The Saint, The Toff, Lord Peter, & Other Brit Gents

[Brian Sheridan]

I have been picking up mystery novels featuring the gentleman British detectives, like Campion and The Saint. My latest purchase is two novels by John Creasy featuring the Hon. Richard Rollison, otherwise know as The Toff. Creasy wrote hundreds of novels, including 60 featuring The Toff (the last one being published FOUR YEARS after his death). He also created The Baron. My new avatar is The Toff's calling card.

There is a running theme in these novels which began in the 1930's. A rich, well-educated gentleman who gets involved with solving crimes. They also always have a gentlemen's gentleman. Toff has one, as does The Saint, Lord Peter Wimsey, Philo Vance (not a Brit by birth but by demeanor), Campion, even Poirot (who is also not British by birth but by location).

Any one else into this sub-genre? Favorite books?

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I have been picking up mystery novels featuring the gentleman British detectives, like Campion and The Saint. My latest purchase is two novels by John Creasy featuring the Hon. Richard Rollison, otherwise know as The Toff. Creasy wrote hundreds of novels, including 60 featuring The Toff (the last one being published FOUR YEARS after his death). He also created The Baron. My new avatar is The Toff's calling card.

There is a running theme in these novels which began in the 1930's. A rich, well-educated gentleman who gets involved with solving crimes. They also always have a gentlemen's gentleman. Toff has one, as does The Saint, Lord Peter Wimsey, Philo Vance (not a Brit by birth but by demeanor), Campion, even Poirot (who is also not British by birth but by location).

Any one else into this sub-genre? Favorite books?

These are great books, it reminds me a little of The Scarlet Pimpernel - dashing hero behind a man-about-town facade.

And your avartar looks superb.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

These are great books, it reminds me a little of The Scarlet Pimpernel - dashing hero behind a man-about-town facade.

And your avartar looks superb.

Thanks! Oh how I wish I was an English Lord with a wise and/or crafty manservant.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Thanks! Oh how I wish I was an English Lord with a wise and/or crafty manservant.

You're most welcome.

Like Lord Blackadder?
Mr. Baldrick did often have a cunning plan.

Have you heard of the character Lucifer Box?

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"George Sanders, as the "Saint" orften pops up on Antipodean Television in the wee small hours, he's rather dapper, though not a Lord, not even a Hon!!!!!!!

There was Lord Brett Sinclair in the "Persuaders" in the early 1970's teamed up with Tony Curtis as "Danny Wilde"

(Wonder if its a Tootal?)

 

[WideBrimm]

I like all manner of English detective novels beginning, of course, with Agatha Christie. And then there's Jonathan Gash's rascally character Lovejoy, one of my favorites.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Binks I believe Sir. Roger also played Simon Templar in "The Saint" TV series from the 1960s. That's on quite a lot on ITV4 here in the UK. I saw one the other day
where he ambushed a chap with a huge cask of brandy, what a way to go!

I've not seen any of the George Sanders films, but keep a look out.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

I've not seen any of the George Sanders films, but keep a look out.

You will be sorely disappointed if you like the book Saint. Sanders' Saint looks constipated most of the time.

 

[BinkieBaumont]

You will be sorely disappointed if you like the book Saint. Sanders' Saint looks constipated most of the time.

"Sanders looks "World Weary" and "Blase" rather than constipated!

Sanders was 65 years old. He left behind a suicide note which read:



"Dear World,

I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck."

 

[astrang1]

Hello,
The other chap worth checking out is the Bulldog Drummond novels by Sapper. They can be found relatively easy on the internet to download as the copyright has expired.
Best wishes,
Al

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"I love the send up of Bull Dog Drummond " Bull Shot Crummond" it started out as a play and became a movie in the late 1980's"

"Topping Fun"