George Simenon (1903-1989), a Belgian author, was a titan in the world of crime fiction, best recognized for his iconic character, Inspector Jules Maigret. His remarkable literary output, comprising close to 200 novels written in his native French, has made a significant impact in the genre, with most of his works being translated into various languages, including English. Furthermore, Simenon’s influence extended beyond literature, as his novels inspired nearly 200 film adaptations, demonstrating the universal appeal of his storytelling.
Simenon’s literary journey began at the tender age of 16, when he started writing for the “Gazette de Liège.” This early start laid the foundation for a prolific and influential career in writing. Over the course of his life, Simenon’s experiences were as varied as the places he lived, including Belgium, France, Canada, the United States, and ultimately Switzerland, where he passed away in 1989 due to natural causes.
His first novel, “Au Pont des Arches,” was published in 1921 under the pseudonym G. Sim, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Simenon’s work is characterized by its tight plotting, psychological depth, and a keen insight into human nature, elements that have made Inspector Maigret one of the most beloved characters in crime fiction.
Below is a comprehensive list of Georges Simenon’s books, presented in the order of their release. This list not only showcases the volume of Simenon’s work but also highlights the consistent quality and innovation he brought to the genre. His novels, especially those featuring Jules Maigret, continue to be revered by fans of crime fiction and serve as a benchmark for writers in the genre. George Simenon’s legacy as a master of crime fiction remains unparalleled, with his works still being read and celebrated for their intricate storytelling and captivating characterizations.
Publication Order of Inspector Maigret Books
| Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett / Pietr the Latvian | (1931) |    |
| Maigret Meets a Milord / The Carter of ‘La Providence’ | (1931) | |
| The Death of Monsieur Gallet / The Late Monsieur Gallet / Maigret Stonewalled | (1931) | |
| The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien / The Crime of Inspector Maigret / Maigret and the Hundred Gibbets | (1931) | |
| A Battle of Nerves/ A Man’s Head / Maigret Bides His Time / The Patience of Maigret / Maigret’s Patience | (1931) | |
| The Yellow Dog / Maigret and the Concarneau Murders | (1931) | |
| Maigret at the Crossroads / The Night at the Crossroads | (1931) | |
| Maigret in Holland/ A Crime in Holland | (1931) | |
| The Sailors’ Rendezvous / Maigret Answers a Plea / The Grand Banks Cafe | (1931) | |
| The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin / Maigret At the Gai-Moulin | (1931) | |
| Maigret and the Tavern by the Seine / The Two-Penny Bar | (1931) | |
| The Shadow Puppet / Maigret Mystified | (1932) | |
| Maigret Goes Home / The Saint-Fiacre Affair / Maigret on Home Ground / Maigret and the Countess | (1932) | |
| Maigret and the Flemish Shop / The Flemish House | (1932) | |
| Maigret and the Death of a Harbor-Master / Misty Harbour / Maigret and Monsieur Labbe | (1932) | |
| The Madman of Bergerac | (1932) | |
| Liberty Bar / Maigret on the Riviera | (1932) | |
| Lock No. 1 / The Lock at Charenton | (1933) | |
| Maigret / Maigret Returns | (1934) | |
| The Cellars of the Majestic / Maigret and the Hotel Majestic | (1942) | |
| The Judge’s House / Maigret in Exile | (1942) | |
| Maigret and the Spinster / Cécile is Dead | (1942) | |
| Maigret and the Fortuneteller / To Any Lengths / Signed, Picpus | (1944) | |
| Félicie / Maigret and the Toy Village | (1944) | |
| Inspector Cadaver / Maigret’s Rival | (1944) | |
| Maigret Gets Angry / Maigret in Retirement | (1947) | |
| Maigret in New York / Maigret in New York’s Underworld | (1947) | |
| Maigret’s Holiday / A Summer Holiday / No Vacation for Maigret | (1948) | |
| Maigret’s Dead Man / Maigret’s Special Murder | (1948) | |
| Maigret’s First Case | (1949) | |
| My Friend Maigret / The Methods of Maigret | (1949) | |
| Maigret at the Coroner’s / Maigret and the Coroner | (1949) | |
| Maigret and the Old Lady | (1950) |  |
| Madame Maigret’s Own Case / The Friend of Madame Maigret / Madame Maigret’s Friend | (1950) | |
| Maigret’s Memoirs | (1951) | |
| Maigret in Montmartre / Maigret and the Strangled Stripper / Maigret at Picratt’s | (1951) | |
| Maigret Takes a Room / Maigret Rents a Room | (1951) | |
| Maigret and the Burglar’s Wife / Maigret and the Tall Woman | (1951) | |
| Maigret and the Gangsters / Inspector Maigret and the Killers / Maigret, Lognon and the Gangsters | (1952) | |
| Maigret’s Revolver | (1952) | |
| Maigret and the Man on the Bench / Maigret and the Man on the Boulevard | (1953) | |
| Maigret Afraid / Maigret Is Afraid | (1953) | |
| Maigret’s Mistake | (1953) | |
| Maigret Goes to School | (1954) | |
| Maigret and the Calame Report / Maigret and the Minister | (1954) | |
| Maigret and the Dead Girl / Maigret and the Young Girl | (1954) | |
| Maigret and the Headless Corpse | (1955) | |
| Maigret Sets a Trap | (1955) | |
| Maigret’s Failure | (1956) | |
| Maigret Enjoys Himself / Maigret’s Little Joke / None of Maigret’s Business | (1957) | |
| Maigret Travels / Maigret and the Millionaires | (1958) | |
| Maigret Has Scruples / Maigret’s Doubts | (1958) | |
| Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses | (1959) | |
| Maigret’s Secret / Maigret Has Doubts | (1959) | |
| Maigret in Court | (1960) | |
| Maigret and the Old People / Maigret in Society | (1960) | |
| Maigret and the Idle Burglar / Maigret and the Lazy Burglar | (1961) | |
| Maigret and the Black Sheep / Maigret and the Good People of Montparnasse | (1962) | |
| Maigret and the Saturday Caller | (1962) | |
| Maigret and the Tramp / Maigret and the Dosser / Maigret and the Bum | (1963) | |
| Maigret’s Fury / Maigret Loses His Temper / Maigret’s Anger | (1963) | |
| Maigret and the Ghost / Maigret and the Apparition | (1964) | |
| Maigret on the Defensive / Maigret Holds His Own / Maigret Defends Himself | (1964) | |
| Maigret and the Nahour Case | (1966) | |
| Maigret and the Pickpocket / Maigret’s Pickpocket | (1967) |