The Saint in Miami

Simon Templar, the legendary adventurer known as The Saint, arrives in Miami with his companion Patricia Holm and sidekick Hoppy Uniatz to investigate the disappearance of Patricia's friend and her husband. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this mystery novel puts The Saint on the trail of Nazi operatives in Florida, marking a shift in the series toward wartime adventures and American settings. The narrative combines The Saint's signature wit and resourcefulness with international intrigue as he navigates Miami's complex underworld of spies, criminals, and suspicious characters. This 1940 installment in the Saint series represents a turning point, introducing wartime themes and establishing a new direction for Charteris's beloved character while maintaining the core elements of adventure and justice that define The Saint's enduring appeal.

Readers consider this a mid-tier Saint adventure, with most noting it provides entertainment but doesn't reach the heights of earlier entries in the series. Positive reviews highlight: - The Miami setting adds fresh scenery - Good banter between Simon Templar and Patricia - Fast-paced action sequences - Post-war spy elements create intrigue Common criticisms: - Plot feels formulaic compared to other Saint books - Some dialogue comes across as dated - Side characters lack depth - The mystery element is predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) Several readers note this works better as part of the series rather than a standalone novel. One reviewer on Goodreads said "Fun but forgettable - not Charteris at his best." Another commented that "The tropical setting adds color but the story follows familiar Saint patterns."

Death in Paradise by Robert B. Parker A private investigator pursues criminals through glamorous Miami locations while maintaining his signature wit and style.

The Deep Blue Good-By by John D. MacDonald Travis McGee, a self-described salvage consultant, faces corruption and crime in Florida's coastal waters.

Caribbean Kill by Edward S. Aarons CIA agent Sam Durell tracks international criminals through exotic Caribbean locations with resourceful tactics.

Miami Purity by Vicki Hendricks A woman seeking redemption becomes entangled in Miami's criminal underworld and must navigate betrayal and danger.

To Catch a Thief by David Dodge A reformed jewel thief on the French Riviera must clear his name by catching the real criminal behind a series of heists.

🔹 The Saint in Miami (1940) was published just before America's entry into WWII, making it one of the first thriller novels to address Nazi espionage activities in Florida 🔹 Leslie Charteris wrote nearly 100 stories featuring Simon Templar (The Saint) over 35 years, but this was one of only two set primarily in Florida 🔹 Miami's famous art deco architecture, featured prominently in the book, was relatively new at the time - most of the iconic buildings had been built between 1923-1943 🔹 The character of The Saint inspired a successful TV series starring Roger Moore, who later credited the role with helping him land the part of James Bond 🔹 The author Leslie Charteris was born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin in Singapore, and legally changed his name to distance himself from anti-Asian prejudice in the publishing industry