The Saint

The Saint is a 1997 mystery novel by Burl Barer, based on the screenplay for the film of the same name starring Val Kilmer. The book marks the first Simon Templar story published since the death of original creator Leslie Charteris in 1993, following a fourteen-year gap in the series. The narrative follows Simon Templar, an international thief and master of disguise who operates under various aliases. The plot centers on industrial espionage, cold fusion technology, and a complex game of cat-and-mouse between Templar and his adversaries. Barer, a recognized expert on The Saint franchise, incorporates elements from the original Charteris novels while adapting the modern film's storyline. The book includes familiar characters from past Saint adventures, such as Roger Conway, bridging the gap between the classic series and this contemporary interpretation. The novel explores themes of identity, redemption, and moral ambiguity, examining how a professional thief can simultaneously serve as a force for justice. The story continues the Saint's tradition of blending sophisticated crime capers with international intrigue.

Readers describe the book as a straightforward account of the original Saint television series and actor Roger Moore's portrayal of Simon Templar. Many praise Barer's research and interviews with cast members and crew. What readers liked: - Detailed behind-the-scenes information - Personal anecdotes from the show's production - Coverage of Leslie Charteris's original Saint novels - Photos and episode guides What readers disliked: - Focus on TV series rather than broader Saint history - Limited discussion of other actors who played the role - Some found the writing dry and academic in tone Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Great resource for Saint TV series fans, but doesn't cover enough about the character's literary origins" - Goodreads reviewer "Barer clearly knows his subject but the writing lacks excitement" - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 "The Saint" character first appeared in 1928 in Leslie Charteris' novel "Meet the Tiger," spawning over 50 books and numerous adaptations over nine decades. 🔹 Burl Barer is considered the foremost expert on "The Saint," having written multiple books about the character, including the authorized biography "The Saint: A Complete History." 🔹 The 1997 film version starred Val Kilmer as Simon Templar, marking the first major Hollywood adaptation of The Saint since the 1960s TV series with Roger Moore. 🔹 The cold fusion plot element reflects real scientific controversies of the 1990s, when researchers claimed to have achieved cold fusion, sparking intense debate in the scientific community. 🔹 The iconic "stick figure with halo" symbol associated with The Saint was created by Leslie Charteris himself and appears whenever Simon Templar leaves his calling card at the scene of his exploits.