27 replies to this topic

[Jriv71]

Sorry if there's already another Doubleshot thread...
Read it last week, liked it. Much better than Facts of Death, a little better than HTTK, right there with ZMT.

If the criticism of Benson is that his stuff is too much like the films, it's probably because Boothroyd is usually giving Bond Batman-like toys, and the exchanges between the two make me think of Roger Moore. Thankfully that didn't happen here, and we're able to get inside of Bond's head. (Now, should someone other than Fleming even be allowed to do that, I don't know.....that's for another time.) But it was a good narrative, with a tortured Bond, not really sure of his surroundings, or himself.

The whole keeping-Bond-alive-thing was reminiscent of FRWL, so I liked that, and I like the fact that Benson gave us Daredevil as the bad guy. (This idea that Le Gerant can practically see better than the average person.) Didn't really bother me, I like Le Gerant's background, his whole deal.

So overall, yeah, I guess I look forward to the conclusion of the Union saga in the next one. (Is that what happens?....No, wait, don't tell me...!)

[zencat]

I really like the femme fatale killer, Margareta Piel. Very sexy and sadistic. Benson's kinkiest creation. Also love all the bullfighting stuff. That's why I like the books so much. When Benson sends Bond to Spain we get what we would expect from Spain. Bullfights. Women in matador pants...iconic, cool stuff.

In comparison look at the pre-titles of TWINE. Why did that have to be Spain? The location was not used or showcased in any way. The Guggenheim? Beautiful muesum, yes. But does it scream Spain? No. And what's a Swiss banker doing in Spain anyway? Why aren't we in, um... Switzerland!

I've always loved the shameless travelogue aspects of Bond and Benson nails it in every book. Just one of the reasons I sometimes like the books better than the films.

I think you'll like NDOD Jriv71. It's my favorite Benson book.

[Jriv71]

MMMMmmmmmmmm, women in matador pants.....

[Qwerty]

I really like the femme fatale killer, Margareta Piel. Very sexy and sadistic. Benson's kinkiest creation. Also love all the bullfighting stuff. That's why I like the books so much. When Benson sends Bond to Spain we get what we would expect from Spain. Bullfights. Women in matador pants...iconic, cool stuff.

I've always loved the shameless travelogue aspects of Bond and Benson nails it in every book. Just one of the reasons I sometimes like the books better than the films.

Agreed. I've come to like Doubleshot more and more with each read. I think it appears at times to be Benson's more eerie and darkest book.

[marktmurphy]

Comes up with a half decent idea- Bond's mental troubles- and throws it away. He also tries a jumbled-up time narrative but misunderstands the point of this and simply gives away the ending. It is probably his last not-terrible book, though.

[David Schofield]

It's the "double" notion that always gets me. An exact double, eh? Reminds me of those great episodes of 70s stuff like the Bionic Woman, The Gemini Man, and others that I endured as a kid.

Ok, but even accepting its feasibility, dear old Rayond blows it by only having the one scene of them together, doesn't let you know who wins the fight (oh, come on!) and then has Bond (if you'll excuse the phrase) blow it because the Pei girl realises he is not the fake because of the size of his dick.

[HawkEye007]

I'm not a big fan of Doubleshot. Personally there is something about the mental issues Bond is afflicted with following HTTK. Its just not a very interesting plot device, nor is having the exact double causing trouble and making it look like 007 is to blame. Don't get me wrong, there are some interesting parts and imaginative villains, and I think that Benson did a great job showcasing Spain in the book. Overall, this is my least favorite Benson book.

[Zing!]

Ok, but even accepting its feasibility, dear old Rayond blows it by only having the one scene of them together, doesn't let you know who wins the fight (oh, come on!)

I felt cheated when I read this scene! My least favorite Benson book because of it. It's like he didn't know how to wrap things up. I kept waiting for it all to be a dream brought about by 007's lack of oxygen from his previous adventure. Definitely a cop-out on Benson's part.

[Johnboy007]

Not too fond of this one. Margareta Piel just feels like another Fiona Volpe/Fatima Blush (Actually pictured Barbara Carrera for her part in the "novel"). The headache pills, and the blackouts grow tiresome towards the end. Just another run-of-the-mill Benson. The death of the doctor was interesting and somewhat neat.

[DLibrasnow]

I've just ordered this hardback from Abebooks. I felt I would need to read it following HTTK. I just don't like anything I hear about the conclusion of the trilogy in NEVER DREAM OF DYING though. Sorry Zencat, but the idea of Bond in the film industry world just makes me cringe.

[Qwerty]

Doubleshot is a above average Benson, but without a doubt his least talked about.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm going to be a James Bond reading fool for the second half of the year I can see.

[Qwerty]

Pretty fun bit to look forward to with no adult continuation novels at the moment.

[DLibrasnow]

I need something to tide me over until Higsons second book comes out.

[Qwerty]

Won't be dissapointed.

[DLibrasnow]

Hoping not...I just wish that the finale of the trilogy wasn't a James Bond goes to Hollywood piece. How cliched is that!

I remember thinking ewwww when I heard the plot for NDOD.

[Qwerty]

It's good all the same though in my book - not Benson's best as I came to expect even something above and beyond that for the final book in the trilogy, but it works.

[Tanger]

Doubleshot has always sounded the most interesting of the Benson novels to me.

[DLibrasnow]

I like the sound of the plot too, but then I really liked THE EIGER SANCTION which involved a spy mission/rock climbing expedition up the side of a mountain too so the plot for HTTK is appealing.

[Qwerty]

Doubleshot has always sounded the most interesting of the Benson novels to me.

Recommended, but definitely get High Time To Kill first.

[DLibrasnow]

Is that because DS is part of a trilogy Devin?

[Qwerty]

Correct.

[DLibrasnow]

I suppose this means I will have to grit my teeth amd soldier through NDOD?!

[Qwerty]

Never Dream Of Dying is last in the trilogy - so only if you want the conclusion.

[DLibrasnow]

Never Dream Of Dying is last in the trilogy - so only if you want the conclusion.

Okay so I read the basic outline of the plot on the CBN review of NDOD. Sounds okay except for the whole film studio thing...but having Draco and action in the south of France is certainly both welcome additions and its nice to see that both Mathis and a casino are back in the fray

[Joyce Carrington]

Just a little question that's not important enough for its own thread... It's been a while since I read DS and I can't find the answer to my question leafing through it.

Bond tries to solve the Marksbury murder in DS - discovering that she was blackmailed by Clayton and Van Breeschooten. I'm trying to remember if it ever became clear in the novel whether they were the ones who killed in her in Brighton or whether that was just some anonymous Union assassin.

Does anyone know whether that was in the book?

[Loomis]

Never Dream Of Dying is last in the trilogy - so only if you want the conclusion.

Okay so I read the basic outline of the plot on the CBN review of NDOD. Sounds okay except for the whole film studio thing...but having Draco and action in the south of France is certainly both welcome additions and its nice to see that both Mathis and a casino are back in the fray

At the risk of accusations from some quarters of being a Fleming-thumping old stick-in-the-mud obsessed with "Benson-bashing", I loathe what Benson does with Draco in "Never Dream of Dying". However, NDOD does have its moments. See (if you're interested) my review at http://debrief.comma...?showtopic=9329 (beware spoilers).

[Qwerty]

Kind of off-topic, but this is one of the best UK covers too for the Bensons. Much better than what followed in Never Dream Of Dying.