The Saint and the Templar treasure

The Saint #48

by Leslie Charteris, Charles King, Graham Weaver

A Crime Club Selection.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Detective

179 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Born Leslie Charles Bowyer-Yin, Leslie Charteris was a half-Chinese, half English author of primarily mystery fiction, as well as a screenwriter. He was best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint."

Reviews

[Nayra.Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

لا تصرح باسمك
لا تسلم قلبك
تلك هي مباديء رجل بلا اسم
بلا ملامح
بلا وجود
يثير الغيظ
انه القديس:سيمون تامبلر


جيلنا نشأ علي وجود كتيبات القديس متناثرة في  البيوت؛ مملوكة لابائنا او اجدادنا من هواة المغامرات البوليسية عبر العالم

و البعض لحق بحلقات روجر مور الشهيرة
بالدائرة البيضاء فوق راسه و ابتسامته الخبيثة

فهو اللص الدولي الغامض؛ هاربا للابد من الشرطة.. مستعملا اسماء القديسين اثناء هروبه الابدي ؛ كعلامة مسجلة التصقت بتلك الشخصية التي لمعت منذ عشرينات القرن العشرين بمائة مغامرة استمرت للسبعينات
وخرج ٢٨ فيلم مقتبس عنها اخرها كان في مطلع قرننا الحالي؛

ليصبح القديس خليطاً فريدا من روبن هود و ارسين لوبين؛ ليخلد القديس اسم كاتبه الغريب ليسلي؛ ذو النسب الصيني الانجليزي

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Saint and the Templar Treasure is the title of a 1979 mystery novel featuring the character of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint". The novel is written by Graham Weaver and Donne Avenell, but per the custom at this time, the author credit on the cover goes to Leslie Charteris, who created the Saint in 1928, and who served in an editorial capacity.

Chance has brought Simon Templar to the Chateau Ingare, the countryside in Treasure is authentically French, and the year is 1945, without a doubt a vintage one for Saintly activities. And just one sip will tell you that the flavor is unmistakably the heady one of Simon Templar’s younger days, filled to the brim with the sheer intoxicating joy of partaking in carefree adventure.. But when his visit entangles him into a bitter struggle for the mysterious treasure of the Knights Templar, the Saint couldn't help wondering if fate had a hand into him wandering into this adventure. A vineyard is in trouble. It could hardly be coincidence that the chateau is also possessed of a curse handed down since the days of our hero’s Templar forebears, and take a hand in it he must.

The story of the Saint is no traditional Whodunnit but an adventure as only the Saint can survive and enjoy.

For those who enjoy the adventures of the Saint, this is once more an enjoyable entry into the annals of the Saint.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute fun romp, but clearly not written by Charteris himself. It felt like a very good episode of Scooby Doo more than a Charteris Saint: It didn't have the unexpected rough edges and personality quirks. The Saint was a little too Roger Moore, which is not a bad thing it's just not The Saint. But a fun read nonetheless.

[Rick Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major characters:
Simon Templar, The Saint
Mimette Florian
Yves Florian, her father, owner of the Ingare Vineyard
Philippe Florian, her uncle
Henry Pichot, a lawyer
Gaston Pichot, his uncle
Jeanne Corday, Henry's high-maintenance fiancé
Professor Louis Norbert

Locale: France

Synopsis: Simon Templar is driving through France on his way to the Riviera. He picks up two hitchhikers who are travelling to work at Yves Florian's Ingare Vineyard, on the site of a former stronghold of the Knights Templar. They arrive at the vineyard just in time to see one of the barns on fire.

Mimette Florian, daughter of the owner, helps Simon after he incurs a small injury fighting the fire. He inquires about the Templar history, and meets Professor Louis Norbert, who is on site trying to decode an inscription on an ancient stone; in hopes of being a clue to the location of the fabled treasure of the Templars.

Review: This is a later Saint book, written by Donne Avenell and Graham Weaver; with editorial direction by Leslie Charteris. Note how the cover omits the names of the writers, instead proclaiming "Leslie Charteris' The Saint and the Templar Treasure", in which the Charteris name, in the possessive, just shows ownership of the The Saint name. A quick look leads the viewer to think he is the author, but no.

Good: The initial chapters set up the scene well and give the reader the flavor of a French vineyard; while the Saint character is none too exciting. The final few chapters are much improved and more Saint-like in repartée and action.

Not so good: The descriptive words and language of Leslie Charteris which readers love are mostly absent. Patricia Holm and the usual sidekicks are missing. The two hitchhikers disappear from the story line as soon as they arrive. I expected more between The Saint and Mimette but at least they had a kiss or two. The treasure itself was a flop. Various phrases are rendered in French and require a passing knowledge to translate.

[Kenneth G · Rating 4 out of 5]

best Saint book not written by Charteris

This story was penned by a couple of blokes named Donne Avenell and Graham Weaver. Of course it was approved under the aegis of Charteris himself, but no matter. It is still a rousing good story no matter who wrote it.
It begins with Templar picking up a couple of college kids on their way to a winery to pick up some extra cash before school begins. As they approach their destination, it appears an outbuilding is on fire, so naturally, the Saint does what he can to help. By so ingratiating himself to the owners, he is invited to stay.
As it happens, someone is trying to put the winery out of business. There is talk of ghosts, and more interesting to Simon, a tale about the treasure of the Knights Templar hidden somewhere on the grounds of the estate. Curiosity piqued, Simon has to stay to solve the mystery.
A wonderful adventure ensues, with none of the usual characters. Still, a great read for any fan of the Saint.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Saint stories I think.

[Mohamed Hussien · Rating 1 out of 5]

فتاة تمت الواحد والعشرين لتوهها .. تزجّ نفسها في مغامرة خطيرة مع العملاء المزدوجين والجواسيس و رجال الرايخ النازيين .. لتفضّ الغموض الذي يلف إختفاء أبيها منذ خمسة عشرة عام .. وتبحذ عن الكنز الذي تركه لها .. يساعدها القديس المغامر


مبحبش المغامرات من النوع دي عامة .. و الرواية مش حلوة أوي أصلاً

[colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

read 07.11.84
read 11.05.84

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun.