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Product Description
Product Description
Three classic 007 novels by the acclaimed Raymond Benson, featuring literature’s most celebrated secret agent.
In this new collection of James Bond novels, published in trade paperback for the first time, we are once again treated to the thrilling adventures of Fleming’s classic hero, first in The Facts of Death, which pits Britain’s famed secret agent against a fanatic cult who has murdered M’s lover; then in Zero Minus Ten, where Bond finds himself in Hong Kong to investigate a series of deadly shipping explosions; and finally in The Man with the Red Tattoo, where Bond must stop a Japanese crime ring from attempting a mass assassination with a deadly strain of the West Nile virus.
As an added bonus for the fanatical Bond fan base, the collection includes two short stories never before published in book form, "Live at Five" and "Midsummer Night’s Doom."
Through it all, Raymond Benson masterfully evokes the classic Bond flair, romance, and elan that made Ian Fleming’s novels worldwide bestsellers.
About the Author
Between 1996 and 2002, Raymond Benson assumed the mantel of writing the 007 novels. He wrote six Bond novels during that time and three film novelizations. His James Bond Bedside Companion was nominated for an Edgar award. Pegasus Books has brought Benson's Bond books back into print in two collections: James Bond: The Union Trilogy and James Bond: Choice of Weapons.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Along with James Bond: The Union Trilogy: Three 007 Novels, this volume sees the republication of all Benson's original Bond fiction (ie. everything except the 3 film novelisations).
By 1997, previous Bond author John Gardner had written more 007 novels than Fleming and some were great ones (eg. For Special Services, Nobody Lives For Ever (James Bond)). However, illness and a growing tiredness with the character had led to some weaker entries in the series and a distinctly underpowered Bond. Long time Bond fan (and author of the James Bond Bedside Companion) Benson was given the job and set out to change that. He got astonishingly little publicity, but went on to write some of the strongest Bond novels in years.
Zero Minus Ten(1997)-
Story:9/10. Having been prejudged by critics as being a novice writer and American (not sure which they thought was worse!) Benson proved them wrong instantly with this cracking tale and so clearly 'getting it'. Bond of old is back: dark yet sensitive; dryly humorous rather than smug; sexually profligate but chivalrous; tough, resourceful and ruthless, but also a thinker who survives by his wits.
The Fleming-y touches are back: Jamaica, 00 Section, Q Branch, gambling, violence. Perhaps as an 'outsider' he gives a more flattering depiction of the UK- replete with resources, energy and modern trappings but governed and peopled by old school manners. Even the plot feeds this: a then contemporary account of villainy at the time of UK's handover of Hong Kong.
It's not perfect. The descriptive passages that go on too long indicate a newer writer, and the intricate plotting prevents any one villain really coming to the fore, but overall an excellent entry in the Bond canon.
The Facts of Death(1998)-
Story:8/10. Benson's 2nd novel sees him well into the swing, 007 tackling the Decada organisation's terrorist activity in Greece and Cyprus. Fitting in a visit to Benson's home state of Texas and a cameo by Felix Leiter, it's excitingly written but suffers from trying too hard to be a Bond film, particularly in the set pieces. Although I don't doubt the gadgetary is possible, it steals the show at times and the Pythagoras stuff occasionally veers into a Maths lesson. Still it's good, tough stuff and often very funny.
The Man With The Red Tattoo(2002)-
Story:7/10. We skip ahead to Benson's final Bond here. With Benson's 3rd, 4th & 5th books forming the Union Trilogy (mentioned above), this 6th book forms a follow up to rather than a continuation of those events. The opposite of The Facts of Death, it's serious both in tone and approach. Here, Bond faces a Japanese crime ring intent on mass murder. However, the events of the Union Trilogy and Fleming's own darkest novel You Only Live Twice hang oppresively over the action. Indeed, like the latter book, while the writing's up to scratch the author strays too far into travelogue. Benson's clearly incapable of writing a bad Bond novel, but it's a shame his last outing should be solid rather than earth shattering.
The 2 short stories from 1999 (published here for the first time in the UK) will be a draw for completists. The 20 page Midsummer Night's Doom (Story:4/10) sees Bond on the hunt for leaked MoD secrets at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion. A shamelessly obvious advert for Playboy's 45th anniversary, it's likeable nonsense and Fleming might have been amused. The 7 page Live at Five (Story:5/10) is a neat little retrospective tale of Bond aiding a Russian ice skater to defect. 007 appears on TV in the process, finally making it to Benson's adopted city of Chicago.
A brilliant collection and excellent value. Treat yourself!
By 1997, previous Bond author John Gardner had written more 007 novels than Fleming and some were great ones (eg. For Special Services, Nobody Lives For Ever (James Bond)). However, illness and a growing tiredness with the character had led to some weaker entries in the series and a distinctly underpowered Bond. Long time Bond fan (and author of the James Bond Bedside Companion) Benson was given the job and set out to change that. He got astonishingly little publicity, but went on to write some of the strongest Bond novels in years.
Zero Minus Ten(1997)-
Story:9/10. Having been prejudged by critics as being a novice writer and American (not sure which they thought was worse!) Benson proved them wrong instantly with this cracking tale and so clearly 'getting it'. Bond of old is back: dark yet sensitive; dryly humorous rather than smug; sexually profligate but chivalrous; tough, resourceful and ruthless, but also a thinker who survives by his wits.
The Fleming-y touches are back: Jamaica, 00 Section, Q Branch, gambling, violence. Perhaps as an 'outsider' he gives a more flattering depiction of the UK- replete with resources, energy and modern trappings but governed and peopled by old school manners. Even the plot feeds this: a then contemporary account of villainy at the time of UK's handover of Hong Kong.
It's not perfect. The descriptive passages that go on too long indicate a newer writer, and the intricate plotting prevents any one villain really coming to the fore, but overall an excellent entry in the Bond canon.
The Facts of Death(1998)-
Story:8/10. Benson's 2nd novel sees him well into the swing, 007 tackling the Decada organisation's terrorist activity in Greece and Cyprus. Fitting in a visit to Benson's home state of Texas and a cameo by Felix Leiter, it's excitingly written but suffers from trying too hard to be a Bond film, particularly in the set pieces. Although I don't doubt the gadgetary is possible, it steals the show at times and the Pythagoras stuff occasionally veers into a Maths lesson. Still it's good, tough stuff and often very funny.
The Man With The Red Tattoo(2002)-
Story:7/10. We skip ahead to Benson's final Bond here. With Benson's 3rd, 4th & 5th books forming the Union Trilogy (mentioned above), this 6th book forms a follow up to rather than a continuation of those events. The opposite of The Facts of Death, it's serious both in tone and approach. Here, Bond faces a Japanese crime ring intent on mass murder. However, the events of the Union Trilogy and Fleming's own darkest novel You Only Live Twice hang oppresively over the action. Indeed, like the latter book, while the writing's up to scratch the author strays too far into travelogue. Benson's clearly incapable of writing a bad Bond novel, but it's a shame his last outing should be solid rather than earth shattering.
The 2 short stories from 1999 (published here for the first time in the UK) will be a draw for completists. The 20 page Midsummer Night's Doom (Story:4/10) sees Bond on the hunt for leaked MoD secrets at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion. A shamelessly obvious advert for Playboy's 45th anniversary, it's likeable nonsense and Fleming might have been amused. The 7 page Live at Five (Story:5/10) is a neat little retrospective tale of Bond aiding a Russian ice skater to defect. 007 appears on TV in the process, finally making it to Benson's adopted city of Chicago.
A brilliant collection and excellent value. Treat yourself!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
11 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Great to have Benson's Bond back.
10 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback
I am so pleased that Raymond Benson's Bond novels are being reprinted in this and the previous collection, "The Union Trilogy." It's also a treat to have his two short stories as an added bonus. For those of us who strongly feel that Benson was the best and most reverent Bond novelists to carry on Fleming's tradition, and who are still wincing with embarrassment over the limp and impoverished posturings of "Devil May Care," any chance to encourage others to revisit or discover the pleasures of Benson's sure-handed Bond novels is welcome. I especially like the claustrophobic and suspenseful action of The Facts of Death as a personal favorite of these three novels, but all three demonstrate Benson's attention to details whether it's exotic locales, cultural traditions or sophisticated weaponry. This collection is a must-have for all Bond completists, and I believe Benson's contributions to the Bond canon will not only withstand the test of time but with every passing year, will prove to be in a league all by themselves. Thank you to the publishers of this and the "Union Trilogy" reissues.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Le jamesbonderie
15 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback
After John Gardner's tenure as the official James Bond novelist came limping to an undistinguished end, the Ian Fleming estate asked Raymond Benson to revivify the literary 007 series. Rather like Timothy Dalton inheriting the film role from Roger Moore, the new guy was tasked with returning the "real" James Bond to us, which he did in sparkling -- if, at times, underappreciated -- fashion.
It's a real treat to have these three stand-alone Bond adventures gathered into one volume; they represent the first, second, and sixth (and final) entries in Benson's contribution to the saga. Comparisons among the post-Fleming 007 authors is a rather pointless task, but Benson consistently -- and accurately -- NAILED the Bond character and the fantasy universe he inhabited. These three novels read and feel like the real thing: it's not Ian Fleming, of course, but it IS James Bond.
The French have a word for it: le jamesbonderie. Strictly speaking, James Bond stories aren't spy or espionage fiction, they're heroic fantasy disguised as contemporary thrillers. These three novels give the reader the amazing villains, the delicious heroines, the high-stakes gaming, the fabulous meals and luxurious travel which are part and parcel of Fleming's fictional world. Le jamesbonderie. James Bond is sent to exotic locations as England's single combat warrior to foil the apocalyptic schemes of just-this-short-of-lunatic bad guys; we have a ringside seat. He (and we) meet interesting people: stalwart allies, beautiful girls, brutish henchmen, and femmes fatales. You know, le jamesbonderie!
Newcomers to the literary James Bond will find this a welcome introduction to a character slightly different than his screen incarnation. Old 007 hands will be pleased to add this volume to their collection.
Terrific stuff!
It's a real treat to have these three stand-alone Bond adventures gathered into one volume; they represent the first, second, and sixth (and final) entries in Benson's contribution to the saga. Comparisons among the post-Fleming 007 authors is a rather pointless task, but Benson consistently -- and accurately -- NAILED the Bond character and the fantasy universe he inhabited. These three novels read and feel like the real thing: it's not Ian Fleming, of course, but it IS James Bond.
The French have a word for it: le jamesbonderie. Strictly speaking, James Bond stories aren't spy or espionage fiction, they're heroic fantasy disguised as contemporary thrillers. These three novels give the reader the amazing villains, the delicious heroines, the high-stakes gaming, the fabulous meals and luxurious travel which are part and parcel of Fleming's fictional world. Le jamesbonderie. James Bond is sent to exotic locations as England's single combat warrior to foil the apocalyptic schemes of just-this-short-of-lunatic bad guys; we have a ringside seat. He (and we) meet interesting people: stalwart allies, beautiful girls, brutish henchmen, and femmes fatales. You know, le jamesbonderie!
Newcomers to the literary James Bond will find this a welcome introduction to a character slightly different than his screen incarnation. Old 007 hands will be pleased to add this volume to their collection.
Terrific stuff!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
If you are a fan of the James Bond series, this fantastic book is a great buy.
12 Aug 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read all of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, I did not find the other previous bond writers very compelling and I stopped reading James Bond novels. This all changed when I met the author of this giant volume and decided to invest some money, time and effort to read this text. This volume has three full length James Bond novels, Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death and The Man with the Red Tattoo. It also contains two short stories, Live at Five and Midsummer Night's Doom.
All of these novels and short stories were excellent. It is clear this author understands the Bond personality and 007's various interests and quirks. The first story, Zero Minus Ten has Bond in Hong Kong to investigate the takeover by China of that city. The second novel, Facts of Death pits Bond against a fanatical cult. The third book, The Man with the Red Tattoo has Bond dealing with a biological attack involving a variation of the West Nile virus. This is also the most action packed story.
The two short stories were also good reads, but I personally enjoyed the Midsummer Night's Doom the best. In this short story 007 solves a crime while at the famous Playboy mansion.
In conclusion, I personally loved reading these Bond novels so much that I intend to read more of Raymond Benson's books in the future. His writing is clear, concise and flows beautifully. In my opinion, other than Ian Fleming, who is the creator of the James Bond series, of all the other writers who also wrote James Bond novels, Benson is the best.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A Warrior's Memoir)
All of these novels and short stories were excellent. It is clear this author understands the Bond personality and 007's various interests and quirks. The first story, Zero Minus Ten has Bond in Hong Kong to investigate the takeover by China of that city. The second novel, Facts of Death pits Bond against a fanatical cult. The third book, The Man with the Red Tattoo has Bond dealing with a biological attack involving a variation of the West Nile virus. This is also the most action packed story.
The two short stories were also good reads, but I personally enjoyed the Midsummer Night's Doom the best. In this short story 007 solves a crime while at the famous Playboy mansion.
In conclusion, I personally loved reading these Bond novels so much that I intend to read more of Raymond Benson's books in the future. His writing is clear, concise and flows beautifully. In my opinion, other than Ian Fleming, who is the creator of the James Bond series, of all the other writers who also wrote James Bond novels, Benson is the best.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Predator Hunter: A Warrior's Memoir)
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