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jmscwht's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
8797999's review against another edition
4.0
Quite enjoyed this one, it kept me puzzled right to the end. I am enjoying the character of Inspector Maigret, though he is completely different on paper to Rowan Atkinson as he is cast in the recent series.
bookwomble's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kwonset's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hardcoverhearts's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
One of my current audio quests is to go back to the beginning of the Inspector Maigret series and work my way through. THE LATE MONSIEUR GALLET is the third book in the series, so it was particularly interesting to note how firmly the characteristics of Maigret are established already. His tendency for reflection and observation, and his dogged determination are all on display as he works to solve the baffling case of the travelling salesman with a mystery in his background.
That Monsieur Gallet's death came as a shock to his family, and the people of the small town where his body was found, goes without saying. The postcard, sent after he supposedly died, to his wife is not easily explained, as is the location in which he was found, and it turns out, his background as a travelling salesman, and his reputation as a fine, upstanding family man.
Old-fashioned in approach (this was originally published in 1931), Maigret's style of investigation relies on following a victim's pathway in life. He accumulates stories and clues, talking to witnesses, people in the various locations he finds himself, drawing out a timeline, and the facts as he goes. He's one of the "lateral thinking" detectives of that era - relying on a cerebral, rather than physical approach, although he's not above sending colleagues running if deemed necessary.
The reflective nature of the character is perfectly echoed in the narration style - which is gentle, almost mesmeric at times, meaning that the sense of Maigret assessing the consequences of solving the crime is gently delivered and somehow more pointed as a result. He's aware that the repercussions will affect more than the murderer this time around, and his consideration for others is low-key, somewhat formal and stiff, just as you'd expect from a character like him, and all the more touching because of it.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/late-monsieur-gallet-georges-simenon
That Monsieur Gallet's death came as a shock to his family, and the people of the small town where his body was found, goes without saying. The postcard, sent after he supposedly died, to his wife is not easily explained, as is the location in which he was found, and it turns out, his background as a travelling salesman, and his reputation as a fine, upstanding family man.
Old-fashioned in approach (this was originally published in 1931), Maigret's style of investigation relies on following a victim's pathway in life. He accumulates stories and clues, talking to witnesses, people in the various locations he finds himself, drawing out a timeline, and the facts as he goes. He's one of the "lateral thinking" detectives of that era - relying on a cerebral, rather than physical approach, although he's not above sending colleagues running if deemed necessary.
The reflective nature of the character is perfectly echoed in the narration style - which is gentle, almost mesmeric at times, meaning that the sense of Maigret assessing the consequences of solving the crime is gently delivered and somehow more pointed as a result. He's aware that the repercussions will affect more than the murderer this time around, and his consideration for others is low-key, somewhat formal and stiff, just as you'd expect from a character like him, and all the more touching because of it.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/late-monsieur-gallet-georges-simenon
jimbose's review against another edition
4.0
Al mio secondo tentativo con Simenon forse ho cominciato ad intuire perché ha tanti lettori appassionati.
Approfittando dei cliché di una trama gialla classica, un cadavere, un investigatore, un certo numero di sospettati e una serie di indizi, Simenon si mette ad indagare su alcuni aspetti della società che lo circonda. In questo caso, la sua attenzione va a vacui arrivisti senza scrupoli, nobili decaduti e borghesi cinici e profittatori. Nessuna indulgenza sulla loro scelta di avvolgere la propria esistenza con la falsità, ma neanche una considerazione maggiore di quella che meritano.
Indice Jimbose: 80%
Approfittando dei cliché di una trama gialla classica, un cadavere, un investigatore, un certo numero di sospettati e una serie di indizi, Simenon si mette ad indagare su alcuni aspetti della società che lo circonda. In questo caso, la sua attenzione va a vacui arrivisti senza scrupoli, nobili decaduti e borghesi cinici e profittatori. Nessuna indulgenza sulla loro scelta di avvolgere la propria esistenza con la falsità, ma neanche una considerazione maggiore di quella che meritano.
Indice Jimbose: 80%
adamrshields's review against another edition
3.0
Short review: This is the best of the three Maigret books I have read so far. But it still isn't to the level of what I keep hearing about Maigret. I like the character of Maigret and the mystery here was good. But the whole package still felt a little lacking. I am going to keep reading these as I see them on sale. But I haven't hit greatness yet.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-late-monsieur-gallet-by-george-simenon/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-late-monsieur-gallet-by-george-simenon/