Georges Simenon; Stuart Gilbert [Trans.] — Escape in Vain

London, George Routledge and Sons, 1943 . First edition. Cloth. A very scarce, first English edition of this work of crime fiction written by Georges Simenon, with two intriguing mystery novels bound into one. The first English edition of this novel originally published in French. Written by Belgian author, George Simenon, who was best known for his creation of the fictional detective, Jules Maigret. 'Escape in Vain' is comprised of two of Simenon's works of detective fiction; 'The Lodger' and 'One Way Out&apos. 'The Lodger' tells the story of a daring crime committed in Belgium on the Brussels-Paris night train, showing a young man convicted of a terrible murder.'One Way Out' is set partly in a small provincial town in France, partly in a bustling metropolis. Simenon tells the story of young people caught up in a very dangerous situation, demonstrating human emotion and the perils of adolescence. Translated by Stuart Gilbert. Bound in the publisher's cloth with the original dust wrapper. Externally, lovely, with a little bumping to the extremities. Bookseller label and pencil inscription to the front endpaper. One or two spots to endpapers. Dust wrapper is smart, with light edge wear and the odd closed tear. Wraps are lightly soiled. Price has been removed using a hole punch to the front flyleaf. Internally, firmly bound with bright, clean pages. Ink inscription to half title. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.