Maigret at the Coroner's [Paperback]

Georges Simenon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harcourt (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156551438
• ISBN-13: 978-0156551434
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,415,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Not his usual "method", March 9, 2011

By 

Laurel "Laurel" (Chicago, IL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Maigret at the Coroner's (Paperback)

This is not the story I expect from Georges Simenon. I have read almost all
of his books and this one I disliked immensely. First of all it consists
almost entirely of testimony, a great deal of which consists of abuse of the
dead woman, a 19 year old and descriptions of this by four air force members.

The other theme is drinking in bars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Deputy Sheriff Maigret, June 8, 2009

By 

Patto (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Maigret At The Coroner's

Maigret is touring the U.S. to observe American methods. It's a kind of perk. No one expects anything of him except to drink a great deal and be sociable. The Americans call him "Julius," since they have trouble with "Jules." He not only acquires a new name, but a new office. They award him the title of "deputy sheriff" in Tucson.

FBI officer Cole is his guide in Arizona. But after a bit, Cole needs to attend to his own affairs, so he parks Maigret at a coroner's inquest for a few hours. A young woman who spent the night drinking with five Air Force men was found on the railroad tracks torn to shreds by a train.

Was it a gruesome mischance? Or murder? Maigret's attention is riveted by the disjointed and contradictory testimony of the five men, the deputies and various other officials. Can a Frenchman unfamiliar with American ways see into the truth of the matter?

Luckily for the busy FBI man, Maigret can't bear to leave his unofficial post. Day after day he takes his seat at the inquest. Night after night he takes his stool at the local bar.

Maigret's observations of American behavior are quite amusing. Simenon has a genius for deft sketches of eccentric characters, and this book gives the author plenty of scope for his talent.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good Maigret, May 24, 2003

By 

ED (France, Normandy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maigret at the Coroner's (Paperback)

I never went to the US and this very good novel gave me some keys in order to understand the american society and the differences with old Europ (and especially with France). And, I realise that, with global world market, the cultural differences between states are becoming smaller and smaller ! May be it's a shame ...