This is the second compilation of Father Brown short stories, the first being The Innocence of Father Brown (a good place to start when diving into his world). Lovers of mystery will become quickly entrenched in the world of G.K. Chesterton's classic detective stories. Often labeled the intuitive cousin of Arthur Conan Doyle's deductive Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown is a priest turned detective who combines philosophical and spiritual reasoning with scientific observation to solve crimes. Chesterton, a Catholic, is literature's king of paradox as well as a social commentator, and his funny and insightful comparisons leave readers reeling. This volume contains 12 of the 52 Father Brown stories. The tales are short, easy reads with strong plots all connected by the clever detective with an above-average understanding of human nature. This second volume, Wisdom of Father Brown, will satisfy both fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer