Megre pred porotom / Megre i malerozni inspektor

The novel is structured around a trial in which Maigret testifies in a murder case. The accused is a man whose life and marriage are gradually revealed through witness statements. Instead of a classic investigation, the focus is on the courtroom: the jury, lawyers, and witnesses present different versions of events. Maigret follows how the truth is revealed in layers, but also how emotions, prejudices, and impressions can influence the verdict. The process reveals the psychological background of the crime and the relationships between the characters. The novel questions how objective justice can truly be.

In this case, one of Maigret's colleagues, an inspector known for his bad luck, gets involved in a seemingly simple investigation that soon becomes complicated. Awkward circumstances and a series of accidents put him in danger and create additional problems in the investigation. Maigret takes on the case and tries to solve the crime, but also to help his colleague get out of trouble. The investigation reveals that behind the "bad luck" lie real criminal moves and well-hidden motives. As is often the case with Simenon, the emphasis is on human weaknesses, relationships, and the psychology of the characters, rather than just the crime itself.