Rare G.K. Chesterton essay on mystery writing is itself a mystery

NEW YORK — When he wasn’t working on mystery stories, and he completed hundreds, G.K. Chesterton liked to think of new ways to tell them. Next March, it will release “Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club,” with Edwards, Lovesey, Abir Mukherjee and Aline Templeton listed as among the contributors. Asked if new members are required to take any oaths, Edwards responded, “There is an initiation ceremony for new members, but all I can say is that it has evolved significantly over the years.” No one ever acted upon Chesterton’s idea for a book if only because no evidence has been found of any response to his essay or that anyone even had a chance to read it. Another is included among Chesterton’s papers in the British Museum, with a note from the late author’s secretary, Dorothy Collins, saying that his work had sent on to “The Detective Club Magazine.” There was no Detective Club Magazine. She probably meant ‘Detection Club’ in her note but wrote ‘Detective Club.’ Some member of the Detection Club or hired editor received it, but since the magazine never materialized, whoever held the manuscript continued to hold it, and it remained in that person’s papers until it didn’t.” “After Chesterton’s death,” he added, “it was either sold or given away or went into an estate through which it was acquired.