Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Jan/Feb 23 buddy read of The Sailors' Rendezvous aka The Grand Banks Cafe / Maigret Answers a Plea. The ninth book in the Inspector Maigret series, first published in 1931.

It was indeed a photograph, a picture of a woman. But the face was completely hidden, scribbled all over in red ink. Someone had tried to obliterate the head, someone very angry. The pen had bitten into the paper. There were so many criss-crossed lines that not a single square millimetre had been left visible.

On the other hand, below the head, the torso had not been touched. A pair of large breasts. A light-coloured silk dress, very tight and very low cut.

Sailors don't talk much to other men, especially not to policemen. But after Captain Fallut's body is found floating near his trawler, they all mention the Evil Eye when they speak of the Ocean's voyage.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

I liked this a lot. I thought the way the crew of the vessel felt about the ship being jinxed was well done and believable. The ship's radio controller struck me as being a bit too sensitive for both the job and his girlfriend. I like the way Maigret sits back and overviews the process of the events as he works towards the answers.
I, again, enjoyed the process of the investigation, and do think Mrs Maigret must have the patience of a saint!

I agree about Mrs Maigret's patience. Her planned visit with family is canceled, she has to babysit a stranger, then, when she finally decides to swim, Maigret declares the vacation is over.

The atmosphere of the Maigret books is a strength and this one did not disappoint.

I've finished this one now. I do agree the enclosed atmosphere of the ship and the feeling of being jinxed was really well done and it was great to see more of Mme Maigret - she's a good character and I like the matter-of-fact way in which she helps her husband with the case. I agree about her being very patient!

Did anyone guess the killer? I think he only came in late on, but I never thought about it being a member of the boy's family, being distracted by the other suspects. Very clever that the killing did tie in with the jealousy over Adele but not in the way readers have been led to suspect.

This was yet another book where Maigret allows people to get away with their crimes because he feels they have suffered enough, in this case both the boy's father for the murder and the wireless operator as an accessory.

Even though it is so well-plotted, though, this wasn't one of my favourites in the series, as I found Adele's amazing attraction for every man in sight a bit overdone and hard to believe - I know she was the only woman on the ship, but even so.

The Grand Banks Cafe (Maigret, #9) by Georges Simenon.

There something about Maigret that I find so special...so unique. He's a detective a top notch Inspector and well respected as such. Maigret's method of deduction goes unseen by those around him and that's what I find so appealing.
Maigret's receives a letter from Jorissen a friend from school days asking for help in finding a former pupil of his innocent of the crime of murder. The letter goes on to explain that this crime took place after a 3 month fishing trip for cod aboard the Ocean a trawler. The Captain was found murdered after a mysteriously trying voyage that left the crew perplexed and without excuse as to why their catch was lacking to say the least.
The world of Maigret is one I've entered from afar several times and was never disappointed 5 stars.

Ellen wrote: "The Grand Banks Cafe (Maigret, #9) by Georges Simenon.

There something about Maigret that I find so special...so unique. He's a detective a top notch Inspector and well respected as such. Maigret'..."

I also have never been disappointed. There is always a lot of meat in a short read.

Just noticed that the Talking Pictures TV station in the UK is now showing the 1990s French Maigret series with Bruno Cremer - I will give this a try. I have a feeling someone may have already mentioned this, apologies if so!