Maigret and the Lazy Burglar — Georges Simenon

During a high-profile hunt for the latest criminal gang to hit Paris, Maigret is determined to track down the murderer of a quiet crook whom he cannot help but respect

When the body of Honoré Cuendot, an old burglar acquaintance of Maigret's, is found in the Bois de Boulogne with his face bashed in, Maigret is appalled that his superiors consider it a mere gangland killing. And there's a personal element to this case as well: Maigret rather liked Cuendot. Instead of concentrating on the flashy bank robberies occupying the rest of his department, Maigret decides to inquire into Cuendot's life -- and finds himself tied up in the bank robberies, too, along the way.

A deliberate, involving murder mystery that only the likes of our trusty Inspector could solve, Maigret and the Lazy Burglar reveals that Maigret's famous intuition is only one of his skills, and that his incredible empathy is just as important for bringing about justice.