Book reviews

The Shadow in the Courtyard
Georges Simenon Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
Georges Simenon Books
New book search
Georges Simenon Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of The Shadow in the Courtyard
"Maigret is called to the Place des Vosges, where the owner of a drug company, Raymond Couchet, has been found shot to death, seated at his desk. Behind him, the empty safe, unlocked, but unreachable with him in his chair. Maigret wonders if the robbery and murder were two separate crimes. He soon becomes convinced that the answer lies among the residents of the block of apartments. Couchet's former wife, Juliette Martin and her husband live across the square. His girlfriend, Nine Moinard, a sometime dancer, lives in the Hôtel Pigalle, and in the next room lives Couchet's son, Roger Couchet.

Mrs. Martin comes to Maigret's office, and Maigret visits her home to return a forgotten umbrella, where he discovers that the window overlooks Couchet's office. Both Mrs. and Mr. Edgar Martin had been seen scavenging among the rubbish bins the night of the crime. Roger commits suicide, jumping out of his hotel window, and Couchet's will is found, leaving a third of his fortune to his wife, his ex-wife, and his girlfriend. Mrs. Martin becomes ill, and Maigret's suspicion's focus on the Martins. Mr. Martin heads for the Belgian border, with Maigret in pursuit, and they return to his apatment for a final confrontation, where it turns out his wife nagged him into robbing the safe while Couchet was away at the toilet, but he forgot his glove on the desk. She went down to the office with a revolver, was caught by Couchet, who threatened to call the police, and she shot him. Her husband, feeling guilty, tossed the money into the Seine, and didn't realize his wife was the murderer till later. His run to Belgium had been to establish her innocence, so that she could inherit. Apprehended, she loses her mind. "
Dana Samson, Resident Scholar

Most similar books to The Shadow in the Courtyard
Death of a Harbor Master by Georges Simenon
Maigret and the Millionaires by Georges Simenon
Maigret in Court by Georges Simenon
Maigret and the Countess by Georges Simenon
Death of a Woodlander by Georges Simenon


Click here for more information about this book


Georges Simenon Resident Scholar Profiles

 TOP SCHOLAR:
  Dana Samson  

SCHOLARS:


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Thriller/Action books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Big vehicle disaster?

Crime Thriller

Disaster, natural or nuclear

Exploring into the wild

Horror Story?

Legal Thriller

Medical Thriller

Religious overtones?

Spying/Terrorism Thriller

War Thriller

Water adventure

Western



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani



Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
.
Jeff Shaara 9:10:50 PM
George W. Bush 9:06:45 PM
Sister Souljah 8:34:52 PM
Wendelin Van Draanen 8:16:28 PM
Angie Sage 7:26:30 PM
James Clavell 5:30:19 PM
Patricia McCormick 4:17:19 PM
Edward Albee 4:14:20 PM
V.C. Andrews 4:14:12 PM
Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer 2:10:25 PM
Teri Woods 2:03:46 PM
Christina Crawford 9:31:53 AM
Martina Cole 6:40:33 AM
Michael Gerber 2:28:30 AM
Sue Grafton 10:19:22 PM
Jean M. Auel 9:54:07 PM
Gabrielle Zevin 9:13:10 PM
Andrew Clements 5:16:25 PM
Danielle Steel 2:00:27 PM
Lisi Harrison 10:34:02 AM

More message boards