kfrench1008's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty basic whodunit, saved from mediocrity by Simenon's succinct way with a sentence (and a plot).
han_cat's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
A fast, fun read.
Inspector Maigret is the protagonist of Simenon's series. I enjoyed meeting him in this book. He is a stereotypical plodding detective. He may not look at a scene and immediately know what occurred, but he takes each step, making sure that the true murderer is revealed. There is a sort of, well, mania is maybe too strong of a word, but Maigret really wants to make sure that he jails the right person (not just the convenient suspect), even if that person is the wealthy American husband he's been warned not to harrass.
The mystery starts off with the omniscient narrator following the man who discovers the body on his way to work. While at the Hotel Majestic, he notices that an unused locker is somewhat open, so he goes over to investigate and finds a body. It is that of a beautiful Frenchwoman married to the American businessman I mentioned above. Why was she murdered? And what is her connection to the man who found her?
Inspector Maigret is the protagonist of Simenon's series. I enjoyed meeting him in this book. He is a stereotypical plodding detective. He may not look at a scene and immediately know what occurred, but he takes each step, making sure that the true murderer is revealed. There is a sort of, well, mania is maybe too strong of a word, but Maigret really wants to make sure that he jails the right person (not just the convenient suspect), even if that person is the wealthy American husband he's been warned not to harrass.
The mystery starts off with the omniscient narrator following the man who discovers the body on his way to work. While at the Hotel Majestic, he notices that an unused locker is somewhat open, so he goes over to investigate and finds a body. It is that of a beautiful Frenchwoman married to the American businessman I mentioned above. Why was she murdered? And what is her connection to the man who found her?
crnavedrana's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
jnelsontwo's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
komet2020's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second Georges Simenon Maigret novel I've read. Nor will it be the last. In so few words, Simenon creates a rich, multi-textured world with a colorful assortment of characters which is dazzling. There is a murder in a Parisian hotel of a woman who had been staying there with her American husband (and child, governess, and maid), who apparently is estranged from her, enraptured as he is with the governess and apparently set on going off to Rome with her.
But everything isn't as it seems. It's far from an open and shut case. Immerse yourself and be dazzled as Maigret goes to work to find the real culprit.
But everything isn't as it seems. It's far from an open and shut case. Immerse yourself and be dazzled as Maigret goes to work to find the real culprit.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
Mrs Clark, Américaine descendue à l'hôtel Majestic, est étranglée dans le vestiaire du personnel de l'établissement ; le cadavre est trouvé dans une armoire du vestiaire par Prosper Donge. Mr Clark étant un industriel important, Maigret est prié de mener l'enquête avec discrétion. Après une journée passée dans les caves du palace, le commissaire s'intéresse à Donge, domicilié à Saint-Cloud, vivant avec Charlotte, ancienne danseuse qu'il a jadis connue à Cannes, où il s'occupait de la caféterie à l'hôtel Miramar.
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