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Inspector Maigret #7
Il crocevia delle tre vedove
Lei veniva avanti, la figura ancora indistinta nella semioscurità. Veniva avanti come la protagonista di un film, o meglio come la donna dei sogni di un adolescente. Era vestita di velluto nero? Fatto sta che era più scura di tutto il resto, che spiccava come un’ombra intensa, sontuosa. E la poca luce ancora sospesa nell’aria si concentrava sui suoi capelli biondi e leggeri, sul viso opaco. «Ho saputo che desidera parlarmi, commissario... Ma la prego, si accomodi...». Il suo accento era più marcato di quello di Carl. La voce cantava, abbassandosi sull’ultima sillaba delle parole. E il fratello le stava accanto come uno schiavo al fianco della regina affidata alla sua protezione.
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1931
256 people are currently reading
1161 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,732 books2,285 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 338 reviews
June 22, 2025
The stove snores in Maigret's office. Outside, Parisian life flows over the seventeen hours of endless interrogation that Maigret and his colleague Lucas make the Danish Carl Andersen undergo.
As the mist on the Seine rises and gives way to daylight, the suspect is released - a man who irritates and surprises the commissioner with his ability to keep his distinction despite this trying interrogation.
This Dane lives with his sister at the crossroads of Trois-Veuve. Antwerp's diamond's corpse dealer found his neighbor's car in his garage on one of its seats. Only three houses stand on the edge of this crossroads: a villa from where a woman spies behind the curtains, a garage that seems somewhat shady, and the house rented by the Dane, dark, disorderly, and with an oppressive atmosphere.
A strange atmosphere, a cloudy, dense atmosphere;
Many shots are fired in this affair, which exceeds and shakes up Maigret's legendary placidity. The commissioner is trying to uncover enigmatic characters, including a young Else with a professional, sensual, and disturbing attitude.
Maigret even broke his pipe, so the danger rose and exceeded it.
A perfect intrigue conducted brilliantly immerses us in the middle of this crossroads while avoiding the gunfire!
As the mist on the Seine rises and gives way to daylight, the suspect is released - a man who irritates and surprises the commissioner with his ability to keep his distinction despite this trying interrogation.
This Dane lives with his sister at the crossroads of Trois-Veuve. Antwerp's diamond's corpse dealer found his neighbor's car in his garage on one of its seats. Only three houses stand on the edge of this crossroads: a villa from where a woman spies behind the curtains, a garage that seems somewhat shady, and the house rented by the Dane, dark, disorderly, and with an oppressive atmosphere.
A strange atmosphere, a cloudy, dense atmosphere;
Many shots are fired in this affair, which exceeds and shakes up Maigret's legendary placidity. The commissioner is trying to uncover enigmatic characters, including a young Else with a professional, sensual, and disturbing attitude.
Maigret even broke his pipe, so the danger rose and exceeded it.
A perfect intrigue conducted brilliantly immerses us in the middle of this crossroads while avoiding the gunfire!
June 29, 2019
A great 4 star mystery, review tomorrow.
Now strangely I remember this book as one of the few episodes filmed starring Rowan Atkinson as Maigret. Now anyone who has read a Maigret novel will know that Mr Atkinson bears no resemblance to Simenon's description of Maigret. He is a big boned man with large muscular hands, hardly a description of Rowan Atkinson. That said I somehow now see Rowan Atkinson whenever I read a Maigret novel, maybe that is a testament to Rowan's superb acting.
Anyway that aside, this a great novel, that I almost finished in one sitting on a sunny Summer day sitting on my deck chair. As ever with Simenon I was transported to France in the 1930s, he just has this ability to paint the background scene so well. The mystery is well planned and flows at a breakneck pace as Maigret ambles up and down the crossroads from one house to another.
This is a good novel, but for some reason to me was not as good as some of the previous 5, I think that had nothing to do with the TV adaptation, I think it was more to do with how short it felt to read, I wanted more. All that said, I still think it is a very solid 4 stars
Now strangely I remember this book as one of the few episodes filmed starring Rowan Atkinson as Maigret. Now anyone who has read a Maigret novel will know that Mr Atkinson bears no resemblance to Simenon's description of Maigret. He is a big boned man with large muscular hands, hardly a description of Rowan Atkinson. That said I somehow now see Rowan Atkinson whenever I read a Maigret novel, maybe that is a testament to Rowan's superb acting.
Anyway that aside, this a great novel, that I almost finished in one sitting on a sunny Summer day sitting on my deck chair. As ever with Simenon I was transported to France in the 1930s, he just has this ability to paint the background scene so well. The mystery is well planned and flows at a breakneck pace as Maigret ambles up and down the crossroads from one house to another.
This is a good novel, but for some reason to me was not as good as some of the previous 5, I think that had nothing to do with the TV adaptation, I think it was more to do with how short it felt to read, I wanted more. All that said, I still think it is a very solid 4 stars
July 14, 2020
A seemingly improbable situation is clarified
This was a much better mystery than the last Simenon novel I read. That one, THE CARTER OF LA PROVIDENCE, while well written as is usual with Georges Simenon, wasn't much of a mystery. Only the motive was unclear from near the beginning.
There is a lot more mystery to be uncovered in THE NIGHT AT THE CROSSROADS. There are also strange and interesting characters who...well no, too much detail and a reader could easily guess the solution or part of it. I will just say that on the surface the mystery seems improbable and answers unlikely. Just the sort of thing at which Inspector Maigret is very good.
This 7th Maigret novel is also known as MAIGRET AT THE CROSSROADS.
This was a much better mystery than the last Simenon novel I read. That one, THE CARTER OF LA PROVIDENCE, while well written as is usual with Georges Simenon, wasn't much of a mystery. Only the motive was unclear from near the beginning.
There is a lot more mystery to be uncovered in THE NIGHT AT THE CROSSROADS. There are also strange and interesting characters who...well no, too much detail and a reader could easily guess the solution or part of it. I will just say that on the surface the mystery seems improbable and answers unlikely. Just the sort of thing at which Inspector Maigret is very good.
This 7th Maigret novel is also known as MAIGRET AT THE CROSSROADS.
December 26, 2023
Simenon produces another enjoyable and atmospheric murder mystery. I do enjoy his descriptions of 1930s France and the way people live and work.
January 22, 2018
Il commissario è di troppo
Ho letto molti libri di Simenon, ma fino a ora non ne avevo ancora affrontato nessuno con il celeberrimo commissario Maigret, forse perché normalmente il genere commissario/inchiesta/giallo non è tra i miei preferiti (non lo sopporto).
Ma per giudicare bisogna provare, quindi ho deciso di iniziare da questo Il crocevia delle tre vedove, o Il mistero del crocevia, o anche La casa delle tre vedove o Maigret e la casa delle tre vedove, scritto nel 1931 e da cui sono stati tratti svariati film.
La presenza di un commissario fa pensare immediatamente a una inchiesta e a un assassinio. Così è, infatti; ma il lato thriller di questo romanzo è a mio parere il meno riuscito. Ciò che mi ha colpito sono le atmosfere di tutta la prima parte del libro, cupe, ben rappresentate, con personaggi che hanno un’aura di mistero e che catturano immediatamente l’attenzione per i comportamenti fuori dalla norma. Direi un inizio magistrale cui è difficile resistere e dove Simenon mostra tutta la sua abilità di narratore.
La seconda parte del libro purtroppo inserisce troppi elementi (è una baraonda, più che un giallo) e perde terribilmente efficacia. Troppi personaggi, troppi fatti, troppe sparatorie.
Esagerando, direi che potrebbe anche non essere letta (mica leggiamo il gialli per scoprire gli assassini, no?).
In sostanza ciò che ho apprezzato di più del libro è la consueta capacità di Simenon di rappresentare i lati peggiori delle persone, di stanare comportamenti oscuri e di centellinarli lentamente fino a farci scoprire, a fine libro, tutto il contrario di ciò che pensavamo all’inizio. Ossia ho apprezzato tutto ciò che trovo solitamente nei libri di Simenon senza Maigret.
Primo Maigret dunque che leggo; il bilancio, per me, è che c’è un commissario di troppo. Ma forse lo sapevo già prima di iniziare.
April 27, 2019
It all started with the murder of a diamond thief.
What had looked like three ordinary buildings at crossroads in the middle of the country was really the center of vicious crime.
Inspector Maigret investigates and uncovers;
Drug running,
Theft of jewellery, house hold silver,
Stolen cars,
Fencing stolen goods.
And while doing this he gets shot at in a drive-by shooting
A most delicious murder mystery.
Enjoy!
What had looked like three ordinary buildings at crossroads in the middle of the country was really the center of vicious crime.
Inspector Maigret investigates and uncovers;
Drug running,
Theft of jewellery, house hold silver,
Stolen cars,
Fencing stolen goods.
And while doing this he gets shot at in a drive-by shooting
A most delicious murder mystery.
Enjoy!
September 14, 2020
An ending that snowballs into near craziness almost (but not completely) undoes the mysterious atmosphere that Simenon has created.
February 5, 2020
read in January (I'm so bloody behind).
full post here: http://www.crimesegments.com/2020/02/...
"The whole thing's a scream, don't you think?"
Yes indeed it is, and woe be to anyone who decides that the 151 pages comprising this book can just be breezed through in no time, because this is a clear case of brevity disguising complexity. On the other hand, it's a novel that packs more of a punch when read in one sitting, which is how I did it -- as in the case of A Man's Head, I didn't want to stop reading once I started it. It is a hell of twisty story, with Maigret at the helm once again to decipher just what's going on here.
As Night at the Crossroads begins, a mist is hovering over the Seine, turning to fog in the wee hours of the morning as dawn makes its appearance. Usually when a story begins in this manner, it tends to signal the reader that things are going to be hazy or unclear. Combined with the darkness that enfolds much of the action at the Three Widows Crossroads, that is definitely the case here. I don't want to say anything else about the plot or how it unfolds, because like most of the Maigret novels I've read so far, the plot is secondary while the psyche takes center stage.
Once again, a number of readers found the reading to be slow or boring, which is sad for me to see because it's neither, but as always, to each his/her own. Perhaps the temptation to buzz through the novel without thinking overtakes people or maybe it's that there is very little in the way of physical clues to follow as in a normal police procedural novel, where you follow along as the lead detective finds and makes known his or her dazzling discoveries. This is not that, nor was it intended to be. Reading Simenon requires a measure of patience and some thought; he doesn't hand it all to you on a plate. Personally, I had great fun trying to put all of the pieces together in this strange puzzle where nothing is as it seems, and discovered more than one surprise while doing so.
full post here: http://www.crimesegments.com/2020/02/...
"The whole thing's a scream, don't you think?"
Yes indeed it is, and woe be to anyone who decides that the 151 pages comprising this book can just be breezed through in no time, because this is a clear case of brevity disguising complexity. On the other hand, it's a novel that packs more of a punch when read in one sitting, which is how I did it -- as in the case of A Man's Head, I didn't want to stop reading once I started it. It is a hell of twisty story, with Maigret at the helm once again to decipher just what's going on here.
As Night at the Crossroads begins, a mist is hovering over the Seine, turning to fog in the wee hours of the morning as dawn makes its appearance. Usually when a story begins in this manner, it tends to signal the reader that things are going to be hazy or unclear. Combined with the darkness that enfolds much of the action at the Three Widows Crossroads, that is definitely the case here. I don't want to say anything else about the plot or how it unfolds, because like most of the Maigret novels I've read so far, the plot is secondary while the psyche takes center stage.
Once again, a number of readers found the reading to be slow or boring, which is sad for me to see because it's neither, but as always, to each his/her own. Perhaps the temptation to buzz through the novel without thinking overtakes people or maybe it's that there is very little in the way of physical clues to follow as in a normal police procedural novel, where you follow along as the lead detective finds and makes known his or her dazzling discoveries. This is not that, nor was it intended to be. Reading Simenon requires a measure of patience and some thought; he doesn't hand it all to you on a plate. Personally, I had great fun trying to put all of the pieces together in this strange puzzle where nothing is as it seems, and discovered more than one surprise while doing so.
October 1, 2023
Er wordt een lijk gevonden in een auto. Maar de auto staat niet geparkeerd in de garage van de eigenaar, maar is verwisseld met die van een andere buurtbewoner. Het blijkt dat de dode een diamantair uit Antwerpen is.
Maigret moet de zaak onderzoeken. Er staan maar 3 huizen in de buurt: dat van de Deen Carl Andersen en zijn zuster, de garage van een zekere Oscar, en het huis van het echtpaar Michonnet, waarvan de man een verzekeringsmakelaar is.
Wat kwam de diamantair hier in Frankrijk doen? Wie heeft hem vermoord? Waarom werden de auto's verwisseld en het lijk in één van deze geplaatst? Deze en nog veel andere vragen moet Maigret oplossen.
Een boek(je) dat vlot leest en de personages worden goed beschreven. Er heerst veel geheimzinnigheid rond elk van hen, zodat het eerst op het einde duidelijk wordt wie waarvoor verantwoordelijk is en waarom. Knap gedaan!
Maigret moet de zaak onderzoeken. Er staan maar 3 huizen in de buurt: dat van de Deen Carl Andersen en zijn zuster, de garage van een zekere Oscar, en het huis van het echtpaar Michonnet, waarvan de man een verzekeringsmakelaar is.
Wat kwam de diamantair hier in Frankrijk doen? Wie heeft hem vermoord? Waarom werden de auto's verwisseld en het lijk in één van deze geplaatst? Deze en nog veel andere vragen moet Maigret oplossen.
Een boek(je) dat vlot leest en de personages worden goed beschreven. Er heerst veel geheimzinnigheid rond elk van hen, zodat het eerst op het einde duidelijk wordt wie waarvoor verantwoordelijk is en waarom. Knap gedaan!
June 12, 2019
The Maigret novels are easy to read and finished this one in one sitting. The crime of murder at the crossroads seems open and shut. In the end there are a few twists and turns with Maigret solving the mystery. Else is a great character and her one eyed brother a little bit crazy in a nice way. The smuggling aspect is figured out by Maigret and then everything falls into place.
July 3, 2023
Vešto pisani krimić koji mi nije držao pažnju.
Roman ću pamtiti po staklenom oku osmunjičenog i crnom monoklu, kao i po tome što je u stomaku ubijenog pronađena 'velika količina šampanjca i prženih badema'. Kakva obdukcija!
Iako je delo pisano po receptu, Simenon ipak uspeva da ponegde donese specifičnu atmosferu. To radi ekonomično, ali ne škrto: nekoliko (egzotičnih) detalja mogu da razviju napetost ili da preboje zbivanje.
A inspektor Megre, dobro je poznato, puši kao Turčin. I ja kao zakleti nepušač primećujem da ima nečeg harizmatičnog u tom zaštitnom znaku.
Roman ću pamtiti po staklenom oku osmunjičenog i crnom monoklu, kao i po tome što je u stomaku ubijenog pronađena 'velika količina šampanjca i prženih badema'. Kakva obdukcija!
Iako je delo pisano po receptu, Simenon ipak uspeva da ponegde donese specifičnu atmosferu. To radi ekonomično, ali ne škrto: nekoliko (egzotičnih) detalja mogu da razviju napetost ili da preboje zbivanje.
A inspektor Megre, dobro je poznato, puši kao Turčin. I ja kao zakleti nepušač primećujem da ima nečeg harizmatičnog u tom zaštitnom znaku.
May 27, 2019
Il Maigret più cazzuto e più pasticcione mai letto finora (anche se ho letto solo 7 romanzi prima di questo)
Sparatorie, fucilate, pugni, cazzotti, inseguimenti polizieschi a tutta velocità e una femme fatale che fa asciugare la bocca al commissario accennando un suo seno.
Decisamente un Simenon che gioca col noir.
I troppi personaggi fanno confusione, ma Simenon risolve tutto con la sua prosa, semplice e diretta.
Sparatorie, fucilate, pugni, cazzotti, inseguimenti polizieschi a tutta velocità e una femme fatale che fa asciugare la bocca al commissario accennando un suo seno.
Decisamente un Simenon che gioca col noir.
I troppi personaggi fanno confusione, ma Simenon risolve tutto con la sua prosa, semplice e diretta.
January 27, 2022
Maigret at the Crossroads
Review of the Penguin Classics paperback (April 2014) a new translation* by Linda Coverdale of the French language original La Nuit du carrefour (1931)
English actor Rowan Atkinson as Chief Inspector Maigret. Gif sourced from Maigret gifs.
This was my favourite Maigret to date. The mystery starts off as being so confusing and improbable that it seems almost miraculous that it can be solved at all. There are three households nearby to a crossroads: a Danish brother and sister living in isolation, an insurance agent and his wife, a garage & petrol station and its owner. One morning the body of a jewelry fence is found inside the insurance agent's car, but it is parked in the garage of the Danish couple's house.
The Danish couple is suspected but soon cleared, the insurance agent demands the return of his car, the garage owner attempts to get chummy with Maigret, who rebuffs him, and then the jeweler's wife is murdered as well, as soon as she arrives at the scene. Maigret still manages to piece it all together in what comes off as a tour-de-force.
Promotional poster** for the TV miniseries adaptation of "Night at the Crossroads" with Rowan Atkinson as Inspector Maigret. Image sourced from IMDb
I've now read almost a dozen of the early Maigret novellas in the past four weeks and they continue to impress with how different they are not only from each other, but also from other "Golden Age of Crime" novels of that interwar era. What is even more impressive is that the first dozen were all published in 1931 as if he wrote one every month. Perhaps it is not that surprising from an author who wrote over 500 books in his lifetime, but it still an eyeopener.
To confuse the completists, this is Maigret #6 in the recent Penguin Classics series of new translations (2013-2019) of the Inspector Maigret novels and short stories, but it is Maigret #7 in the previous standard Maigret Series Listopia as listed on Goodreads.
Trivia and Links
* Some earlier English translations have given the title as Maigret at the Crossroads.
** The British ITV adaptation used the subtitle "The Three Windows," whereas in the original novel, one of the houses was known as the house of "The Three Widows."
The Night at the Crossroads, under its original French title La Nuit du carrefour, was adapted as a French language film in 1932, directed by Jean Renoir with his brother Pierre Renoir (both are sons of the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir) in the role of Inspector Maigret. The entire film with English subtitles can be viewed on YouTube here.
It was adapted for French television in 1969, as part of the long running TV series Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret (The Investigations of Commissioner Maigret) (1967-1990) with Jean Richard as Inspector Maigret.
The most recent English language adaptation was as "Maigret: Night at the Crossroads" (2017) dir. Sarah Harding as Season 2 Episode 1 of the British ITV series Maigret (2016-2017) with Rowan Atkinson as Inspector Maigret. A trailer can be viewed on YouTube here.
There is an article about the Penguin Classics re-translations of the Inspector Maigret novels at Maigret, the Enduring Appeal of the Parisian Sleuth by Paddy Kehoe, RTE, August 17, 2019.
Review of the Penguin Classics paperback (April 2014) a new translation* by Linda Coverdale of the French language original La Nuit du carrefour (1931)
English actor Rowan Atkinson as Chief Inspector Maigret. Gif sourced from Maigret gifs.
This was my favourite Maigret to date. The mystery starts off as being so confusing and improbable that it seems almost miraculous that it can be solved at all. There are three households nearby to a crossroads: a Danish brother and sister living in isolation, an insurance agent and his wife, a garage & petrol station and its owner. One morning the body of a jewelry fence is found inside the insurance agent's car, but it is parked in the garage of the Danish couple's house.
The Danish couple is suspected but soon cleared, the insurance agent demands the return of his car, the garage owner attempts to get chummy with Maigret, who rebuffs him, and then the jeweler's wife is murdered as well, as soon as she arrives at the scene. Maigret still manages to piece it all together in what comes off as a tour-de-force.
Promotional poster** for the TV miniseries adaptation of "Night at the Crossroads" with Rowan Atkinson as Inspector Maigret. Image sourced from IMDb
I've now read almost a dozen of the early Maigret novellas in the past four weeks and they continue to impress with how different they are not only from each other, but also from other "Golden Age of Crime" novels of that interwar era. What is even more impressive is that the first dozen were all published in 1931 as if he wrote one every month. Perhaps it is not that surprising from an author who wrote over 500 books in his lifetime, but it still an eyeopener.
To confuse the completists, this is Maigret #6 in the recent Penguin Classics series of new translations (2013-2019) of the Inspector Maigret novels and short stories, but it is Maigret #7 in the previous standard Maigret Series Listopia as listed on Goodreads.
Trivia and Links
* Some earlier English translations have given the title as Maigret at the Crossroads.
** The British ITV adaptation used the subtitle "The Three Windows," whereas in the original novel, one of the houses was known as the house of "The Three Widows."
The Night at the Crossroads, under its original French title La Nuit du carrefour, was adapted as a French language film in 1932, directed by Jean Renoir with his brother Pierre Renoir (both are sons of the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir) in the role of Inspector Maigret. The entire film with English subtitles can be viewed on YouTube here.
It was adapted for French television in 1969, as part of the long running TV series Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret (The Investigations of Commissioner Maigret) (1967-1990) with Jean Richard as Inspector Maigret.
The most recent English language adaptation was as "Maigret: Night at the Crossroads" (2017) dir. Sarah Harding as Season 2 Episode 1 of the British ITV series Maigret (2016-2017) with Rowan Atkinson as Inspector Maigret. A trailer can be viewed on YouTube here.
There is an article about the Penguin Classics re-translations of the Inspector Maigret novels at Maigret, the Enduring Appeal of the Parisian Sleuth by Paddy Kehoe, RTE, August 17, 2019.
September 13, 2015
Un Maigret anomalo. Non mi ero mai imbattuta in una sparatoria finora, non ricordo di aver mai letto del commissario con in mano una pistola e che la usi pure. Questa è la prima eccezione. Poi c’è in questo breve romanzo anche un pizzico di horror, che pure non è tipico dei Maigret. Per dire, il titolo del libro, Il crocevia delle tre vedove, deriva da tre vedove, madre e due figlie, che avevano abitato una casa aristocratica, una specie di vecchio maniero, in totale solitudine e vi erano state trovate morte misteriosamente, tutte e tre. Ed è proprio in questa casa, vicinissima a Parigi ma in pratica isolata nella campagna, che accadono strani fatti: macchine scambiate, un morto nel garage dentro la macchina appena comprata di un insulso assicuratore di provincia che abita nella casa all’altro angolo del crocevia.
Se c’è un difetto in questo Maigret è forse che Simenon ha messo troppa carne al fuoco: sparatorie, inseguimenti, troppi personaggi coinvolti senza che la solita magistrale opera di approfondimento psicologico del commissario venga compiuta. Tuttavia ci sono due personaggi intriganti, alla Simenon: i due abitanti della casa delle tre vedove, lui è uno strambo gentiluomo danese che Maigret sottopone a ben 17 ore di interrogatorio senza che faccia una piega, tranquillo e freddo come se fosse stato a prendere un tè con un qualche reale; lei, sedicente sorella, Else, una bellissima bionda ad un primo sguardo dall’aspetto ingenuo quasi infantile, che riceve in seguito il commissario Maigret languidamente distesa sul divano lasciando apparire tra le pieghe della sottoveste il biancore del seno, una femme fatale che inevitabilmente si rivelerà nel finale quel che spesso il puttaniere Simenon (lasciatamela passare)”vede” nelle belle donne.
In conclusione direi un Maigret che costituisce una eccezione nella vastissima produzione simenoniana, una piacevolissima eccezione.
Se c’è un difetto in questo Maigret è forse che Simenon ha messo troppa carne al fuoco: sparatorie, inseguimenti, troppi personaggi coinvolti senza che la solita magistrale opera di approfondimento psicologico del commissario venga compiuta. Tuttavia ci sono due personaggi intriganti, alla Simenon: i due abitanti della casa delle tre vedove, lui è uno strambo gentiluomo danese che Maigret sottopone a ben 17 ore di interrogatorio senza che faccia una piega, tranquillo e freddo come se fosse stato a prendere un tè con un qualche reale; lei, sedicente sorella, Else, una bellissima bionda ad un primo sguardo dall’aspetto ingenuo quasi infantile, che riceve in seguito il commissario Maigret languidamente distesa sul divano lasciando apparire tra le pieghe della sottoveste il biancore del seno, una femme fatale che inevitabilmente si rivelerà nel finale quel che spesso il puttaniere Simenon (lasciatamela passare)”vede” nelle belle donne.
In conclusione direi un Maigret che costituisce una eccezione nella vastissima produzione simenoniana, una piacevolissima eccezione.
March 9, 2013
Can I have Else's black velvet dress?
May 13, 2022
Georges Simenon books are so easy to read. There's snippets of conversation, vivid descriptions of the countryside, and a mystery thrown in for good measure.
Maigret investigates a crime at the Three Widows Crossroads where a diamond dealer is found dead at the wheel of a car that's in the wrong garage.
In this tale, no one is who they appear to be and yet Maigret sees through the facades and the lies to discover the truth.
The writing is simple - there's no need for a dictionary, Simenon doesn't try to show off or impress the reader with his vocabulary, he tells the story, sets the scene, creates the images you see in your mind, and provides enough description of the characters for your imagination to do the rest.
Recommended as usual.
Maigret investigates a crime at the Three Widows Crossroads where a diamond dealer is found dead at the wheel of a car that's in the wrong garage.
In this tale, no one is who they appear to be and yet Maigret sees through the facades and the lies to discover the truth.
The writing is simple - there's no need for a dictionary, Simenon doesn't try to show off or impress the reader with his vocabulary, he tells the story, sets the scene, creates the images you see in your mind, and provides enough description of the characters for your imagination to do the rest.
Recommended as usual.
May 26, 2025
It was a quick read, which I finished in one afternoon. I liked it well enough, but it was a bit convoluted.
Quote: "We could call this the case of the three mistakes!"
Quote: "We could call this the case of the three mistakes!"
July 5, 2019
«È quello che si potrebbe chiamare il caso dei tre sbagli!»
Atmosfera cupa e misteriosa, popolata da personaggi ambigui tra cui, come si dice, il più pulito c’ha la rogna.
Due omicidi, uno dei quali sotto gli occhi di un Maigret impotente, sono alla base di questo racconto. Due vittime per nascondere i misfatti delle persone che abitano le dimore di questo tristemente noto Crocevia.
Molto movimentato, con situazioni che rasentano a volte il paradosso, anche molto teatrale, se vogliamo dirla tutta, e assai intricate sia la storia sia la soluzione.
Non mi ha soddisfatta come Il caso Saint-Fiacre, letto poco tempo fa, ma lo ritengo comunque un buon giallo.
📖 GRI - Parola del mese (lug/19): TRE
📚 RC 2019 - Lo scaffale traboccante
🗣 RC 2019 - Consigli (da Arybo)
🌍 EU: Francia 🇫🇷
Atmosfera cupa e misteriosa, popolata da personaggi ambigui tra cui, come si dice, il più pulito c’ha la rogna.
Due omicidi, uno dei quali sotto gli occhi di un Maigret impotente, sono alla base di questo racconto. Due vittime per nascondere i misfatti delle persone che abitano le dimore di questo tristemente noto Crocevia.
Molto movimentato, con situazioni che rasentano a volte il paradosso, anche molto teatrale, se vogliamo dirla tutta, e assai intricate sia la storia sia la soluzione.
Non mi ha soddisfatta come Il caso Saint-Fiacre, letto poco tempo fa, ma lo ritengo comunque un buon giallo.
📖 GRI - Parola del mese (lug/19): TRE
📚 RC 2019 - Lo scaffale traboccante
🗣 RC 2019 - Consigli (da Arybo)
🌍 EU: Francia 🇫🇷
December 13, 2020
“Champagne e mandorle tostate.”
Maigret affascina per la sua grande umanità, per la sua piena comprensione delle vicende umane, sia che si tratti della vittima, che dell’assassino. Nelle sue indagini prevale l’introspezione, la riflessione pacata, insomma, l’elemento psicologico. È uomo, prima che commissario, che tra una fumata e l’altra non disdegna qualche corposo boccale schiumante di birra e la compagnia di allegre donnine con l’animo ferito dalla vita.
"Il crocevia delle Tre Vedove" sembra ammiccare al motto che l’eccezione conferma la regola. Qui troviamo un Maigret insolito, come tutto il resto. Tinte fosche, atmosfere conturbanti, personaggi inquietanti e un mistero che si infittisce sempre più, come la nebbia, come il fumo che riempie una stanza oscura.
Inizia con un interrogatorio. Il sospettato è un danese impassibile, che non ha cedimenti neanche dopo diciassette ore di domande serrate, a cui risponde senza fare una piega e in cui la sua versione non cambia di una virgola. Non sembra avere sentimenti, Carl Andersen.
Questo introdurci a fine interrogatorio, non solo a delitto già compiuto, ben dopo il rinvenimento del cadavere, ma già nel pieno delle indagini, è la prima delle eccezioni. Il lettore è subito buttato nella mischia, e si percepisce immediatamente che qualcosa non tornerà. E quello che non tornerà sarà molto.
Tutto ruota attorno a quel crocevia del titolo: un non luogo dall’atmosfera opprimente, fumosa, immerso nel nulla e nella nebbia. Un luogo di passaggio, dal nome leggendario, in cui sorgono tre soli edifici: una villetta, una rimessa con pompa di benzina e un’antica casa dalla storia sinistra.
Un cadavere che si trova nella macchina sbagliata, che si trova nella rimessa sbagliata. Tutto è dove non dovrebbe essere e niente è come sembra. Nessuno è quello che dice di essere. C’è tutto, in questo breve romanzo: atmosfera gotica; porte chiuse a chiave su sorelle da proteggere; fratelli apprensivi come amanti gelosi.
“Scesero l’uno dietro l’altro nel cerchio danzante della lampada a petrolio. Nel salotto l’unico chiarore era la punta incandescente di una sigaretta.
Man mano che Andersen procedeva, la stanza si riempiva di luce. Apparve Else, semisdraiata su una poltrona, lo sguardo indifferente.”
Ombre cinesi. Gli opposti, come luce e oscurità. Un uomo con occhi sinistri e fissi e una donna civettuola e provocante, avvolta in un tubino di velluto nero che lascia poco all’immaginazione.
Come un gatto, che si muove sinuoso al centro della scena. Un gatto dagli occhi scintillanti nel buio, che si annoia mollemente sul divano.
Else è la femme fatale che fa vacillare per qualche istante il nostro eroe.
“Perché una donna può essere bella ma non seducente, mentre altre dalle sembianze meno perfette risvegliano immancabilmente il desiderio o un senso di romantica nostalgia.
Else li suscitava entrambi. Era donna e bambina insieme. Attorno a lei l’atmosfera si caricava di sensualità. Eppure, quando guardava qualcuno negli occhi, ci si sorprendeva delle sue pupille limpide e fanciullesche.”
Quanto basta per confondere Maigret, che pur cedendo al fascino femminile, non si fa prendere per il naso.
Ma è il romanzo delle eccezioni, abbiamo detto, ed eccola qui, la grande eccezione: il nostro Commissario, solitamente pacato e riflessivo con la sua pipa fra le labbra, insolitamente si lascia coinvolgere in scazzottate, inseguimenti e sparatorie, con tanto di colpi schivati e tuffi.
Un Maigret straordinariamente attivo che mi ha sorpresa, coinvolta e divertita.
Quattro stelline e mezza, perché avrei voluto che durasse di più.
Chapeau, Monsieur Simenon!
Maigret affascina per la sua grande umanità, per la sua piena comprensione delle vicende umane, sia che si tratti della vittima, che dell’assassino. Nelle sue indagini prevale l’introspezione, la riflessione pacata, insomma, l’elemento psicologico. È uomo, prima che commissario, che tra una fumata e l’altra non disdegna qualche corposo boccale schiumante di birra e la compagnia di allegre donnine con l’animo ferito dalla vita.
"Il crocevia delle Tre Vedove" sembra ammiccare al motto che l’eccezione conferma la regola. Qui troviamo un Maigret insolito, come tutto il resto. Tinte fosche, atmosfere conturbanti, personaggi inquietanti e un mistero che si infittisce sempre più, come la nebbia, come il fumo che riempie una stanza oscura.
Inizia con un interrogatorio. Il sospettato è un danese impassibile, che non ha cedimenti neanche dopo diciassette ore di domande serrate, a cui risponde senza fare una piega e in cui la sua versione non cambia di una virgola. Non sembra avere sentimenti, Carl Andersen.
Questo introdurci a fine interrogatorio, non solo a delitto già compiuto, ben dopo il rinvenimento del cadavere, ma già nel pieno delle indagini, è la prima delle eccezioni. Il lettore è subito buttato nella mischia, e si percepisce immediatamente che qualcosa non tornerà. E quello che non tornerà sarà molto.
Tutto ruota attorno a quel crocevia del titolo: un non luogo dall’atmosfera opprimente, fumosa, immerso nel nulla e nella nebbia. Un luogo di passaggio, dal nome leggendario, in cui sorgono tre soli edifici: una villetta, una rimessa con pompa di benzina e un’antica casa dalla storia sinistra.
Un cadavere che si trova nella macchina sbagliata, che si trova nella rimessa sbagliata. Tutto è dove non dovrebbe essere e niente è come sembra. Nessuno è quello che dice di essere. C’è tutto, in questo breve romanzo: atmosfera gotica; porte chiuse a chiave su sorelle da proteggere; fratelli apprensivi come amanti gelosi.
“Scesero l’uno dietro l’altro nel cerchio danzante della lampada a petrolio. Nel salotto l’unico chiarore era la punta incandescente di una sigaretta.
Man mano che Andersen procedeva, la stanza si riempiva di luce. Apparve Else, semisdraiata su una poltrona, lo sguardo indifferente.”
Ombre cinesi. Gli opposti, come luce e oscurità. Un uomo con occhi sinistri e fissi e una donna civettuola e provocante, avvolta in un tubino di velluto nero che lascia poco all’immaginazione.
Come un gatto, che si muove sinuoso al centro della scena. Un gatto dagli occhi scintillanti nel buio, che si annoia mollemente sul divano.
Else è la femme fatale che fa vacillare per qualche istante il nostro eroe.
“Perché una donna può essere bella ma non seducente, mentre altre dalle sembianze meno perfette risvegliano immancabilmente il desiderio o un senso di romantica nostalgia.
Else li suscitava entrambi. Era donna e bambina insieme. Attorno a lei l’atmosfera si caricava di sensualità. Eppure, quando guardava qualcuno negli occhi, ci si sorprendeva delle sue pupille limpide e fanciullesche.”
Quanto basta per confondere Maigret, che pur cedendo al fascino femminile, non si fa prendere per il naso.
Ma è il romanzo delle eccezioni, abbiamo detto, ed eccola qui, la grande eccezione: il nostro Commissario, solitamente pacato e riflessivo con la sua pipa fra le labbra, insolitamente si lascia coinvolgere in scazzottate, inseguimenti e sparatorie, con tanto di colpi schivati e tuffi.
Un Maigret straordinariamente attivo che mi ha sorpresa, coinvolta e divertita.
Quattro stelline e mezza, perché avrei voluto che durasse di più.
Chapeau, Monsieur Simenon!
November 20, 2022
I've enjoyed the Inspector Maigret series very much. Maigret at the Crossroads is the 7th book in the series by French author Georges Simenon. It's an interesting story which basically revolves around a very closed setting; the Crossroads. It's a very small location, 3 homes sitting on the crossroads of two main roads.
A body is found in the car of insurance salesman Michonnet. The car is found in the garage of newcomer to the area, Danish designer Sorensen. The other residence is a busy garage run by Mr. Oscar. Sorensen is the obvious suspect and he spends 17 hours being interrogated by Maigret and Sgt Lucas in police headquarters in Paris. They end up releasing Sorensen and Maigret makes his way to the Crossroads to do his own investigating. Another body will turn up, murdered right in front of Maigret.
It is a fascinating story and each resident seems to have their own secrets and interest in the investigation. Sorensen with his strange sister, who he locks up in her room when he is away. Nervous Michonnet whose wife watches everything from behind her shutters. Mr. Oscar is always friendly, with his garage open all hours.
Maigret is his grumpy self and even more irascible as he finds himself running up against one roadblock and another. There seems to be more action in this story than I recall from others I've read and I was kind of surprised by it, not in a negative way, mind you. It's an entertaining mystery with a surprising solution. Always entertaining this series. (3.5 stars)
A body is found in the car of insurance salesman Michonnet. The car is found in the garage of newcomer to the area, Danish designer Sorensen. The other residence is a busy garage run by Mr. Oscar. Sorensen is the obvious suspect and he spends 17 hours being interrogated by Maigret and Sgt Lucas in police headquarters in Paris. They end up releasing Sorensen and Maigret makes his way to the Crossroads to do his own investigating. Another body will turn up, murdered right in front of Maigret.
It is a fascinating story and each resident seems to have their own secrets and interest in the investigation. Sorensen with his strange sister, who he locks up in her room when he is away. Nervous Michonnet whose wife watches everything from behind her shutters. Mr. Oscar is always friendly, with his garage open all hours.
Maigret is his grumpy self and even more irascible as he finds himself running up against one roadblock and another. There seems to be more action in this story than I recall from others I've read and I was kind of surprised by it, not in a negative way, mind you. It's an entertaining mystery with a surprising solution. Always entertaining this series. (3.5 stars)
January 14, 2016
Carl Andersen was a Dane wealthy enough to own his own airplane, but he has left his country to seek a quiet life in France. He and his sister Else spent a month in Paris and then rented a country house in an area near Arpajon called the Three Widows Crossroad. For three years, they lived as recluses, with Carl emerging only to get groceries and drop off the upholstery patterns he designed. Their isolation is interrupted when Carl’s jalopy of a car turns up in his neighbor’s garage. When the police turn up to investigate, they discover the neighbor’s car in the Andersens’ garage — with a dead man at the wheel!
Carl Andersen swears he’d never seen the dead man — an Antwerp diamond merchant named Isaac Goldberg — before. But both he and Else had heading toward Paris; Carl admits the pair panicked and fled upon discovering the corpse. Chief Inspector Maigret and his trusty Sergeant Lucas grill Andersen for 17 straight hours, but the man’s story never varies. Could it possibly be true?
The Night at the Crossroads comes packed with an odd cast of characters, including a garrulous boxer turned mechanic, a pompous insurance agent with an outsized sense of entitlement, his snoopy, querulous wife, as well as the Andersens themselves. Needless to say, the astute Maigret will get to the bottom of this odd case, but not before there’s more mayhem. Once again, Georges Simenon does not disappoint his fans.
Carl Andersen swears he’d never seen the dead man — an Antwerp diamond merchant named Isaac Goldberg — before. But both he and Else had heading toward Paris; Carl admits the pair panicked and fled upon discovering the corpse. Chief Inspector Maigret and his trusty Sergeant Lucas grill Andersen for 17 straight hours, but the man’s story never varies. Could it possibly be true?
The Night at the Crossroads comes packed with an odd cast of characters, including a garrulous boxer turned mechanic, a pompous insurance agent with an outsized sense of entitlement, his snoopy, querulous wife, as well as the Andersens themselves. Needless to say, the astute Maigret will get to the bottom of this odd case, but not before there’s more mayhem. Once again, Georges Simenon does not disappoint his fans.
August 17, 2014
My least favorite so far of the recent batch of Penguin re-translations of Simenon's Maigret novels. I'm not faulting Linda Coverdale, the much-appreciated translator of Jean Echenoz among others. It was the story that decayed – character by character, half-life by half-life – until the bitter end. The mystery wasn't much, but it took far too many pages to explain it to its restive perpetrators (à la Hercule Poirot). No one cared. It was one dull dénouement.
I did like the bitter end, if only for its spite. The killer (whose name I'll skip so as not to spoil), no doubt resentful of the dirty little role he was assigned, refuses to go gently.
I did like the bitter end, if only for its spite. The killer (whose name I'll skip so as not to spoil), no doubt resentful of the dirty little role he was assigned, refuses to go gently.
On Death Row, –––– ––––– spent his time waiting for his lawyer to arrive, bearing his pardon. But one morning, five men appeared instead to carry him away, struggling and screaming.
He refused the cigarette and the glass of rum, he spat at the chaplain.
January 21, 2019
A very enjoyable and interesting case. A few of characters were shifty and it was puzzling for me how they were all intermingled in the case. I would never have got there in the end. Very fun and a bit more action than the previous ones.
I have to say these Maigret books are quickly becoming favourites. Perfect reads for cosy night in front of the fire.
I have to say these Maigret books are quickly becoming favourites. Perfect reads for cosy night in front of the fire.
July 21, 2019
Inizia con uno strano interrogatorio e subito crea un clima di attesa per la soluzione di un mistero che invece, con il passar del tempo, si infittisce.
Il tutto in un’atmosfera inquietante, tra leggende, strani personaggi ed avvenimenti che si muovono in questo incrocio di strade; crimini, sensualità e gelosie mettono alla prova il nostro eroe e la sua instancabile tenacia nelle indagini.
Il tutto in un’atmosfera inquietante, tra leggende, strani personaggi ed avvenimenti che si muovono in questo incrocio di strade; crimini, sensualità e gelosie mettono alla prova il nostro eroe e la sua instancabile tenacia nelle indagini.
January 10, 2025
Not great. I will try another one. Not giving up yet 😀
April 20, 2017
Re-read this again, having just seen the latest ITV Maigret based on this. Good television, but almost completely changed the plot. Different villain (a corrupt policeman), complete loss of the atmosphere created by Simenon with three roadside buildings close to the Three Widows Crossroads, with three groups of protagonists, and the brilliant solution and denouement is dismissed with a wimper. Disappointing, when the Simenon plot was so taut and tense, and brooding.
My original review:
A stunningly good early Maigret. Not a police procedural, as another reviewer suggested, but more to do with psychological understanding of a wide range of French character types, and relationships and jealousies in marriage. A brilliant and satisfying denouement too. What a pleasure to be re-reading the first ten Maigrets, all issued in 1931, after a few years. As it happens, some of the later ones are even better!
My original review:
A stunningly good early Maigret. Not a police procedural, as another reviewer suggested, but more to do with psychological understanding of a wide range of French character types, and relationships and jealousies in marriage. A brilliant and satisfying denouement too. What a pleasure to be re-reading the first ten Maigrets, all issued in 1931, after a few years. As it happens, some of the later ones are even better!
August 15, 2023
Nisan Yayınlarının Simenon Serisinin 4 numaralı kitabı Üç Dul Kavşağı.
Bir Müfettiş Maigret romanı. Tanımlamalar, betimlemeler etkileyici. Konusu, kurgusu ve anlatım özellikleri ile heyecanla okunan bir roman.
Çok beğendim.
Bir Müfettiş Maigret romanı. Tanımlamalar, betimlemeler etkileyici. Konusu, kurgusu ve anlatım özellikleri ile heyecanla okunan bir roman.
Çok beğendim.
February 5, 2016
Questo romanzo appartiene alla lista 1001-libri e, per questo motivo, mi aspettavo molto. Sono rimasto deluso.
E' un buon giallo. Consigliato solo agli appassionati del genere.
Nelle prime pagine si nota il solito stile elegante di Simenon, che però tende stranamente a perdersi in azioni e sparatorie, non presenti spesso nelle sue opere.
Altri gialli di Maigret hanno chiare tematiche, come la vecchiaia, la politica, il giornalismo. Questa no. E' una delle opere di Simenon che assomiglia più ai gialli della Christie, ma dal punto di vista della trama non è a quel livello. Indizi troppo visibili e pochi depistaggi.
Non condivido minimamente la scelta di questo giallo per la 1001-challenge.
I romanzi psicologici di Simenon (senza Maigret) sono molto più "da leggere". Personalmente avrei inserito "L'uomo che guardava passare i treni" (romanzo molto intenso), ma anche tra gli eleganti gialli di Simenon ne avrai scelto qualcun altro.
Sconsigliato a chi cerca libri imperdibili.
Consigliato solo a chi ama i gialli
E' un buon giallo. Consigliato solo agli appassionati del genere.
Nelle prime pagine si nota il solito stile elegante di Simenon, che però tende stranamente a perdersi in azioni e sparatorie, non presenti spesso nelle sue opere.
Altri gialli di Maigret hanno chiare tematiche, come la vecchiaia, la politica, il giornalismo. Questa no. E' una delle opere di Simenon che assomiglia più ai gialli della Christie, ma dal punto di vista della trama non è a quel livello. Indizi troppo visibili e pochi depistaggi.
Non condivido minimamente la scelta di questo giallo per la 1001-challenge.
I romanzi psicologici di Simenon (senza Maigret) sono molto più "da leggere". Personalmente avrei inserito "L'uomo che guardava passare i treni" (romanzo molto intenso), ma anche tra gli eleganti gialli di Simenon ne avrai scelto qualcun altro.
Sconsigliato a chi cerca libri imperdibili.
Consigliato solo a chi ama i gialli
February 3, 2023
Una trama ingarbugliata per un giallo fuori Parigi, nella provincia.
Come sempre dalla penna di Simenon sfuggono personaggi molto caratteristici e mentre Maigret indaga sull'omicidio di un piazzista vengono alla luce tanti fatti che coinvolgono più persone e il loro mondo criminale sommerso.
Come sempre dalla penna di Simenon sfuggono personaggi molto caratteristici e mentre Maigret indaga sull'omicidio di un piazzista vengono alla luce tanti fatti che coinvolgono più persone e il loro mondo criminale sommerso.
June 13, 2023
Ένα ακόμα βιβλιο του σπουδαίου Σιμενόν, με πρωταγωνιστή τον επιθεωρητή Μαιγκρε. Η πλοκή είναι καταπληκτική και η δράση σχεδον καταιγιστική.
Μια εντελώς περίεργη αλλαγή αυτοκινήτων μεταξυ δυο γειτόνων που τα σπίτια τους βρίσκονται πάνω σε ένα σταυροδρόμι, εκτός οικισμού, με μόνο άλλο κτίσμα ενα βενζινάδικο με συνεργείο αυτοκινήτων.
Όπως πάντα ο Σιμενον δημιουργεί ένα μυθιστόρημα με σπουδαίους χαρακτήρες, χρησιμοποιώντας, στην ουσία, την αστυνομική έρευνα και ιστορια ως το περιτύλιγμα, ενώ το ταξίδι στην ανθρώπινη ψυχή είναι το πραγματικό κέντρο της ιστορίας. Και τούτο γίνεται παντα στα έργα του εμφανές αφου και οι δεύτεροι ακομα κι οι τρίτοι χαρακτήρες έχουν υπόσταση.
Μια εντελώς περίεργη αλλαγή αυτοκινήτων μεταξυ δυο γειτόνων που τα σπίτια τους βρίσκονται πάνω σε ένα σταυροδρόμι, εκτός οικισμού, με μόνο άλλο κτίσμα ενα βενζινάδικο με συνεργείο αυτοκινήτων.
Όπως πάντα ο Σιμενον δημιουργεί ένα μυθιστόρημα με σπουδαίους χαρακτήρες, χρησιμοποιώντας, στην ουσία, την αστυνομική έρευνα και ιστορια ως το περιτύλιγμα, ενώ το ταξίδι στην ανθρώπινη ψυχή είναι το πραγματικό κέντρο της ιστορίας. Και τούτο γίνεται παντα στα έργα του εμφανές αφου και οι δεύτεροι ακομα κι οι τρίτοι χαρακτήρες έχουν υπόσταση.
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