Maigret escorts an amnesiac from Paris to the fogbound Channel port where he is the harbour master. The amnesiac is promptly murdered. Rain sweeps constantly as his investigation is hampered by a conspiracy of silence, violent sailors and hostile local bourgeoisie. Simenon’s classic virtues are on display: sense of place, atmosphere, insight into how lives get complicated, humanity and economy. A mystery story - the mystery to me is why Simenon doesn’t seem to be more popular.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 108 Spring 2023 ) |
