It's June 1997 and M despatches James Bond to Hong Kong to investigate a recent spate of unexplained incidents including a car bomb and an explosion on a floating restaurant. Bond's enquiries bring him into conflict with ruthless Triad gangs, a Chinese general, and the beautiful Sunni Pei.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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The Bahamas, Hong Kong, China, Australia--James Bond visits all of these places in Zero Minus Ten, conquering women en route. Set 10 days before Hong Kong is handed back to the Chinese, Bond is faced with a number of disturbing events: A nuclear bomb exploding in Australia; the gunning down of customs officers in England and an explosion killing the entire Board of Directors for Eurasia Enterprises in Hong Kong. What is the connection between these events? 007's mission is to investigate--before the friction between China and Britain escalates.
The usual assortment of dysfunctional, larger-than-life adversaries is on display: General Wong, a ruthless tyrant with a penchant for torture using a rattan cane; Guy Thackaray, the alcoholic Managing Director of Eurasia Enterprises and Li Wei Tam, the leader of a deadly Triad. Bond's companion is the beautiful, almond-eyed, long-legged Sunni Pei, met working as a "hostess" in a Triad-owned club in Hong Kong. Will she be just "another in a long line of affairs which provided a few fireworks for a while and eventually fizzled out."?
Amidst the action, Zero Minus Ten provides some interesting insight into Hong Kong during this tense period in history and there is a special edge to the sparring between Bond and the newly appointed "M"--a woman towards whom he feels both respect and fear. Bond's love of adventure and killing is evident throughout: "Blasting away the guards had actually felt good. My God, he thought. This was what he lived for. It was no wonder that he inevitably became restless and bored when he was between assignments."Zero Minus Ten is a rich adventure thriller, ranking highly in the Gardner/Benson series. --Julian Broster --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Raymond Benson has now several James Bond novels, all Coronet paperbacks. He is also the author of The James Bond Bedside Companion, which was shortlisted for an Edgar Allan Poe Award for best biographical/critical work and is considered by 007 fans to be the definitive book on the world of James Bond. He is a director of the Ian Fleming Foundation and served as vice-president of the American James Bond 007 Fan Club for several years. Mr Benson is married, has one son and lives in the Chicago area.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By John Cox
Format:Paperback
ZERO MINUS TEN is Benson's first Bond novel and it's quite good. I particularly enjoyed the lengthy description of the Mahjong game, Bond's ordeal in the Australian outback, and that fact that his villain is kind of a drunk. Having read and re-read all the Fleming and Gardner Bond books, and I can tell you Benson really knows his Bond! But if you're looking to just sample a Benson/Bond, I recommend you leap right to his latest book, NEVER DREAM OF DYING, which is his best so far. Then, if you get hooked, read the first two books of his "Union Trilogy," HIGH TIME TO KILL and DOUBLESHOT which are both excellent (NDOD is the concluding chapter of that trilogy, but it's not critical to read the books in order -- unless you want to). Then come back and read ZERO MINUS TEN and THE FACTS OF DEATH which are equally good. Benson has also written novelizations of two Bond films, TOMORROW NEVER DIES and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, but I think his original work is far superior. Enjoy!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I was lucky enough to be reading this as the Hong Kong handover to the Chinese was taking place, and that made it quite special. However, after reading it again, it is a very average, dare I say confused, James Bond story. I can't make up my mind as to whether Benson wishes to re-create the literary Bond, or the cinematic Bond, because they are similar but very different characters. Benson captures the latter fairly well, giving the reader the expectations at every turn that Bond will get into trouble, get out of it, get the girl and get away with it. He doesn't let you down. Not so convinced about the Hong Kong setting - some of the research was not up to scratch. Looking forward to the new story in Gibraltar.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have read most of the Bond novels available and after the first couple of chapters thought this was going to be special but it just started losing its way. A prime example is the two chapter(at least thats what it felt like) discription of a mahjong game. A poor substitute for Gardner never mind Fleming.AVOID!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
Zero Minus Ten was for me, quite enjoyable. Benson got far too much flack for his Bond books which I have always felt wasn’t deserved in the ones I have read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by N. MEADOWS
4.0 out of 5 stars
Benson's onto a winner.
Anyone who's ever seen a James Bond movie may think they know what to expect from this book: guns, cars, gambling, exotic women and a predictable plot. Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2005 by mclose
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very good Bond book
The normal storyline of any Bond book, Gadgets, girls, and of course, terrorism across the world that Bond resolves in his own way, usually by blowing stuff up. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2003 by "chappie182uk"
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good start to the Benson series
After John Gardner finally gave up the ghost of his Bond series, I begun this book with some apprehensions about its quality. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent continuation of Ian Fleming's legacy !
Raymond Benson has admirably suceeded in following in Ian Fleming's footsteps. The Bond of this novel is completely credible and the story is superb. Give it a try !
Published on 9 May 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
BOND BACK AT HIS ROOTS
In a style of 007 story telling that finally allows Ian Fleming to rest in peace, Raymond Benson brings James Bond back to basics. Read more
Published on 2 April 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant and highly entertaining!
It's great to have the old Bond back! Raymond Benson has successfully captured the essence of Ian Fleming's world. Read more
Published on 4 April 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent pastiche!
I had my doubts that an American could follow in Ian Fleming's footsteps (never mind John Gardner)... but Benson has done it. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 1999
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