The Owl of Minerva

Inspector Sullivan always regarded Father Brown as an irritant, despite all the murders the priest help solved.

The opening of the episode reveals that the fugitive on the run is no other than Inspector Sullivan who has turned to Father Brown for help.

Sullivan is wanted for the murder of young, clever and eager Detective Constable Albert who is found stabbed. A visiting detective from Rhodesia is put in charge of the case. Sullivan thinks that a cabal of the good and the great in Kembleford might want to see him put away on trumped up charges as he and DC Albert were investigating the murder of a journalist who thought he had got a scoop.

A thoroughly enjoyable episode, as Sullivan finally admits defeat and realises Father Brown has his uses. Even Sid who is due in court reluctantly helps out.

A man is found dead in the forest. He has needle marks on his arm and marks around his wrist. He was writing an expose on the "Illuminati" a secret society that has members in high positions.

Inspector Sullivan investigates the case with a young new policeman who is French and very smart. The policeman finds a lot of clues Sullivan does not see.

The Illuminati members hide crimes and protect each other. Inspector Sullivan is relieved from his duty because a top Illuminati member Mr Greensleeves is friendly with police Commander Busby.

The young police man that helped Sullivan is stabbed in the evidence room and Inspector Sullivan is arrested.

The story has lots of deceptive things going on. The autopsy on the writer was not true the man was murdered and did not commit suicide like documented. The autopsy showed signs of a truth serum drug used on him.

Father Brown is funny especially his facial expressions. Him and his friends, Mrs McCarthy, Sid and Lady Felicia help Inspector Sullivan but he is still does not want their help or is thankful when they help him.

In the end a expose that the writer wrote is what these Illuminati members are seeking to keep out of the eyes of the public.

Father Brown discovers Inspector Sullivan is on the run, wanted for murdering his young colleague DC Albert, it falls to Father Brown to try and uncover the truth.

Series three definitely ends in style, without a doubt this is the best episode of Father Brown to date. First of all the story is so clever, it defies the afternoon 45 minute cosy drama time slot, secondly the way in which the story is told is also excellent, it's intelligent and engages the viewer. A great set of characters, including the ill fated DC Albert and the excellent Harriet Greensleeves. Talk about a good send off for Inspector Sullivan, a shame Tom Chambers decided to leave, excellent in the part.

All in all the Owl of Minerva is 45 minutes of fantastic drama, smart, humorous and absorbing. Fantastic 10/10

I watch this often and still marvel. The story line is great but what tops anything is how well these characters, meaning this cast, work together..

An absolutely brilliant script. All the twists and turns fell magnificently into place for a very intriguing episode. Anytime secret societies or special intelligence are in a classic British detective mystery the result is usually very good.

I like how Father Brown (Mark Williams) took charge and lead his people in the thrilling investigation. The casting was absolutely superb. Tom Chambers' (Inspector Sullivan) best episode unfortunately will be his last. I always liked the Inspector Sullivan character. But, I wish he wasn't made to be such an imbecile in the investigations and was more competition for Father Brown. Here though ironically fighting the hangman's noose he actually was more intelligent.

The major flaw in the episode I thought was how Natasha Little as Harriet Greensleeves was able to make her way into the police station, commit a murder, then exit unspotted. Or, if she was seen why wasn't she questioned what she was doing there during the murder time frame.