The Carter of "La Providence" is the second Maigret mystery by prodigiously prolific golden age author Georges Simenon. Originally published in 1931, selected books in the series are being reformatted and re-released by Macmillan on their Picador imprint. Tt's 160 pages and is available in this edition in paperback and ebook formats. (Other editions are available in other formats). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
This series, and indeed Simenon's oeuvre are classic and deeply readable. It's certainly redolent of its time period (1930s, the golden age of detective fiction) and there are dated references here, for example the central logistics are entwined with life on the waterways of the time period, locks, channels, dray horses, tie-ups along the waterways, and the people who lived and worked on them - almost all of which are vanished now, except for a few longboat channels (mostly in England) still visited and used by vacationers.
That being said, the central mysteries still work and are subtly written and plotted, and the characterizations and settings are still as nuanced as when they were written. This is a classic series and it's nice to see it being reformatted in a new edition for collectors and a new audience.
The translation work by Dr. David Coward is precise, nuanced, and seamless. The book, whilst redolent of the French countryside and waterways of the time, nevertheless doesn't read like literature in translation and happily doesn't joggle the reader out of their suspension of disbelief.
The books in general are melancholy and sometimes tragic, and this one is no exception. The clues, denouement, and resolution are fair play and satisfying (if sad).
Four stars. Wears its age quite well. Recommended for public library acquisition, home library, or a long binge/buddy read or book club selection.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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