Another classic Maigret in which the Chief Inspector bounces around in a daze, drinking beer, white wine, and calvados and questioning random people in random ways until it all clicks in a moment and he knows the twisted, strange, and ultimately human narrative and makes an arrest.  In this case, the Chief Inspector is sent to Etretat at the request of a Deputy and a direct visit from his mother, Valentine, the eponymous old lady.  Valentine’s maid, La Rose Tucho from Yport, has been poisoned, ostensibly by a  sleeping drought intended for the old lady.  Before the case is solved, Maigret has learned all of the dirty secrets of the Bresson family and has identified Valentine as the murderer, unfortunately, not before the old lady has murdered La Rose’s brother, Henri.  A good tale on Frances’ seacoast, with Paris playing no part whatsoever.