Maigret and the Lazy Burglar (also translated as Maigret and the Idle Burglar; ) is a detective novel by Belgian writer Georges Simenon featuring Inspector Jules Maigret of the French judicial police. Written in July 1961 in Switzerland, it was published by Presses de la Cité that year.
Other titles The book has been translated twice into English: in 1963 (which was also published in 1973) by Daphne Woodward as Maigret and the Lazy Burglar, in 2003 as Maigret and the Idle Burglar, and in 2018 by Howard Curtis as Maigret and the Lazy Burglar.Publication history at trussel.com.; retrieved 14 February 2023.
Synopsis A body has been found in the 16th arrondissement 845 ha2 Bois de Boulogne park, badly beaten. Although out of his jurisdiction, Maigret assists his colleague... and identifies the deceased as a buglar whom had known for thirty years. He had never committed crimes of violence –what could have brought him to a violent end?
Adaptations The 81st episode of the French television series "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret", directed by Jean-Marie Coldefy with Jean Richard in the lead role, is based on the novel.
A BBC adaption aired in 1962 entitled The Amateurs starrring Rupert Davies.
The first two episodes of the 2025 PBS Masterpiece series Maigret, "The Lazy Burglar", written and directed by Patrick Harbinson and starring Benjamin Wainwright, is a modern adaptation of the novel.
Translations The book wasd translated into the Georgian as მეგრე და ზარმაცი ქურდი (Maigret and the Lazy Thief) by Nani Madzaghua.სიმენონი, ჟ. (2017). მეგრე და შეშლილი ქალი, მეგრე და ზარმაცი ქურდი. თბილისი: პალიტრა L. .
Gallery
External links Maigret at trussel.com
Le Figaro review (in French)
References