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.
A Little Black Book, Forgery, & ReputationThe villains of Leslie Charteris' know the Saint to be Simon Templar. One plays a game. The second is power mad and the third is stupid enough to place personal blame on him. In the center of this is Simon and Claud Eustace Teal.The first is The Simon Templar Foundation where Rayt Markus bequeath a little black book with names, dates, and monies. Five individuals are out to stop the Saint.#2 is The Higher Finance where the villain wants the services of an expert forger. The Saint steps, discovering a secret and a feral pet. An odd story here.The third is The Art of Alibi. Murder and theft are marked with the sign of the Saint and he's not happy about, especially he didn't commit them. To really appreciate the aerial battle, it helps to love planes.Also introduced is the New York hoodlum Hoppy Uniatz, helpful (in his way) and enough to drive the Saint around the bend. Claud remains hopeful to catch the Saint, but alas.The stories are good, but I've enjoyed some other books better. Still, a good read though.
