George Simenon: The Prolific Maestro of Crime Fiction

George Simenon (1903-1989), a Belgian author, was a titan in the world of crime fiction, best recognized for his iconic character, Inspector Jules Maigret. His remarkable literary output, comprising close to 200 novels written in his native French, has made a significant impact in the genre, with most of his works being translated into various languages, including English. Furthermore, Simenon’s influence extended beyond literature, as his novels inspired nearly 200 film adaptations, demonstrating the universal appeal of his storytelling.

Simenon’s literary journey began at the tender age of 16, when he started writing for the “Gazette de Liège.” This early start laid the foundation for a prolific and influential career in writing. Over the course of his life, Simenon’s experiences were as varied as the places he lived, including Belgium, France, Canada, the United States, and ultimately Switzerland, where he passed away in 1989 due to natural causes.

His first novel, “Au Pont des Arches,” was published in 1921 under the pseudonym G. Sim, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Simenon’s work is characterized by its tight plotting, psychological depth, and a keen insight into human nature, elements that have made Inspector Maigret one of the most beloved characters in crime fiction.

Below is a comprehensive list of Georges Simenon’s books, presented in the order of their release. This list not only showcases the volume of Simenon’s work but also highlights the consistent quality and innovation he brought to the genre. His novels, especially those featuring Jules Maigret, continue to be revered by fans of crime fiction and serve as a benchmark for writers in the genre. George Simenon’s legacy as a master of crime fiction remains unparalleled, with his works still being read and celebrated for their intricate storytelling and captivating characterizations.

Publication Order of Inspector Maigret Books

Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett / Pietr the Latvian (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Meets a Milord / The Carter of ‘La Providence’ (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Death of Monsieur Gallet / The Late Monsieur Gallet / Maigret Stonewalled (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien / The Crime of Inspector Maigret / Maigret and the Hundred Gibbets (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
A Battle of Nerves/ A Man’s Head / Maigret Bides His Time / The Patience of Maigret / Maigret’s Patience (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Yellow Dog / Maigret and the Concarneau Murders (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret at the Crossroads / The Night at the Crossroads (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret in Holland/ A Crime in Holland (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Sailors’ Rendezvous / Maigret Answers a Plea / The Grand Banks Cafe (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin / Maigret At the Gai-Moulin (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Tavern by the Seine / The Two-Penny Bar (1931) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Shadow Puppet / Maigret Mystified (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Goes Home / The Saint-Fiacre Affair / Maigret on Home Ground / Maigret and the Countess (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Flemish Shop / The Flemish House (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Death of a Harbor-Master / Misty Harbour / Maigret and Monsieur Labbe (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Madman of Bergerac (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Liberty Bar / Maigret on the Riviera (1932) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Lock No. 1 / The Lock at Charenton (1933) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret / Maigret Returns (1934) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Cellars of the Majestic / Maigret and the Hotel Majestic (1942) 📚 Buy on Amazon
The Judge’s House / Maigret in Exile (1942) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Spinster / Cécile is Dead (1942) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Fortuneteller / To Any Lengths / Signed, Picpus (1944) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Félicie / Maigret and the Toy Village (1944) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Inspector Cadaver / Maigret’s Rival (1944) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Gets Angry / Maigret in Retirement (1947) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret in New York / Maigret in New York’s Underworld (1947) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Holiday / A Summer Holiday / No Vacation for Maigret (1948) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Dead Man / Maigret’s Special Murder (1948) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s First Case (1949) 📚 Buy on Amazon
My Friend Maigret / The Methods of Maigret (1949) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret at the Coroner’s / Maigret and the Coroner (1949) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Old Lady (1950) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Madame Maigret’s Own Case / The Friend of Madame Maigret / Madame Maigret’s Friend (1950) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Memoirs (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret in Montmartre / Maigret and the Strangled Stripper / Maigret at Picratt’s (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Takes a Room / Maigret Rents a Room (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Burglar’s Wife / Maigret and the Tall Woman (1951) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Gangsters / Inspector Maigret and the Killers / Maigret, Lognon and the Gangsters (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Revolver (1952) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Man on the Bench / Maigret and the Man on the Boulevard (1953) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Afraid / Maigret Is Afraid (1953) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Mistake (1953) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Goes to School (1954) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Calame Report / Maigret and the Minister (1954) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Dead Girl / Maigret and the Young Girl (1954) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Headless Corpse (1955) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Sets a Trap (1955) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Failure (1956) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Enjoys Himself / Maigret’s Little Joke / None of Maigret’s Business (1957) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Travels / Maigret and the Millionaires (1958) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret Has Scruples / Maigret’s Doubts (1958) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses (1959) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Secret / Maigret Has Doubts (1959) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret in Court (1960) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Old People / Maigret in Society (1960) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Idle Burglar / Maigret and the Lazy Burglar (1961) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Black Sheep / Maigret and the Good People of Montparnasse (1962) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Saturday Caller (1962) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Tramp / Maigret and the Dosser / Maigret and the Bum (1963) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret’s Fury / Maigret Loses His Temper / Maigret’s Anger (1963) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Ghost / Maigret and the Apparition (1964) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret on the Defensive / Maigret Holds His Own / Maigret Defends Himself (1964) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Nahour Case (1966) 📚 Buy on Amazon
Maigret and the Pickpocket / Maigret’s Pickpocket (1967) 📚 Buy on Amazon