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Potential Location for Deaver's Bond Novel


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#1 Doctor Shatterhand

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 10:51 PM

Jeffrey Deaver said that he had been doing research for the past 7 months on the re-booted Bond novel, and has visited the locations that serve as backdrops. Could this photo from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, be a clue to a potential location? The date of this posting was March 12, 2010. Deaver was there for a book signing, but he could also have been there for Project X too.

#2 terminus

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 10:58 PM

I suggested this in another thread. It's a neat idea - and it's certainly a good idea that, if well written, could be a splendid location.

I spent three of my teenage years living there B)

#3 marktmurphy

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:03 PM

Two middle eastern-set Bond books in a row? Nah; wouldn't have thought so.

He might stop over, though. I did! B) They have the most ridiculously tall building I've ever seen in my life. I only saw it on the horizon but I swear it looked about a mile high.

#4 terminus

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:09 PM

Two middle eastern-set Bond books in a row? Nah; wouldn't have thought so.

He might stop over, though. I did! B) They have the most ridiculously tall building I've ever seen in my life. I only saw it on the horizon but I swear it looked about a mile high.


You'll probably be thinking of the Burj Khalifa which is indeed almost a kilometre tall.

I dont personally have a problem with two middle eastern set Bond books in a row. Iran and Dubai are radically different countries even now, and DMC was set in the sixties whereas Project X is set in the present day. Dubai is incredibly westernised in a lot of ways in contrast to Iran.

#5 Doctor Shatterhand

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:19 PM

Iran and Dubai are radically different countries even now, and DMC was set in the sixties whereas Project X is set in the present day. Dubai is incredibly westernised in a lot of ways in contrast to Iran.


Dubai, UAE is very western in their cityscapes than Iran which was vastly different 40 years ago as well. Can you imagine James Bond being chased by villains in this indoor ski slope, the third largest indoor ski slope located inside a shopping mall.

#6 terminus

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:30 PM

That's the point I was trying to make B)

#7 Loomis

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:37 PM

I've never been to Dubai, but it strikes me that it is to the real Middle East as Hong Kong is to the real Far East, i.e. a bit too moneyed, sterile, easy and, well, dull. I'd have thought that there were plenty of much more exciting locations in the region for 007. I mean, Dubai is where the SEX AND THE CITY girls go, FFS! I'd prefer Bond to be somewhere a bit more challenging and dangerous, like, say, Iraq, Israel or Lebanon. Or Saudi Arabia - that might provide some interesting culture shock for our hero.

#8 Doctor Shatterhand

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:42 PM

I've never been to Dubai, but it strikes me that it is to the real Middle East as Hong Kong is to the real Far East, i.e. a bit too moneyed, sterile, easy and, well, dull. I'd have thought that there were plenty of much more exciting locations in the region for 007. I mean, Dubai is where the SEX AND THE CITY girls go, FFS! I'd prefer Bond to be somewhere a bit more challenging and dangerous, like, say, Iraq, Israel or Lebanon. Or Saudi Arabia - that might provide some interesting culture shock for our hero.


Well, Bond could be using that area as a stepping stone to places like Iraq and Iran.

#9 zencat

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:45 PM

Good points, Loomis. I think Dubai would be a terrific movie location, but not as effective in a book. Yes, Saudi Arabia might be more interesting. But I wouldn't object. I've been angling for Bond to go to Dubai for a while now. Shame Sex and the City beat him to it.

#10 whiteskwirl

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Posted 07 June 2010 - 11:48 PM

In one interview I read with Deaver recently (the interview was before Project X was announced), he said he sets his books in places he knows well. He was born in Chicago and lived in New York for a long time, so either of those places might be possible.

Dubai would be an interesting place for a Bond novel.

#11 zencat

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 12:34 AM

It's been a long time since we've had a Bond novel set in the U.S. (Brokenclaw - 1990?). I'd have no problem if one of Deaver's locales was in America.

#12 terminus

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 12:48 AM

The Facts of Death had a section set in America.

#13 zencat

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 12:49 AM

Oh, yes, of course. How did I forget that.

#14 K1Bond007

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 01:14 AM

It should be noted that he was in Dubai for the Emirates Air International Festival of Literature. I'm sure he could have had an alternate reason for being there though...

#15 Jeff007

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 06:26 AM

Iran and Dubai are radically different countries even now, and DMC was set in the sixties whereas Project X is set in the present day. Dubai is incredibly westernised in a lot of ways in contrast to Iran.


Dubai, UAE is very western in their cityscapes than Iran which was vastly different 40 years ago as well. Can you imagine James Bond being chased by villains in this indoor ski slope, the third largest indoor ski slope located inside a shopping mall.


I've been to that mall and sorry, no I couldn't see a chase happening there. It's really too small. It's just there to bring snow to the desert for fun I think. The mall has the same stores as in North America and isn't really anything that would blow your mind.

The only potential Dubai has is the great hotels that a villain could possibly own or something.

#16 Santa

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 07:19 AM

Indeed. Dubai is utterly sterile and soulless. Beirut, however, would be a different matter. Or maybe Sana'a, as the best thing about Dubai is that it's a stepping stone to many more interesting places.

#17 [dark]

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 08:48 AM

I'd initially read Corinne Turner's comment that Deaver is "not only a master of the contemporary American thriller but could also write compelling novels of period suspense within a European setting" as an indication that 007 would be Europe-bound in Project X. But given Project X isn't a period novel, it's probably safe to assume the Europe reference was also a nod to Garden of Beasts.

#18 terminus

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 10:40 AM

I've been to that mall and sorry, no I couldn't see a chase happening there. It's really too small. It's just there to bring snow to the desert for fun I think. The mall has the same stores as in North America and isn't really anything that would blow your mind.

The only potential Dubai has is the great hotels that a villain could possibly own or something.



Indeed. Dubai is utterly sterile and soulless. Beirut, however, would be a different matter. Or maybe Sana'a, as the best thing about Dubai is that it's a stepping stone to many more interesting places.


Trust me, there's a lot more to Dubai than just great hotels and the areas that visitors see - there's a lot more the place has to offer, ranging from dhows on the wadi, wadi bashing, the food, the famous souks and the general culture of the area including several museums and desert forts. Head further inland and you start breaching the rocky inland terrain and random fruit orchards in the mountain towns as you breach the territories of the other emirates.

#19 Byron

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 11:44 AM

I've never been to Dubai, but it strikes me that it is to the real Middle East as Hong Kong is to the real Far East, i.e. a bit too moneyed, sterile, easy and, well, dull. I'd have thought that there were plenty of much more exciting locations in the region for 007. I mean, Dubai is where the SEX AND THE CITY girls go, FFS! I'd prefer Bond to be somewhere a bit more challenging and dangerous, like, say, Iraq, Israel or Lebanon. Or Saudi Arabia - that might provide some interesting culture shock for our hero.


Agreed. Dubai and the UAE are boring as bat[censored].

Yemen or Oman would make far more interesting settings scenically and culturally. Men in Yemen carry a traditional wicked looking knife/dagger, a knife-fight between Bond and an enemy would be quite interesting.

Any part of way underused sub-saharan Africa would also be a welcome.

#20 Trident

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 12:03 PM

I'd like to see Antarctica and Patagonia as locations; wildly spectacular, even romantic scenery, but they'd perhaps better be used in a film than a novel. Depends a bit on how good they are used and described.

#21 Santa

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 06:39 PM

I've been to that mall and sorry, no I couldn't see a chase happening there. It's really too small. It's just there to bring snow to the desert for fun I think. The mall has the same stores as in North America and isn't really anything that would blow your mind.

The only potential Dubai has is the great hotels that a villain could possibly own or something.



Indeed. Dubai is utterly sterile and soulless. Beirut, however, would be a different matter. Or maybe Sana'a, as the best thing about Dubai is that it's a stepping stone to many more interesting places.


Trust me, there's a lot more to Dubai than just great hotels and the areas that visitors see - there's a lot more the place has to offer, ranging from dhows on the wadi, wadi bashing, the food, the famous souks and the general culture of the area including several museums and desert forts. Head further inland and you start breaching the rocky inland terrain and random fruit orchards in the mountain towns as you breach the territories of the other emirates.

I lived in Dubai too and indeed I had great fun there, but the place is ugly as sin and as tacky as a WAG's wardrobe.

#22 whiteskwirl

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 06:43 PM

I'd like to see Antartica and Patagonia as locations; wildly spectacular, even romantic scenery, but they'd perhaps better be used in a film than a novel. Depends a bit on how good they are used and described.


Antarctica could be pretty cool, especially if Bond is marooned there like he was in Australia in Zero Minus Ten.

#23 terminus

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 06:58 PM

I lived in Dubai too and indeed I had great fun there, but the place is ugly as sin and as tacky as a WAG's wardrobe.


We must've had vastly different experiences then B)

Antarctica could be pretty cool, especially if Bond is marooned there like he was in Australia in Zero Minus Ten.


This I would enjoy seeing - a unique location.

Edited by terminus, 08 June 2010 - 06:58 PM.


#24 Santa

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 07:33 PM

I lived in Dubai too and indeed I had great fun there, but the place is ugly as sin and as tacky as a WAG's wardrobe.


We must've had vastly different experiences then B)

Or vastly different taste...

I do remember this same discussion has been had here before (I don't think you were with us then, Terminus) and people who'd visited Dubai on holiday or seen it on telly all said it would be a great idea whereas the people who had lived there, at the time Gala and me (she never comes here anymore, unfortunately), both said 'ugh', strongly. I thought that was quite interesting.

#25 terminus

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 08:07 PM

Or vastly different taste...

I do remember this same discussion has been had here before (I don't think you were with us then, Terminus) and people who'd visited Dubai on holiday or seen it on telly all said it would be a great idea whereas the people who had lived there, at the time Gala and me (she never comes here anymore, unfortunately), both said 'ugh', strongly. I thought that was quite interesting.


Oh, I've been around for a while but I tend to yo-yo in and out. It's interesting that people who lived there didn't think it was a good location but people who'd visited did (and that my views contradict the previous status quo). I was there during the mid to late nineties before a lot of the build-up with the luxurious hotels had occured, the Burj Al Arab hadn't been open for very long when I left. I suppose a reason for the views could be that residents have seen the location warts-and-all and have possiblye grown tired of the location whereas visitors only see the glitz and glamour and don't stay for long enough to grow tired of the location.

It would be interesting to see if this is true for other potential locations as well.

#26 marktmurphy

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 10:51 PM

Iran and Dubai are radically different countries even now, and DMC was set in the sixties whereas Project X is set in the present day. Dubai is incredibly westernised in a lot of ways in contrast to Iran.


Dubai, UAE is very western in their cityscapes than Iran which was vastly different 40 years ago as well. Can you imagine James Bond being chased by villains in this indoor ski slope, the third largest indoor ski slope located inside a shopping mall.


A twenty second long chase! How exciting! B)

Two middle eastern ones in a row; yeah even though they're different countries it would still be a bit samey. Much like if the movie of Golden Gun had been followed by Tomorrow Never Dies or something: Hong Kong and Vietnam are very different, but the flavour wouldn't be different enough.

Dubai just isn't the sort of place that sparks the imagination. You could do a Bond there yes, but there are more elegant places.


Good points, Loomis. I think Dubai would be a terrific movie location, but not as effective in a book. Yes, Saudi Arabia might be more interesting. But I wouldn't object. I've been angling for Bond to go to Dubai for a while now. Shame Sex and the City beat him to it.


Don't worry; they didn't. The SATC film is set in Abu Dhabi and shot in Morocco.
(and no: I haven't seen it! Yikes!)

#27 Doctor Shatterhand

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Posted 08 June 2010 - 11:45 PM

Can you imagine James Bond being chased by villains in this indoor ski slope, the third largest indoor ski slope located inside a shopping mall.

I've been to that mall and sorry, no I couldn't see a chase happening there. It's really too small. It's just there to bring snow to the desert for fun I think. The mall has the same stores as in North America and isn't really anything that would blow your mind...


I was being sarcastic. B) I came upon that website and thought it was pretty cool from an amusement park point of view, but not in a Bond novel or film. Unless you are John Gardner and were writing a follow-up to "Never Send Flowers" and Euro-Disney.

#28 Quantumofsolace007

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Posted 09 June 2010 - 01:55 AM

In one interview I read with Deaver recently (the interview was before Project X was announced), he said he sets his books in places he knows well. He was born in Chicago and lived in New York for a long time, so either of those places might be possible.

Dubai would be an interesting place for a Bond novel.



I'm hoping foir an american setting especialkly with this dark grittier 007

#29 sharpshooter

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Posted 09 June 2010 - 04:37 AM

I'm hoping foir an american setting especialkly with this dark grittier 007

Where does it state Deaver is aiming for dark and gritty?

#30 marktmurphy

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Posted 09 June 2010 - 09:12 AM

Can you imagine James Bond being chased by villains in this indoor ski slope, the third largest indoor ski slope located inside a shopping mall.

I've been to that mall and sorry, no I couldn't see a chase happening there. It's really too small. It's just there to bring snow to the desert for fun I think. The mall has the same stores as in North America and isn't really anything that would blow your mind...


I was being sarcastic. :tdown:


Yes, I'm sure you were... B)