14 replies to this topic

[JCRendle]

Could our Young Bond author be the new Adult Bond author? All we know is that the new author is a "well-known and respected writer", I know it'd be a stretch with the Novel and the Young Bond novel both coming out in 2008, but hasn't he finished Young Bond 4 already?, should have time...

[zencat]

It would be great, but I don't think there's any chance.

[sharpshooter]

Would be exciting and welcomed. I would love it for Charlie to write a adult Bond book. He would of had a very busy schedule if it were the case though.

[Qwerty]

I'd be happy if this turned out to be the case.

[K1Bond007]

I doubt it. Charlie is great, but I think they were looking for someone with more mass appeal (i.e., more established) for something as special as the centenary. Then again there's probably a good chance the name will be announced and I won't know who he is. In any case I think Charlie's plate is full even though he's already finished with Book 4.

[Gri007]

I've been wondering the same thing. The epilogue at the end DOD has made me think if this could be a sneek preview of the 2008 Bond adult novel, written by Charlie Higson, but under a different pseudnym. Robert Markham for example.

Do we know yet if the adult novel will be set in the present time capturing Craigs character or would it be the past, during the world war 2 or something.

[K1Bond007]

I've been wondering the same thing. The epilogue at the end DOD has made me think if this could be a sneek preview of the 2008 Bond adult novel, written by Charlie Higson, but under a different pseudnym. Robert Markham for example.

Do we know yet if the adult novel will be set in the present time capturing Craigs character or would it be the past, during the world war 2 or something.

As much as I think it'd be cool to see the Markham name return, I doubt they'd pull it out for something like this as it would kind of defeat the purpose of a "well-known and respected author". If they use it it'll be the same as Amis in that everybody knows anyway - so at that point, why bother?

The rumor was that the novel was to take place after The Man with the Golden Gun, presumably within that time frame (i.e., not a modern setting). Rumor though...

[zencat]

The rumor was that the novel was to take place after The Man with the Golden Gun, presumably within that time frame (i.e., not a modern setting). Rumor though...

Oh, really? I hadn't heard that, K1. Is that a true "rumor" coming from some interesting or un-named source who might be in a possition to know, or is it fan speculation that is getting repeated so often it's graduated from "speculation" to "I heard a rumor that" (if that makes sense)? If it’s really a genuine “rumor", I'd love to do a story about it on my site.

My own speculation is the book will be set before Casino Royale. Maybe it will be about Bond's first double-oh kills, or maybe it will be set during WWII, kicking off a new series of Bond at War books. Speculation.

[K1Bond007]

[quote name='zencat' post='687765' date='15 January 2007 - 14:31'][quote name='K1Bond007' post='687738' date='15 January 2007 - 11:27']The rumor was that the novel was to take place after The Man with the Golden Gun, presumably within that time frame (i.e., not a modern setting). Rumor though...[/quote]
Oh, really? I hadn't heard that, K1. Is that a true "rumor" coming from some interesting or un-named source who might be in a possition to know, or is it fan speculation that is getting repeated so often it's graduated from "speculation" to "I heard a rumor that" (if that makes sense)? If it

[JCRendle]

I thought it would be within Fleming's timeline, but after Colonel Sun.

[zencat]

The rumor was that the novel was to take place after The Man with the Golden Gun, presumably within that time frame (i.e., not a modern setting). Rumor though...

Oh, really? I hadn't heard that, K1. Is that a true "rumor" coming from some interesting or un-named source who might be in a possition to know, or is it fan speculation that is getting repeated so often it's graduated from "speculation" to "I heard a rumor that" (if that makes sense)? If it’s really a genuine “rumor", I'd love to do a story about it on my site.

My own speculation is the book will be set before Casino Royale. Maybe it will be about Bond's first double-oh kills, or maybe it will be set during WWII, kicking off a new series of Bond at War books. Speculation.

Probably very much the latter. I think it's a fair bet given the trends from IFP. You got Higson, the Moneypenny Diaries, why not a continuation from The Man with the Golden Gun in the 60s again a la Colonel Sun?

You know, in Secret Servant it says Bond goes on a misson to Casablanca after TMWTGG. Maybe this is a clue to the Centenary novel?

[Santa]

That's a very good point, zencat, and I hope you're right.

[zencat]

As to the main topic, looks like Charlie took himself out of the running in 2005.

Asked about the possibility of him writing the new adult Bond novel, Higson commented, "I'm very honored. But I'm busy writing the young Bond books and I can't take the time out. It's a shame because I'd love to do it."

[Single-O-Seven]

I wonder who this "well-known and respected" author might be. Let's wildly speculate for a moment.
Could it be John Le Carre? I doubt it. He long ago bashed Fleming's Bond series, and so probably wouldn't be interested now. Besides, his style is far starker and more dreary - unsuitable for the world Fleming envisioned Bond living in.
How about an American? They did it with Benson. But what American would fit the description of well-known and respected, and be suitable to enter the spy genre of Bond. Tom Clancy? I like some of Clancy's stuff, particularly Red Rabbit and Cardinal of the Kremlin, but he is no way able to pick up where Fleming left off. His style is too workman-like - and besides, I really have no desire to learn the minute specifics of every plane, train, helicopter, and car Bond gets in to. Though a 1000 plus page Bond thriller would be great! Robert Littel might pull one of those off.
My money is on a British author, which makes sense. Yes, le Carre is British, but I've excluded him already. I haven't read enough of Charles Cumming, but I understand he's a popular entry to the genre. Higson would be great, especially now that he seems to be getting a solid grip on the tone and style of a Fleming-esque novel, plus he's writing in Fleming's era, so he knows how to do the research and get that right feel. Too bad he seems to be out. Maybe one day...
Any other ideas? I've suddenly realised I'm sorely lacking in my knowledge of modern spy authors (I prefer the Buchans, Amblers, and other classic spy writers). Is there anybody out there now writing in the thriller genre who seems to match the style and sweep Fleming had? If so, please pass the name on.

[K1Bond007]

Any other ideas? I've suddenly realised I'm sorely lacking in my knowledge of modern spy authors (I prefer the Buchans, Amblers, and other classic spy writers). Is there anybody out there now writing in the thriller genre who seems to match the style and sweep Fleming had? If so, please pass the name on.

A few years ago, they tried to get Frederick Forsyth, but he turned it down. He'd be a no-brainer for the job. He's often compared to Fleming.

http://debrief.comma...showtopic=24939

There's a whole thread on this. Probably should pick up on this discussion there. I must say though, I agree with spynovelfan that it's probably not going to be anyone as well known as Forsynth, Higgins, Clancy, or le Carre. Interestingly spynovelfan also guessed Wolstencroft as a likely candidate (I didn't see this till now). I just guessed him myself in another thread.