| While Inspector Pyke of Scotland Yard is staying with Maigret to observe his methods, Maigret receives word of a murder in the Midi, on the island of Porquerolles, of Marcellin, a man who claims to have been Maigret's friend. Actually, he'd been a criminal whose girlfriend, Ginette, a prostitute, Maigret had helped to find a sanatarium years ago. Maigret and Pyke go to the island. Jojo, a maid at the hotel, mentions to Maigret that Marcellin had boasted that he could get money any time he wanted. Maigret checks with the local telephone operator, and finds that Marcellin had called Ginette to find out "what year Van Gogh had died". Maigret makes the connection. Marcellin had discovered that Jef de Greef, a vagabond painter, had forged a Van Gogh, and Philippe de Moricourt had bought it for his mistress, Mrs. Ellen Wilcox, an Englishwoman. One or both of them had killed Marcellin to stop him from revealing the truth. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - Dry-cynical How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 80% Murder of certain profession? Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 70 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Ethnicity/Race Unusual characteristics: Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: Motive of antagonist - revenge How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Europe Yes European country: - France Island? Yes Island: - on vacation Misc setting - resort/hotel Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more descript than dialog |
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