Cookie manufacturer Léonard Lachaume, who runs the somewhat run-down family business together with his brother, is found shot to death in his bed one morning. Maigret discovers signs of burglary, but none of the family members claims to have heard anything. The inspector quickly gets the impression that the Lachaume family has little interest in the murder investigation. On the contrary, with the help of the family lawyer, they even interfere with the investigation. Only when Maigret succeeds in finding Armand's sister Véronique the case begins to move forward. Based on the 53rd Maigret novel Maigret et les témoins récalcitrants (1958), first published in Le Figaro between 17 February 1958 and 13 March 1958 in 22 sequels. The German title of the novel is Maigret und die widerspenstigen Zeugen.