L'affaire Lerouge

''L'Affaire Lerouge'' is a detective novel by Émile Gaboriau, first published in 1866. The plot revolves around the murder of the widow Lerouge, whose body is discovered in her home, prompting a police investigation led by a magistrate and his team. The narrative intricately weaves together witness testimonies and detective work, revealing complex societal themes and interpersonal dynamics. This novel is notable for being one of the early works in the detective genre, influencing future mystery writers and establishing key tropes in crime fiction.