MAIGRET'S RIVAL

by Georges Simenon ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 1980

More low-key, high-charm vintage (1944) Maigret--as the Inspector is asked by superior officer Brejon to investigate the supposed suicide of young Albert Retailleau in the village of Saint-Aubins, hometown of prosperous M. and Mme. Naud, Brejon's sister and brother-in-law. Ugly rumors have surfaced in the village suggesting a secret affair between the dead man and Geneviève, the Nauds' daughter; even murder has been whispered about. So Maigret becomes the Nauds houseguest, suffers the villagers' hostility, hears Geneviève's confession (she's pregnant), and tolerates the snobbery of his hosts and their chums. Even worse: Justin Cavre, an ex-policeman now private detecting, is also on the case. . . and always a step ahead of our hero. Maigret wins out, of course, and his resolution is swift and sensible--a neat puzzle even more neatly backed by Simenon's unadorned picture of an insular French village. Très gentil.

Pub Date: April 7, 1980

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1980

Categories: FICTION