Critics May Care – Part II

“Bond had not quite spent three months on the wagon, but if in M’s eyes he was fit to return to work, then … He poured himself a conservative two fingers of whisky into the glass, added a lump of ice and the same amount of soda.
‘Your good health,’ he said, then tossed the whole lot down in a single gulp.”

Sebastian Faulks, Devil May Care

In Devil May Care, James Bond endures a time of change; a rebirth. No 007 novel in recent memory had made much of a splash – neither critically nor commercially – and the literary series had long since been overshadowed by the colossal beast that is the cinematic Bond, itself reborn with the arrival of Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. This fact reverberated throughout many reviews for the novel.

In light of an extensive promotional campaign (especially in the UK), the literary James Bond – Ian Fleming’s James Bond, as the Centenary marketing opportunity implied – was born anew.

How, then, did the press outside the UK, react to arguably the most-hyped 007 novel of all time?

“When Devil May Care does strive for a literary tone, it winds up suggesting that other writers were better qualified for the job.” – Janet Maslin, The New York Times

The New York Times‘ Janet Maslin believes Faulks did an adequate job, but failed to truly seize the opportunity. “Mr. Faulks-writing-as-Fleming does not fall short of the rest of Fleming’s posthumous output. Nor does he tinker with the series’s surefire recipe for success. What he delivers is a serviceable madeleine for Bond nostalgists and a decent replica of past Bond escapades. But if you didn’t pick up Devil May Care convinced that Bond was an enduring pop-cultural landmark, you would not come away with that conclusion.”

Maslin concludes: “If Mr. Faulks is less adventurous than his hero, and if he is mostly content to stick to the basic Bond blueprint, he may be doing precisely what was asked of him.”

Elsewhere in The New York Times, Alex Berenson takes issue with the book’s lack of sex (“No, thank you? No, Bond, no! What’s next? ‘It’s not you, it’s me’?”) and argues “the villains are a B-movie writer’s dream […] Gorner does everything but laugh ‘Bwah-hah-hah!’ as he explains to Bond his plan to destroy England.” Yet Berenson concludes that the “scene-chewing villains” are often the highlights in a book where 007 is strangely underwritten.

In particular, Berenson took issue with Gorner’s demise, arguing the book peters out three chapters from the end.

“Watching such a capable author struggle gives one newfound admiration for Ian Fleming’s talent.” – Eric Felten, The Wall Street Journal

Eric Felten (The Wall Stret Journal) provided an fascinating review, describing Devil May Care as “well written, entertaining, passably authentic – and ultimately unsatisfying”.

Felten takes mixed views of the book’s villains: “Dr. Julius Gorner, is at first blush a pretty solid Bond adversary.” However, Felton writes, Gorner falls apart later in the novel: “Once he has Bond in his clutches, he delivers the obligatory dissertation on the aesthetics of power. But unlike Dr. No – who explains Clausewitz to Bond while serving a meal that begins with Caviar Double de Beluga and ends with Sorbet à la Champagne – Gorner fails to give his adversary a handsome dinner first.”

“Without a leisurely meal, Gorner never has the chance to grow expansive. He blurts out his megalomaniacal agenda in a forced and perfunctory manner that is implausible even by the apsychological standards of Fleming’s originals.”

Surprisingly, he does praise the controversial tennis sequence (“The pacing and the detailed description of the unfolding match are superb […] As a strategic battle of wills between the protagonists, the scene is a worthy rival to Fleming’s card-table contests between Bond and Drax and Bond and Le Chiffre.”), but argued it felt tacked on in the overall scope of the novel: “Unlike the Drax and Le Chiffre contests, the tennis match serves no narrative purpose. Gorner has already been identified as a villain before the contest on the clay court, so we don’t learn anything about him from his game, as we do about Goldfinger or Drax from theirs. Nor does the match decide anything of importance, unlike the climactic baccarat game in Casino Royale, by which Bond bankrupts a terrorist financier.

“The villain’s cheating in Devil May Care, then, seems to be little more than a way for Mr. Faulks to put down a marker documenting his thorough study of Flemingisms.”

Sidin Vadukut of The Wall Street Journal’s livemint.com scathingly writes: “Faulks has delivered a book unworthy of the hype and anticipation. He famously announced that Devil May Care took him just six weeks to write. It will take you less than 6 hours to read and remain with you for less than 6 minutes.”

On the other hand, Forbes‘ Michael Maiello is glowing in his praise for the book: “If James Bond’s creator and the author of 14 Bond books were alive to read Devil May Care, he might well believe that he had written it.”

Maiello takes issue with CIA Agent JD Silver’s character arc (“The story is set 40 years ago, but to a reader in 2008 it seems a pretty thin rationale that’s unintentionally offensive.”), but otherwise describes the novel “a delight. The over-the-top villain, the massive weapons, the grandiose plans and schemes, Bond’s ability to bounce back from the most savage beatings, and the collisions and explosions are all on display.”

“Once the adventure gets going, it’s as if Faulks, a fan of the Bond novels in his youth, got hold of his inner child, along with a bunch of action figures.” – Michael Maiello, Forbes

Patrick Anderson, a self-confessed non-fan of the Bond novels, is expectedly unimpressed. His Washington Post review concludes: “All this social and culinary guidance seemed more urgent to me in my youth than it does today. For me at least, the Bond fantasy has not aged well. Faulks has said he intended to write a ‘lighthearted’ novel, and Devil May Care has its amusing and entertaining moments, but there were other moments when I thought it would never end. My advice is to invest your $25 in a good bottle of wine and wait for the movie.”

The Dallas Morning News‘ Edward Nawotka regards Devil May Care as “no literary landmark [though] it comes commendably close to the original and, provided you know what to expect, provides some real, retro pleasure.”

“Besides, all the grousing about the ’60s is out of character. The whole point about Bond was his joyous embrace of modernity. There was nothing fuddy-duddy about him. If his author had lived to see the summer of love, Bond would have applauded. Free love? It sounds right up his street.” – Matthew Lynn, Bloomberg

Bloomberg‘s Matthew Lynn shares his opinion, stating: “If you want a Bond book, pick up From Russia, With Love. If you want to sample Faulks, read Birdsong. And if you want a modern hardware-and-babes thriller, try Andy McNab or Chris Ryan. Stranded somewhere between these three genres, Devil May Care will fail to satisfy avid readers of any of them.”

Gregory Kirschling of Entertainment Weekly claims the novel “reads more like a novelization of a super-progressive old-school Bond film than a long-lost original by Fleming, whose books were generally tougher and more literary than Faulks’ more cinematic re-creation. That said, the new book is a near-effortless read, and considerable fun.”

Kirschling recognises that “it’s probably impossible to write a 007 thriller today without being influenced by 45 years of franchise movies”, which is both a blessing and a curse.

“Unlike Fleming at his best, he doesn’t quite elevate the boyish material above the bar of dignified nonsense. It’s both a compliment and a complaint that you could see this book turned into a Roger Moore Bond movie, no problem.” – Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly

Paul Davis (The Philadelphia Inquirer) describes Faulks as “a literary gun-for-hire who does not write thrillers” and thus “a poor choice”.

“Faulks’ workmanlike effort will entertain the casual Bond fan and the first-time Bond reader, but Fleming aficionados won’t like the book,” writes Davis. “Devil May Care lacks Fleming’s pacing and punch, and Faulks lacks Fleming’s ability to spark the reader’s interest and imagination in new and exotic places, people and things.”

“Unfortunately, Faulks’ Devil May Care lacks the Fleming Effect. Faulks said he wrote the novel in the ‘lighthearted and cavalier’ Fleming style, but although Fleming wrote unabashedly for entertainment, he was a serious craftsman and his thrillers were dark and complex. Faulks has confused Fleming’s novels with the films.” – Paul Davis, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jeffrey Westhoff of the Chicago Sun-Times is merciless in his criticisms of the book, arguing Devil May Care “disappoints on nearly every level”, particularly in light of comparisons to Kingsley Amis’ Colonel Sun.

“Faulks’ greatest failure is the plot’s randomness,” Westhoff writes, citing Gorner’s heroin scheme as pointless. “It’s as if Goldfinger announced that instead of robbing Fort Knox, he would use radio signals to knock American rockets out of the sky.”

“Worst of all,” he concludes, “Devil May Care is dull most of the time. Nothing much happens until the midpoint. The plot picks up after that, but the action sequences are confusingly written and inert.”

“Given Faulks’ reputation, you would expect Devil May Care at the very least to be well written. Yet the man who displayed a mastery of language in Birdsong produces sentences like, ‘The sun was blazingly hot,’ where triteness and redundancy vie for superiority.” – Jeffrey Westhoff, Chicago Sun-Times

In the Los Angeles Times, Tim Rutten unfavourably compares the opening and closing paragraphs of Devil May Care with those of Fleming’s Casino Royale. Of the former, Rutten writes: “One of those is postcard exposition; the other is an MRI of the spirit.”

“Most of all,” Rutten writes, “what one misses in the work of the Fleming impersonators is the unsentimental confidence of a writer willing to describe his one and only protagonist.” He summarises: “[Devil May Care] belongs more to the cinematic Bond tradition than to the one Fleming tapped out on his Remington.”

Outside of the United States, reviewers were equally split regarding Faulks’ stab at James Bond. In Canada’s National Post, Randy Boyagoda heaped praise on Devil May Care: “Faulks’s novel is over-stuffed with the sort of things you get to enjoy guilt-free only when they come under cover of the Bond brand: dry puns, mostly about killing or sex; an eccentric-genius bad guy who is helpfully detailed about his plans for large-scale destruction; a bruising, soulless henchman sidekick; a beautiful, secretive woman in distress; lots of double- and triple-crossing agents; peripatetic country-hopping; fine wine, punch-ups, gunplay; elaborate killings and chase sequences and ridiculous vehicles and weapons of the sort that schoolboys like to dream up when they’re supposed to be reading Anne of Green Gables; a loud, convoluted climax; and all of it presided over by an unflappable, unbeatable hero.”

“Of all things associated with the world of Bond, Faulks seems most taken with its Epicureanism: Every few pages, 007 indulges in yet another rare vintage or oyster and fowl combination; we could have used some of that detail during the extended fight scenes.” – Randy Boyagoda, National Post

Mark McGuinness in Australia’s Courier-Mail argues that “Faulks has been remarkably faithful to Fleming” and describes Devil May Care as “a fitting homage to Bond’s creator”.

India’s Daily News & Analysis also felt Faulks missed the mark. Sidharth Bhatia writes, “Faulks, who is no mean writer, has chosen to play it extremely safe. Everyone – from the villain to the girl to the plot – is a pastiche of characters and stories of time past. The villain cheats at sport (Goldfinger), he has a rare deformity (Le Chiffre, Scaramanga) his sidekick is an expressionless Oriental (Oddjob), and so on. The villain’s lair is the usual large hangar with an amphibious craft and lots of platforms (untold number of films) and Bond has to swim underwater (Thunderball, et al) to get there.”

“It is an enjoyable book, make no mistake and the formula is down pat; but that’s about it. But this reviewer for one couldn’t picture Connery or Craig in the lead role and that can only mean this is a lifeless, soulless Bond. This one is best left to Brosnan. The rest of us diehard Bond lovers will wait for Quantum Of Solace which will once again bring back the genuine article.”

Finally, website RopeOfSilicon.com draws a similar comparison to the filmic James Bond, albeit the opposite one. Brad Brevet writes, “Devil May Care reads almost like a trashy romance novel, but that is part of its charm. Instead of steamy sex scenes you get the down and dirty action and to use a movie metaphor in this case, it’s R-rated action and then some. Decapitations and brain matter are common place as this reads more like a bloody sequel to 2006’s Casino Royale than any of the Sean Connery or Roger Moore Bond flicks.”

Brevet, a self-confessed fan of the films who has never read one of Ian Fleming’s original novels, succinctly summarises what seems to be the true appeal of Devil May Care: “This book isn’t going to give you more than five or six hours reading time considering it is only 280 pages, but the quick pacing makes for a fun and worthwhile read should you have any interest in James Bond whatsoever.”

'James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007' Preview At Comic-Con

As reported by CommanderBond.net this past March, fans can look forward to the September 2008 release of James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007.

As stated by author Alan J. Porter earlier this year, ‘the fully illustrated book will chronicle the story behind Bond’s comics adventures around the world, from British newspaper strips, to original stories produced for markets such as Sweden and Chile, to Japanese manga, and of course the various American series and movie adaptations. I’ll also be taking a look at the various Bond spoofs, 007’s influence on comics art in general, and hopefully lining up interviews with some of the creators who have added to Bond’s story over the years.’

While publication is still a few months away, those attending this year’s Comic-Con can meet with the author and get a sneak peek at advanced copies of James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007.

Porter will be on hand at the Hermes Press booth (#506) on Friday, 25 July from 2:00 – 3:00pm.

Held at the San Diego Convention Center, Comic-Con is the home of the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. This year’s event runs from 24-27 July with a preview night on the 23rd.

For information on registering to attend or other details, visit the official website or phone 619-491-2475.

Now for the first time, the complete history of the illustrated James Bond is chronicled by pop culture historian Alan J. Porter in James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007. Porter’s new book examines James Bond’s adventures in newspaper strips and comic books. Before Bond became world famous with his movie series, the character was the subject of successful English newspaper strips and later in comic books. With the explosion of Bond on the screen the character and his exploits become even more popular in comic strip and comic book versions all over the world. James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007 examines it all, and covers Bond’s newspaper strip and comic book appearances from the 1950s to the present. The release of this all-new history is timed to coincide with James Bond’s newest movie appearance and is sure to be a must for all Bond fans. The cover of the book presents a never-before-seen painting by noted artist Bob Peak who made a significant contribution tot he Bond canon’s movie poster art.

Pre-order James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007

• Order James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007 from Amazon.co.uk
• Order James Bond: The History Of The Illustrated 007 from Amazon.com

Keep watching the CBn main page 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.

Ian Fleming Publications Appoints Literary Agent Simon Trewin

Ian Fleming Publications Ltd
Appoints Literary Agent Simon Trewin
Of United Agents

Ian Fleming Publications Ltd (IFP), the Fleming family company that owns the copyright to the James Bond books, has appointed United Agents’ literary agent, Simon Trewin, to manage worldwide English language literary rights in the Ian Fleming titles and Young Bond. The appointment is effective from the beginning of July 2008.

Corinne Turner, Managing Director of IFP said, “Simon Trewin joins us at a very exciting time. The centenary year has generated a phenomenal amount of interest in Fleming – the writer – and his work. We’ve achieved an incredible amount and now wish to build on our successes by taking on a dedicated literary agent. In this way, we benefit not only from the expertise of a talented agent but also of the whole team at United Agents. We very much look forward to working with Simon.”

Ian Fleming Publications’ rights include Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the best-selling Young Bond series by Charlie Higson. Foreign rights for these will continue to be managed by The Buckman Agency.

Devil May Care, the centenary James Bond novel written by Sebastian Faulks, and the Moneypenny Diaries by Kate Westbrook will remain in the care of Aitken Alexander Associates.

Simon Trewin is co-head of the book department of United Agents Ltd, which was founded in 2007. Trewin’s client list includes Henry Chancellor, author of James Bond: The Man and his World, a joint venture with Ian Fleming Publications.

Simon Trewin said, “I remember picking up a battered old paperback edition of Dr. No when I was a teenager and I was bowled over, at once, by the masterly storytelling of Ian Fleming. I quickly read the whole series and became a huge fan so I am naturally thrilled to be appointed to manage this prestigious estate. I am very much looking forward to working with the Fleming family on raising awareness levels of Ian Fleming even higher over the coming years”.

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest literary 007 news and complete coverage of all the Ian Fleming centenary events.

Paperback Editions Of Daniel Craig Biographies Coming Later This Year

Brand new paperback editions of two biographies focusing on James Bond #6 – Daniel Craig are slated to be released later this year.

Daniel O’Brien’s Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional is slated for 20 October 2008 and Sarah Marshall’s Daniel Craig: The Biography will follow on 3 November. Both titles originally debuted in hardback in the UK towards the end of 2007 and in early 2008 for the US.

O’Brien’s Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional is published by Reynolds & Hearn and retails for £8.99:

YOU KNOW HIS NAME – not only as the latest James Bond in Casino Royale, but also as XXXX in Layer Cake, Ben Driscoll in The Invasion and Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass. Yet Daniel Craig has long been recognised as one of the best British actors of his generation, a committed professional who is passionate about his work and has often shunned the lure of easy money in Hollywood blockbusters in favour of more challenging roles in low-budget European films.

Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional takes an in-depth look at the career of the pub landlord’s son who made his acting debut at the age of six and rose to prominence through roles such as the tormented Geordie Peacock in Our Friends In The North, the schizophrenic Ray in Some Voices, the mercenary archeologist Alex West in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the amorous carpenter Darren in The Mother, and the murderous Perry Smith in Infamous.

Fully illustrated throughout, Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional also includes 16 pages of colour photos of the actor who was voted the sexiest man in the world in a recent poll.

Marshall’s Daniel Craig: The Biography is published by John Blake Publishing Ltd and will retail for £7.99:

He’s gorgeous, tremendously talented, charming and sexy. His breathtaking performance as the new James Bond in Casino Royale won him legions of fans and proved that, as well as being an outstanding actor; he could cut it as an action hero and could re-define a cinematic icon to huge critical acclaim. Daniel Craig, arguably the most inspiring 007, has truly made it as an A-list film star. This fascinating and affectionate book reveals everything about Britain’s favourite leading man: how he endured poverty-stricken years when he was first struggling to make it as an actor in London; how he rejected the ‘trivial’ publicity that came when he started to make a name for himself; his relationships, including his marriage to a British actress with whom he has a daughter; plus his encounters with Sienna Miller and Kate Moss and how he has handled the adulation that has come from his new role as 007. This is the intriguing story of a supremely talented actor who has established his reputation, then defied expectations and silenced those who doubted his Bond would live up to its predecessors. It is essential reading for any Daniel Craig admirer and for the masses of film fans for whom his performance as Bond was an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Pre-order the paperback editions:

• Order the UK paperback edition of Daniel Craig: The Biography from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK paperback edition of Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional from Amazon.co.uk

Order the hardback editions:

• Order the UK hardback edition of Daniel Craig: The Biography from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK hardback edition of Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of Daniel Craig: The Biography from Amazon.com
• Order the US hardback edition of Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional from Amazon.com

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest literary James Bond news.

'Polestar' Bond Collection Slated For 28 November In UK

A UK release date has been announced for Polestar, the latest collection of James Bond comic strips from Titan Books in the UK: 28 November 2008.

As previously reported on CommanderBond.net, this collection will bring together five 007 adventures in total, including Flittermouse, The Scent Of Danger, Snake Goddess and Double Eagle in addition to the title story.

As a result of the numerous strips to be featured this time, he Polestar collection will showcase the work of writer Jim Lawrence and artists Yaroslav Horak and John McLusky.

Flittermouse was first published immediately before Polestar and the two stories together represent the final section of Series Five that was first serialised in the Daily Star.

The next three stories, The Scent Of Danger, Snake Goddess and Double Eagle, complete Series Five and represent the final entries of Titan’s James Bond checklist. These strips were syndicated in non-UK newspapers. Mclusky worked with Lawrence on The Scent Of Danger, while Horak returned for the final two stories, Snake Goddess and Double Eagle.

Polestar will be released on 4 November in the US and can be pre-ordered online by clicking on the links provided in the CBn checklist below.

Keep your eyes glued to the CBn main page for complete coverage of all the latest Titan James Bond releases–including the recently announced Girl Machine collection.

'For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond' Paperback Coming In 2009

A brand new paperback edition of Ben Macintyre’s For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond will be hitting bookshelves in April 2009.

Released earlier this year as a hardback in the UK and US, Macintyre’s For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond acts as a companion book to the Fleming centenary exhibition of the same name, which opened at the Imperial War Museum in London.

The new paperback of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond will be published by Bloomsbury Publishing in the UK and retail for £7.99.

It is scheduled for release on 7 April 2009 and can currently be pre-ordered at Amazon.co.uk. The original blurb follows:

A riveting look into the world of James Bond and his creator, published on the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth.

In For Your Eyes Only, Ben Macintyre reveals where the world of Ian Fleming ends and the world of James Bond begins. Macintyre looks at the actual people on whom the writer based his fictional creations–friends, colleagues, lovers, and, of course, the notorious villains. Exploring the tradition of spy fiction past and present, with specific attention to the Cold War, Macintyre explains how Bond was based on the realities–and fantasies–of Fleming’s life as a wartime spymaster and peacetime bon vivant.

Stylishly illustrated, For Your Eyes Only features a collector’s dream of gadgets, costumes, props, and storyboards from the films–Daniel Craig’s bloodstained shirt from Casino Royale, the Aston Martin DB5, complete with weaponry–as well as memorabilia from Fleming’s personal archive: his smoking jacket, the manuscript for Casino Royale, his golden typewriter, his guns, and much more.

• Order the UK hardback edition of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK paperback edition of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond from Amazon.com

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest literary 007 news and complete coverage of all the Ian Fleming centenary events.

Upcoming Book Signings With Raymond Benson

Former James Bond continuation author Raymond Benson will be making several appearances in the upcoming months for book signings.

At one of the events, he’ll also be celebrating the launch of the forthcoming Union Trilogy in October, an all-new 007 collection which brings together High Time To Kill, Doubleshot and Never Dream of Dying along with the complete, unedited version of the Bond short story Blast From The Past.

Like his upcoming appearance next month, Benson will also be presenting ‘The James Bond Phenomenon’ slideshow in November once again as well.

Full details follow below:

Mystery Writers Panel
Saturday, 16 August 2008
2:00 – 4:00pm
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
113 Oak Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
630-896-0240

The Union Trilogy Book Launch
Saturday, 25 October 2008
1:00pm
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
7419 W. Madison St.
Forest Park, IL 60130
708-771-7243

Book Signing
Sunday, 26 October 2008
1:00 – 3:00pm
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
920 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
847-793-8740

‘The James Bond Phenomenon’ Slideshow & Book Signing
Thursday, 20 November 2008
7:00pm
Mt. Prospect Public Library
10 South Emerson Street
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
847-253-5675

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for all the latest literary James Bond news.

Bond fans best know Benson as the author of six Bond continuation novels, three short stories and the film novelizations for Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. Click here for CommanderBond.net’s four-part interview with Raymond Benson.

John Gardner's 'Moriarty' Returns One More Time

In early 2005, the news first hit the CommanderBond.net main page that former James Bond continuation novelist John Gardner had written a brand new Moriarty novel.

The book, featuring Professor James Moriarty, arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, was apart of a contract Gardner had signed in continuing his Moriarty novels. The first two in the series, The Return of Moriarty and The Revenge of Moriarty, were both published several decades earlier in 1974 and ’75, respectively.

Publishing delays must have obviously followed as the novel never hit bookshelves. Only now is this third Moriarty tale, simply titled Moriarty, finally scheduled for publication this upcoming November. The book will be published posthumously as Mr. Gardner died at the age of 80 in August 2007.

Moriarty will published by Quercus in the UK and Harcourt in the US. The official blurb follows:

It is the turn of the century and, having survived the struggle with Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls, Professor James Moriarty is alive and well and about to realize his plans to establish crime syndicates in the major cities of the United States. But suddenly he is called back to London, where his vast criminal society has been overrun by a rival concern led by the shadowy Sir Jordan Jack Idell–or Idle Jack–a supposed gentleman hoodlum acting on behalf of criminal elements in France, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

As Moriarty fights back–against both the unruly crime families and the forces of law and order–readers are thrown in among the lurkers, punishers, dippers, cracksmen, and the professor’s elite guard.

Moriarty lives again and revolts against those who attempt to oust him from his rightful place as king of “Napoleon of Crime.”

• Order John Gardner’s Moriarty from Amazon.co.uk
• Order John Gardner’s Moriarty from Amazon.com

Keep watching CBn 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.

Charlie Higson To Appear At The Bath Festival of Children's Literature

Charlie Higson, author of the hugely popular Young Bond series, will appear at the second Bath Festival of Children’s Literature – just weeks after the publication of the fifth book in the series: By Royal Command.

theBookseller.com reports that Higson, Michael Rosen, Michael Morpurgo and Meg Cabot are among the authors due to attend the 10-day event, which last year reached over 20,000 children and families.

The festival will run from 19 to 28 September, with tickets going on sale 21 July. Call the ticket hotline on 01225 463 362.

By Royal Command will be published in hardback in the UK on 4 September.

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

'My Name's Bond, James Bond': An Ian Fleming Anthology

A brand new edition of ‘My Name’s Bond, James Bond’: An Ian Fleming Anthology by Simon Winder is slated for release in October 2008.

Originally released in 2000 in the UK and US and then reprinted once more the following year, ‘My Name’s Bond, James Bond’ is a celebration of ‘the greatest of all postwar British fictional icons’.

Literary 007 fans may also recall Winder’s other more recent Bond book, The Man Who Saved Britain: A Personal Journey into the Disturbing World of James Bond. Click here for the CommanderBond.net interview covering that release.

The new edition of ‘My Name’s Bond, James Bond’: An Ian Fleming Anthology will be published by Penguin Classics and retail for £6.99. It will be released in paperback on 30 October in the UK.

The original blurb for ‘My Name’s Bond, James Bond’: An Ian Fleming Anthology follows:

This book celebrates the greatest of all postwar British fictional icons. For too long the Bond films have overshadowed their literary source – the bizarre, baroque world of Ian Fleming. Full rein is given in this anthology to Fleming’s wonderful creations – the deranged villains, their horrifying associates and their surreal lairs; from Dr. No’s guano island to Blofeld’s Garden of Death. Full attention to is paid to the girls, cars, food, drink and cigarettes consumed by the books’ brutal, resourceful hero. From the first Bond novel, Casino Royale to the last to be fully finished, You Only Live Twice, there is an extraordinary zest and ingenuity to Fleming’s imagination and My Name’s Bond… allows readers to see perhaps as never before the author’s remarkable abilities. He was, above all, a creator of great set pieces and it is these that are surely at the root of the films’ great and lasting success.

• Order the UK paperback edition of ‘My Name’s Bond, James Bond’: An Ian Fleming Anthology from Amazon.co.uk

Stay tuned to the CBn main page for the most complete coverage of all the latest literary James Bond news.