JAMES BOND FIRST EDITIONS BLOG

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Retro rockets fire! TRIGGER MORTIS paperback races into the U.S. today

The U.S. paperback edition of Anthony Horowitz's Trigger Mortis is released today in the U.S. by Harper. The cover art designed by Gregg Kulick and illustrated by Patrick Leger features a cool retro look, which is perfect for this Bond adventure set in 1957.

In Trigger Mortis, Horowitz places James Bond into the world of Formula One auto racing. This is a natural fit for 007, especially in these dangerous early days of the sport. This idea actually came from Ian Fleming. Trigger Mortis incorporates original material from an unpublished Fleming outline called, "Murder on Wheels". Bond then races into action in New York City.

Horowitz clearly has an instinct for Bond and he knows exactly which classic notes to play. Jeopardy Lane is a terrific Bond Girl. Villain Jason Sin is appropriately fiendish. The book has rockets toppling and American motels exploding. And having Bond endure a buried alive ordeal...why has it taken this long for a Bond author to dig up this excellent idea?

Ian Fleming Publication have been producing James Bond continuation novels from various authors for 35 years now. So Bond fans have a full buffet of 007 adventures that appeal to all tastes. With Trigger Mortis, we have a book that offers up a dish of classic Bond cooked to perfection. What more could anyone ask for, except maybe another book from Anthony Horowitz just like this one!

Purchase the new Trigger Mortis U.S. paperback at Amazon.com.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Video: John Gardner with James Bond's "SILVER BEAST"

This year marks the 35th anniversary of John Gardner's first James Bond continuation novel, License Renewed. That book ushered in a new era of James Bond continuation novels that are still going strong today. Here is a Clip from a 1981 ATV interview with John Gardner featuring the promotional Saab 900 Turbo that toured the UK during the book's launch.


The Saab 900 aka "The Silver Beast" has always been a personal favorite Bond car. Read: BOND'S BEAST - WHEN OO7 DROVE A SAAB.

Thanks to Brian McKaig and Simon Gardner for this one.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

STEVE COLE'S NEW YOUNG BOND 'STRIKES' TODAY IN UK

Steve Cole's third Young Bond novel Strike Lightning is released today in the UK in paperback and as a limited hardcover.


Steve Cole's first two Young Bond novels were serviceable adventures with some good ideas. But Strike Lightning is a HUGE step up. In my opinion, this is far and away Steve's best Young Bond novel, and one that even challenges Charlie Higson's books. I'd even place it in my top ten best James Bond continuation novels.

What I like best about this adventure is it has a strong narrative flow and a great sense of the period (which was almost completely absent from Heads You Die). Also, this time Steve doesn't overpopulate the book with Bond's friends along for the ride. Here we only have a Bond ally (Perry Mandeville) and a Bond girl (Kitty Drift). Classic. In fact, this one truly nails all the aspects of a classic James Bond adventure, and continues the story of Young Bond very effectively. This feels like the book we've been waiting for.

Congrats to Steve Cole. His third strike is a HIT!

No sign yet of a U.S. eBook, but know that the UK editions are available via third party sellers on the U.S. Amazon.com.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

New Kev Walker images from STRIKE LIGHTNING

The official Young Bond website has posted new Kev Walker character images from Strike Lightning, Steve Cole's third Young Bond novel due out next week. The descriptions are a little spoilerish, so don't read if you want to stay pure.




I'm currently half-way through the book and I'm thrilled to report this is Steve's best yet. In fact, this one could rival some of Charlie Higson's work.

Strike Lightning will be released in the UK as a limited hardcover and in paperback on September 1st. It can be pre-ordered now Amazon.co.uk.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

From Russia With Love (1959)

To celebrated the imminent arrival of Strike Lightning, I thought I'd share another cover that features train action imagery. This is the first UK paperback edition of Ian Fleming's From Russia With Love published by Pan Books in 1959.


Title: From Russia With Love
Author: Ian Fleming
Year: 1959
Edition: 1st Printing
Publisher: PAN Books

Also see: JAMES BOND UK first edition paperbacks 1955-1979.

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