Bond – James Bond – is back…way back!
Anthony Horowitz has been invited by the Ian Fleming Estate to write a second James Bond novel – his first, Trigger Mortis, was released in 2015. As is the way of things, he’s written a foundation story; a tale which precedes Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.
Following the death of the first 007 in France, the unflappable ‘M’ seeks council on replacing the position and avenging the death of his Agent. His Chief-of-Staff declares he has just the man, his name…well, must I really repeat it?
The young man in question has recently proved himself a worthy recipient of the 00 designation – Licenced to Kill – and is sent on a mission to uncover how a specially trained individual has been so carelessly and easily wiped off the board. Off to France he goes and, in keeping with the ‘sequel’ novel, ends up in a French Casino and is introduced to the infamous drink of choice – shaken, not stirred – and, as is expected, the femme fatale, Madame Sixtine.
Bond begins his first foray into spy craft investigating a series of classic villains, dashing madly through tight escapes and following a trail which will, ultimately, lead him to the identity of the killer of the first 007. This tale (almost) has it all – the girl, the chase, the henchmen and the satisfying conclusion – what it lacks is the links to the future – ‘M’, ‘Q’, Moneypenny, these are either glossed over or not present.
Forever and a Day is an enjoyable read for those wishing to enter into the Bond realm, or those who know him well (from either the novels, movies or both) – with much political incorrectness and historical attitudinal accuracy. Horowitz has also, once again, utilised original material by James Bond founding father, Ian Fleming, to construct this tale of Bond’s career emergence.
It won’t take you Forever and a Day to read – so jump into your Aston Martin and grab a copy to enjoy, with a dry martini…even a watered down one!
Reviewed by Glen Christie
Rating out of 10: 7
Distributed by: Penguin Random House Australia
Released: May 2018
RRP: $44.99 hardback, $32.99 trade paperback, $12.99 eBook
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