The Mystery of Georges Simenon: a Biography by Bresler, Fenton - 1983

Georges Simenon, creator of Inspector Maigret, author of 500 books, lover of 10,000 women, insists he is a man like any other. But few would agree with him. His life has been mysterious, traumatic, and laced with tragedy. It is full of contradictions and drama; it is a clear case of life imitating art.
" The Mystery of Georges Simenon is the result of more than two years of extensive research, during which the author travelled to Switzerland, Belgium, France, and across America in the tracks of his subject. Throughout he had the full cooperation of Simenon and his family.
" A compelling story emerges: the eventful childhood in Belgium; the love-hate relationship with his mother; the struggle to become a writer in Paris; the battleground of his marriages; the complex relationship with his daughter and her tragic suicide; the creation of Maigret and Simenon's unique approach to writing; bizarre encounters on his world travels; the years in America and life in Occupied France; and the amazing sexual adventures.
" This fascinating work challenges much of what has been previously written and said about Simenon and contains a great deal of never-before-disclosed material, including intimate family photographs. " .