In America February 12 is still remembered as the birthday of Abraham Lincoln but this year mystery lovers around the world celebrated the centenary of the birth of Georges Simenon, Paris Police Inspector Jules Maigret's creator. Armed with extraordinary insight into human character Maigret stops at cafés for wine, beer and sandwiches followed by the sucking of his ever-present pipe as he patiently pursues murderers through the streets of Paris. Not unlike Peter Falk's Lieutenant Colombo but without the mask of the fool, and quintessentially French, he captures his prey without resorting to violence.

I was first introduced to Maigret by a French-speaking, former American pilot from the small town of Carrolton, Ohio, whose exploits in World War II and courtship of his French wife would make a fine novel. His personal library contained most of the 84 Maigret's in either French or English.

My first was Mon Ami Maigret, set on the isle des Porquerolles, one of the unspoiled isle d'Hyères, just off the coast of Toulon. I was hooked and have acquired them in used book stores and on-line but Simenon's American publisher has simplified life for fans by bringing back eight titles this month and six more through July-You'll want to own them all!

At an average of just 168 pages don't start late at night because you'll want to finish it in one sitting-and you can!