Between 1931 and 1972, Georges Simenon published 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Inspector Maigret. The following list is entirely subjective and includes only my personal preferences:
The Fayard Ciycle (1931 – 1934): The Carter of ‘La Providence’ (Inspector Maigret # 4); A Crime in Holland (Inspector Maigret # 7); A Man’s Head (Inspector Maigret # 9); The Saint-Fiacre Affair (Inspector Maigret # 13); The Flemish House (Inspector Maigret # 14); Liberty Bar (Inspector Maigret # 17).
The Gallimard Cycle (1942 – 1944): Cécile is Dead (Inspector Maigret # 20); The Cellars of the Majestic (Inspector Maigret # 21); Signed, Picpus (Inspector Maigret # 23).
The Presses de la Cité Cycle: a) The United States and Canada Period (1945 – 1955) Maigret’s Holiday (Inspector Maigret # 28); My Friend Maigret (Inspector Maigret # 31); Maigret at Picratt’s (Inspector Maigret # 36); Maigret’s Mistake (Inspector Maigret # 43); Maigret Goes to School (Inspector Maigret # 44).
The Presses de la Cité Cycle: b) The Return to Europe (1955 – 1963): Maigret`s Doubts (Inspector Maigret # 52); Maigret in Court (Inspector Maigret # 55); Maigret and the Old People (Inspector Maigret # 56); Maigret and the Saturday Caller (Inspector Maigret #59); Maigret Sets a Trap (Inspector Maigret # 60); Maigret’s Anger (Inspector Maigret #61).
The Presses de la Cité Cycle: c) The Last Part of the Saga (1964 – 1972) Maigret Defends Himself (Inspector Maigret #63); Maigret’s Patience (Inspector Maigret #64); Maigret Hesitates (Inspector Maigret #67); Maigret’s Childhood Friend (Inspector Maigret #69); Maigret’s Madwoman (Inspector Maigret #72).
Short stories: The Man in the Street (tr. Jean Stewart) in Maigretʻs Christmas: Nine Stories; and The Most Obstinate Customer in the World (tr. Jean Stewart) in Maigretʻs Christmas: Nine Stories.
However, if you just want to read one before making up your mind, I would suggest:
A Crime is Afoot 
Great list Jose Ignacio 😀
Thank you, Sergio!
Amazing to have done them all, truly.
Useful post. I have read little Maigret (very early ones), and not much liked those I did read, but I gather the new Penguin translations are better. I have several on my Kindle. (I did like some non Maigret novels.) I will pick up Cécille.
Your list of Margaret favorites is longer than the entire body of work of many authors. Thanks for all the reviews!
But they are not too long. 🙂