“Every man in his heart of hearts believes himself to be a born detective.” (-John Buchan) The detective novel, full of mystery and intrigue, has captured the attention of readers since the beginning of the novel age. People like to play detective; the rush and thrill of mental stimulation are traits that men praise. But what makes each series famous, and makes it so dear to the public, is its detective. English novelists GK Chesterton and Ellis Peters have each made a short story and a detective series, and it's all about their own distinct detective. The detectives, Father Brown and Brother Cadfael, are similar, both monks, but completely different in mannerisms, beliefs and styles. We'll examine the differences between each detective's crime-solving skills, why each man solves crime, and how each views humanity. Chesterton creates a detective - Father Brown - who solves crimes inductively rather than deductively. “You see, I had killed them all myself… I had planned each of the crimes very carefully. I had thought out exactly how such a thing could be done, and in what style or mood a man could actually do it. And when I was pretty sure I felt exactly like the killer, obviously I knew who he was." (-Father Brown, GK Chesterton, 'The Secret of Father Brown') Uses the nature of man to solve crimes, concluding with a dramatic revelation at the end of each mystery. As a detective, he seems rather modest to readers; without leaving clues and without leaving traces as clues to solve crimes. Peters, however, brought to life a detective who solves crimes through deductive reasoning. He gathers clues and forms theories from each scene together with the reader. As a result, the ending is often q...... middle of paper ......d miserable, but what the man did with himself, for better or worse, determined its quality. things that no one ever observes by chance. (― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles) Each author has created a series with a decidedly individualistic style. Chesterton's calm rationality and erudition created a detective who solves crimes with his unholy knowledge of human tendencies. Meanwhile, Peter's innate suspicion and commitment to questioning everything have forged a detective who astutely recognizes inconsistencies within accounts, allowing him to complete cases with ease. Each detective used the unique skills and knowledge God gave them to solve the puzzles placed before them, and that's what made their series stand the test of time. Works Cited Ellis Peters, A Morbid Taste for Bones Father Brown, GK Chesterton