The Donnington Affair

by Max Pemberton

The Donnington Affair was first published in the October edition of The Premier magazine. The story was published in two parts. Max Pemberton wrote the first part of the novel and asked other famous authors, notably G. K. Chesterton, to finish the story; which he did.
This is the complete story, both the first and second part by both Max Pemberton and G. K. Chesterton.
Odin's Library Classics is dedicated to bringing the world the best of humankind's literature from throughout the ages. Carefully selected, each work is unabridged from classic works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or drama.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Crime, Classics

50 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1914

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Max^^Pemberton

Sir Max Pemberton (19 June 1863 – 22 February 1950) was a popular British novelist, working mainly in the adventure and mystery genres. He was educated at St Albans School, Merchant Taylors' School, and Caius College, Cambridge. A clubman, journalist and dandy (Lord Northcliffe admired his 'fancy vests'), he frequented both Fleet Street and The Savage Club.

Pemberton was the editor of boys' magazine Chums during its heyday. Between 1896 and 1906 he also edited Cassell's Magazine, in which capacity he published the early works of R. Austin Freeman and William Le Queux.

His most famous work The Iron Pirate was a bestseller during the early 1890s and it launched his prolific writing career (see below). It was the story of a great gas-driven ironclad, which could outpace the navies of the world and terrorized the Atlantic Ocean. Other notable works included Captain Black (1911).

During January 1908, Pemberton had a story entitled Wheels of Anarchy published by Cassell & Company (London). This story was based upon notes that were written by Bertram Fletcher Robinson shortly before he died in January 1907. It is an adventure tale about anarchists and assassins that is set across Europe. The novel’s hero and narrator, Bruce Driscoll, a recent Cambridge graduate, appears to be modelled upon Fletcher Robinson. Wheels of Anarchy by Max Pemberton was republished in December 2010.

In 1920, Pemberton founded the London School of Journalism, wrote a biography about Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe and was knighted. He was married to Alice Tussaud, granddaughter of Madame Marie Tussaud and daughter of Joseph Tussaud.

Pemberton also wrote a biography of Sir Henry Royce published in 1934 shortly after Royce's death.

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

[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.