Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Pocket (1995), 185 pages
Description
Maigret's past comes to life in this vivid new translation of this evocative novel, set in the Inspector's home town. The last time Maigret went home to the village of his birth was for his father's funeral. Now an anonymous note predicting a crime during All Souls' Day mass draws him back there, where troubling memories resurface and hidden vices are revealed.
User reviews
LibraryThing member TomDonaghey
MAIGRET GOES HOME (1959) by Georges Simenon is one of the essential works from this master writer. Here Maigret has gotten a note saying there will be a murder committed during the first mass at a church in a small town. Nothing else. But the town is where he grew up and Maigret decides to return
There is no evidence of an actual murder but the predicted death has occured. Margret, out of his jurisdiction and with nothing to provide as evidence beyond the note, has to stand by while events work themselves out about him. The major suspect is the son of the Countess, a near-do-well, always short of money and currently deep in debt. There is the young male secretary who provided more than just the ability to take dictation to the older woman. There are the priest and the steward of the estate (a position that had been filled in the past by Maigret’s own father) and several other suspects, but how to solve the crime?
This is yet another instance of Simenon’s vast abilities to draw quick, telling sketches of people, places and events, provide a puzzling mystery, and layer on scads of atmosphere. The story may be almost 60 years old, but it is as fresh today as ever.
If you are not familiar with Maigret, either grab up any of the novels or watch one of the several television series starring this French character. You will be amused and amazed.
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and sit through the All Soul’s Day mass. Nothing happens during the ceremony but when mass is over, the old Countess de Saint-Fiacre sits dead in her seat.There is no evidence of an actual murder but the predicted death has occured. Margret, out of his jurisdiction and with nothing to provide as evidence beyond the note, has to stand by while events work themselves out about him. The major suspect is the son of the Countess, a near-do-well, always short of money and currently deep in debt. There is the young male secretary who provided more than just the ability to take dictation to the older woman. There are the priest and the steward of the estate (a position that had been filled in the past by Maigret’s own father) and several other suspects, but how to solve the crime?
This is yet another instance of Simenon’s vast abilities to draw quick, telling sketches of people, places and events, provide a puzzling mystery, and layer on scads of atmosphere. The story may be almost 60 years old, but it is as fresh today as ever.
If you are not familiar with Maigret, either grab up any of the novels or watch one of the several television series starring this French character. You will be amused and amazed.
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LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
A note stating that a crime will be committed on All Souls' Day in the churche at Saint-Fiacre during first mass. The police departments laugh and ignore it. Maigret cannot; it is his birthplace. He knows many of the people there.
Returning to the town, Maigret witnesses the murder, but there is
A bit of a cerebreal read, as Maigret tends to anaylze people and happenings. Not a quick read, but a good read.
Returning to the town, Maigret witnesses the murder, but there is
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nothing to see, so how did it happen? His journey to solve the murder uncovers many back stories and changes his image of some of the people of his home town.A bit of a cerebreal read, as Maigret tends to anaylze people and happenings. Not a quick read, but a good read.
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LibraryThing member Coach_of_Alva
Maigret returns to his childhood home and is, as a reader of crime fiction would expect, disillusioned by what has happened to his village and the local estate, while investigating a crime that cannot be prosecuted. The story has superb atmosphere and the pleasurable sadness called melancholy.
LibraryThing member thorold
Unusual early Maigret story in which the Commisaire returns to the village of St Fiacre where his father had been estate manager to the Count. There is a suspicious death, but with the disregard for official procedures that seems to crop up a lot at this stage in Maigret's career, he decides that
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there is no need for a proper investigation, instead hanging about in the village to see what happens. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Wow! A Maigret I didn't like?! It might have been the translation, but I found it difficult to keep characters straight, especially in thoughts and conversations. Also, except for the dead woman and the innkeeper, all were male, so pronouns gave no clues. But I did like the return of Maigert to his
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home village and the glimpses of his boyhood. Funny thing is, I saw a French TV adaption of this story years ago, really liked it, and was looking forward to reading the original. C'est la vie. Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
Another excellent Maigret. The dinner scene at the end of the novel, while certainly unrealistic, was gripping, just very well written.
LibraryThing member ritaer
Maigret investigates in his home village
LibraryThing member Overgaard
One of his best
Subjects
Language
Original language
French
Original publication date
1932 (original French)
1942 (in English)
Physical description
192 p.; 7.01 inches
ISBN
2266026526 / 9782266026529