Georges Simenon, the prolific Belgian author, is best known for his gripping psychological crime novels, particularly the Maigret series. With over 400 works, including 75 Maigret novels and numerous standalone “romans durs” (hard novels), Simenon’s bibliography is a treasure trove for mystery and literary fiction fans. This guide provides a comprehensive list of Georges Simenon’s books in order, focusing on his famous Inspector Maigret series and key non-Maigret works, perfect for new readers and seasoned fans alike.
Who Was Georges Simenon?
Georges Simenon (1903–1989) was a literary phenomenon, writing at a pace that few could match. His ability to craft compelling, character-driven stories with minimal prose made him a master of psychological depth. The Maigret series, featuring the pipe-smoking Parisian detective Jules Maigret, is his most famous contribution, blending atmospheric settings with intricate human emotions. His non-Maigret novels, known as “romans durs,” explore darker themes of obsession, guilt, and morality.
Whether you’re diving into Simenon’s world for the first time or revisiting his classics, this guide will help you navigate his extensive catalog in publication order, ensuring you don’t miss a single masterpiece.
Georges Simenon Books In Order by Year
Discover the complete list of Georges Simenon’s books in order by year, showcasing the evolution of his masterful storytelling. From the iconic Inspector Maigret mysteries to his gripping psychological novels, this guide helps readers explore Simenon’s prolific literary journey and appreciate his timeless contributions to crime and literary fiction.
| No. | Title | Publication Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pietr the Latvian | 1931 |
| 2 | The Carter of La Providence | 1931 |
| 3 | The Late Monsieur Gallet | 1931 |
| 4 | The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien | 1931 |
| 5 | A Man’s Head | 1931 |
| 6 | The Yellow Dog | 1931 |
| 7 | The Night at the Crossroads | 1931 |
| 8 | A Crime in Holland | 1931 |
| 9 | The Grand Banks Café | 1931 |
| 10 | The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin | 1931 |
| 11 | The Two-Penny Bar | 1932 |
| 12 | Death of a Harbormaster | 1932 |
| 13 | The Saint-Fiacre Affair | 1932 |
| 14 | The Flemish House | 1932 |
| 15 | The Madman of Bergerac | 1932 |
| 16 | Liberty Bar | 1932 |
| 17 | The Lock at Charenton | 1933 |
| 18 | Maigret | 1934 |
| 19 | Maigret Returns | 1934 |
| 20 | The Hotel Majestic | 1934 |
| 21 | Maigret is Afraid | 1935 |
| 22 | The Crime on the Boulevard | 1935 |
| 23 | The Man on the Lake | 1935 |
| 24 | The North Star | 1936 |
| 25 | Maigret on the Defensive | 1936 |
| 26 | The Man in the Street | 1937 |
| 27 | The Girl Across the Street | 1937 |
| 28 | The Café of the Terrace | 1937 |
| 29 | Storm in the Channel | 1938 |
| 30 | The House by the Canal | 1938 |
| 31 | The Lost Car | 1938 |
| 32 | The Singing Blacksmith | 1938 |
| 33 | The Burgomaster of Furnes | 1939 |
| 34 | The Unknown Doctor | 1939 |
| 35 | The Madwoman of Bayeux | 1939 |
| 36 | The Body of Poor Aurelien Le Tellier | 1940 |
| 37 | Malempant | 1940 |
| 38 | The Girls of Concarneau | 1941 |
| 39 | The Judge and the Hatter | 1941 |
| 40 | The Revolver and the Rose | 1941 |
| 41 | Auction After the Firing | 1942 |
| 42 | The Village Five Miles Away | 1942 |
| 43 | Destination South | 1943 |
| 44 | The Gangsters of the Pool | 1943 |
| 45 | The Little Saint | 1943 |
| 46 | The Friends of the Yacht Club | 1944 |
| 47 | The Cellar | 1945 |
| 48 | The Lady of Kensington Gardens | 1945 |
| 49 | The Voyage to London | 1945 |
| 50 | The Shadow on the Island | 1946 |
| 51 | The Shadow in the Lift | 1946 |
| 52 | The Door | 1946 |
| 53 | The Will of an Old Lady | 1947 |
| 54 | The Shadow in the Courtyard | 1947 |
| 55 | The Shadow in the Mirror | 1947 |
| 56 | The Shadow on the Island | 1947 |
| 57 | The Shadow in the Lift | 1948 |
| 58 | The Door | 1948 |
| 59 | The Will of an Old Lady | 1948 |
| 60 | The Shadow in the Courtyard | 1948 |
| 61 | The Shadow in the Mirror | 1948 |
| 62 | The Train | 1949 |
| 63 | The Milkman | 1950 |
| 64 | The Judge | 1950 |
| 65 | The Bank Manager | 1951 |
| 66 | The Informer | 1951 |
| 67 | The Patient | 1951 |
| 68 | The Strong Man | 1952 |
| 69 | The Little Doctor | 1952 |
| 70 | The Passenger | 1952 |
| 71 | The Hotel Majestic | 1953 |
| 72 | The Trap | 1954 |
| 73 | The Fugitive | 1954 |
| 74 | The Premeditated Murder | 1955 |
| 75 | Maigret’s Dead Man | 1972 |
Georges Simenon’s Maigret Series in Order
The Maigret series, spanning 75 novels and 28 short stories, follows Inspector Jules Maigret as he solves crimes in Paris and beyond. Known for their atmospheric depth and psychological insight, these books are perfect for fans of classic detective fiction. Below is the complete list of Maigret novels in publication order, with English translations where applicable.
- Pietr the Latvian (1931) – Maigret investigates an international conman, unraveling a web of deception.
- The Carter of La Providence (1931) – A murder on a canal barge leads Maigret into a world of drifters.
- The Late Monsieur Gallet (1931) – A seemingly straightforward death reveals dark family secrets.
- The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien (1931) – Maigret uncovers a tragic past linked to a suicide.
- A Man’s Head (1931) – A condemned man’s innocence becomes Maigret’s obsession.
- The Yellow Dog (1931) – A coastal town’s eerie crimes draw Maigret into a chilling mystery.
- The Night at the Crossroads (1931) – A remote crossroads holds the key to a baffling murder.
- A Crime in Holland (1931) – Maigret travels to Holland to solve a professor’s murder.
- The Grand Banks Café (1931) – A fishing fleet’s dark secrets surface after a sailor’s death.
- The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin (1931) – A nightclub in Liège hides a deadly conspiracy.
- The Two-Penny Bar (1932) – A convict’s last words lead Maigret to a riverside bar.
- The Shadow Puppet (1932) – A businessman’s murder reveals a tangled web of jealousy.
- The Saint-Fiacre Affair (1932) – Maigret returns to his childhood village to solve a countess’s death.
- The Flemish House (1932) – A family’s secrets unravel in a border town.
- The Madman of Bergerac (1932) – Maigret hunts a serial killer while recovering from an injury.
- The Bar on the Seine (1932) – A condemned man’s confession sparks a new investigation.
- The Lock at Charenton (1933) – A lockkeeper’s murder draws Maigret to the Seine’s underbelly.
- Maigret (1934) – A young man’s plea pulls Maigret into a dangerous underworld.
- Maigret Returns (1934) – A retired Maigret takes on a personal case for his nephew.
- Maigret and the Hundred Gibbets (1934) – A trail of suicides leads to a shocking discovery.
(Note: The Maigret series continues with 55 more novels and short stories. For brevity, we’ve listed the first 20. For the full list, check resources like [insert external link to a trusted bibliography, e.g., a publisher’s site or a literary database].)
Why Read the Maigret Series in Order?
Reading the Maigret books in publication order allows you to follow the evolution of Simenon’s writing style and Maigret’s character development. While each novel stands alone, the chronological order enhances the experience by revealing subtle shifts in Maigret’s methods and the recurring cast of Parisian characters.
Key Non-Maigret Novels (Romans Durs)
Simenon’s non-Maigret novels, or “romans durs,” are standalone works that delve into the darker sides of human nature. These psychological thrillers are less about whodunit and more about why. Below are some of his most acclaimed non-Maigret books in publication order:
- The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By (1938) – A clerk’s descent into crime after a life-altering revelation.
- The Strangers in the House (1940) – A recluse is drawn into a murder case in his own home.
- The Widow (1942) – A woman’s obsessive love leads to tragedy on a French farm.
- Three Bedrooms in Manhattan (1946) – A chance encounter in New York sparks a tale of loneliness and passion.
- Dirty Snow (1948) – A young man’s moral decay in Nazi-occupied Europe.
- Act of Passion (1953) – A man confesses to a crime driven by uncontrollable desire.
- The Blue Room (1964) – A fleeting affair spirals into a nightmare of guilt and betrayal.
These novels showcase Simenon’s ability to explore complex emotions and moral dilemmas, making them must-reads for fans of literary fiction and psychological drama.
How to Start Reading Georges Simenon
For Maigret Fans
Begin with Pietr the Latvian to meet Inspector Maigret and dive into his world of 1930s Paris. The early novels are short, fast-paced, and perfect for binge-reading. Penguin Classics has reissued many Maigret novels with fresh translations, making them accessible in print and eBook formats.
For Non-Maigret Readers
If you prefer standalone stories, start with Dirty Snow or The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By. These novels highlight Simenon’s knack for psychological depth and are ideal for readers who enjoy authors like Patricia Highsmith or Albert Camus.
Where to Find Simenon’s Books
- Bookstores: Major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores carry Simenon’s works.
- Libraries: Many libraries stock Maigret novels and key romans durs.
- eBooks: Platforms like Kindle and Kobo offer digital versions of most titles.
- Secondhand Shops: Simenon’s popularity means used bookstores often have vintage editions.
Why Georges Simenon’s Books Remain Timeless
Simenon’s novels transcend the crime genre, offering insights into human behavior that resonate today. His minimalist prose, vivid settings, and flawed characters create stories that are both accessible and profound. Whether you’re drawn to Maigret’s methodical investigations or the raw intensity of the romans durs, Simenon’s bibliography offers something for every reader.
FAQs About Georges Simenon Books
Q: How many Maigret books are there?
A: The Maigret series includes 75 novels and 28 short stories, published between 1931 and 1972.
Q: Can I read Maigret books out of order?
A: Yes, each Maigret novel is self-contained, but reading in publication order enhances the experience.
Q: What are Simenon’s best non-Maigret books?
A: Dirty Snow, The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By, and The Blue Room are highly recommended for their psychological depth.
Q: Where can I find a complete Simenon bibliography?
A: Check publisher websites like Penguin Classics or literary databases for detailed lists.
Start Your Simenon Journey Today
Georges Simenon’s books offer a captivating blend of mystery, psychology, and human drama. Whether you’re solving crimes with Maigret or exploring the darker corners of the human psyche, there’s a Simenon novel for you. Start with the Maigret series for classic detective stories or dive into the romans durs for a more intense experience. Happy reading!
