'The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling' Paperback In November '08

While Final Fling, the third and final novel in Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries trilogy, hasn’t even debuted in hardback yet, a listing for the paperback has already appeared on amazon.co.uk.

The novel is scheduled for an unusually early release of 13 November 2008 considering the hardback doesn’t come out until this May (perhaps to capitalize on the theatrical release of Quantum of Solace during the same month).

The The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling UK paperback will retail for £7.99 and will be published by John Murray. Cover art is yet to be revealed.

Bond fans will recall that a March 2009 release date was originally mentioned for this paperback in early 2007.

Final Fling will be set in Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides (an island chain off the west coast of the west coast of Scotland), Cambridge, and London. The novel’s action is planned to be split between Jane Moneypenny’s 1964/65 diaries and the contemporary adventures of her neice, Kate Westbrook. The full blurb follows:

Final Fling combines the excitement of a cold war spy thriller with the mystery of a contemporary detective story. In the 1964/65 volume of her private diaries, Jane Moneypenny reports her demotion from the position of M’s secretary as the British Secret Intelligence Service is hit by a series of defection scandals. Facing considerable personal danger, she combines forces with 007 in a resolve to smoke out the mole she is convinced is buried deep in the heart of the Office. But, when Bond is sacked and M is forced into retirement, Moneypenny finds herself on her own…

Forty-two years later, Miss Moneypenny’s niece and heir, Kate Westbrook, starts to suspect that her aunt’s death was no accident. She is sure the clues to what happened lie in the search for the mole. As she pieces them together, however, she realizes that there are significant forces who are determined to prevent her finding the truth.

From the glamour of 1960s Jamaica to the treacherous beaches of the Outer Hebrides, Final Fling reveals just how far people are prepared to go to defend – or betray – their beliefs, and relates the life and death, and surprising final love, of the world’s most famous fictional secretary.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

US Cover Art For 'The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel' Revealed

Cover artwork for the forthcoming release of Samantha Weinberg’s first novel in her Moneypenny Diaries trilogy, Guardian Angel has been revealed at amazon.com.

As earlier reported on CommanderBond.net, this US hardback edition of Guardian Angel will be published by Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin’s Press) and will retail for $23.95.

The book is set for release on 13 May, in time for the Ian Fleming centenary and the numerous other James Bond-related events and releases scheduled for that month.

Guardian Angel was first published in October 2005 in the UK. Being the first part of the Moneypenny Diaries trilogy, it chronicles the life and adventures of the famous secretary originally featured in Fleming’s Bond novels. This first volume centers around the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Since then, Secret Servant was published in the UK in 2006. The final novel, Final Fling, hits UK bookshelves this May.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news and coverage. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Exclusive: 'The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling' Cover Artwork Revealed

CommanderBond.net can today exclusively reveal the cover artwork that will be featured on the third and final novel in Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries trilogy, Final Fling.

As first mentioned in early September, the cover artwork for Final Fling is based upon the same design created by artist Stina Persson for the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant.

Final Fling will be set in Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides (an island chain off the west coast of the west coast of Scotland), Cambridge, and London. The novel’s action is planned to be split between Jane Moneypenny’s 1964/65 diaries and the contemporary adventures of her neice, Kate Westbrook. The full blurb follows:

Final Fling combines the excitement of a cold war spy thriller with the mystery of a contemporary detective story. In the 1964/65 volume of her private diaries, Jane Moneypenny reports her demotion from the position of M’s secretary as the British Secret Intelligence Service is hit by a series of defection scandals. Facing considerable personal danger, she combines forces with 007 in a resolve to smoke out the mole she is convinced is buried deep in the heart of the Office. But, when Bond is sacked and M is forced into retirement, Moneypenny finds herself on her own…

Forty-two years later, Miss Moneypenny’s niece and heir, Kate Westbrook, starts to suspect that her aunt’s death was no accident. She is sure the clues to what happened lie in the search for the mole. As she pieces them together, however, she realizes that there are significant forces who are determined to prevent her finding the truth.

From the glamour of 1960s Jamaica to the treacherous beaches of the Outer Hebrides, Final Fling reveals just how far people are prepared to go to defend – or betray – their beliefs, and relates the life and death, and surprising final love, of the world’s most famous fictional secretary.

The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling is due for release on 1 May 2008 and can be pre-ordered from amazon.co.uk. A UK paperback is expected to follow in March 2009.

Keep watching CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Miss Moneypenny's Diaries Find A US Publisher

Samantha Weinberg’s James Bond spin-off series, The Moneypenny Diaries, will finally make its leap across the pond to coincide with the Ian Fleming Centenary celebrations.

The first instalment, Guardian Angel, will be published as a hardcover edition in the United States under St. Martin’s Press’ Thomas Dunne Books imprint. The novel will be released on 13 May 2008, retailing for US$23.95 and is currently available to pre-order on Amazon.com.

Guardian Angel was first released in the UK on 10 October 2005, and has since been followed by 2006’s Secret Servant and next year’s Final Fling, which will conclude the metafictional saga.

The first volume of diaries cover the period revolving around the Cuban Missile Crisis and the role Jane Moneypenny secretly played. In the present day, her neice, Kate Westbrook, begins to discover the mysteries hidden within Miss Moneypenny’s diaries.

St. Martin’s Press publish a range of leading authors, including Dan Brown, Robert Ludlum and Frederick Forsyth. The Thomas Dunne Books imprint specialises in suspense and mainstream novels.

CBn will bring you cover art as soon it emerges.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date literary James Bond news on the web.

'Final Fling' To Reveal Final Truths

The excellent new James Bond blog, The Literary 007 today delivers a top scoop – the first plot synopsis for Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling.

Due out in May next year, Final Fling will contain Jane Moneypenny’s 1964/65 diary entries, which follow on from those in 2005’s Guardian Angel and last year’s Secret Servant.

The synopsis (which contains spoilers, for those who have not read the first two novels) of the potentially controversial plot follows.

Final Fling combines the excitement of a cold war spy thriller with the mystery of a contemporary detective story. In the 1964/65 volume of her private diaries, Jane Moneypenny reports her demotion from the position of M’s secretary as the British Secret Intelligence Service is hit by a series of defection scandals. Facing considerable personal danger, she combines forces with 007 in a resolve to smoke out the mole she is convinced is buried deep in the heart of the Office. But, when Bond is sacked and M is forced into retirement, Moneypenny finds herself on her own…

Forty-two years later, Miss Moneypenny’s niece and heir, Kate Westbrook, starts to suspect that her aunt’s death was no accident. She is sure the clues to what happened lie in the search for the mole. As she pieces them together, however, she realizes that there are significant forces who are determined to prevent her finding the truth.

From the glamour of 1960s Jamaica to the treacherous beaches of the Outer Hebrides, Final Fling reveals just how far people are prepared to go to defend – or betray – their beliefs, and relates the life and death, and surprising final love, of the world’s most famous fictional secretary.

The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling will be the last novel in the series.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest literary James Bond news.

Moneypenny Diaries Cover Artist Stina Persson Discusses 'Secret Servant'

In an exclusive interview posted at Double O Section, Stina Persson discusses how she came to create the retro paperback cover of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant and what is next in the series.

As Moneypenny and James Bond readers already know, the hardbacks of the first two novels in the trilogy (and the Guardian Angel paperback as well) featured a very simple cover design in comparison to the Secret Servant paperback (pictured right).

When asked about the process of creating the cover with designer Madeline Meckiffe, Persson said: ‘My first brief said that they looked for an illustration of a glam woman. And wanted me to capture classy 60s mood but also feel fresh and modern. Later I made sketches, and from then on I worked with Madeline Meckliffe, which was enjoyable. She wanted my ink style and the colors of her dress to be what stood out. Later it ended up being background and beaded necklace that were in color. I am doing the second cover this fall too, by the way.’

As reported on CBn last week, Persson will also be creating the cover artwork for the final Moneypenny Diaries novel: Final Fling, which is due out in May 2008.

Author Samantha Weinberg commented on the interview, saying: ‘I think she’s done a wonderful job, and I hope we persuade John Murray to re-jacket the first book before the centenary.’

Visit Double O Section for the entire interview.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest Moneypenny Diaries news.

• Pre-order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling
• Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant
• Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant
• Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel
• Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

'The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling' Available For Pre-order

While James Bond fans were treated to two Young Bond books in 2007, readers of The Moneypenny Diaries were left hanging.

In May 2008, the wait will be over, as the third and final instalment in Samantha Weinberg’s trilogy, Final Fling, will hit bookstores. The novel can now be pre-ordered for £17.99 on Amazon.co.uk.

Final Fling continues the publication of Miss Jane Moneypenny’s diaries – and her niece, Kate Westbrook’s efforts to solve the mysteries that lie within.

Earlier this week, CBn relayed an exclusive from The Young Bond Dossier, that revealed the novel will be set in Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides (an island chain off the west coast of Scotland), Cambridge, and London. The action will also be split almost evenly between Miss Moneypenny’s diaries and Kate Westbrook’s contemporary exploits. A mystery romance will also blossom!

Cover art for The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling is forthcoming, but will be based upon the artwork of the UK paperback edition of Secret Servant.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest Moneypenny Diaries news.

Pre-order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Discuss Miss Moneypenny’s Final Fling in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.

Related articles

• The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
• CBn Reviews ‘The Moneypenny Diaries’ #2: Secret Servant

Where Will Miss Moneypenny Have Her 'Final Fling'?

The Young Bond Dossier has landed a very nice scoop about the final instalment in Samantha Weinberg’s James Bond spin-off series, The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling.

According to the site, the novel will be set in Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides (an island chain off the west coast of Scotland), Cambridge, and London.

The action will also be split almost evenly between Jane Moneypenny’s diaries and the contemporary adventures of her neice, Kate Westbrook. Final Fling will also see a romance blossom… but, intriguingly, we don’t know whom it involves!

The Young Bond Dossier has revealed that the cover art will be based on the paperback artwork for Secret Servant, and also confirmed what CBn first reported on Sunday – that Final Fling will hit shelves in May 2008.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the information on the release of The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling, as well as all the latest literary James Bond news.

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Discuss Miss Moneypenny’s Final Fling in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet. Thanks to CBn Forum member ‘zencat.’

Related articles

• The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
• CBn Reviews ‘The Moneypenny Diaries’ #2: Secret Servant

'The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling' Now Due May 2008

Fans of Samantha Weinberg’s The Moneypenny Diaries are now one step closer to having closure to the series’ mysteries, as the third volume is bumped forward to a May 2008 release.

The release date for the book has been shunted about quite a bit, from a proposed April 2008 release to July 2008. Now, an Amazon.co.uk listing for the large-format international paperback shows a 1 May 2008 release. This release date would also coincide with the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth.

May 2008 will see the release of a mass of literary 007 material to coincide with the Ian Fleming centenary, including Sebastian Faulks’ Devil May Care, the reissued paperback of John Pearson’s James Bond: The Authorised Biography Of 007 and the SilverFin graphic novel.

Once again written under the Kate Westbrook alias, Final Fling continues on from the events that took place in 2005’s Guardian Angel and 2006’s Secret Servant.

Stay tuned to CBn for details on the UK hardback release of The Moneypenny Diaries: Final Fling, as well as all the latest literary James Bond news.

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Discuss Miss Moneypenny’s Final Fling in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet. Thanks to CBn Forum member ‘zencat.’

Related Articles

• The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
• CBn Reviews ‘The Moneypenny Diaries’ #2: Secret Servant

'The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant' UK Paperback Released

Even though the book has been available online at amazon.co.uk for roughly one week, the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant has been officialy released today.

Literary James Bond fans can order the second novel in Samantha Weinberg’s (writing as Kate Westbrook) trilogy featuring the adventures of Jane Moneypenny at a discounted price of £3.99 at amazon.co.uk.

The official blurb runs:

From saving spies to private passions, this book covers the secret adventures of James Bond’s right-hand woman. Jane Moneypenny may project a cool, calm and collected image but her secret diaries reveal a rather different story. In the grip of an uncertain love affair and haunted by a dark family secret, the last thing she needs is a crisis at work.

But the Secret Intelligence Service is in chaos. One senior officer is on trial for treason, another has defected to Moscow and her beloved James Bond has been brainwashed by the KGB. Only a woman’s touch can save them.

Moneypenny soon finds herself embroiled in a highly-charged adventure infused with the glamour of the Cold War espionage game. Alone on a dangerous Russian mission she turns, with breathless intimacy, to writing a truly explosive private diary.

The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

The third novel in the trilogy, Final Fling, is due for release in summer 2008.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on the literary 007 releases.

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Secret Servant

Order the UK hardback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Order the UK paperback edition of The Moneypenny Diaries: Guardian Angel

Discuss this ‘Moneypenny Diaries’ news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the internet.

Related Articles

• The Samantha Weinberg CBn Interview
• CBn Reviews ‘The Moneypenny Diaries’ #2: Secret Servant