Vicious Circle

Roberto Lucci an ex racing driver and a friend of Simon Templar is killed while he is on the phone to The Saint.

The police do not suspect foul play. Simon Templar does. Lucci's wife is a famous fashion designer Renata. She too thinks it was an accident.

Templar goes out on a limb to prove that Lucci was murdered. Maybe his wife Renata might have been involved in a murder plot. She is close a man called Dr Paolo Brogli (Mel Ferrer.)

Renata's assistant Anna (Tessa Wyatt) seems to be a source of help for Simon. Then it transpires that her ex husband could had killed Lucci.

There is a darker, harder edge to The Saint in this story. However some of the characters seem to be broad with the acting and the comedy. It is an odd balance.

There are several effective twists and nice use of Italian locations.

Once Simon Templar is on the case he never lets up untill he unravels the truth, and the truth is who killed his racing car driver friend - of course, the polizia say the car tumbling over the cliff is an accident - Templar thinks otherwise and he has a few suspects in this routine yet serviceable episode that is more of a mystery than an action adventure yarn. It's not a great episode, can be confusing and not too engaging, but the scenic Italian location and Ian Oglivy keeps one watching.