Important to Listen Within Original Context

My 4 star rating for this book overall has everything to do with setting the right context and listening within that framework. This book was published in 1930. The same year that Dashiel Hammit published The Maltese Falcon. For those who have actually watched that old b/w Humphrey Bogart film, it will help to evoke the context of that time. WWI was the war to end all wars. WWII was a thought too horrible to contemplate. Relationships were portrayed in simple and un-nuanced terms. Given that approach, this book starts to make sense. Charteris writes with a wonderful style and really knows how to turn a phrase. The main character (our Saint) is rather amoral when it comes to dealing 1-on-1 justice, but still is capable of preaching about national righteousness and ethics.

This book was definitely heading to a 3 star rating (which for me means "just average, but not awful") when it finally picked up speed in the last few chapters. What sealed the 4 stars was the author's afterword. Equally as informative as the foreword, it acknowledged the book's shortcomings and rationalized why he decided to not go back for a rewrite. I found this absolutely fascinating. Enough so that I will pick up the next book.

And, let it be said that this narrator was absolutely wonderful.

Repeating myself here: I strongly recommend listening to the foreword and the afterword. Those two pieces give this book meaning, context and make it all the more enjoyable.

9 people found this helpful

Classic Series that Audible serves Poorly

Book 3 is actually Book 1! Audible & Amazon staffs have a tendency to do minimal service to some series & unfortunately this is one of them.

The book is fantastic! A picture in time right up with Dashiell Hammett & Raymond Chandler. This is NOT your mother's Simon Templar! This is more of an amoral Saint filled with violence and fuzzy philosophies. There are more than one Saint and Simon Templar is not a womanizing Lothario,but a one-woman man.

Charteris helped write the early Saint movies, so agreed to the sanitizing of what Simon Templar became on the screen, but he kept The Saint true to his origins on the page.

Mr. Tefler serves the written word with panache and verve! Listen to the series and see why Simon Templar, The Saint has been popular since 1929!

17 people found this helpful

A Rattling Good Adventure Story of its Time

When reviewing Jane Austen or Fyodor Dostoyevsky, I’ll take a moment to set the historical context, appreciate the craft of the writing and the depth of the psychology. But when taking it easy with a good old-fashioned thriller like this, I’m frankly just in it for the fun.

Fun, as in, I know the violence won’t get too forensic. The evil won’t get too twisted and disturbing. The sex scenes won’t go beyond hand holding and kisses. And the standards by which the characters live their lives (at least the good ones) come from an older, more generous, less culturally apologetic era. This is, as its author said, "a rattling good adventure story of its time", imbued with an insouciant, swashbuckling nobility (and humor) that's in far too short supply these days. I enjoyed the ride—and John Telfer’s pitch-perfect performance—enormously.

NOTE: The first chapter begins with an "Introduction" by another author. I stopped listening when he started giving away plot twists, thereby missing the "Prelude", the first chunk of the novel that sets the stage for the rest of the story. To avoid this mistake (and the spoilers) fast forward to 7:10 in the first chapter. Then, when it's all over, go back and listen to those first seven minutes; they're well worth it.

1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable early Saint story

The Saint in the early days had his band of merry men, and he was a far cry from the dashing, suave Simon Templar people who only know him from the TV show know. There's still his brash, smartass attitude, and his "into the brink of death" philosophy (perfectly portrayed by John Telfer), and here it comes in handy. A (quite literal) mad scientist has invented a horrible weapon, and the Saint and his cronies battle not only foreign powers but Scotland Yard to keep the scientist from unleashing his horror upon the world.

1 person found this helpful

Excellent

The name Simon Templar sounded familiar, a character with literary backbone. So I picked this one up out of curiosity as I sometimes do, and found it to be a pleasant diversion.

1 person found this helpful

Simon Templar fresh for the age

I have long been a fan of the Brighter Buccaneer known as the Saint. This is a great way to enjoy these early stories.
While some may find them simplistic next to some modern thrillers. I believe Charteris's Saint to be still very enjoyable and a cleaner alternative for younger readers.
Sure no one talks like the Saint anymore but that is part of the clever joy it provides.
Job Well Done!

1 person found this helpful

Nostalgia overwhelmed me

What did you love best about The Saint Closes the Case?

The Saint,'s sense of right and wrong and why he developed that particular code of conduct.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Saint. Just a very lovable character, good and bad rolled up into one character that accomplishes the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

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

No, I haven't.

Finding what is positive in darkest time.

Predictable yet enjoyable. Story to entertain with laughter and smile. Finding the positive in the hardest time. Becoming a new fan after all is said and done.

Well Written Horror

What did you like best about The Saint Closes the Case? What did you like least?

I did not finish this book. Eruditely written. Well read to the point that the violence was just too real. Too much so, especially in this day and age of violence expounded.

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

Did not complete this book.

What about John Telfer’s performance did you like?

I could hear each character clearly.

Could you see The Saint Closes the Case being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

NO. There is enough gratuitous violence already.

Any additional comments?

Sorry to have such good writing tell such horrible stories.

5 people found this helpful