The Innocence of Father Brown
First editionFirst publication
1911
Literature form
Stories
Genres
Crime, mystery
Writing language
English
Author's country
England
Length
approx. 87,000 words
Notable lines
Between the silver ribbon of morning and the green glittering ribbon of sea, the boat touched Harwich and let loose a swarm of folk like flies, among whom the man we must follow was by no means conspicuous—nor wished to be.
— First line, "The Blue Cross"
If you meet a member of that select club, "The Twelve True Fishermen," entering the Vernon Hotel for the annual club dinner, you will observe, as he takes off his overcoat, that his evening coat is green and not black. If (supposing that you have the star-defying audacity to address such a being) you ask him why, he will probably answer that he does it to avoid being mistaken for a waiter. You will then retire crushed. But you will leave behind you a mystery as yet unsolved and a tale worth telling.
— First lines, "The Queer Feet"
"You attacked reason," said Father Brown. "It's bad theology."
— "The Blue Cross"
One of his hobbies was to wait for the American Shakespeare — a hobby more patient than angling.
— "The Secret Garden"
"I caught him, with an unseen hook and an invisible line which is long enough to let him wander to the ends of the world, and still to bring him back with a twitch upon the thread."
— "The Queer Feet"
Men may keep a sort of level of good, but no man has ever been able to keep on one level of evil.
—"The Flying Stars"
"People like frequent laughter," answered Father Brown, "but I don't think they like a permanent smile. Cheerfulness without humour is a very trying thing."
—"The Three Tools of Death"
The great detective sat at his desk apparently too occupied to hear their turbulent entrance. They paused a moment, and then something in the look of that upright and elegant back made the doctor run forward suddenly. A touch and a glance showed him that there was a small box of pills at Valentin's elbow, and that Valentin was dead in his chair; and on the blind face of the suicide was more than the pride of Cato.
— Last lines, "The Secret Garden"
Flambeau went back to his sabres, purple rugs and Persian cat, having many things to attend to. John Turnbull Angus went back to the lady at the shop, with whom that imprudent young man contrives to be extremely comfortable. But Father Brown walked those snow-covered hills under the stars for many hours with a murderer, and what they said to each other will never be known.
— Last lines, "The Invisible Man"
