Widely considered the first modern detective novel in French literature, The Lerouge Case is the first in Emile Gaboriau's acclaimed "Lecoq" series although his role is a secondary one in this one. A brutal murder shocks the quiet village of La Jonchère: Madame Lerouge, an elderly widow, is found slain in her modest home. The local authorities are baffled by the savagery of the crime and the apparent lack of motive. It is gradually disclosed that she had once been the servant and confidante of a noblewoman who had borne an illegitimate child. The case is assigned to Magistrate M. Daburon, who is personally invested due to his deep feelings for Claire D’Arlange, a woman linked to the case. Recognizing the complexity of the situation, Daburon seeks the assistance of M. Tabaret, a clever retired police investigator. Through meticulous deduction, he reconstructs the victim’s past and unravels a complex web of deceptions and long buried secrets ultimately revealing the true murderer and restoring justice. - Summary by Celine Major