Father Brown Mystery Stories

Father Brown

by G.K. Chesterton, Raymond T. Bond (Editor)

The blue cross --
The queer feet --
The flying stars --
The invisible man --
The sins of Prince Saradine --
The absence of Mr. Glass --
The dagger with wings --
The oracle of the dog --
The insoluble problem

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary and art critic.

He was educated at St. Paul’s, and went to art school at University College London. In 1900, he was asked to contribute a few magazine articles on art criticism, and went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time. He wrote a hundred books, contributions to 200 more, hundreds of poems, including the epic Ballad of the White Horse, five plays, five novels, and some two hundred short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown. In spite of his literary accomplishments, he considered himself primarily a journalist. He wrote over 4000 newspaper essays, including 30 years worth of weekly columns for the Illustrated London News, and 13 years of weekly columns for the Daily News. He also edited his own newspaper, G.K.’s Weekly.

Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology.

Reviews

[Narules · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of the show, you probably won’t like the short stories. If you’ve never watched it, you may like some of them.

I managed to read the first 3 of 9 stories. I disliked the observer/narrator writing style. Father Brown was mentioned in the latter part of each story. But I’d hoped one of my favorite tv characters would have been the main attraction. Because I was introduced to the character through the lens the show writers I missed the point of view of Father Brown: the quirky, inquisitive priest/detective.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A diverse group of stories ranging from silly to contemplative. Father Brown is sometimes described in very unflattering ways - everything is a little over the top. Still, an entertaining read.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

[Ronald Wise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I'd heard Chesterton mentioned on Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac, I had not been very familiar with him until reading the introduction to this book and then adding his numerous other books to my reading list. In this collection of nine Father Brown stories, the humble and incompetent-seeming curate continually surprises those who dismiss him as a bumbling idiot. Chesterton's early 19th-century century phrasings and word-usage are at times difficult to follow, but if one takes the time to reread carefully he will find some surprising humor, if not an appreciation for the author's unique approach to establishing a scene. This collection came to my attention from a list of Oxford World's Classics in W. H. Hudson's Green Mansions.

[Karen L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I have been slowly reading a deep non fiction Orthodoxy, by Chesterton, I thought I ought to read his lighter fiction. I chose The Father Brown Mysteries. How completely different! I read the first of nine stories last night, The Blue Cross. I love the character of Father Brown. He is smart, funny and unpretentious, and he fools those devil criminals!

Many of the other stories are great too. He has a former criminal aquaintance who respects Father Brown (because of being caught by him), assisting him and giving him tips (in the latter stories). I have to return this to the library, but will definitely check it out again.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a fan of short mystery stories, you will probably enjoy this book. Although brief, the stories are well plotted and have unexpected twists. I prefer book length stories where the characters have a chance to grow, there is more depth to the plot, and the "detective" has more of a challenge in solving the mystery. Father Brown is a likable character, but this book gives little about him other than his ability to understand people and their motives.
Written almost 100 years ago, the stories remind me of the early television half hour mystery stories. Just about the time you start to enjoy the story, it is over.

[Anna the Banana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to find that my favorite part of these stories was not Father Brown nor the actual mysteries. It was G.K. Chesterton's writing. I don't know how he does it! He is super descriptive and detailed, but subtly. He can put in a full description of the setting or the clothes someone is wearing or a house or a sunset and it somehow fits naturally into the story. It doesn't come off as flowery or unsubstantial. It actually adds a lot to the story in a way I can't put into words. I will definitely be looking for more of his books if they all read as smoothly and immersively as these stories do.

[Todd Kruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chesterton's "Father Brown" character is a long time favorite of mine but this collection of stories were mediocre although the story - "The Blue Cross" - in this book was quite good and I believe is a great representation of the Father Brown collection of stories. Father Brown's insights into human character (and our souls)is a literary device that should cause us all to pause and take time to reflect on the lives we live.

[Ollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are fantastic. You can not figure the endings out. Mr. Chesteton is very tricky.

[Katie Hilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! I read Father Brown stories many years ago and recently found this volume. It has eight or nine short stories, all very clever.