The Saint Steps In

infobox Book |
name = The Saint Steps In
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Early Avon reprint edition, probably 1950s
author = Leslie Charteris
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = The Saint
genre = Mystery novel
publisher = The Crime Club
release_date = 1943
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by = The Saint Goes West
followed_by = The Saint on Guard

"The Saint Steps In" is the title of a mystery novel by Leslie Charteris featuring his creation, Simon Templar, alias The Saint. The book was first published in serialized form in November 1942 in "Liberty Magazine", with its first bound publication in 1943 in an American edition by The Crime Club. Hodder and Stoughton published the first British edition in 1943.

Plot summary

In Washington, D.C., a young woman whose father has invented a new form of synthetic rubber requests Simon Templar's aid when she receives a threatening note. Before long, The Saint is drawn into a web of war-related intrigue involving what apoear to be gangsters, but soon turns out to be groups with differing opinions as to what it takes to be patriotic. The book reveals that, instead of enlisting to fight in the war, Templar has instead been working behind the scenes, carrying out quiet missions against enemy agents and, unusually for the character, his efforts in this case are actually supported by law enforcement.

This is the third Saint book in a row to be set in the United States (previously most of Templar's adventures took place in England), following "The Saint in Miami" and "The Saint Goes West", and direct reference is made to the Miami novel.

References to other works

As was the case with the previous book, "The Saint Goes West", "The Saint Steps In" includes in-jokes related to Simon Templar's "second career" as a B-movie hero (as a series of films featuring the character made by [{RKO Pictures] was underway at the time of its publication). The start of Chapter 5 includes a character referring to The Falcon, another character appearing in B-movies at the time, as "a bargain-basement imitation" of Templar. The Falcon was in fact created as a competitor for the Saint and the film series even used some of the same actors who played Templar.

References

* Burl Barer, "The Saint: A Complete History in Print, Radio, Film and Television 1928-1992". Jefferson, N.C.: MacFarland, 2003 (originally published in 1992), pp. 71-73.