Wait, is that title symbolic or did they actually still use the guillotine in 1931? Someone mentions it, but I didn't know if they were being flowery or not...Anyway, this was my introduction to Simenon and his extremely famous (in much of the world) Maigret character, and it was a pretty unique experience. Would it seem as unique if I'd read a few more of the seventy-plus books written about the character? Probably not, but to see where detective fiction was going in France in a time as pivotal for the genre as 1931 is fascinating, and Maigret, or at least this book, seems to sit in a spot somewhere between the eccentric crimes and whodunits that were Doyle's legacy, and the hardboiled private eyes that were starting to come out of California.This definitely isn't a whodunit, as it's pretty easy to tell who the murderer is relatively early on, it's more of a "howdunit," if you will. We begin to figure out who was involved, and what may have happened, but what we really need our hero to tell us is how it all came about, who did what, and why. On top of that, while the crime does contain some of the strange criminal showboating of some Sherlock Holmes stories, those elements aren't made clear until the end, and they don't change the fact that the murder itself is extremely brutal, which lends itself more toward the hardboiled school.Also leaning toward what was going on in America at the time, is Maigret himself, although really he's entirely his own thing. Though smart, and big, and gruff, Maigret's greatest virtue as a crime-solver seems to be patience. It strikes me as more realistic than most that our hero largely figures things out by waiting and following and waiting and following and glaring and keeping silent until something cracks. In fact, the story begins with the singular idea that our hero has arrested the wrong man, and so he helps said wrong man escape rather than let him be executed, so that he can make up for an earlier quick judgment and take more time to really figure it all out. When asked whether his career and reputation are worth some nobody, Maigret always answers by asking what a man's head is worth. This is part of what makes the character great: he actually fucking cares. It isn't just he solves the crime and the villain is led off to be executed after the book is over, Maigret thinks about the fact that lives are in his hands and risks everything to make sure he's making the right decision. And in the end, we're even shown the murderer's execution, and Maigret's reaction, and that's what makes him seem stronger than a normal series character. I'll have to read more to see if that's kept up.
The Maigret Mysteries of Simenon are not so widely read anymore, which is a shame, because this is a good little book to delve into when you have the time. Although it is not as complex as Poe's tales of 'ratiocination' or as refined as Christie's Poirot; Simenon's story stands up as a good example of how to do a character study of a villain. In short, it dusts off the quaint Victoriana and Gothic garbs that became synonymous with the genre, and sets a decidedly gritty, modern tone. Within Simenon's sharp prose, Paris comes to life in all it's gaudy splendour. One can see this easily influencing later crime-noir authors like Raymond Chandler. As the title suggests, the storyline hinges on the 'psychological' aspect of detective work, the second-guessing, the think-work rather than the action. This is the classic tale of two adversaries on opposite sides of the law who come to loggerheads. On one hand there is Maigret; a gifted, seasoned detective who has proved himself beyond doubt in his professional field. On the other hand is Joseph Huertin, a convicted murderer who miraculously escapes prison with the help of... well, Maigret himself. This explosive start to the narrative whets the appetite for what's to become a very dark and cunning cat-and-mouse chase. It is then that we discover that Heurtin, with his slow mental faculties, is an unlikely candidate for the calculated, brutal killings he has been tried for. Instead, Maigret puts his job on the line in one final attempt to nab the real murderer, with Heurtin as bait. The rollicking start to the novel is sustained with the gradual introduction of said 'real' killer, who turns out to be a devilishly cunning adversary clever enough to go toe-to-toe with Maigret. I certainly appreciated how Simenon gave a lot of thought to his villain. He really made the effort to make this a 'match'. Most detective stories are filled with bad guys who in the long run are not geared up to really fight the system. But I am glad to say that this one does. This is a great read for those looking for something a little bit different in the genre. If you go into this expecting Booker Prize winning prose then you will be disappointed. This is definitely good, clean 'pulp fiction'. Just have fun with it. Who knows, you might even like it!
What do You think about A Man's Head (2015)?
This was never my favourite Maigret, but that's not to say it isn't well written. It is, and that's precisely why I didn't enjoy reading it. Now, wait a second, that does make sense. It does when you realise that the reason I didn't enjoy it is because Simenon expresses the difficult aspects of police work so well: following a suspect who doesn't seem to be going anywhere, waiting for something to happen, trusting a hunch when everyone around you is convinced the easy answer is the right one. Janvier is his helper in this installment--though he's not much help, unless you count getting drunk with a principal suspect as "helpful." Simenon builds a claustrophobic tale of aggravation and possessing Maigret's soul in patience with consummate skill. Because that's what police work often is--hard slog with no resolution in sight, until you see it happen--at last.Having seen the Bruno Cremer telefilm with a dark, curly-haired Radek, the hardest adjustment was realising that the original Radek was meant to be ginger!
—Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all)
Simenon is a master of crime fiction. Most of his books are set in Paris and feature Inspector Maigret. In this novel, the Inspector has a strong feeling that the wrong man is sitting on death row in a Parisian prison. He set out to prove the man's innocence in a very unusual way: he (working with the authorities) arranges for the man to 'escape' just before he to hang for the crime of murder. It becomes a battle of wits between the pipe smoking Inspector and a rich American, his wife and a menacing red-haired bar regular who seems to know the whole story behind the murder. I recommend this book for mystery fans who appreciate a genuine story-teller and mystery writer.
—Patrick
Ogni libro su Maigret scritto da Simenon è un piacere leggere. Mi incollo al libro e......finché il colpevole non viene assicurato alla giustizia non dormo sonni tranquilli :)In questo romanzo Maigret mette in gioco la sua reputazione e carriera per trovare il colpevole di due efferati delitti e scagionare dalla pena di morte il "poveretto" di turno. E' un Maigret un po sottotono, insicuro della pista da seguire, tutto sembra scollegato e senza senso, così preferisce "giocare la partita" in difesa lasciando l'iniziativa al suo sospettato.Perde pedine importanti, Il condannato a morte fugge dal suo controllo, un suo collega rimane ferito malamente,la sua carriera quasi al lumicino.Ma alla fine la mossa vincente è la sua! Il colpevole è arrestato!E solamente dopo la piena confessione dell'assassino svela come è riuscito mossa dopo mossa a dare scacco matto!.Da leggere e rileggere.
—Isairon
