Inspector Maigret, typically immersed in the bustling environment of Paris, finds himself navigating the quaint yet mysterious maritime setting of a small coastal town. Here, he encounters the same human vulnerabilities and fears that he meticulously unravels in the city. Renowned for focusing on the "whys" rather than the "hows" of crime, Maigret prioritizes character study and motives over the mere mechanics of events. In this particular case, although his assistant Inspector Leroy diligently pursues clues and conducts scientific experiments, it is Maigret's unique psychological insights that steer the investigation.

The tranquility of the town is shattered when Monsieur Mostaguen, a seemingly harmless man without known enemies, is shot. The mayor of Concarneau, eager to restore normalcy, pressures Maigret to quickly find and arrest the culprit. This pressure adds a layer of tension to an already nervous atmosphere in a town where the mist hangs heavy and whispers carry weight.

The Admiral Hotel serves as the nucleus for the unfolding drama. Among its patrons is Emma, a waitress who, with her sad-eyed demeanor, hints at past emotional scars. Trapped in her circumstances, she engages in affairs with various men of the community. Meanwhile, Doctor Michoux, a physician more in name than in practice, harbors concealed fears that Maigret must uncover to grasp the full picture of the intrigue.

As the investigation progresses, one character succumbs to poison, while another, in a desperate bid to escape past crimes, flees to Paris, only to be apprehended. The narrative intricately weaves these events, demonstrating Georges Simenon's exemplary craftsmanship in exploring human motives and the isolation born from fear.

Originally published in 1931 as Le Chien Jaune and later translated into English in 1940 as part of The Patience of Maigret, this novel showcases Simenon's deep understanding of the human psyche. Maigret methodically peels back the layers of deceit, revealing how greed can warp the world of the docks. The reader is invited into a world where the "whys" of criminal behavior come to the forefront, leaving the "hows" to quietly recede into the backdrop of this masterful psychological mystery.