The Flying Stars by G. K. Chesterton from 'The Innocence of Father Brown'.

A benevolent godfather, a grieving Colonel, a young firebrand socialist, some splendid diamonds and a Christmas pantomime. What could possibly go wrong? Is Father Brown at the peak of his powers?
It's read by me, Greg Wagland for Magpie Audio.
Give blood - if you can! It's good for you!

[@katyvdb5993]

Over and above the detective part of this story, I love the visual element of Chesterton's writing. I am reminded of a remark quoted by the late Joyce Grenfell to the effect that radio is preferable to television 'because one sees the pictures so much better'. When I hear you reading Chesterton I know exactly what she meant.

[@taylormckinnon8922]

Ahhhhh. Just the perfect accompaniment to breakfast. Really starting to like these. In particular, I appreciate the fact that Father Brown seems to be just as cerebral and thorough in his deductions as Holmes himself. Chesterton and ACD certainly deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence IMHO.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Agreed.

[@katyb2793]

I just wanted to say I was delighted to discover you have books on Calibre Audio. I'm currently bedridden after covid due to being immunocompromised, so I'm pleased to say I've just finished The Time Machine, and am about to start An Inland Voyage, as well as enjoying the Father Brown stories here. So thank you very much! Also, you should know your voice is by far the one I've heard the most over the last couple of weeks 😄

[@teresawilson9530]

Feel better soon 😊

[@SEARSJAMES]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍🍻🥂!!!!!!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hi Katy. Hope you are doing ok today! Ah, Calibre - a great organisation and great people. Somewhere near Princes Risborough - I've been there! (If you need audiobooks they've got them - for free! Check out their website!) All the best - cheers, Greg.

[@katyb2793]

@@teresawilson9530 thank you 😊

[@katyb2793]

@@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio yes they're fantastic! Thank you Greg!

[@fetijajasari9522]

Thank you!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thanks for listening FJ.

[@warrenharwell4145]

Absolute genius, you are definitely one of the best.

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Not one of🤔Greg’s the GOAT 🐐

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

That's a good thing apparently! Thanks The Neilo.

[@sierraseven3680]

Yes, give blood! Every donation can save up to three lives. It's not nearly as scary or uncomfortable as some people think - I used to be a phlebotomist (the ones who do the blood collection) at our local blood bank, and almost all of the first-time donors would say, "Gee, that was so easy! I would have done it a long time ago if I knew how easy it was."

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes, it's a breeze and if you like biscuits and tea you're in Shangri-La!

[@ginabeena6757]

I hadn't heard this one!! Love Father Brown! Thank you! ❤️

[@bthomson]

A less worldly but more world-wise detective there may never have been. His form of justice suits me! Thanks for the reminder. 🙏

[@YvonneWilson312]

Utterly divine! I am so enjoying these.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Glad you are, Yvonne. So am I!

[@carolmikolj5134]

This story and The Blue Cross are my favourite Father Brown stories. Thanks so much Greg for your excellent readings of both.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

My pleasure Carol. Thank you for comment - it's appreciated!

[@jasonlamour4787]

We love you Greg.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you, Jason.

[@Scotticus71]

Ok now you're just spoiling us my friend. Thank you very much Greg, much appreciated!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Hope you're enjoying Father B's effortless methods! Cheers Scotticus - all the best!

[@nancyjernigan5840]

Thanks!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Thank you, Nancy J. Appreciated.

[@patriciaramsey5294]

RE: giving blood. I wish I could, but I have rare problem so I can't donate. These stories make you pay attention and think. Very good. Please keep them coming.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

I see. I'm really enjoying these tales - they seem to flow rather well. Not that ACD was lumpy but there's something about the prose that purrs along nicely. Does that make sense?

[@cruisepaige]

Keep checking back, the rules change all the time. I have really low blood pressure so I make sure I run around before donating, get plenty to eat and drink that day, and am very careful not to avoid fainting for the rest of the day.

[@lesterbrandt3203]

Needed a full body transfusion, over 7 people needed to save me. Thank you to all blood doners.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Indeed! I second that, Lester! All the best!

[@cruisepaige]

😊

[@evelanpatton]

🌹The ghosts of red roses…🥀❤🫀🧠👂🏼👻🌹

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Great line.

[@abarton1978]

Thanks so much for posting this today.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

My pleasure DS.

[@mijiyoon5575]

Thank You *Greg*

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Ooh you Squeezed this one past Subscriber Security Greg Sir😜 Yet Men of Culture only Gather where the good stuff is and here is where it’s at with yet another Audible Feast for the Ears. Thank you Greg Sir.I’m all over it as always🙏👍🎼🎼🎼🎧

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers The N.

[@larsen8059]

Loved this one, Thanks Greg!

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Mon plaisir, Larsen.

[@puimepuime8952]

A well read silly story. Thank you.

[@billhuitson5208]

Very enjoyable as always Greg, thank you.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers Bill!

[@jojoe4093]

😂This was funny. The musical numbers were the best. So much Holmes on the brain made it easy to solve.

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Yes. Agreed: he chose them well!

[@Dildosoup]

❤❤❤

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Cheers DS!

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

I’m Still at a loss for anything to say reference the Name of DS 🙈😂😂😂😂😂😂 Steely Dan comes to mind actually😜

[@sus_r0]

nice

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Ta!

[@annskinner8467]

As ever, thanks Greg! ❤️💦🛀💦🛀❤️ 🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️🀄️

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

As ever, thank you Ann!

[@sandraelder1101]

How is it that Fr Brown failed to recognize F? He’d already encountered him quite intimately in the Blue Cross & The Queer Feet. I’d love to ask GK that someday…

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

Eyesight?

[@celtic2993]

I think F is described as a master of disguise in other stories. Personally, just a change in hairstyle tends to throw me off in terms of recognition. If he dyed his hair, altered his beard/mustache in some way, leaned into a Canadian accent rather than his own, and managed to conceal his recognition/surprise when Father Brown showed up, it doesn't seem so outlandish. Particularly if, as @sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio says, Father Brown's eyesight isn't the best.

[@mikedaniels3009]

At first I thought i hear Michael Caine😅. Cheers

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

My name is...

[@billhuitson5208]

Maurice Micklewhite 😀

[@ringpop6177]

What time are you picking me up at the airport for the Coronation? 🤔 Are we dressing matchy matchy for the after party?

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

8am Stansted Airport. Matchy match of course: caramel two-piece and flags - er, small flags not like last time. Bring the merch! ;-) I'm a little rusty on after parties but I'm sure it'll be a blast!

[@andrewbeale6072]

'Men may keep a sort of level of good, but no man has ever been able to ​keep on one level of evil. That road goes down and down. ... I know the woods look very free behind you, Flambeau; I know that in a flash, you could melt into them like a monkey. But someday you will be an old grey monkey, Flambeau. You will sit up in your free forest cold at heart and close to death, and the tree-tops will be very bare.'

[@mijiyoon5575]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@sherlock_holmes_magpie_audio]

More twinkly stars?