Step into the thrilling world of Alan Saxon, where golf meets grit and every fairway hides a mystery! The Alan Saxon series by Keith Miles is a captivating blend of sports and suspense, following a professional golfer turned amateur sleuth as he tackles murders and mayhem. From 1986 to 2004, these six novels hooked readers with their unique mix of high-stakes golf and pulse-pounding detective work, perfect for mystery buffs and sports fans alike.
With its charmingly flawed hero and exotic settings, the series delivers a hole-in-one for anyone craving a fresh take on the whodunit genre. Let’s tee off and explore the world of Alan Saxon!
How Alan Saxon Began
Keith Miles, a prolific Welsh author born in 1940, kicked off the Alan Saxon series in 1986 with Bullet Hole. Known for his historical mysteries under the pseudonym Edward Marston, Miles drew on his love for storytelling and knack for vivid settings to craft a series rooted in the competitive world of professional golf. Inspired by his own fascination with sports and crime, Miles created Alan Saxon—a golfer with a knack for stumbling into mysteries that demand his sharp wits and resilience.
The series paused after four books in 1991 but made a triumphant return in 2002 with Bermuda Grass, followed by Honolulu Play-Off in 2004. Miles’ ability to weave sports precision with sleuthing flair set the series apart, earning it a loyal niche following.
The Heart of Alan Saxon
The Alan Saxon series spans six gripping novels, each plunging Saxon into a new mystery. In Bullet Hole (1986), Saxon’s British Open preparations are derailed by a golf groupie’s murder, forcing him to navigate a deadly conspiracy. Double Eagle (1987) sees him at rock bottom, invited to a California tournament only to uncover a friend’s killer amid violence and betrayal. Green Murder (1990) takes Saxon to Australia, where a Skins Game turns into a nightmare of abduction and intrigue. Finally, Honolulu Play-Off (2004) places him in Hawaii, solving a friend’s murder while dodging assassins.
Themes of personal redemption, loyalty, and the clash between passion and danger run deep. Saxon, a divorced dad with a turbulent love life and financial woes, is no polished detective—he’s a golfer with a policeman’s instincts, inherited from his father. The series’ settings, from St. Andrews to Sydney, add a vibrant backdrop, while Miles’ crisp prose and clever plotting keep the suspense tight. Fans love the balance of golfing authenticity and gritty crime, making each book a fast-paced escape.
Whether it’s the lush greens of Bermuda or the sun-soaked courses of California, the series captures the thrill of the game and the stakes of survival. Saxon’s underdog charm and knack for outsmarting killers make him a hero worth rooting for.
Why Alan Saxon Resonates
The Alan Saxon series carved a unique niche in the mystery genre, blending the elegance of golf with the raw edge of crime. Its appeal lies in its relatable hero—a man battling personal demons while solving cases with ingenuity. Though not as widely known as Miles’ Elizabethan or Victorian mysteries, the series has a cult following among golf enthusiasts and cozy mystery fans, who cherish its blend of sport and suspense.
Its lasting charm comes from its vivid settings and Saxon’s everyman grit, offering a refreshing twist on the amateur sleuth trope. For readers seeking a lesser-known gem, Alan Saxon delivers a satisfying mix of heart, humor, and high stakes.
- Publication Years: 1986–2004
- Number of Books: 6
- Author: Keith Miles
- Genre: Mystery, Sports Fiction
Grab Bullet Hole and dive into Alan Saxon’s world of golf and grit—where every swing could be a matter of life and death!