Maigret In New York by Georges Simenon

Nineteen-year-old student Jean Maura is fearful his father is in grave danger. The weekly letters he receives from New York now indicate he is expecting to die. "If I were lost to you... When I am no longer there..."

Detective Chief Inspector Maigret has already been retired for one year and has heard the usual song and dance to take on cases: "I am familiar with your cases... You are the only one who..."

Maigret would rather enjoy playing belote in his country house, but nine days later he finds himself arriving in New York with Maura on the French Line, unimpressed by the magnificent skyline. While dealing with crowds and customs, the young man disappears.

Maigret contacts his father, John Maura, a wealthy businessman in the American jukebox industry, living in a sumptuous suite at the St. Regis. Unconcerned that his son is in New York and now missing, Mr. Maura refuses to speak with Maigret, turning all his official and personal business over to his assistant, MacGill, who restricts access. Maigret should mind his own business and return to France. What is the power Maura is under, seemingly seeking approval from his secretary?

Trailed wherever he goes, Maigret investigates Maura's past and discovers he was one half of a vaudeville act from thirty years ago named J and J. People who worked the circuit, including a mental telepathist, remember the two Frenchmen who competed the love of a girl named Jessie. Maigret teams up with old friend Special Agent O'Brien of the FBI, and Ronald Dexter, a career clown turned detective, inclined to sadness when he drinks.

Maigret warms up to New York, enjoying the noisy and rather vulgar Broadway, while he works out who ran down an Italian grandfather, another witness from back in the day. Will all these expose to this businessman's closely guarded secret?

In Paris, there is history, and neighbors have long memories. In New York, everything is new, and people look the other way. This was not as enjoyable personally, as I simply prefer France to America, but the same grit and mystery remain in Simenon's pen. The vaudeville and circus angle was interesting, and as always, his characters do well at guarding their cards. The mysteries of the clever Detective Chief Inspector are recommended.

1947 / Tradeback / 192 pages