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Signed, Picpus

Inspector Maigret #23

Georges Simenon author David Coward translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:3rd Sep '15

Should be back in stock very soon

Signed, Picpus cover

A cryptic note leads Maigret through a maze of suspects and motives, ultimately connecting a fortune-teller, an old man, and a financier in Signed, Picpus.

In Signed, Picpus, a cryptic note hints at the impending murder of a fortune-teller, setting the stage for a gripping investigation. As the story unfolds, we find a bewildered old man confined to a Paris apartment, a financier who seeks solace in fishing, and a South American heiress whose life intertwines with the mystery. The renowned detective Maigret is tasked with untangling this web of clues, suspects, and motives, leading him through a labyrinth of intrigue that challenges his instincts and intellect.

The narrative introduces us to a small, unassuming man, characterized by his lackluster appearance and the stale scent of bachelorhood. His mannerisms, such as cracking his knuckles, add to his relatable, albeit eccentric, charm. As he recounts his tale, we are drawn into the world of Signed, Picpus, where the mundane meets the extraordinary, and every character holds a piece of the puzzle. Maigret's journey is not just about solving a crime; it's about understanding the human condition and the complexities that bind us.

Penguin has undertaken the task of releasing new translations of the entire Maigret series, ensuring that readers can experience the brilliance of Simenon's storytelling. This particular novel has previously been known as To Any Lengths and Maigret and the Fortuneteller, showcasing the timeless nature of its themes and characters. Simenon's ability to delve into the intricacies of human behavior makes Signed, Picpus a compelling read that resonates with both mystery enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

Praise for Georges Simenon:

“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian

“These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post

“The matchless French crime novelist.” —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker

“Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People

“I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner

“An astute observer of human nature, writing in a spare and vivid style.” —Amor Towles

“I never read contemporary fiction–with one exception: the works of Simenon.” —T.S. Eliot

“A writer as comfortable with reality as with fiction, with passion as with reason.” —John Le Carré

“One of the most important writers of our century.” —Gabriel García Márquez

“A favorite writer of mine.” —Sigrid Nunez

“A great writer of detail, of atmosphere.” —Leïla Slimani

“Feels incredibly modern…A great writer.” —Ian Rankin

“The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide

“A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London)

“Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London)

“Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray

“A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark

“A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.” —Peter Ackroyd

“Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville

"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ―Times (London)

"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ―Margaret Atwood

"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ―Financial Times

"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn." ―Stig Abell, The Sunday Times (London)

ISBN: 9780241188460

Dimensions: 196mm x 128mm x 16mm

Weight: 140g

176 pages