The Donnington Affair

by G.K. Chesterton

In the October 1914 issue of the British magazine The Premier, Sir Max Pemberton published the first part of this story, inviting a number of writers, including Chesterton, to use their talents to solve the mystery of the murder described. Chesterton's solution followed in the form of a Father Brown story in the November issue.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Crime, Classics

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1914

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

[michelle+8 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every copy I could find of this story was only Chesterton's resolution, excluding the original story and invitation by Max Pemberton. Without the first part of the story, the second half was confusing and pointless. A major disappointment. If anyone can point me in the direction of Pemberton's contribution, it would be much appreciated.

[MTK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too confusing.

[Stef Rozitis]

Sounds like they had fun with this one. More of a game for people who know them or a magazine rather than a book in its own right. I had trouble following it.

Maybe we should bring back games like this instead of reality TV? Or do a tv version?

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read complete version in the Penguin ed of the Father Brown stories. The first half is by Max Pemberton and is a technically better story, with characters speaking their own dialog and performing their own actions. Chesterton is all telling all the time.

It's not a bad solution to the crime Pemberton set up, but the writing is only eh.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Father Brown short story published in 1914
This story is the result of a "challenge" by Sir Max Pemberton to several writers, including Chesterton to finish the murder story he started to solve the murder. This is Chesterton's solution. I found it a little confusing as you don't get to read Pemberton's murder story, just hear Father Brown's solution with references to parts of the murder story.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening

I listened to this as part of the Victorian Mystery Megapack. A very interesting short story mystery with a quick ending.

I would recommend to readers looking for a quick read or listen. 2023

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this story is a bit too elaborate for this author's style; narratives with anyone is flawed And true whodunits require a deep understanding of all the characters and their motives. This story was like playing a game of Clue. QED

[Michael Medlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't worry, even with the Pemberton beginning, this short story is a confusing mess. I really enjoy the Father Brown mysteries, but this one is a dud.

[Fuzzball Baggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the other Father Brown books

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was ok to read but it does not stick...

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

In 1914 Sir Max Pemberton published the first part of this story and invited writers to solve the murdermystery and so enters Father Brown.
Fairly pointless without the first part of the story.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Max Pemberton gives a prompt in a magazine and Chesterton finishes the prompt in Father Brown fashion. A fun romp through the mind of Father Brown as he deciphers this complicated mystery.

[Edit Burla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tangle of a story, almost too convoluted. The slightly different format from other Father Brown mysteries made for an interesting change.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried two times to listen to this in my audio version, but I guess there’s the missing beginning context, so I didn’t understand it.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 2 out of 5]

The completion of Max Pemberton's first part of a story, it is difficult to put together without it.