The first Maigret novel was important because it established the pattern for the rest of the series. It showed Maigret's character traits like his shrewdness, patience, and his understanding of human nature. These traits made him a very interesting detective. Also, it introduced the settings, often the streets and alleys of Paris, which added a lot of atmosphere to the stories.
Georges Simenon is the author of the first Maigret novel. He was a prolific writer and his creation of Maigret became very popular. Simenon was able to create a believable and engaging detective in Maigret, with his own quirks and methods of investigation.
In the first Maigret novel, the setting is often described in great detail, which gives a vivid sense of the world Maigret operates in. Also, the mystery at the heart of the story is quite engaging. It sets the pattern for how Maigret approaches cases in the subsequent novels. His method of slowly peeling back the layers of the mystery, relying on his intuition and understanding of human nature, is first shown here.
The first 15 Maigret novels often feature Maigret's unique detective style. He is a very observant detective, relying on his sharp eyes to notice small details that others might miss. For example, in many of these early novels, he can tell a lot about a person just from the way they dress or the look in their eyes.
Well, I'm not sure I can list all 15 specifically right off the bat. But 'Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett', this novel has Maigret dealing with a complex case involving a letter that seems to hold the key to a mystery. And 'Maigret's Dead Man' is also a classic among the early ones, with Maigret having to figure out the truth behind a seemingly ordinary death that turns out to be much more complicated.
I'm not sure exactly how many novels are on the list. There are quite a number of them, with new editions and collections being made over the years. Georges Simenon wrote a large body of work featuring Inspector Maigret, and it's a long list that has been cherished by mystery fans for decades.
The character development. Maigret himself is a very well - developed character. In novels like 'Maigret Sets a Trap', we see his different sides - his shrewdness, his compassion for the suspects and victims alike. And the other characters around him are also well - drawn, which adds depth to the story.
I think 'Maigret Sets a Trap' is also among the best. It shows Maigret's clever detective skills as he tries to catch a serial killer. The way he analyzes the evidence and the suspects' behavior is really fascinating.