G. K. Chesterton Collection Series

It seems a strange thing to mix theology with mystery fiction, but that is exactly what G. K. Chesterton did in his book of short stories, The Man Who Knew Too Much and other stories, published in 1922. The eight stories revolve around the detective, Horne Fisher, as he solves crimes occurring among the political elites in pre-war England. He is both aided and hindered in his efforts by the fact that he himself is so enmeshed in the lives of these politicians, due to friendships or familial ties. Often, he is forced to let the criminal get away lest greater chaos ensue. Throughout these stories, Fisher discusses the state of affairs with his friend, Harold March, and we come across many of Fisher’s philosophical and theological positions, which we can only deduce to reflect those of Chesterton. This is a fabulous and thrilling read, full of the intrigue and suspense of a good detective story, but also a brilliant reflection on how to make sense of the bad, and good, in all people.

The original amateur detective, Father Brown’s unique approach to mystery has made him an iconic and much-loved figure. This contains one of G. K. Chesterton’s most famous works, The Innocence of Father Brown. Packed with intriguing and baffling mysteries, join this unassuming Catholic priest as he uses his intuitive insights into human nature to crack these mysteries no matter how unsolvable. With a delightful writing style that captures the spirit of the early 1900s, G. K. Chesterton’s work has stood the test of time and continues to surprise people to this day. With a wide selection of some of Father Brown’s most famous cases, and some you might have never seen before, this book is a must for anyone who is a fan of mystery.

Heretics is a collection of 20 essays originally published by G. K. Chesterton in 1905. Nothing more strangely indicates an enormous and silent evil of modern society than the extraordinary use which is made nowadays of the word "orthodox." In former days the heretic was proud of not being a heretic. It was the kingdoms of the world and the police and the judges who were heretics. He was orthodox. He had no pride in having rebelled against them; they had rebelled against him. The armies with their cruel security, the kings with their cold faces, the decorous processes of State, the reasonable processes of law--all these like sheep had gone astray. The man was proud of being orthodox, was proud of being right. If he stood alone in a howling wilderness he was more than a man; he was a church. He was the centre of the universe; it was round him that the stars swung. All the tortures torn out of forgotten hells could not make him admit that he was heretical. But a few modern phrases have made him boast of it. He says, with a conscious laugh, "I suppose I am very heretical," and looks round for applause. The word "heresy" not only means no longer being wrong; it practically means being clear-headed and courageous. The word "orthodoxy" not only no longer means being right; it practically means being wrong. All this can mean one thing, and one thing only. It means that people care less for whether they are philosophically right. For obviously a man ought to confess himself crazy before he confesses himself heretical. The Bohemian, with a red tie, ought to pique himself on his orthodoxy. The dynamiter, laying a bomb, ought to feel that, whatever else he is, at least he is orthodox. -- Gilbert K. Chesterton. Heretics is the companion volume to the previously published Orthodoxy.

Of the numerous works that Chesterton wrote, the most scintillating synthesis of his philosophy and deeply religious faith was manifested in his masterpiece, Orthodoxy, written when he was only thirty-four and which tells, in his inimitable, soaring prose, of his earth-shaking discovery that orthodoxy is the only satisfactory answer to the perplexing riddle of the universe. Orthodoxy is perhaps the most outstanding example of the originality of his style and the brilliance of his thought. Chesterton states his purpose in Orthodoxy is to 'attempt an explanation, not of whether the Christian faith can be believed, but of how he personally has come to believe it'. This book has become a classic of Christian apologetics.

The second volume of stories featuring the most unlikely detective in literature, The ingenious amateur detective Father Brown is put to the test again in this second collection of stories, which sees him solve cases featuring bandits, traitors, voodoo and murder, wrong-footing his opponents at every turn with his characteristic blend of mischievous humour and uncanny understanding of human foibles.

Perhaps the most light-hearted of all Chesterton's "serious" works, Manalive pits a group of disillusioned young people against Mr. Innocent Smith, a bubbly, high-spirited gentleman who literally falls into their midst. Later accused of murder and denounced for philandering everywhere he goes, Smith prompts his newfound acquaintances to recognize an important idea in most unexpected ways.

Father Brown, an unassuming and shabbily dressed priest, possesses an incredible ability to solve crimes and murders. Here he reveals the secret of his success. He discovers the culprit by imagining himself to be inside the mind of the criminal. This fourth collection of Father Brown stories contains the magnificent ‘The Chief Mourner of Marne’- a fascinating story with unexpected twists – about a duel and a case of mistaken identity.