The Saint in London

The Saint #12

by Leslie Charteris

Three more buccaneering adventures: When Rayt Marius bequeaths a book to Simon, it lands him in a whole lot of trouble, but it could generate a lot of money if he can survive to tell the tale. Then Simon battles the police, a reclusive millionaire, and a wild beast, and, in the final adventure, he gets rather annoyed to discover someone is stealing his identity and committing crimes in his name…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Ebooks, Novels, Short Stories, 20th Century

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin, Leslie Charteris was a half-Chinese, half English author of primarily mystery fiction, as well as a screenwriter. He was best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint."

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Templar outwits the police & the villains in three fun filled adventures. Leslie Charteris gives the Saint plenty of witty dialogue & it's easy to see why these 1934 stories were originally titled as The Misfortunes of Mr Teal.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing my newly re-found interest in the The Saint series with what is generally considered the switching-point between the earlier more-British books and the later, with their more-American character. It also sees the first introduction of Hoppy Uniatz as Templar's sidekick.

Of the three stories within, the first “The Simon Templar Foundation” is by far the best, with Templar engaging in some high-level blackmail, and leading Teal along by the nose the whole way. “The Higher Finance” is a little too over-blown for my taste, and though it builds tension quite well, I'm rarely a fan of the identical twin trope. “The Art of Alibi” again has a wonderfully apoplectic Teal, this time trying to work out how Templar can kill someone at the same time as the two of them have been having dinner together. The climactic dogfight presumably worked better with 1930s readers, but now seems a little too Schoolboy's Adventure-y. ★★★☆

[Margaret Hasemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Triple Threat

Somewhat older and wise, though still the same Devil-may-care Saint takes up the banner for three more adventures that will plague his favorite Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, Claude Eustace Teal. Though he may occasionally think Claude is a bit of a plodder when it comes to detective work, he clearly thinks of him as being more than several cuts above the rest of Scotland Yard's detectives. Even when his alibi for a murder is having a meal with Caude Eustace, himself, they still suspect he has something to do with it. But knowing Simon Templer of old, Caude Eustace Teal has learned not to take anything at face value with the Saint. Even if he is not guilty, there will be a connection there, if not before then after the fact. Usually to the detriment of the truly guilty party. - What an arial dog fight! -

[Robert Hepple · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early collection of three Simon Templar novellas. In my later 1960s edition, the writer explains in the intro that things were very different in the 1930s setting, perhaps in the light of readers of his more recent novels being created as a result of the Roger Moore adaptation. Whatever the reason, I found the 1930s setting very enjoyable and at times atmospheric. For example, The Saint gains a very dim New York Hoodlum as a team member, with a cardboard personality straight out of a George Raft movie – not only is this a not-too-subtle reference to the period in which it is set, but allows for some great comedy moments – as if Templar’s dealings with Inspector Teal were not enough. That said, the subject matter is at times deadly serious, with Templar bringing Great War profiteers to account for their misdeeds in one story, a plotline that maybe had a lot more resonance in 1934. Another story deals with aviation developments at the Hawker factory at Brooklands, and probably seemed clever and futuristic to a lot of readers at the time, yet is actually quite simplistic and naïve. A great piece of light reading – the dated nature in parts only serves to make it more enjoyable.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4

An enjoyable trilogy of novellas from early in the Saint series.
They still entertain 80+ years after they were written.
Some have said they are outdated but I didn’t read anything that took me out of the stories. You read them as period works now and make allowances if required for language or technology.
Personally I prefer the novella and short story length for the Saint books as the novels are a bit hit and miss for me.
These stories feature the Saint before he became too americanised (during the ww2 era titles) , Patricia holms and happy uniatz. The only issue I have always had with stories including uniatz is the way his accent (English butchery ) is written - when listening to audio it is fine and indeed humorous, when watched in film or tv then ditto, but reading it does occasionally grate on me. I know exactly why LC write it like that but still .... I do have the same problem in some Montalbano novels when Catarella appears as he also speaks in a regional (sicilian I think) accent and also butchers names/words in a humorous manner .... so I guess it is me.
Anyway a definite recommendation and well worth reading for newcomers and rereaders both

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are ridiculously fun, and it is easy to see how The Saint could have paved the way for the just-on-the-right-side-of-the-law James Bond. By the way, if you had the misfortune of seeing the movie The Saint starring Val Kilmer, put that right out of your mind because these stories and that movie are in no way related.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I outright loved this. Hilarious, charming, boy's-own-adventure material.

[Paul Magnussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal (aka The Saint in London) is one my favourites of the books of (usually three) Saint “novelettes”, the other being The Holy Terror (aka Saint V. Scotland Yard).

Chief among its pleasures is the finale to the battle of wits between Simon and Rayt Marius, the unscrupulous arms-merchant of The Last Hero and Knight Templar. Marius, learning that he has only a few months to live, has devised a scheme, worthy of his evil genius, for revenging himself on the Saint: he has written his memoirs, detailing all the criminal (indeed, treasonous) transactions he has had with members of British government and industry, and sent the resulting opus to Simon.

“At the same time as this book is sent to you, there will be sent, to the gentlemen most conspicuously mentioned in these notes, letters which will inform them into whose hands the book has fallen. After reading it yourself, you will see that this cannot fail to cause them great perturbation.

“Nevertheless, while it would be simple for you to allay their alarm and assure your own safety from molestation, I cannot foresee that a man such as I recall you to be would so tamely surrender such a unique opportunity to apply moral pressure towards the righting of what you consider to be wrongs.

“I therefore hope to leave behind me the makings of a most diverting contest [...] And you will understand, I am sure, my dear Mr. Templar, that I can hardly be blamed for sincerely trusting that these gentlemen, or their agents, will succeed where I have failed.”

This story is also notable for introducing the Runyonesque American gangster Hoppy Uniatz, veteran of Prohibition who drinks whisky like lemonade, the Saint’s companion in so many later adventures.

That Charteris manages to make Hoppy simultaneously menacing, comical and believable (and even at times sympathetic!) is an amazing feat, but he pulls it off — in part because of a firm grasp of Transatlantic mores and idiom, much better than (for example) Ian Fleming’s.

The other stories are just as skilled; there is little point in detailing the plots, and again the familiar friends — Pat, Orace, Claud Eustace — are here.

One of the best books in the series.

[Lee Cushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 13th installment in the Saint series, and like the previous books, this is a compilation of three novellas that originally appeared in magazines. These stories date to the early 1930, which readers need to keep in mind to understand some of the references to the then-current events.

In the first story, Simon once again encounters the arch-villain Rayt Marius, perhaps for the final time. Marius has been told he has only a short time left to live and has decided to take Simon with him. He sends his memoirs to Simon, detailing his exploits and naming names. He has also his former cohorts mentioned in the book that Templar has evidence against them, leaving Simon with the challenge of living long enough to finish the book.

The second story involves Simon infiltrating the enemy's camp in disguise to a damsel in distress, needing to fight not a dragon but panther to the day, and incidentally once infuriating Inspector Teal.

The final story involves Simon suffering from his own fame. A copycat has begun leaving behind Simon's apparently well-known calling card, leading the police to assume that Simon has been quite busy.

Readers need to keep in that these stories are about 80 years old to understand the 'current event' references the technology of the thirties, and the attitudes of that time. When these stories were written, the character of Hoppy, Simon's sidekick, was seen as a harmless stooge meant to provide some needed muscle and comic relief. In today's more politically correct times, readers might see Simon's relationship with Hoppy not as evidence of Simon's good-natured tolerance but as cold-hearted exploitation of a mentally handicapped man with a drinking problem.

If the reader can get past these holdovers from the past and simply enjoy the story for what it is - a great adventure where there is never any real question as to whether or not our hero will not prevail.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back to another volume that repackages novellas which first appeared in the magazine, Thriller. The book of true short story length tales that appeared in the volume previous to this one were much superior. So what is right and wrong with The Saint in London. The first story is the weakest. "The Simon Templar Foundation" reworks one of the Saint's earliest themes, an international conspiracy of bankers and politicians plotting regional and even world wars while cashing in on their profits in the armaments industries. Much of the usual bloated language and oversized banter follows in the dialog. And it seems all too repetitive of an experience found in previous books. The last two stories, however, are an improvement. Solidly so. With "The Higher Finance," Charteris reworks and puts a good twist on the Spanish Prisoner confidence game. An entertaining story of assumed identities and an unscrupulous upper class. Lastly, "The Art of Alibi" also plays with assumed identities but do so around the character of Simon Templar himself. The plot is outlandish: a Rube Goldberg version of a story involving fighter aircraft, submarines, secret caverns, and an international cabal of gangsters working for a member of the government in a plan to hijack an immense treasure. Simple plots. Unsurprising stories. But the last two at least are made all the more interesting because of how the Saint develops beyond the immature half-teenager that hitherto populated most of the Saint books. This Saint is becoming interesting in and of himself. Note: this volume also introduces the Saint's American sidekick, Hoppy Uniatz. Memorable if only because the first season or so of Roger Moore's television adaptation of the Saint featured Percy Herbert playing Hoppy. He didn't last long in the series, but his appearances that did take place are iconic of the Charteris and Moore's depiction of American hooligans and gangsters.

[Marty Acks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoyed the old TV show based on the book. This book is set in the 1930s. The book was a nice little pulp fiction read. The Saint seems to be more of cad than in the TV series. The book consists of three short stories with a common adversary across all three stories. The last story "the Artof the Alibi" was the most over the top and my favorite. It reminded me of a Dirk Pitt story.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re-read for me (in this case, listen) of a series I ate up in my teens and 20’s. This is a set of three novellas involving Chief Inspector Teal (hence the original title). A slightly different flavor than what emerged on the tv series. This is definitely still very enjoyable, although perhaps not as accessible to young people.

[John McQueen]

It paled in comparison to The Saint In New York which vaguely harkened back to the first Saint movie I watched with Louis Hayward. This one dragged and seemed to be missing dialogue especially at the conclusion. The Saint seemed less aloof than what I’ve been accustomed to have gotten used to.
I probably won’t read another.

Jack McQueen

[Edward Zevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series! You should start with Enter the Saint (1930). Enter the Saint

[Adrian Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nostalgia trip. I used to love reading these books as a teenager. The Saint television series never really captured the devilish delight that Simon Templar takes in continually outwitting Mr Teal the police detective.

[Kevinjwoods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs more Pat

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog here in May 2000.

Another Saint book containing three stories of his adventures, and another Saint book whose original title fits its contents far better than the later on - the action may all take place in Southern England, but most of it is in fact outside London. (I suppose The Saint in the Home Counties would have sounded silly.) These stories mark something of a change in the Saint saga; at their beginning, he is returning from the States. The American influence which really starts here - with these stories also introducing long running sidekick Hoppy Uniatz - reflects Charteris' love for the US and changes Simon Templar quite quickly into a less British, more American type of hero. (This process is pretty much complete by the end of The Saint in New York, entirely set in that city, and only two books separate it from this one.)

The stories deal with typical Saint themes, though there is a stronger hint of anti-establishment feeling than there is in most of the series; his adversaries include a group of eminent politicians who were war profiteers, for example. Some aspects of the stories have dated a touch, and even with the reminder that comes in the introduction written for a series of reprints in the fifties, it is difficult to associate 'the war' (and especially a German U-boat commander) with the First rather than the Second World War.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Saint books - all of them. Marvellously purple-prose descriptions of every character. I like the forward to the 1964 paperback edition, pointing out that life back in the '30s was not like it is now, so don't expect modern appliances and so forth! Ha ha. Some people really need to be told that - and they vote, too.

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

reread this date. entertaining.