The Man Who Knew Too Much by G.K. Chesterton

The Man Who Knew Too Much is an entertaining and surprising collection of stories - surprising because ... well, you will just have to read the book to find out why.  Let's just say it will challenge your notions of justice.

Horne Fisher is an accidental sleuth.  Possessing a razor-sharp intellect, Fisher is able to solve the numerous murder mysteries he happens upon in the course of his life.  He does this through acute observation, deductive logic and by drawing on his intimate knowledge of the intrigues of politics at the highest levels.  You see, Fisher is related to, or acquainted with, many powerful men, including the British Prime Minister, various cabinet members and those who attend them, and is aware of much of their dirty laundry.  This knowledge is a source of some pain and anguish to Fisher, and he calls himself "The Man Who Knows Too Much" because of it.

In the first tale in this collection of eight short stories, the reader meets a young and green journalist called Harold March.  During a ramble in the countryside, March makes the acquaintance of Fisher.  The two then witness an automobile accident, and so begins the first of the mysteries with which they will be involved in one capacity or another.  March plays little part in the adventures beyond being an incidental amanuensis to Fisher or an unwitting contributor to the solution of some of the mysteries.

The stories are set shortly after the First World War, and many of them involve political intrigues involving several northern European countries.  Chesterton intimates that another war is immanent.  In this he was correct but about fifteen years out in his reckoning - Chesterton died in 1936 and did not witness the Second World War.

Even though the stories are specific to their time, they are general enough to have a kind of timeless quality and be read with some satisfaction by a 21st century reader.  One story is jarring to modern sensibilities: the supposed true villains of the plot are the Jewish bankers of the time.  They are described in a very derogatory manner, and one wonders if this reflects Chesterton's own view or only that of his character.

If you like mysteries, The Man Who Knew Too Much is sure to satisfy.