two stories Maigret is retired. All five scenarios have the distinctive ‘Maigret’ style. Maigret fans should find this book a satisfying reading experience.

The five stories were first published in French in 1938, 1940 and 1941. Three of the stories are published in English for the first time in 2021.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey through 5 short stories from Maigret's early career through to his retired life. Each story epitomises the Simenon/Maigret style and ethos. A little joy to read.

[4cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always an excellent collection from Simenon, in this selection we see a retired Maigret having to deal with murder. Other authors can but dream to produce the novels of Simenon.

[Jack Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine handful of mystery stories, serviceable and well-written, but none that wowed me enough to really feel like new favourites of the form. This did feel like a very good introduction for me to Maigret, though, since I know that most of the Maigret novels aren't much longer than this book, and most of the stories here had succinctness work in their favour far more frequently than it usually does for a crime short story.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating between 3.5 & 4

A good short story collection that shows Maigret at various times and places through his career.
2 stories are set after his retirement, 1 during his time as head of the flying squad, and 2 set in Paris.
Overall I enjoyed them all but did feel that at least 1 of them needed a few more pages to expand the story and give it more breathing room

Overall a definite recommendation

[Neil Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of previously untranslated Maigret stories with all the hallmarks of the canon.

[Pirate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining quintet of short stories involving Maigret who is far from a canard enchainee and more in his confit zone....Mix of him in retirement, but that is a loose term when he is around and murder is afoot, and still at the Quai.The last one, the title of this compendium, features perhaps the most unattractive cast of family members one comes across in literature...who happen to live in the street I do now...thankfully fictional, even if they had been real, authors quite often lean back on characters they have met in the past, they would have been interred in Pearly Shells (Pere Lachaise) a long while ago.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of five Maigret short stories, each set at different points of his career including retirement. A great example of Simenon's writing and Maigret in general. As ever wonderful characters and genuineness of the human condition.

A solid collection of stories and most are newly translated into English. As someone who has read all 75 of the series this was a welcome addition.

The Improbable Monsieur Owen
Whilst on a break during retirement Maigret is courted to take an interest in a murder in his hotel. An interesting case and enjoyable. 4/5

The Men At The Grand Cafe
Another retirement setting as a fellow patron and card player is found dead and robbed. A sombre case and Maigret is not very pleasant in this one. But with the end reveal it is understandable why. 4/5

The Man on The Streets
A murder has been committed and our tenacious Inspector is on the culprits trail. My favourite of the bunch with a great twist at the end. 5/5

Candle Auction
An early Maigret before he was a Paris Inspector. A murder at an Inn and all suspects made to go through their movements for three days until the guilty party breaks and the truth is revealed. 4/5

Death Threats
The title story and a man is sent a warning of his impending murder which results in Maigret having to spend the weekend protecting the potential victim amongst a family full of hatred and secrets. Not bad but not good. 3/5

[Keith Astbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five Maigret short stories. Readable but I can't say they did too much for me x