A Man’s Head by Georges Simenon (1931)
Maigret suspects that a man found guilty of a double murder didn’t do it and sets out to discover who did.
Quick-moving and enjoyable. There is a strange quality to all the Maigrets I’ve read so far and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is. A vagueness, maybe? There are definitely moments when I’m not entirely clear on what is happening. Maybe it’s Simenon’s style or maybe it’s the style of French books from the thirties. I am far from an expert.
Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham (1930)
An American judge is pursued across the Atlantic by a ruthless gang that has already killed four of his employees. (“Four murders in his house within a month? That ought to be stopped. He’s been told about it, I suppose?”) The judge’s adult children hire Albert Campion to help protect their father and expose the gang’s leadership.
Good plotting + fun twists + splashes of humour = very entertaining.
Swing, Brother, Swing by Ngaio Marsh (1949)
An obnoxious and widely despised band member is murdered during a performance by their guest drummer, the eccentric and unpredictable Lord Pastern. But did Lord Pastern really do it?
I liked this one a lot. Lady Pastern is hilarious.
Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau (2025)
Useful advice on how to live a happier life.
A quick, but valuable read.