The Annotated Innocence of Father Brown

The Innocence of Father Brown is the first, and in many people's view the best, collection of Chesterton's much-loved Father Brown stories. Father Brown, the unassuming Roman Catholic Priest from East Anglia, has long been a favorite of detective story fans everywhere for his charming and disarming personality and his infallible ability to solve crimes by skillful intuitive methods.
As well as annotation, Martin Gardner provides a substantial introduction placing the stories in the context of Chesterton's other work, and includes a selection of the many delightful illustrations the stories have inspired. There is also a very full bibliography.

About the Editor:

Martin Gardner, world famous as a popular writer on mathematics and science, is also well known for his annotated editions of classics of English Literature, especially The Annotated Alice. His other publications include Science: Good, Bad and Bogus and The Whys of a Political Scrivener.

Father Brown, an ordinary priest whose unremarkable exterior conceals extraordinary crime-solving ability, is celebrated for his solutions to metaphysical mysteries, a genre perfected by his creator, G. K. Chesterton. More than lighthearted comedies built around puzzling crimes, these superbly written tales contain deeply perceptive philosophical reflections.
The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) was the first collection of stories featuring the ecclesiastical sleuth and is widely considered the best. In this annotated edition of the collection, the Chesterton scholar Martin Gardner provides detailed notes and background information on various aspects of such stories as "The Blue Cross," "The Secret Garden," "The Invisible Man," "The Hammer of God," "The Eye of Apollo," and seven more, as well as an informative introduction and an extensive bibliography. Included also are eight illustrations reproduced from the first edition. The result is an indispensable companion for all Chesterton enthusiasts and a perfect introduction for anyone who has yet to meet the incomparable Father Brown.