The Saint on Guard

The Saint on Guard combines two World War II-era mystery novellas featuring Leslie Charteris's notorious character Simon Templar, also known as The Saint. The collection was published in 1944 in the United States and 1945 in the United Kingdom, marking the conclusion of The Saint's wartime adventures. The first story, "The Black Market," follows Templar as he pursues stolen iridium intended for Allied weapons production in New York City. The second novella, "The Sizzling Saboteur," takes place in Galveston, Texas, where The Saint investigates mysterious sabotage at weapons factories. These stories contain elements of espionage, murder mysteries, and international intrigue set against the backdrop of America's wartime mobilization. Both novellas were adapted for television as episodes of The Saint TV series in 1963. The collection exemplifies Charteris's ability to blend action-adventure with wartime themes, exploring questions of loyalty, justice, and moral compromise during a period of global conflict.

Reader reviews indicate this is a lesser-known entry in The Saint series, with two connected novellas set during WWII that involve Simon Templar's espionage activities. Readers appreciate: - The wartime setting provides fresh stakes for The Saint - Maintains the series' trademark witty dialogue - Fast-paced action sequences - Functions as both a spy story and detective tale Common criticisms: - More serious tone than other Saint books - Less of Templar's signature humor and charm - Plotting feels rushed in parts - Secondary characters lack development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (72 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (16 reviews) One reader noted: "The WWII backdrop adds real menace but loses some of the playful spirit." Another commented: "Good action scenes but missing the usual Saint sparkle." Most agree it's a competent entry that serves its purpose as wartime adventure fiction but doesn't rank among the series' best.

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene A criminal underworld thriller set in 1930s Britain that follows a ruthless gang leader through murder and pursuit, echoing The Saint's mix of crime and moral tension.

The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler A mystery writer tracks a master criminal across Europe, unraveling international intrigue and espionage in a way that mirrors The Saint's wartime investigations.

Assignment in Brittany by Helen MacInnes A British agent operates undercover in Nazi-occupied France, delivering the same blend of wartime espionage and action found in The Saint on Guard.

Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes An Oxford couple becomes entangled in pre-war espionage across Europe, combining amateur detective work with international intrigue like The Saint's adventures.

Journey Into Fear by Eric Ambler An arms engineer flees assassins through wartime Turkey, presenting the same mix of weapons industry intrigue and pursuit that appears in The Saint's wartime cases.

🔎 The character of Simon Templar (The Saint) was inspired by Robin Hood, with Charteris deliberately creating a modern-day version of the legendary outlaw who targeted corrupt individuals. 📚 Leslie Charteris wrote nearly 100 stories featuring The Saint over 35 years, making it one of the longest-running detective series by a single author. ⚔️ The World War II setting of these novellas reflects Charteris's real-life experience - he served as an intelligence operative for the U.S. government during the war. 🎬 Roger Moore, who played The Saint on television from 1962-1969, credited the role with helping him land the part of James Bond in the 007 film series. 💎 Iridium, the stolen material featured in one of the novellas, was indeed crucial to the Allied war effort - it was used in aircraft spark plugs and various military equipment.