The Yellow Dog (Inspector Maigret)

"The Yellow Dog" is an enjoyable short read that was published early in the Inspector Maigret series (1931). The setting--Concarneau, a small rural town in Brittany--is one of author Georges Simenon's favorites. No fan of the petits bourgeois, here, as is repeated fairly often, Simenon writes of crimes committed by and against the big frogs in a small pond--a social group that the author particularly loathes. The story starts with the unexplainable shooting of the town's best liked citizen, followed by the attempted poisoning of several of the victim's friends. Inspector Maigret is dispatched to the scene from nearby Rennes where he's on assignment from Paris. The Inspector adopts a very laid back approach to investigating the crimes, seeming to be preoccupied with an attractive barmaid and a yellow mongrel dog who keeps appearing at the scene of the crimes. While the burghers of Concarneau grow increasingly panicky, Maigret keeps his cool and his own counsel.The story is told mostly in narrative form and the resolution of the crimes is closely held to the last few pages of the book. Simenon includes a satisfying epilogue to assure the reader that justice can prevail. Altogether, an entertaining novel that displays the format and attitude that the author will often use in the dozens of crime stories that are to follow.

While this is not yet the mature Maigret, it amazing to see how the humanity of Maigret takes shape. He is not just a cold, unfeeling policeman. All lovers of Maigret will enjoy seeing the patience and intellect of the man balanced against his desire for true justice.

Over the past 60 years, I have read a number of Maigret novels. One of the things that I have enjoyed is reading the pages with a local maps beside me. I can better follow his footsteps.

For such a short book, the characters were well fleshed out and the story quite involved. No irrelevant material added just to make a longer book. A favorite author of mine, I always think of his portrayal of the hero as Perot in my mind. I look forward to reading much more from this author.

I have become a big Maigret fan. His books are really good detective novels, with old fashion sleuthing and gritty real life kind of people he deals with. This book in particular I just loved. Right from the beginning of the story with the stormy weather in this coastal town you just want to curl up with the book somewhere with a good cup of coffee and turn the phone off so you won't be interrupted. Simenon really makes you feel the cold and the dampness of rainy days in France. Personally, I love that kind of detective novel. His detective, Inspector Maigret is also very classy, a French gentleman detective.

First one of the town's leading citizens is shot in the stomach in a doorway. Then his friends still inside the café barely escape being poisoned.Maigret shows his usual distain for evidence and deduction. He's more intrigued by the yellow dog wandering around the scene of the crimes - and the poignant face of the young barmaid who sleeps around a bit.More incidents occur. The reporters swarming all over the hotel seem to know more about the crime wave than the police!Maigret's flair for inaction, and his sensitivity to atmosphere, are nicely portrayed in this book.

Would have been a 4 but the excessive use of exclamation points (don't remember this in other Simenon I read?) really started to bother me. Yes, I know I should get over it. If based on ending I would give book a 5, and plot goes along fast and smooth. Given how short the book is I am impressed by the complete personalities Simenon builds, and the atmosphere and description of place stand out for me again. Really immersive scenes with humanity to them, that I think Simenon is not as noted for? My second Simenon Maigret series book, and will read more sure.... and try to get over exclamation point thin :-)

This book was a pleasure to read. It was well crafted and the pace was just right. The characters were interesting and blessed with human flaws.

I love Maigret novels. They are so French, so bleak, so steeped in the ennui of human tragedy. Yet Maigret is so wholesome. He loves his wife, he is honourable, he is gentle and understanding. He judges not. He is the perfect counterpoint. I challenge you to read these novels and not want to spend a month living in Montmartre, sipping sancerre at a pavement cafe, ordering late night rounds of sandwiches and beer in clamouring bistros and observing the sticky gamut of fallible humanity. And you get to tell les madamoiselles you are reading 'French literature'.

One of the 79 books being newly translated and reprinted by Penguin. Great stories and beautifully written.Thank you Penguin and Amazon!

When the imperturbable Inspector Maigret begins investigating Concarneau fear is everywhere but just who is everyone afraid of and why?

For me a good read highlighting the environment within which Maigret inhabited and worked. Clear views of his personality and no nonsense approach to those around him. Great atmosphere throughout as always reflected by landscape and changing weather conditions. Characters rich in dark shadows carrying with them sordid or unhappy secrets. Look forward to the next Kindle issue.Enjoyed

First of George's Women in books I have read and certainly won't be the last. Now to find my next one.