Reviews

A look into the coldly deranged mind of a serial killer, in Simenon's usual vintage style. The only thing that let's this one down is a a plot device that seems unrealistic - surely the police, or indeed the victims, would spot the pattern of the murders? Still as fascinating as usual, delving into the psychology of his main character like few others can.

vacths's review against another edition

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3.0

I was a bit disappointed by the ending but otherwise I enjoyed the book!

furfff's review against another edition

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1.0

Blech. Maybe it’s the time I’m reading this in that I just don’t feel like being in the mind of a supposedly murderous genius but this just felt boring and played out, even considering it was written like 70 years ago. The concept, the sets, the language... it was all flat for me. Oh well. On to the next Simenon ....

secrethistory's review against another edition

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3.0

From the beginning, we are made aware that Monsieur Labbe, the title's hatter, is a serial killer. The book explores and moves toward his motive for killing. It also shows Labbe's combined fear and want of a sort of companionship with the tailor who lives near him, and whom he can see through his window. The tailor knows he is the killer, and follows him, but does not report him.

The story starts off painfully slow. To give you an idea, I present to you the opening sentences:

"It was December 3, and still raining. The figure 3 stood out, very big and black, with a sort of fat belly, against the staring white of the calender which hung, just to the right of the till, against the dark oak partition between the salesroom and the show window."

Not exactly riveting, if I may say so. The first 20 or so pages of the book were dedicated to atmosphere. It did pick up, thankfully, and I actually became quite engrossed in it.

Another thing I was somewhat disgusted with was the treatment of women in the novel. I completely understand the motive for the murders, which are not done out of hatred of the gender. I also understand the character is mentally ill, no matter how often he denies it, and that his repulsion to the opposite sex has a clear trace to his past. But I did find it annoying that all of the women mentioned, even in passing, are prostitutes, and if they are not, it is mentioned how much they love sex and what sluts they are. To me this reflects poorly on the author, as if he couldn't think of a single defining trait in a woman except "slut," which is used repeatedly.

The Hatter's Phantoms was a decent read as far as a captivating story, which is why it got three stars instead of one or two. The writing isn't brilliant and is occasionally repetitive, and with a less intriguing storyline it probably would have gotten two stars at most. Apparently, Simenon was famous for being able to write nearly 80 pages per day. It seems he chose quantity over quality.

lnatal's review against another edition

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3.0

Opening lines:
On était le 3 décembre et il pleuvait toujours. Le chiffre 3 se détachait, enorme, tri noir, avec une sorte de gros ventre, sur le blanc cru du calendrier fixe a la droite de la caisse, contre la cloison en chêne sombre pisque cela avait eu lieu le 13 novembre - encore un 3 obese sur le calendrier-, que la premiere vielle femme avait été assassinée, près de l'église Saint-Saveur, a quelques pas du canal.

A movie directed by Claude Chabrol was made Les Fantômes du chapelier (1981) based on this book, with Michel Serrault and Charles Aznavour.

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