The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien: Inspector Maigret #3 | 
I have read, & loved, a few of Simenon's romans durs but this is my first experience with Maigret outside of a couple stories. It opens with Maigret shadowing a suspicious traveler who ends up committing suicide after having their suitcase switched, by Maigret himself no less. I really liked this propulsive suspense story that went to some really dark places. I will not be reading all of the Maigret books, but I will def be returning to them!
vivastory Have you read this one @bookwomble 11mo
BarbaraBB Maigret… that brings back memories. It doesn‘t feel outdated? 11mo
Bookwomble I haven't read this one. Although I had a Maigret binge last year, there are still loads I haven't got to yet! Sounds like a good one 😊 @BarbaraBB Obviously, I can't speak to this specific novel, but I haven't found the other books particularly dated, just atmospheric. By contrast, I've tried a couple of Christie's and thought them almost unreadably dated #UnpopularOpinion 11mo
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Cathythoughts I read Hatters Ghost and really enjoyed it. I must try the Maigret series. Where would I start with Maigret? I love the suspenseful stories. 11mo
Bookwomble @Cathythoughts The stories are all standalone, so I wouldn't worry too much about where you start. I just went with what the library had in and it was fine. I did find it took me a few books to get to know Maigret - he's a private man, but Simenon gradually builds up a fascinating portrait. If I was accused of a crime (I didn't commit!), of all the fictional detectives I've read, it's Maigret I'd want investigating. 11mo
Cathythoughts @Bookwomble 😂 Well if Maigret would be your detective that says it all. I must get moving on these books ❤️👍🏻 11mo
Bookwomble @Cathythoughts I do love #SherlockHolmes but he's about the intellectual challenge, solving the puzzle, and the game of pitting his wits against an antagonist (all fun to read), whereas Maigret is interested in the lives of both victim and preparator, and it's his compassion for both that is often the key to his success. He's got a strong moral centre, too, and is implacable when he sees thugishness or cruelty. Please forgive the fanboying! 😄 11mo
Cathythoughts @Bookwomble I love the fanboying and your description is excellent… I think that‘s exactly why I will like Maigret too 11mo
Bookwomble @Cathythoughts 😊👍 11mo
LeahBergen I need to try a Maigret, too! 11mo
vivastory @BarbaraBB I didn't find it to be outdated. Simenon writes in an almost clinical, detached manner with very little emotional investment quickly moving from point to point. I was often reminded of Highsmith's Ripley novels while reading, or some of Hitchcock's early movies.. I do think that the Ripley novels are slightly better in terms of characterization, but this was a great time & I LOVE Simenon's romans durs (esp Dirty Snow) 11mo
vivastory @Bookwomble Care to share favorites from your Simenon binge? 😀 11mo
vivastory @Cathythoughts What I did was go to my local bookstore, grab all of the Simenon Maigret novels, read the synopsis & buy the one that intrigued me the most. I know that there are a few guides online of the best in the series, but I get the general impression that you can't go too wrong with what you choose. (edited) 11mo
vivastory @LeahBergen I think you'd like him! A quick read. I polished it off in a couple of hours! 11mo
Cathythoughts Oh good ! I‘ll just pick one so. Maybe this tagged one 👍🏻❤️ 11mo
Bookwomble @vivastory lt's hard to pick, so I'll mention three that are a bit different. Mainly they take place in Paris, and while "Maigret Takes a Room" does too, the setting is unusual and shows another side of the city and the man. Maigret comes from Normandy and a few of the stories see him back there: "The Misty Harbour" is a good one of those."Maigret Travels" sees him amongst the millionaires, travelling from the Côte d'Azure to Switzerland, and ⬇️ 11mo
Bookwomble @vivastory ... getting very uncomfortable. Horse you enjoy whatever you pick up 😊. 11mo
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