The Riddle of the Ivy
The Riddle of the Ivy is a detective novel written by G.K. Chesterton and published in 1926. The story follows the adventures of Father Brown, a priest who solves crimes using his knowledge of human nature and psychology. In this particular case, he must unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a wealthy businessman whose body is found in a locked room with no apparent means of entry or exit. Along the way, Father Brown encounters a cast of colorful characters, including a beautiful actress, a shady lawyer, and a mysterious stranger who may hold the key to solving the case.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1902 · Genre: Mystery, Travel, Philosophical · 1,655 words
First lines
More than a month ago, when I was leaving London for a holiday, a friend walked into my flat in Battersea and found me surrounded with half-packed luggage.
"You seem to be off on your travels," he said. "Where are you going?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Riddle of the Ivy is listed on Textopian as a short story by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Travel, Philosophical, Satire, Literary Fiction
- Length: 1,655 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Riddle of the Ivy by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Riddle of the Ivy?
- How does this short story by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Mystery Of A Pageant by G. K. Chesterton
- The Wrong Incendiary by G. K. Chesterton
- The Silver Goblets by G. K. Chesterton
- The Vanishing Of Vaudrey by G. K. Chesterton
- The Secret Of Flambeau by G. K. Chesterton
- The Mirror Of The Magistrate by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Mystery — The title suggests a riddle or puzzle, indicating a mystery genre.
- Travel — The narrative involves a journey and exploration of different places.
- Philosophical — The text contains reflections on travel, perception, and national identity.
- Satire — The narrative includes satirical commentary on English society and politics.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · investigation · suspense · intrigue · literary · fiction · whodunit · plot twist · character study · psychological