The Little Doctor by Simenon, Georges - 1981

" Not until Jean Dollent, affectionately nicknamed the Little Doctor, had stumbled by accident on his first case did he realize that he had a genius for detective work. His powers of observation, sharpened by his medical work, could be applied as successfully to the study of crime as to diagnosis of illness.
" True, his methods were not always orthodox, and the police were at first skeptical of his theories, but his successes soon changed their attitude.
" Dollent's reputation as a puzzle solver soon became known throughout the countryside. He was in demand everywhere: he was asked to clear an important client of a shipping company of a murder charge; to investigate the mysterious disappearance of an admiral; and to help a man accused, he said, of assault - all told, thirteen bizarre cases that baffled the authorities were brought to him for diagnoses; they, of course, yielded their secrets to the Little Doctor's acute investigative intellect. "
" Simenon here creates a splendid character whose vivacity and unconventional approach to detection make these witty and amusing stories a delight to read. " .