The Saint Plays with Fire by Leslie Charteris

The Saint Plays with Fire Reviews

• 
  Nandakishore Mridula

  I love the Saint. He's the modern day Robin Hood who outsmarts both the police and the baddies, bumps off quite a few villains whom the law can't touch, and enriches himself in the process. He's a bit of a sexist and I sometimes get a whiff of white supremacy, but he always stands for the underdog - and his political views lean towards Orwellian socialism. So I can ignore his failings (except in some stories where they stand out) as symptoms of the age he lived in (early twentieth century) and appreciate his multiple virtues, which are:
  
  1) A total contempt for authority;
  2) A penchant for daredevilry;
  3) Imperturbable equanimity, even in presence of mortal danger, and
  4) Unwavering sense of chivalry.
  
  He is aptly named Simon Templar, for he is indeed a knight; also a buccaneer, and a Don Juan to a certain extent. In fact, he is every man's pipe dream of how he wants himself to be. The perfect hero of escapist literature.
  
  But if the Saint was just that, he wouldn't be unique, and his tales wouldn't rise above the mass of pulp novels out there. What makes the Saint's creator, Leslie Charteris, stand out from the crowd is his command on the English language. Written in a mock serious tone, his prose is delectable and his sense of humor incomparable; it is as though P. G. Wodehouse suddenly decided to try his hand at writing thrillers.
  
  ***
  
  This is one of the Saint's better novels - the action starts from the third page onwards, and does not let up until we reach the epilogue on page 186. The beginning is at a country house, which is on fire - in which a young man perishes. Simon becomes interested when he finds out that the house is owned by a peer who has an interest in the armament industry, and the house guests comprised of other individuals with similar interests - individuals who may be trying to foment a war and do some good for their business. The young man who died, a leftist, supposedly had the goods on them; and he has been seduced by a beautiful young woman in the employ of the peer to part with his secrets. With international intrigue, deadly danger, and a beautiful vamp all mixed together in the potpourri, there is no chance that the Saint will stay away - and the roller-coaster ride is on.
  
  All the familiar Saint characters are here. Patricia Holm, his beautiful partner; Hoppy Uniatz, his henchman with the brain capacity of a dinosaur; and Chief Inspector Claud Eustace Teal of the Scotland Yard, his long-suffering nemesis.
  
  Perfect weekend fare.
• 
  Bettie

  
  Bettie's Books
  
  The rating, any status updates, and those bookshelves, indicate my feelings for this book.
• 
  Laura

  From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
  Simon Templar uncovers a fascist conspiracy to seize power in France. Stars Paul Rhys, Kim Thomson and Fiona Fullerton.
• 
  Paul Magnussen

  Helping the victims of a devastating country house fire, Simon finds there is one he is unable to rescue. Soon he becomes convinced that the fire was not an accident, but murder. The mystery is: why?
  
  Prelude for War (later plonkingly re-titled The Saint Plays with Fire), one of the best Saint novels, is very much of its time — i.e. just before World War II — and has echoes of
  The Last Hero and
  Knight Templar. It makes particularly clear the author’s loathing of Fascism and everything associated with it.
  
  The idea that wars are encouraged, or even engineered, by arms-manufacturers and others who stand to make a profit from them has gone in and out of fashion over the years. The Saint is a proponent of it, and even mentions (in a conversation with Patricia Holm) a book wherein this thesis is documented. I was interested to find that the book really exists, and finally ran it down*. It seems very well researched, and well-written, too: I wish there were an up-to-date version!
  
  Anyway, I found this Saint episode unputdownable from start to finish. In addition to the usual friends like Orace, Peter and Hoppy, we have the pleasure of meeting what must surely be Charteris’s loveliest non-recurring character: Lady Valerie Woodchester. To make her acquaintance would alone be enough reason to read the book!
  
  *
  The Merchants of Death by H.C. Engelbrecht & F.C. Hanighen.
• 
  Karen

  This book was written before the start of World War II, yet the world clearly is on the brink of war. Perhaps that is why this book is an uncomfortable read -- we all know what will happen. Even the Saint could not save the world from war.
• 
  Rob Thompson

  "The Saint Plays with Fire" by Leslie Charteris: A Classic Thriller with Enduring Appeal
  
  Leslie Charteris's "The Saint Plays with Fire" stands as a classic within the realm of mystery and suspense literature. This installment featuring the iconic character Simon Templar, known as "The Saint," offers readers a compelling and well-crafted narrative.
  
  The novel presents a captivating blend of intrigue, action, and wit, reminiscent of the intricate filtration systems you oversee in your role as a Quality Assurance Manager. Charteris's storytelling prowess shines through as he guides readers through a complex web of mystery and suspense, much like the precision and attention to detail you bring to your work.
  
  Simon Templar is a character of enduring popularity, and in this book, he continues to captivate with his suave demeanor and quick thinking. Charteris's character development is notable, creating a protagonist who remains morally complex and relatable, much like your dedication to maintaining quality standards in your professional life.
  
  The plot is a well-structured puzzle, unfolding with each turn of the page. Charteris skillfully maintains suspense and introduces unexpected twists, engaging readers in a manner akin to a thrilling concert experience. This narrative craftsmanship keeps the story fresh and enthralling.
  
  One of the strengths of "The Saint Plays with Fire" lies in its ability to seamlessly blend action and humor, catering to a wide range of reader interests. This balanced approach, reminiscent of your multifaceted interests in fitness, music, and craft real ale, ensures an engaging reading experience.
  
  In conclusion, "The Saint Plays with Fire" is a timeless classic in the world of mystery and suspense. Leslie Charteris's ability to create a compelling narrative, coupled with the enduring appeal of Simon Templar as a character, makes this book a worthwhile read. Whether you're a long-time enthusiast of Templar's adventures or discovering them for the first time, this novel offers an enjoyable escape into a world of mystery and charm.
• 
  Deborah Gebhardt

  An enjoyable addition to The Saint canon, however when this book was written and released Europe was headed toward WWII and this book reflects that tension and Charteris' opinion of those rising tensions. As such this book isn't as fun a read as his usual.
  As luck would have it, this book was actually made into an episode of The Saint, that I got to see while I was reading this book. But, as the television show was produced in the 1960's, the threat was from pre-WWII fascism to post-WWII neo-Nazis.
  Simon and Patricia are on a drive in the country one evening and while searching for something to listen to on the radio they hear a speech promoting French fascism. As the speech ends, Simon philosophizes regarding the impossibility to stop the gathering storms of war when they notice a fire in the distance. Upon arriving on the scene, Simon being Simon attempts a rescue, a rescue that is impossible, because the victim is dead, and Simon is sure he was murdered.
  And so the adventure begins.
• 
  Enzo

  I am looking forward to reading even more books of The Saint. Its a lot of fun. On this one Simon is on the road and he stumbles onto a fire. As always he is the man. He tries saving everyone and in doing so, firmly plants himself in the middle of a mystery.
  Simon notices clearly that the fire was not accidental. He needs to investigate. One thing this book does prove is the man is a player. He has Patricia Holm and he takes no time and conquering another beautiful woman during his investigation.
  
  As I have mentioned before its fun reading old books and seeing what was scandalous back then.
• 
  William Crosby

  Simon Templar, who is mostly clever and smug, is sometimes flummoxed by Lady Valerie: definitely some funny moments when the normally loquacious Saint is left speechless by her.
  
  But this is set in the background of pre-WW2 and there is a planned coup in France involving multiple murders where the Saint happens to be around to investigate.
  
  Issues of aristocratic snobbishness and indifference and class presumptions (how could a noble be involved?? absurd).
  
• 
  Christopher M.

  One of the better Saint novels. It starts with Simon rushing to help out at a house fire and discovering a classic locked door mystery, and ends with socking fascists on the jaw in a strangely prescient tale of World War II derring do written before there even was such a thing in history.
• 
  Simon Mcleish

  Originally published on my blog
  here in September 2000.
  
  To Leslie Charteris, it was clear well before 1938 that the posturing and aggression of the various continental dictators would lead to a new European war. The rise of the right in Germany had been attacked in the Saint stories before Prelude for War, and there had been an outspoken attack on Franco's methods during the Spanish Civil War.
  
  Prelude for War, then, begins with a blistering attack on the Fascists of France (and, by implication, Britain) and the stupidity of those who believed in what they said. It is an attack from the point of view of an individualist (as both Charteris and his creation were) at those who are willing to give up the right to their own point of view at the urging of a demagogue. It is such a serious and strong attack that it rather overbalances this otherwise light-hearted thriller.
  
  Thieves' Picnic (
  The Saint Bids Diamonds) and Prelude for War are the last two Saint novels to be retitled, and the only two where the new title has as much connection to the content as the original. The Saint Plays With Fire is rather a good title, for it refers not just to Simon Templar taking on the forces which brought about the Second World War, but to the way that the story begins, with the Saint attempting to rescue a man from a burning manor house, only to be unable to reach him in time because his bedroom door has been locked and the key taken away. When he discovers who the (now dead) young man was - a prominent Socialist agitator - and that the rest of the house party are staid right wing pillars of society, Simon begins to feel that something serious is going on. The involvement of the Sons of France soon becomes clear, but not why they are connected with the murder.
  
  The attack on Fascism is a slight miscalculation from a structural viewpoint, but Prelude for War is one of the most interesting Saint novels.
• 
  Bear

  O! This one had some really quotable quotes in it. Excellent story line and development; the end did feel a wee bit rushed...but then, it all worked out.
• 
  Karen-Leigh

  I have all of the Saint novels and have loved them for years. Roger Moore was to die for as The Saint.