Books: Murders in May

MAIGRET TRAVELS SOUTH — Georges Simenon—Harcourt, Brace ($2).

All the shouting about Frenchman Simenon in U. S. mystery circles is well justified by these two novelettes. Liberty Bar finds Inspector Maigret at Antibes, in the curious business of Madame Jaja, Sylvie the tart and dead Mr. Brown. In The Madman of Bergerac, Maigret jumps off the careening Paris-Bordeaux express, is promptly shot. Convalescing in a provincial town, he mixes into the local murders and scandals, which are something for a town that size. Refreshing stories, very French.

WHILE SHE SLEEPS—Ethel Lina White —Harper ($2)....