Lerouge Case

The Lerouge Case, published in 1866 by Émile Gaboriau, is recognized as the first modern detective novel in French literature and the inaugural entry in the 'Lecoq' series. The story revolves around the brutal murder of Madame Lerouge, an elderly widow, in the village of La Jonchère, which baffles local authorities. Magistrate M. Daburon, personally invested in the case due to his feelings for Claire D’Arlange, collaborates with retired investigator M. Tabaret to uncover the victim's hidden past and solve the mystery, revealing a web of deception and long-buried secrets. This novel set the stage for future detective fiction and established key conventions of the genre.