I likely would have never found these charming stories if not for my habit of binge watching British television shows on NetFlix (Bless you NetFlix!).
After going through the entire series of Midsomer Murders, Rosemary and Thyme, and Keeping Up With Appearances, it was time to give Father Brown a try.
A quirky Catholic Priest with a close circle of a couple of friends to help him with his sleuthing, or as the local DCI sees it, his butting in, Father Brown solves the crime while granting forgiveness to those who desperately need it.
Anyhow, back to the book.
This book is filled with several short stories. They are of course written in the fashion of the late 1800’s/early 1900’s (when G.K. Chesterton lived), so it can be a bit jarring for some when you have been reading current novels. I personally love reading older books like this, and after you get through the first couple of pages, you have a firm feel of the style of writing and it becomes much easier to read.
Mostly murderous, these stories are a quick read and most have you guessing right until the very end. I was a bit surprised and the graphic details for a book from this time, but it is certainly nothing I haven’t seen before. This would be a great book to keep on your nightstand!
Have you read (or seen) Father Brown before?
booksandopinions.com 
I have indeed – but it’s been so-ooo long. Thank you for reminding me to go back and revisit . . . and partake of these short stories.
Yay! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
My husband and I are in the middle of season 3 of Father Brown on Netflix. We really enjoy it.
I may have rewatched it here and there as well 😂
No, I actually have never read or seen Father Brown.
I highly recommend it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I had to chuckle as I read this post, Angela. My husband and I have watched the entire Father Brown series on Netflix as well as Midsomer Murders, Foley’s War, Dr. Blake Mysteries , Miss Fischer’s Mysteries, and I have watched many of the Rosemary and Thyme episodes. There is also an earlier version of Father Brown on Netflix that we tried. The story lines are the same, but it is exceedingly dark and we didn’t care for it nearly as much as the more recent vintage of the same character. I don’t have the book but I will be making a purchase of it shortly! 🙂 Thanks for the post. Also, thanks for your visit to The Ruminant Scribe post “Similar but Different”. I appreciate your stopping by. Have a blessed day today, and enjoy the British mysteries!
The Vicar of Dibley isn’t a mystery series, but it is hilarious 🙂 I love Dawn French! I don’t think it is still on NetFlix in my area though…. 😦
I LOVE Father Brown. I don’t have Netflicks and can’t get it–in the country we’re all stuck with satellite internet–but I’ve loved the books for years. Every so often I reread them all. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Cathleen! They are removing a lot of British tv shows off NetFlix due to the new Acorn service which is like NetFlix, but strictly British shows and movies.
I live in the area where they film Midsomer Murders – it really is amazing that there’s any of us left!
LOL I saw that that seemed to be the running joke; how could anyone still be alive 🙂 How lucky to be around that type of thing going on. Did you actually ever get to see the filming or any of the stars?
Yes -you can lurk around to see some filming – often when out cycling, you’ll stumble across them because they’ve closed a road by an old cottage etc to traffic but with a bike you can still go past and have a look. My favourite bookshop does not seem to feature as much in the new series – that was a regular when John Nettles was in it The Cottage Bookshop at Penn – it’s a wonderland for me. http://cottagebookshop.co.uk/
The best location I love to visit for walks and pubs etc. is Little Missenden – a few miles down the road http://www.littlemissendenparish.org.uk/
plus the Cock and Rabbit in the Lee is their most used pub as The Lee has that regularly used village green facility where murders at summer fetes take place etc. and poachers get skewered in man-traps!!
Fantastic! You are so lucky 🙂 Thanks for sharing the links!
There is a real downside – it’s called HS2 – doing much more personal damage than MSM
http://www.theheartofthechilterns.co.uk/hs2.html
No, I have neither seen nor read anything on Father Brown before. However, you have me interested enough that I will look for it on Netflix. Not the first time I’ve been turned onto an interesting Netflix series and I appreciate it.
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
Good recommendation, there are some excellent Father Brown stories. I’ve not seen the series but have heard that it veers quite a way from the stories in many respects. Did you find much of a contrast?
Keeping up Appearances was filmed just down the road from my house! I grew up watching all the programmes you mentioned, it’s so weird to think they’ve gained a new audience across the pond. I’ve been meaning to read the Father Brown stories for ages now, I’ll definitely bump them up my TBR!
Oh My Goodness! I LOVE Keeping Up With Appearances 🙂 They took it off NetFlix now so I am going to have to break down and buy the series on DVD. “Bouquet Residence; Lady of the house speaking!” LOL
Lol! We still refer to my posh relative as “swimming pool, sauna and room for a pony!”
OMG I wanna be you! I cannot even imagine! And from this side of the pond; you are so much more awesome than we will ever be 🙂
Haha! Awww, thank you! *sips tea and quietly revels in awesomeness whilst trying not to show outward signs of emotion*
I love watching Father Brown! Think its great that good old British TV has forged a following across the pond. It cuts both ways too, my guilty pleasure is an afternoon of Diagnosis Murder or Murder She Wrote reruns. Great blog, looking forward to browsing your posts for some inspiration to bump up my book pile!
Thanks Helen! I am again watching Midsomer Murders 😂
Omg I read this book as a child. It was a gift from my grandpa and I loved Father Brown’s detective skills and how he could understand people. I had no idea there was a series in Netflix,I might give it a try 😀
You definitely should; it is fantastic!
Ahhh good Ole’ Chesterton. Father Brown the British TV show is wonderful. I actually have not read any of the Father Brown books but would like to. I probably ought to since I’m a Catholic.
The show is one of my favorites!
Same here! It is always refreshing to see the Catholics and the Catholic Church viewed positively in the Film/TV culture. I mean Fr. Brown was clearly more interesting in playing detective, but still. 🙂