Classic Crime Capers

This is just a light fun set of crime caper stories staring Simon Templar, aka "The Saint."

I don't know why this was listed as Book 3. The stories contained here are the 2nd, 3rd and fourth stories written about The Saint.

For readers of current thrillers this may seem a little dated, but I found that to be part of the charm.

I enjoyed the stories and the character of The Saint that I might have to add the entire series to my wish list.

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I’m a Convert

Since finishing the last of the four Bulldog Drummond adventures available through Audible, I’ve pined for more of that post-Great-War mix of swashbuckling daring-do and high-spirited humor. At a total of 49 volumes, I’ve now struck a much richer vein of this special brand of escapism. Just what I was looking for, (as the Bishop said to the chorus girl).

Of course, swashbuckling was nothing new in 1930, when this series began. Dumas’ Musketeers and Baroness Orczy’s Pimpernel had broken the ground. But John Buchan and Sapper—especially Sapper—are Charteris’ true progenitors. And while raffish smiles and offhand jokes in the face of insurmountable odds are at the heart of this genre’s appeal, it must be admitted that Richard Hannay and Hugh Drummond are a tad more human, a shade less devastatingly suave than Simon Templar—or at least this iteration of him. Let’s hope The Saint assumes more anthropomorphic dimensions as the series progresses; the several intros and prefaces to this recording indicate that Charteris, looking back across the decades, was well aware of how his earliest work fell short. Admitting that his plots here are somewhat less than original, the third and final story is nevertheless a departure, focusing not on The Saint, but on the trials and temptations of Dicky Tremaine, one of his trusted comrades-in-arms.

And I’m not sure plots are even the point here. Flat writing impedes the best storyline (see Frederick Forsyth), while Charteris’ tone and attitude carry us along quite nicely. And both are conveyed impeccably by John Telfer. Unlike Templar, his brand of perfection doesn’t strain credulity and I’m glad to see that he’s at the mic for all 49 installments.

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The Saint an original Super Hero

Would you consider the audio edition of Enter the Saint to be better than the print version?

I enjoy the theater of the mind offered by the narration

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course the Saint is a favorite I also liked Conway as one of his backup men always around to help out.

What about John Telfer’s performance did you like?

I think John was bringing the story to life through his use of accents and emotion of each role, Bringing to each person in the story individualism and nuance.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well it is not easy to have that much time so not in a single sitting. I listen while working when I am able to. I helps the tasks to flow for me.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to the next book

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A Fun classic mystery adventure

Leslie Charteris is famous for inventing and writing full-length novels, novellas, and short stories on the character of the Saint between 1928 and 1963, including 20 just in the 1930s. Further, according to the preface to the edition used in the audiobook, written by Patricia Charteris Higgins, the author's daughter, whom he named after the Saint's true love, the Saint has sold over 40 million copies in multiple languages, three television series,15 films, 10 radio series, and a comic strip that ran for over a decade.

Enter the Saint introduces us to the beginning of the gang behind the Saint, who strikes fear in the hearts of criminals as "the Robin Hood of modern crime." When he selects a target, the Saint dispatches notes with a stick figure with a halo around his head, building up fear and intensity among the criminals he faces. The Saint, whose real name is Simon Templar, refuses to carry a gun, but he will take on all at once five thugs with guns and walk away with their all being left injured on the ground in humiliation. He uses his glib speech and calm temperament to make a jest of everything in the face of enemies in the criminal world. He also has fun making ridiculous limericks taunting his enemies. He and his four team members appropriate all the goods of those especially cruel criminals they target, keeping 10% to pay for their own expenses and giving 90% to charity. This book contains three novellas that help us to get to know the original version of The Saint.

In "The Man Who Was Clever," the Saint decides to target a drug gang, giving his opening salvo by beating up five of the drug syndicate's thugs all by himself after they try to cheat him at cards. He then hands them his calling card, the stick figure with a halo over it. The Saint next intercepts a shipment of drugs and substitutes something else for them, leaving his calling card, which unnerves the head of the drug gang until, of course, the Saint and his cohorts win out.

In "The Policeman with Wings," Roger Conway, the Saint's most valuable team member, recounts to the Saint how his girlfriend's uncle had a man try to buy his house. When he turned the man down, suddenly serious "accidents" start happening, followed by another offer to buy the house. Then a police officer asks the man to come with him, and the uncle disappears. Roger begs the assistance of the Saint to help catch whomever is behind the disappearance and save his girl.

"The Lawless Lady" focuses on the Saint's assistant, Dicky Tremayne, who infiltrates a criminal gang, only to fall in love with the woman in charge of the gang. He struggles with his desire for "Straight Audrey" Perowne, so known for her refusal to involve herself in drugs. The Saint plays only a small role in this story.

The book of Enter the Saint serves as a fun introduction to the stories and novels by Charteris. I enjoyed the adventure and the Robin Hood angle to this book, a different focus of mystery stories than we typically encounter. The cleverness used to outwit the true criminals is a lot of fun, making this book move quickly.

John Telfer performs the audiobook of Enter the Saint and does a strong job at making this book seem even more adventurous. He used great expressions and intonations, and his depictions of the characters, most of whom we don't see much of as individual characters, helps to bring the book to life.

I had a good time listening to Enter the Saint. This was my first exposure to anything about the Saint other than a merely vague memory of the 1997 Val Kilmer movie, which I have read did little to reflect the true nature of the real Saint stories and books. But I can guarantee that though it is my first Saint book, it won't be my last. I give the first two stories 5 stars but the final story only 3 stars, so in average I give the book 4 stars.

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A Very British Rogue With A Sense Of Honor

What made the experience of listening to Enter the Saint the most enjoyable?

The writing. While the story points may be dated, the writing is whip-crack sharp. The author has a masterful take on the British language of the time and delivers it in perfect measure.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

This is actually a compilation of 2 or 3 novellas. I say 2 or 3, because the last one seems to end only part way through. Not sure if that was intentional or not. The first two were considerably longer and had quite appropriate endings.

Have you listened to any of John Telfer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not had the pleasure, but he did a great job here.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Perhaps in 2 or 3 sittings - one per Novella.

Any additional comments?

You definitely get the sense in these stories, why The Saint became as popular a series as it had and why the interest in it continues to this day. The protagonist is someone you cannot help but root for.

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Couldn't finish it

I liked the TV series and i think I must have read some of the stories before - or I just liked the concept of the character. Either way I rapidly lost patience with this and couldn't raise the interest to continue listening especially after I found the Laughing Policeman...

Good listen, probably won't continue in the series

It's like a 1930s Scarlet Pimpernale, but I am not a huge fan of heroes who don't have weaknesses, I guess I am more of a Flemming fan.