Maigret and the Flemish Shop

The Peeters family is accused of murdering a young woman who had a child by the son of the family, Joseph Peeters. They ask Maigret to help clear them of suspicion. He arrives at the border town of Givet in a totally unofficial capacity. The phlegmatic manners of the Flemish family, and the perfect calm and cleanliness of their home and shop, seem to mesmerize Maigret. Will he penetrate their secrets - and the motives of the townspeople who hate them? Maigret does some unexpected things in this novel, including warding off an attacker, a rare display of physical fitness! Simenon had some Flemish ancestry himself. It's interesting to ponder that in relation to the peculiar atmosphere in the Peeters household.