Maigret and the Dead Girl

Oct 6, 2024 5:24 AM

Author:Georges Simenon,Howard Curtis

'His artistry is supreme' John Banville

Maigret wouldn't have admitted that what intrigued him most was the victim's face. All he had seen of it so far was one profile. Was it the bruises that gave her that sullen air? She looked like a bad-tempered little girl. Her combed-back brown hair was very smooth but naturally wavy. The rain had diluted her make-up a little and, instead of making her older or uglier, it made her younger and more appealing.

Maigret and his fellow inspector Lognon find themselves trying to out-manoeuver each other when they investigate the case of a mysterious young woman whose new life in Paris is tragically cut short.

'His artistry is supreme' John Banville

'One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories' Guardian'

Reviews

Another fantastic twisty-turny novel by one of my favourite authors. I am always enthralled by her books and this is her best yet

—— Jill Mansell

Sheer perfection. THE TROPHY CHILD is gripping, darkly funny and bound to induce spasms of guilt in even the least pushy parent. I can’t remember the last time I was so enthralled. I want to stand on a mountain top and tell everyone to read this brilliant novel

—— Mark Edwards

The UK's answer to Liane Moriarty. Amazing.

—— Claire McGowan

Kept me guessing right until the end. I devoured it.

—— Claire Douglas

Unravels to reveal a surprising and gripping read . . . Daly expertly crafts a thriller from within the walls of domestic life and shows how tragedy uproots the illusions and pretences of idyllic family life.

—— Eastern Daily Press

Daly has created a particularly monstrous “tiger mother” in Karen Bloom . . . Entertaining and insightful.

—— Daily Mail

Paula Daly bases her intricate, emotional domestic noir in seemingly ordinary suburbia and, set in the idyllic Lake District, The Trophy Child shows the turmoil underlying perfection . . . While this is family life at its darkest, Daly’s multifaceted but unlikeable characters are still shockingly relatable. The result is a fast-paced, enjoyable and suspenseful drama.

—— Daily Express

A terrific page turner.

—— Guardian

Skilfully plotted, with a great clarity of style. I really enjoyed it

—— Alison Joseph

A great debut introducing an unusual lead character

—— Novel Heights

Very strong. Very well written

—— Crime Squad

Quite simply the best start to a new crime series - and the best debut - I've read in years. Joe Stark is such a terrific hero, full of flaws and compassion and the sort of quiet heroism that you rarely see these days, even in fiction. One of those books I want to bulk buy and press into the hands of everyone I know. The writing is top-notch, the action sequences are superlative, the characters crackle off the page and the dialogue whips and zings like bullets in the dust. Read it!

—— Sarah Hilary, author of Under the Skin and No Other Darkness

A powerful debut ... intensity, outstanding characterisation, passion, perfect dialogue and pinpoint plotting

—— Crime Review

An astonishingly assured debut novel

—— We Love This Book

All I can say is "wow" ... exceptional in its ability to engage, thrill, intrigue and entertain. It's an accomplished, accessible, well-paced novel that rivals all its contemporary popular 'grip lit' titles with relatable characters and a compelling writing style. It's absorbing, arresting and addictive.

If you enjoyed "The Widow" by Fiona Barton, "In Her Wake" by Amanda Jennings, "Lying in Wait" by Liz Nugent or "My Husband's Son" by Deborah O'Connor, then you will definitely enjoy this.

—— @katherinesunde3

A remarkable psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the astounding end!

—— @SnowMel1

A gripping read ... different, dark and completely absorbing.

—— @BibliophileBC

I loved 'What Alice Knew ... [and] ADORED each and every description of Bristol.

—— @emilyglen6226

A nail biting, gripping page turner that will have you questioning everything you've ever known. Brilliant!'

—— @kaishajayneh

Fast paced and awe inspiring... [with] a thunderous ending'

—— @Zoe__Diane

The lines between right and wring, moral and immoral were blurred and I never knew what the characters would do next ... Clever and shocking, a fantastic psychological thriller.

—— @albainbookland

A compelling read ... an excellent novel and the plotting is top-notch.

—— @tiny_ickle_jo

Very different from every other psychological thriller I have read ... the perfect book for a book club

—— Irena_BookDust

Full of tension, questions, secrets and lies... a spectacular finish with fireworks and an unbelievable turn

—— @Agi_mybookshelf

A gripping and meaty book ... a must read for anyone who loves a domestic psychological thriller.

—— @LynseyMummaDuck

A terrific book - compelling and exquisitely told by an author with exceptional talent

—— Bestselling author, Susan Lewis

A great read with an astonishing twist

—— People's Friend

Goes straight on the shelf marked 'unputdownable'... scenes of great beauty and moments of great drama ... a splendid debut.

—— Robert Miller , Redburn Review

A great thing to read

—— Inside Soap

A fast-paced mystery thriller ... Thanks to Cotterell's convincing characters, you'll find yourself questioning right and wrong, and how far a woman should go to protect her family.

—— Cosmopolitan

All I can say is WOW! If you are a fan of the psychological thriller genre, then this needs to go on your 'must get' list... Excellent.

—— @bookkaz

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