Burl Barer

Burl Barer is an American author, literary historian, and radio host born in 1947 in Walla Walla, Washington. He has earned recognition primarily for his extensive work documenting and contributing to the literary legacy of Simon Templar, also known as The Saint. His definitive work "The Saint: A Complete History in Print, Radio, Television, and Film" earned him the 1994 Edgar Award and established him as a leading authority on the character. The book has undergone multiple editions, with Barer expanding the coverage to include developments through 2013. Barer's creative contributions to The Saint franchise include two novels published in 1997: the official novelization of the Val Kilmer film adaptation and "Capture the Saint," which was commissioned to commemorate the character's 70th anniversary. He has also authored true crime books and maintains a presence in broadcast media as a radio host. His professional network includes notable family connections in the literary world, with authors Tod Goldberg and Lee Goldberg as his nephews. This family connection represents part of a broader engagement with crime and mystery writing that spans multiple generations.

Readers value Barer's detailed research and comprehensive coverage in his non-fiction works, particularly "The Saint: A Complete History." Reviews note his ability to uncover obscure facts and present thorough documentation of The Saint across media formats. Liked: - Deep knowledge of source material - Clear writing style in true crime books - Historical accuracy and attention to detail - Effective use of primary sources and interviews Disliked: - Some readers found his true crime narratives too focused on procedural details - Several reviews mention repetitive passages in certain books - A few readers noted formatting issues in digital editions Ratings across platforms: Amazon: Average 4.2/5 stars across titles Goodreads: 3.8/5 average rating One reader on Amazon praised his "Man Overboard" for its "meticulous research and compelling narrative structure." A Goodreads reviewer noted that "The Saint: A Complete History" serves as "the definitive resource for anyone interested in Leslie Charteris's creation." Critical reviews mainly focus on pacing issues, with one reader stating his true crime works "get bogged down in excessive detail."

Body Count Documents multiple serial murder cases from the Pacific Northwest during the 1980s, examining evidence and investigative procedures.

Capture the Saint Features Simon Templar investigating international art theft and forgery while pursuing a mysterious criminal mastermind across Europe.

Man Overboard Chronicles the true story of Phil Champagne, who faked his death in a boating accident to escape financial troubles and lived under an assumed identity.

The Saint Official novelization of the 1997 film starring Val Kilmer as Simon Templar, following the master thief's mission to steal a cold fusion formula.

The Saint: A Complete History in Print, Radio, Television, and Film Comprehensive examination of The Saint character across all media formats from the 1920s through the modern era.

Murder in the Family Details the case of Donna Sundling, murdered in Washington state in 1982, exploring family dynamics and investigative challenges.

Fatal Beauty Investigates the 1994 murder of Kathryn Martini-Lissy in Idaho, revealing complex relationships and suspicious circumstances.

Head Shot Examines the 1983 murder investigation of businessman Robert Henry Asher in Washington state.

Ann Rule A true crime author who focuses on detailed investigations of real criminal cases with an emphasis on Pacific Northwest crimes. Her writing style combines thorough research with narrative storytelling similar to Barer's approach.

Harold Schechter Specializes in true crime books focusing on historical murder cases with extensive archival research. His work mirrors Barer's commitment to detailed documentation and historical accuracy in crime writing.

Leslie Charteris The original creator of The Saint series, whose work forms the foundation that Barer extensively documented. His writing style defined the mix of adventure and crime that characterizes The Saint stories.

William L. DeAndrea A mystery writer and historian who documented the evolution of detective fiction and wrote comprehensive works about the genre. His work as a literary historian parallels Barer's documentation of The Saint series.

Vincent Starrett A literary historian and mystery writer who specialized in documenting and analyzing detective fiction characters and their cultural impact. His approach to literary documentation and analysis aligns with Barer's work on The Saint franchise.