CommanderBond.net
  1. Raymond Benson's The Black Stiletto

    By Athena Stamos on 2011-03-20

    Former James Bond continuation novelist (1996-2002) Raymond Benson has been hard at work on his new book: The Black Stiletto.

    The Black Stiletto cover

    Could Martin Talbot’s elderly, Alzheimer-stricken mother really have been the Black Stiletto? When Martin discovers several volumes of diaries hidden by his mother Judy he is stunned beyond all imagination. His mother, the underground heroine of yesteryear? Could it be true? Talbot is filled with doubt and disbelief. But the reappearance of one of the Stiletto’s old enemies with a thirst for merciless revenge makes the story more than real and could imperil the life of not only the Stiletto, but her son and granddaughter as well.

    The book’s media-stocked website, www.TheBlackStiletto.net, is freshly launched; featuring video, photos, and illustrations of the mysterious crime-fighter. The site also includes praise from Jeffery Deaver, author of the new James Bond novel Carte Blanche.

    Visit the web-site and check out the book trailer for everything you need to know before diving into the pages of The Black Stiletto!

    The Black Stiletto will be released on September 5, 2011. In fact you can already pre-order the hardcover on Amazon.com where an E-book will later be made available. Also “LikeThe Black Stiletto on Facebook.

  2. Benson teams with John Milius for Homefront

    By Kevin Wells on 2010-10-26

    Cover for Homefront by John Milius and Raymond Benson

    Former James Bond author Raymond Benson is teaming up with screenwriter and director John Milius for his next book, a novelisation of the upcoming video game Homefront. Milius is best known for his screenwriting contributions to such films as Apocalypse Now and Clear and Present Danger. He also wrote and directed Red Dawn and Conan the Barbarian. Additionally, he wrote script for Homefront which in many ways is similar to Red Dawn.

    In 2027 a unified Korea joined by Japan invades the United States setting up what publisher THQ hopes to be a series. Milius said, “Homefront represents a fascinating vision of the near-future. After completing my work on the game, it became clear that there were many more stories to tell, and this book will offer a chilling look at this near-future world.”

    This is not Benson’s first foray into novelising a video game. In 2004 Benson was the first to use the pseudonym David Michaels which he used to write the first two Splinter Cell novels under the Tom Clancy brand. Later in 2008 and 2009 he wrote the first two novelisations of Metal Gear Solid.

    Homefront will be published this upcoming March.

    Next year will also see the release of Raymond Benson’s next original novel titled The Black Stiletto in September.

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  3. Benson nominated for Shamus Award

    By Kevin Wells on 2010-08-12

    Tied In: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing

    Good news for former James Bond author Raymond Benson. The Private Eye Writers of America have nominated his novel Dark Side of the Morgue for a Shamus Award in the category Best Paperback Original PI Novel. Dark Side of the Morgue is the second novel in the Spike Berenger “rock ‘n’ roll” discography following 2008’s A Hard Day’s Death (paperback | Kindle). A short story (referred to as a single) titled “On the Threshold of a Death” was later published in CrimeSpree Magazine (Issue 30, May/June 2009) and can currently be found on Amazon (Kindle). Dark Side of the Morgue was originally published by Leisure Books in February 2009. (paperback | Kindle)

    In other Raymond Benson news, this past July saw the publication of the book Tied In: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing edited by Lee Goldberg in Kindle form and later in paperback. (Kindle | Paperback) What makes this book interesting to James Bond fans is that it devotes a chapter to Raymond Benson and includes an abridged version of an interview with John Cox that originally appeared on CommanderBond.net.

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  4. Choice of Weapons book launch details revealed

    By Matt Weston on 2010-08-07

    The details are in for the launch of Raymond Benson’s upcoming James Bond omnibus, Choice of Weapons.

    Bond girl Janet Davies

    Bond girl Janet Davies

    Benson will launch the book on 12 September in Chicago, Illinois. The novelist will be joined by special guest Janet Davies, the Channel 7 anchor who appears as herself in Benson’s short story “Live at Five”.

    Choice of Weapons collects Benson’s Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death and The Man with the Red Tattoo, along with the rare short stories “Live at Five” and “Midsummer Night’s Doom”.

    Full details of the launch can be found below.

    Sunday 12 September, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
    Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
    7419 W. Madison St.
    Forest Park, IL

    You can RSVP to the Choice of Weapons launch event on Facebook.

    Benson’s first James Bond omnibus, The Union Trilogy, was released in 2008. As was the case with that collection, Benson will provide an all-new introduction for Choice of Weapons.

    Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

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  5. Raymond Benson's The Union Trilogy gets exclusive hardback printing

    By Devin Zydel on 2010-05-09

    A limited exclusive hardback edition of Raymond Benson’s James Bond: The Union Trilogy – Three 007 Novels has just been made available in the US.

    Raymond Benson's 'James Bond: The Union Trilogy - Three 007 Novels'

    Raymond Benson’s James Bond: The Union Trilogy – Three 007 Novels

    Originally published as a trade paperback in 2008, this 007 collection brings together High Time To Kill, Doubleshot and Never Dream of Dying.

    Featuring an introduction by Benson himself, the omnibus further adds in the complete, unedited version of the author’s first 007 short story, 1997’s Blast From The Past.

    This new edition is published by Fall River Press and is available as a Barnes & Noble Stores exclusive. Literary Bond collectors and fans can track down a copy at their store or order online at a discounted price:

    Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest literary James Bond coverage.

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  6. Raymond Benson's Choice of Weapons 007 anthology to launch on 12 September

    By Devin Zydel on 2010-05-08

    The official book launch party has been announced for Choice of Weapons: Three 007 Novels, the second James Bond anthology from author Raymond Benson.

    According to the author’s official website, the 007 anthology will be made available at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park, Illinois on 12 September 2010. Benson is currently in negotiations to arrange for Janet Davies, ABC 7 news anchor and celebrity (as well as a character in his 1999 Bond short story Live at Five), to attend the event.

    Raymond Benson

    Raymond Benson

    However, lucky fans attending the Printers Row Book Fair this June in Chicago will have the exclusive chance to pick up a copy of the book several months ahead of publication. Benson will be appearing at the event on 12-13 June where a special print run of the book courtesy of publisher Pegasus Books will be for sale.

    Otherwise, the 864-page trade paperback will hit bookstores on 17 August. Bringing together Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death and The Man with the Red Tattoo, this collecton will further include the Midsummer Night’s Doom and Live at Five short stories, both originally published in 1999.

    Literary 007 fans will recall that 2008 marked the release of The Union Trilogy—the first anthology of Benson Bond adventures. As was the case with that collection, Benson will once again provide an all-new introduction for this one.

    Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page and visit our always active Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

  7. Behind the scenes of Raymond Benson's Doubleshot

    By Devin Zydel on 2010-02-14

    Our friends over at Spywise.net have a brand new special feature targeted at fans of author Raymond Benson and the literary James Bond in general… Behind The Scenes of Doubleshot: How and Why Raymond Benson Put Me Into His Fourth 007 Thriller by Iwan Morelius.

    Raymond Benson's 'Doubleshot'

    Raymond Benson’s Doubleshot

    This memoir and photo-fest from Sweden’s Iwan Morelius traces his relationship with Benson and how they travelled together in Spain while the then-current 007 continuation author was researching material for what became his fourth official Bond novel, 2000’s Doubleshot.

    The second novel in Benson’s Union trilogy, Doubleshot finds James Bond squaring off once again against the criminal organization known as the Union, who have vowed revenge against the British agent after he foiled their Skin 17 plans in the previous novel, High Time to Kill. With a detailed and intricate plot and locations including Gibraltar and Spain, Doubleshot is often cited by fans as a high point in the Benson Bond canon.

    As a result of their valued assistance to Benson during his research trip, both Morelius and his wife were transformed into characters in the final novel. Readers will recognize them as the Swedish plastic surgeon Iwan Morelius and the seductive, but deadly assassin Margareta Piel.

    Complemented with numerous photographs from the trip, Behind The Scenes of Doubleshot: How and Why Raymond Benson Put Me Into His Fourth 007 Thriller is a must-read for literary Bond fans. The seven-page long PDF file can be located in the James Bond Files section of Spywise.net

    SPYWISE.NET: Behind The Scenes of Doubleshot: How and Why Raymond Benson Put Me Into His Fourth 007 Thriller by Iwan Morelius

    Keep your browsers locked on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Twitter feed for all the latest literary 007 coverage and news.

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  8. Pre-order Raymond Benson's Choice of Weapons: Three 007 Novels

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-10-21

    Choice of Weapons: Three 007 Novels, the second James Bond anthology from author Raymond Benson, is now available to pre-order on Amazon.com.

    Raymond Benson

    Raymond Benson

    To be published by Pegasus Books, the 864-page trade paperback will retail for $19.95 and is due for release on 17 August 2010. Click here to view the cover artwork.

    This latest collection will bring together Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death and The Man with the Red Tattoo. As an added bonus, the Midsummer Night’s Doom and Live at Five short stories, both originally published in 1999, will also be included.

    Literary 007 fans will recall that last year marked the release of The Union Trilogy—the first anthology of Benson Bond adventures. As was the case with that collection, Benson will once again provide an all-new introduction for this one.

    Keep watching the CommanderBond.net main page—and our brand new Twitter feed—for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

  9. The Blades Library Book Club: The Man with the Red Tattoo

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-10-15

    Welcome back to The Blades Library Book Club – the place for quality discussions of the books of James Bond!

    Raymond Benson's 'The Man With The Red Tattoo'

    Raymond Benson’s The Man With The Red Tattoo

    Every two months a James Bond 007 novel is chosen for the club members to read. A thread is posted in the club forums listing locations on where you can find the novel. Discussions about the book will go on as the book is read and when it is finished. Another thread will be created so that club members can post their review and give a rating on the current book.

    All fans of the Literary Bond are eligible for membership. All you need to do to sign up is register on the CBn Forums (it’s free and only takes a minute) and then post your name in the sign up thread.

    The Book Club’s 35th Book

    We are progressing though the James Bond 007 novels in chronological order, since quite a number of members are using the club as an opportunity to read the books for the very first time. After moving through the Bond novels by Ian Fleming, Kingsley Amis and John Gardner, the club most recently embarked upon the Raymond Benson Bond era and now continues with his sixth novel: 2002’s The Man with the Red Tattoo.

    Obtaining The Book

    Ordering online should be fairly easy. The Man with the Red Tattoo can be ordered online (although in used condition) from the following sources:

    Discuss other places to buy The Man with the Red Tattoo or where you got your copy in this thread.

    Discuss The Book While Reading

    Want to talk about the book while reading it? Post a new thread in The Blades Library.

    Review And Rate The Book

    After you have finished reading The Man with the Red Tattoo, you can discuss it with other club members in The Blades Library, and give the book your personal rating out of five in this thread.

    If you have any questions or suggestions just post them in a new thread. Happy reading.

    *New* Archive Of All Past Read Books

    Additionally, club members can review or comment on any of the past read books in the club any time they want. Click here for the full archive of the past read books in the club.

    Previous Books Read

  10. The Blades Library Book Club: Never Dream of Dying

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-08-17

    Welcome back to The Blades Library Book Club – the place for quality discussions of the books of James Bond!

    Raymond Benson's 'Never Dream Of Dying'

    Raymond Benson’s Never Dream of Dying

    Every two months a James Bond 007 novel is chosen for the club members to read. A thread is posted in the club forums listing locations on where you can find the novel. Discussions about the book will go on as the book is read and when it is finished. Another thread will be created so that club members can post their review and give a rating on the current book.

    All fans of the Literary Bond are eligible for membership. All you need to do to sign up is register on the CBn Forums (it’s free and only takes a minute) and then post your name in the sign up thread.

    The Book Club’s 34th Book

    We are progressing though the James Bond 007 novels in chronological order, since quite a number of members are using the club as an opportunity to read the books for the very first time.
    After moving through the Bond novels by Ian Fleming, Kingsley Amis and John Gardner, the club most recently embarked upon the Raymond Benson Bond era and now continues with his fifth novel: 2001’s Never Dream of Dying.

    Obtaining The Book

    Ordering online should be fairly easy. Never Dream of Dying can be ordered online (although in used condition) from the following sources:

    Discuss other places to buy Never Dream of Dying or where you got your copy in this thread.

    Discuss The Book While Reading

    Want to talk about the book while reading it? Post a new thread in The Blades Library.

    Review And Rate The Book

    After you have finished reading Never Dream of Dying, you can discuss it with other club members in The Blades Library, and give the book your personal rating out of five in this thread.

    If you have any questions or suggestions just post them in a new thread. Happy reading.

    *New* Archive Of All Past Read Books

    Additionally, club members can review or comment on any of the past read books in the club any time they want. Click here for the full archive of the past read books in the club.

    Previous Books Read