Crime Expert BURL BARER. Edgar Award Winner and NYT Bestselling Author

ROGER MOORE AND BURL BARER BBC 4 Radio Special

Leslie Charteris – A Saintly Centennial Tuesday 31 July 11.30am-12.00noon BBC RADIO 4

This year marks the centenary of the birth of popular fiction writer Leslie Charteris, best known for his many books chronicling the adventures of Simon Templar, alias The Saint.

In this special programme, actor and Saint portrayer Roger Moore explores the life and legacy of Charteris and reveals a world of adventure, torment, insecurity, failed marriages and enormous success as a thriller writer.

The adventures of The Saint have appeared continuously since 1928, making Simon Templar the longest-running character in contemporary detective fiction. But there was more to Charteris's literary acuity than The Saint alone. He was fluent in several languages; he had a monthly column in the epicurial delight, Gourmet magazine; and he devised a pictorial sign language which he called "Paleneo" and wrote a book about it. He was also one of the earliest members of Mensa.

Despite his film-star looks, with a hint of exoticism, Charteris suffered from a long-standing insecurity about his appearance, arising from his mixed racial origin. In later years he dated some of Hollywood's most beautiful women, among them Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow.

It wasn't until 1963, when Lou Grade cast Roger Moore and filmed the first television series of The Saint, that Charteris at last felt he'd received the final seal of approbation that had eluded him for 30 years.

Among those exploring the world and psyche of Charteris are Dan Bodenheimer, who runs the official Saint website; Burl Barer, author of The History Of The Saint; and Charteris's biographer Ian Dickerson.

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CRIMESPACE/TRUE CRIME BLOG

I have two new web pages/blogs -- as if i need more -- but they are good company. One is on CRIMESPACE and the other is The True Crime Blog Roll.
Sad news: crimeandsuspense.com, the on-line e-zine is folding. It's not my fault, honest. They did publish my short story, THE SHORT STORY in the latest issue, but have given up due to lack of financial support.
If I were to give up due to lack of financial support, I would have given up ages ago! 
My nephew, Lee Goldberg, returns to America August 9th after completing the pilot for his Germany based action/adventure TV series FAST TRACK: NO LIMITS!  He had a fantastic time, and you can read all about it on his blog.
As for your favorite author (ME!) I am 25% into my latest true crime masterpiece and 100% is due in September. I will be doing rather intensive typing in the next month and a half.

WHY POOR PEOPLE ARE TOOTHLESS

Q:   Why are poor people toothless?
A:   Because they can't afford a dentist.

Q:  Isn't there free dental care for the poor?
A: Yes.

Q: If there is free dental care for the poor, why are the poor toothless?
A: Because dental care for the poor means "we pull out the teeth of poor people."
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Just before I flew to Seattle for my Mom's b'day, I went to the dentist. I had an abscessed tooth, and needed more than $2,000 in work done to fix it, get bridge work or implants done, etc.   The dentist said "I don't want to send you off to Seattle with a missing tooth, so here are some anti-biotic pills to take if the infection gets painful before you return. When you get back, we will get to work on you"     I got back, sat in the dentist chair, and just before they started working a lady sat down and said, "before we begin, we need payment of several hundred dollars."   
I didn't have several hundred dollars. They told me to come back when I had it.  That was May.  This is July. Being poor, I went to the poor people's dental clinic. I sat down, got the xrays, and the dentist said "I don't do abscesses. Which tooth do you want pulled first?"
"I didn't come here because I wanted all my teeth pulled out. I came here because I have an abscessed tooth."
"Well, I'll pull this one to start with," she said, and pulled out a tooth.
It wasn't the one with the abscess.
I now have one less tooth, and I'm taking those anti-biotics by the hand full.
If you are poor, don't expect bridge work or implants. Free dental means they yank em out. Period.  Soon, you can call me "gummy."

PARIS HILTON -- WHY I LIKE HER

I like Paris Hilton. I've never met her, know nothing about her in real life, but I really like her. Following her misadventures and career accomplishments is akin to Torah study or immersing oneself in the history of the Catholic Church. Everything about Paris is ripe for metaphor, a mirror to our souls. It isn't about Paris Hilton, but rather: What does Paris' life journey inform us about what it is like to be a wispy blond female,blessed with wealth and resources, in 21st Century America?  I honestly see great things ahead for Paris Hilton. She will evolve into a famed philanthropist and humanitarian, tireless worker for human rights, uplifting the downtrodden, and setting a positive example for generations. No foolin'.  Trust me on this.
Twenty years from now, if she hasn't been martyred, Paris Hilton will be beloved by people of all ages, races, and incomes.
This is not satire nor sarcasm.
Just you wait. You'll see.