Simon Templar books in order

Q: "What order should I read the Simon Templar books?"

"The Simon Templar books are best read in publication order, starting with Meet the Tiger (1928) and continuing through the series chronologically. While many books work as standalones, reading in order lets you follow the character's evolution and catch recurring characters like Inspector Teal."

Q: "Who is Simon Templar?"

"Simon Templar, known as 'The Saint,' is a gentleman thief and adventurer created by Leslie Charteris. He operates outside the law but follows his own moral code, typically targeting criminals, con artists, and corrupt businessmen. His nickname comes from his initials (S.T.) and his habit of leaving a stick-figure saint calling card."

Q: "Are the later Saint books written by Leslie Charteris?"

"The Saint books from 1964 onward were largely written by ghostwriters working under Charteris's supervision. Charteris provided plots and editorial direction, but authors like Fleming Lee, Peter Bloxsom, and others wrote the actual prose. The final book, Capture the Saint (1997), was published after Charteris's death."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Saint Meets the Tiger / Meet the Tiger!	1928	Leslie Charteris	Buy
2	Enter the Saint	1930	Leslie Charteris	Buy
3	The Avenging Saint / Knight Templar	1930	Leslie Charteris	Buy
4	The Saint Closes the Case / The Last Hero	1930	Leslie Charteris	Buy
5	Alias the Saint	1931	Leslie Charteris	Buy
6	Featuring the Saint	1931	Leslie Charteris	Buy
7	The Saint Meets His Match / She Was a Lady / Angels of Doom	1931	Leslie Charteris	Buy
8	The Saint Meets his Match	1931	Leslie Charteris	Buy
9	The Saint versus Scotland Yard / The Holy Terror	1932	Leslie Charteris	Buy
10	The Saint’s Getaway / The Getaway	1932	Leslie Charteris	Buy
11	The Brighter Buccaneer	1933	Leslie Charteris	Buy
12	The Saint and Mr. Teal / Once More the Saint	1933	Leslie Charteris	Buy
13	The Saint Goes On	1934	Leslie Charteris	Buy
14	The Saint Intervenes / Boodle	1934	Leslie Charteris	Buy
15	The Saint in London / The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal	1934	Leslie Charteris	Buy
16	The Saint in New York	1935	Leslie Charteris	Buy
17	Saint Overboard	1936	Leslie Charteris	Buy
18	The Saint Bids Diamonds / The Saint at the Thieves’ Picnic / Thieves’ Picnic	1937	Leslie Charteris	Buy
19	The Saint in Action / Ace of Knaves	1937	Leslie Charteris	Buy
20	The Saint Plays with Fire / Prelude for War	1938	Leslie Charteris	Buy
21	Follow the Saint	1939	Leslie Charteris	Buy
22	The Happy Highwayman	1939	Leslie Charteris	Buy
23	The Saint in Miami	1940	Leslie Charteris	Buy
24	The Saint Goes West	1942	Leslie Charteris	Buy
25	The Saint Steps In	1943	Leslie Charteris	Buy
26	The Saint and the Sizzling Saboteur	1944	Leslie Charteris	Buy
27	The Saint on Guard	1944	Leslie Charteris	Buy
28	The Saint Sees it Through	1946	Leslie Charteris	Buy
29	Call for the Saint	1948	Leslie Charteris	Buy
30	Saint Errant	1948	Leslie Charteris	Buy
31	The Saint in Europe	1953	Leslie Charteris	Buy
32	The Saint on the Spanish Main	1955	Leslie Charteris	Buy
33	The Saint Around the World	1956	Leslie Charteris	Buy
34	Thanks to the Saint	1957	Leslie Charteris	Buy
35	Señor Saint	1958	Leslie Charteris	Buy
36	The Saint to the Rescue	1959	Leslie Charteris	Buy
37	Trust the Saint	1962	Leslie Charteris	Buy
38	The Saint in the Sun	1963	Leslie Charteris	Buy
39	Vendetta for the Saint	1964	Leslie Charteris	Buy
40	The Saint on TV	1967	Leslie Charteris	Buy
41	The Saint Returns	1968	Leslie Charteris	Buy
42	The Saint and the Fiction Makers	1968	Leslie Charteris	Buy
43	The Saint Abroad	1969	Leslie Charteris	Buy
44	The Saint in Pursuit	1970	Leslie Charteris	Buy
45	The Saint and the People Importers	1971	Leslie Charteris	Buy
46	Catch the Saint	1975	Leslie Charteris	Buy
47	The Saint and the Hapsburg Necklace	1975	Leslie Charteris	Buy
48	Send for the Saint	1977	Leslie Charteris	Buy
49	The Saint in Trouble	1978	Leslie Charteris	Buy
50	The Saint and the Templar Treasure	1979	Leslie Charteris	Buy
51	Count on the Saint	1980	Leslie Charteris	Buy
52	Salvage for the Saint	1983	Leslie Charteris	Buy
53	Capture the Saint	1997	Leslie Charteris	Buy

The Simon Templar series follows the adventures of “The Saint,” one of fiction’s most enduring rogues. Created by Leslie Charteris in 1928, Simon Templar is a tall, handsome Englishman who lives by his wits and his fists, relieving criminals of their ill-gotten gains while staying one step ahead of the law. His calling card—a stick figure with a halo—has become an iconic symbol recognized worldwide.

The early novels established the formula that made the series popular: fast-paced action, witty dialogue, beautiful women, and villains who deserve whatever comeuppance The Saint delivers. Inspector Claud Eustace Teal of Scotland Yard serves as a recurring foil, perpetually frustrated by Templar’s ability to skirt the law while technically doing good. The books range from short story collections to full-length novels, with settings spanning from London to New York to exotic locales around the globe.

The series spans nearly seven decades of publishing history, making it one of the longest-running character franchises in popular fiction. The Saint has been adapted into films, radio programs, comic strips, and multiple television series, most famously the 1960s show starring Roger Moore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read the Simon Templar books?

The Simon Templar books are best read in publication order, starting with Meet the Tiger (1928) and continuing through the series chronologically. While many books work as standalones, reading in order lets you follow the character’s evolution and catch recurring characters like Inspector Teal.

Who is Simon Templar?

Simon Templar, known as ‘The Saint,’ is a gentleman thief and adventurer created by Leslie Charteris. He operates outside the law but follows his own moral code, typically targeting criminals, con artists, and corrupt businessmen. His nickname comes from his initials (S.T.) and his habit of leaving a stick-figure saint calling card.

Are the later Saint books written by Leslie Charteris?

The Saint books from 1964 onward were largely written by ghostwriters working under Charteris’s supervision. Charteris provided plots and editorial direction, but authors like Fleming Lee, Peter Bloxsom, and others wrote the actual prose. The final book, Capture the Saint (1997), was published after Charteris’s death.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order