Every Tuesday First Chapter, First Paragraph/Intros is hosted by Vicky of I’d Rather Be at the Beach sharing the first paragraph or two of a book she’s reading or plans to read soon.
This week I’m featuring Cécile is Dead by Georges Simenon, one of the books I think I’ll include in Cathy’s annual challenge, 20 Books of Summer.
It begins with a foggy scene.
The pipe that Detective Chief Inspector Maigret lit on coming out of his door in Boulevard Richard-Lenoir was even more delicious than usual. The first fog of the season was as pleasant a surprise as the first snow for children, especially when it was not that nasty yellowish fog you see on certain winter days, but a misty, milky vapour with halos of light in it. The air was fresh. The ends of your fingers and your nose tingled on a day like this and the soles of your shoes clicked smartly on the road.
Blurb (Amazon):
A new translation of this moving novel about the destructive power of greed, book twenty in the new Penguin Maigret series.
‘Poor Cécile! And yet she was still young. Maigret had seen her papers: barely twenty-eight years old. But it would be difficult to look more like an old maid, to move less gracefully, in spite of the care she took to be friendly and pleasant. Those black dresses that she must make for herself from bad paper patterns, that ridiculous green hat!’
In the dreary suburbs of Paris, the merciless greed of a seemingly respectable woman is unearthed by her long suffering niece, and Maigret discovers the far-reaching consequences of their actions.
Penguin is publishing the entire series of Maigret novels in new translations. This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret and the Spinster.
What do you think – would you read on?
Of course I’d read on, sounds irresistible
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I’ve never read a Maigret novel but love the radio adaptations because of the atmosphere. Now I see where that originates. This opening would certainly have me hooked.
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Oh yes! I enjoy the tv adaptations of Maigret; these snippets suggest I’d like the books themselves even more. But can I contemplate starting another long series? Oh dear!
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I’d read more of this new to me author/mystery. Hope you are enjoying it. Here’s my link —
https://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2018/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday_29.html
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The Maigret novels are, I think, classics of crime fiction, Margaret. So glad to see you feature one of them here. Admittedly, not all of them are equally excellent. But as a series – very much worth reading. I hope you’ll enjoy this one.
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The opening paragraph is so atmospheric. I like the author’s (and translator’s) voice. Quite an undertaking to read the entire series, though. I hope you do enjoy it.
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I’ve not read any of this author and am glad to read the first snippet of this book. Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Sounds good, I’ keep reading!
How have I never heard of the 20 Books Of Summer before? I plan on joining this year.
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What a fascinating premise…and the opening lines take me right into the scene. Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “SHADOW DANCING”
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I’ve always intended to read one of the author’s books. This one sounds good.
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I’ve never tried this series but have been curious about it. I’d have to start with the first book though rather than diving into an established series. This week I have Memory of Fire by Callie Bates from my review stack. Happy reading!
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Yes, I’d read on! I’ve only read a few of the Maigrets so far, but am hoping to find time to read more over the coming months – enjoy!
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Not read these, but I am very intrigued, I must say.
Here is mine: https://alternative-read.com/2018/05/29/talk-tuesday-with-robin-burcell/
Happy Tuesday 🙂
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