Having read this one 4 times already and being very familiar with it. I still find it very enjoyable. The other stories are great introductions to Simenon’s non Maigret works. I do have to dip my toes into that, I’ll try to read some next year.
A Maigret Christmas
Maigret is asked to investigate a curious incident which happened Christmas night in the apartment block opposite his home. A very fun and enjoyable case, nice to see a more domestic Maigret and the case was very enjoyable and the ending is very bittersweet and heart warming. Festive with the typical Maigret humour.
Seven Small Crosses In A Notebook
A police dispatcher/responder has a night shift involving a murder/potential serial killer and lots of smashed police telephone boxes. An enjoyable story set wholely in the communications room where the dispatcher gets involved in the investigation of the crime. Very good story, characters and plot.
The Little Restaurant Near Place des Ternes
A suicide in a restaurant and a woman trying to stop a young woman being taken advantage of and used by a group of local toughs on Christmas Eve. A common story of Christmas collections, I have read this several times (also in Penguin Christmas Stories). Its a bit more darker than the others but a typical Simenon with excellent characters.
All in all a superb book and almost brings to a close my Christmas reading for 2025. I just have three books to finish before New Years Day (Anthony Trollope, Louisa May Alcott and Scandinavian novel).
Valley Reviews 