Double O by Kim Sherwood

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  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,789
    mtm wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    delfloria wrote: »
    Does each double O agent have their own set of larger than life villains and situations where they get to save the world. Must be hard to keep track of. Personally, I'd rather follow Felix on some exploits involving Spectre.

    I'd like to see TB from the point of view of all the agents who got sent to parts of the world where the stolen bomber turned out not to be.

    :)) I love that! Yes please.

    Well, I understand double-0s have a very short life-expectancy.

    So maybe the author will kill off every 00 agent introduced. But thankfully Bond will be safe from that, as missing.



  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited January 2022 Posts: 16,383


    James Bond is missing…
    007 has been captured, perhaps even killed, by a sinister private military company. His whereabouts are unknown.

    Meet the new generation of spies…
    Johanna Harwood, 003. Joseph Dryden, 004. Sid Bashir, 009. Together, they represent the very best and brightest of MI6. Skilled, determined and with a licence to kill, they will do anything to protect their country.

    The fate of the world rests in their hands…
    Tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise claims he can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really? The new spies must uncover the truth, because the future of humanity hangs in the balance.




    003's name will be familiar to fans of the early Bond films.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,270
    mtm wrote: »


    James Bond is missing…
    007 has been captured, perhaps even killed, by a sinister private military company. His whereabouts are unknown.

    Meet the new generation of spies…
    Johanna Harwood, 003. Joseph Dryden, 004. Sid Bashir, 009. Together, they represent the very best and brightest of MI6. Skilled, determined and with a licence to kill, they will do anything to protect their country.

    The fate of the world rests in their hands…
    Tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise claims he can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really? The new spies must uncover the truth, because the future of humanity hangs in the balance.




    003's name will be familiar to fans of the early Bond films.

    It seems there are a few little in-jokes or name checks there from the Bond film series. Johanna Harwood was a co-writer on the screenplays for Dr. No and From Russia with Love as well as doing uncredited work on Goldfinger. Dryden was also the name of the traitor who sold secrets in the PTS of the 2006 film of Casino Royale.
  • edited January 2022 Posts: 859
    Seriously ? Johanna Harwood and Dryden ? How are suppose to take the things seriously if we are assaulted by theses private jokes that make us get us out of the book... That dissapointing, no need to include some "fans service" like this.

    Plus the very lack of creativity in the title, after Everything or Nothing, Double or die, now Double or nothing... (Sure it would not create any confusion at all!) Yep Bond saga need to stop doing self-references before turn to parody...
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited January 2022 Posts: 16,383
    I'v quite liked 'Double Or Nothing' as a title for a while now after it was suggested as a B25 title by a fan a few years ago, and it links into the whole 'Double O' thing, so I guess it's fair.

    Slightly odd to have two of your leads sharing the same name (Jo and Joe) but I guess there's thinking behind it! :)
  • LucknFateLucknFate 007 In New York
    Posts: 1,646
    This does not sound good.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited January 2022 Posts: 18,270
    Given the character names disclosed so far, maybe the prediction made by a member here (@MaxCasino?) that Alec Trevelyan would feature in this novel series wasn't so very far off the mark after all! :)
  • Posts: 9,846
    Shrugs I will pick up the first of the three and then if i like it buy the other two... ...


    is what i said in 2015 regarding Horowitz novels hated one bought the second one and hated it so I likely will buy all 3 of Kim's books.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited January 2022 Posts: 4,629
    Deleted comment.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,629
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    We know that M and Moneypenny will be returning. Who else could be coming back in this trilogy?I know I brought up Alec Trevelyan, but another 00 agent could be Scarlett Papava. Other MI6 personnel I think could turn up are Loelia Ponsonby, Bill Tanner and Mary Goodnight.
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Given the character names disclosed so far, maybe the prediction made by a member here (@MaxCasino?) that Alec Trevelyan would feature in this novel series wasn't so very far off the mark after all! :)

    I was just guessing, if it is it’s own timeline (or follows Carte Blanche), then we can possibly see some new characters come back in each book. Maybe Blofeld and Spectre could come back as well. After the mixed bag of Dynamite Comics’ Goldfinger and Oddjob arc, we could see them come back. We know that Kim Sherwood will do a trilogy, but she may continue after it.
  • Posts: 5,993
    Seriously ? Johanna Harwood and Dryden ? How are suppose to take the things seriously if we are assaulted by theses private jokes that make us get us out of the book... That dissapointing, no need to include some "fans service" like this.

    Well, it's not as if Ian Fleming himself wasn't guilty of that. Remember how James Bond got his name (not to mention Goldfinger. And Charlie Higson did the same too (in Hurricane Gold, the japanese gangster who teaches the young James Bond the subtleties of Ju-Jitsu is named Sakata, and I thought it was a nice tribute).
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,270
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    We know that M and Moneypenny will be returning. Who else could be coming back in this trilogy?I know I brought up Alec Trevelyan, but another 00 agent could be Scarlett Papava. Other MI6 personnel I think could turn up are Loelia Ponsonby, Bill Tanner and Mary Goodnight.
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Given the character names disclosed so far, maybe the prediction made by a member here (@MaxCasino?) that Alec Trevelyan would feature in this novel series wasn't so very far off the mark after all! :)

    I was just guessing, if it is it’s own timeline (or follows Carte Blanche), then we can possibly see some new characters come back in each book. Maybe Blofeld and Spectre could come back as well. After the mixed bag of Dynamite Comics’ Goldfinger and Oddjob arc, we could see them come back. We know that Kim Sherwood will do a trilogy, but she may continue after it.

    Yes, of course, but it was definitely a good educated guess given the character names that have been revealed thus far. Yes, as was noted earlier by @Some_Kind_Of_Hero the rule of three seems to apply to literary Bond continuation contracts initially. The contract may then be renewed for another three novels after the commercial and critical success of the books have been confirmed.
  • I like the idea of paying tribute to one of the first writers of the Bond films (and one of the few female writers), though it's also perhaps a bit too on the nose to give the protagonist the writer's same exact full name. As she's a bit more on the obscure side, I suppose it isn't quite the same as naming one of the 00s "Sean Connery," but there could have perhaps been a bit more finesse here. As long as Dikko Maibaum doesn't turn up as an ally...

    I am really intrigued by the plot, however: Tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise claims he can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really? The new spies must uncover the truth, because the future of humanity hangs in the balance.

    Sounds like interesting territory to cover. I rather wish the films would go this route, rather than repeatedly flying the kites of their plot lines into family trees.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,183
    Also Sid Bashir is a nod to Alexander Siddig's character Julian Bashir in STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, and in one episode he plays a British secret agent. It's a really fun ep, and a must see for both Star Trek and Bond fans.




    Seriously ? Johanna Harwood and Dryden ? How are suppose to take the things seriously if we are assaulted by theses private jokes that make us get us out of the book... That dissapointing, no need to include some "fans service" like this.

    Plus the very lack of creativity in the title, after Everything or Nothing, Double or die, now Double or nothing... (Sure it would not create any confusion at all!) Yep Bond saga need to stop doing self-references before turn to parody...

    Wow, you ought to just loosen up @moneyofpropre2 . You're not supposed to take James Bond or his world that seriously. Not even Ian Fleming himself took it seriously.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    Dryden is my surname so I'm all for this!
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    Also Sid Bashir is a nod to Alexander Siddig's character Julian Bashir in STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, and in one episode he plays a British secret agent. It's a really fun ep, and a must see for both Star Trek and Bond fans.



    See, that's the kind of little nod or easter egg that is really fun to find out about. I agree that, while character names taken from real people are a bit of a Bond tradition and I understand the first female continuation author wanting to honour the first female screenwriter of the film series, using her full name is a bit too on the nose for me.
    I am really intrigued by the plot, however: Tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise claims he can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really? The new spies must uncover the truth, because the future of humanity hangs in the balance.

    Sounds like interesting territory to cover. I rather wish the films would go this route, rather than repeatedly flying the kites of their plot lines into family trees.

    I am interested in how she fashions a plot out of this. "This man claims he can solve one of humanities biggest problems. We better send our best officers/assassins after him." But the way Bond get's involved with the villain is always one of the most fun parts of a Bond story, so I am sure there will be something interesting.

    Does anyone else get a bit of a Moonraker-vibe from this? Knighted billionaire says he will make a substantial gift to the public to solve a major sociatal problem and then (we'll see, but really most likely) turns out to be a villain after MI6 gets involved. Wasn't solving or at least lessening the impact of climate change also Gustav Graves' public plan?
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,383
    I am interested in how she fashions a plot out of this. "This man claims he can solve one of humanities biggest problems. We better send our best officers/assassins after him."

    Ha! I like that :D
    Yeah, I must admit sometimes I'm a bit hazy as to what the Double Os even are. Are they assassins foremost, sent out to do the dirty work? Or are they investigators who are trusted to kill in their line of investigation without requesting permission from M?
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,270
    mtm wrote: »
    I am interested in how she fashions a plot out of this. "This man claims he can solve one of humanities biggest problems. We better send our best officers/assassins after him."

    Ha! I like that :D
    Yeah, I must admit sometimes I'm a bit hazy as to what the Double Os even are. Are they assassins foremost, sent out to do the dirty work? Or are they investigators who are trusted to kill in their line of investigation without requesting permission from M?

    Depending on the particular mission at hand I think they are a bit of both with one side of the job or the other perhaps being more prominent at times.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    mtm wrote: »
    I am interested in how she fashions a plot out of this. "This man claims he can solve one of humanities biggest problems. We better send our best officers/assassins after him."

    Ha! I like that :D
    Yeah, I must admit sometimes I'm a bit hazy as to what the Double Os even are. Are they assassins foremost, sent out to do the dirty work? Or are they investigators who are trusted to kill in their line of investigation without requesting permission from M?

    I think originally it is more of the latter. Like I said, from recollection usually Bond isn't directly sent out to kill someone, but rather to take a look at some comparatively minor plot that more often than not has some impact on the British Economy (as opposed to classic national security implications) and from there is turns out he has to kill people to stop some bigger plot. (Sidenote: It could be interesting to go through the books and see how many people he actually kills in cold blood/assassinates and how many are self-defence or at least to get out of a life-threatening situation.)

    Ironically, I think the licence to kill - which people sometimes take to mean he is an assassin first and foremost - makes clear he is not just an assassin. If that where the case, he would get specific instructions and clearence to kill a target and possibly people in the way. The way it is, Bond is just sent out into the world on investigative missions and - at least from the point of view of Her Majesty's Government - can kill whomever he deems necessary without having to fear any consequences.
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    mtm wrote: »
    Is it set in period?
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    The media marketing seems to be suggesting that this is the first female Bond author though of course Samantha Weinberg was the first with the Moneypenny Diaries.

    Yeah that's really weird.

    LOVE the MP diaries. Out freaking standing.

  • mtm wrote: »
    Is it set in period?
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    The media marketing seems to be suggesting that this is the first female Bond author though of course Samantha Weinberg was the first with the Moneypenny Diaries.

    Yeah that's really weird.

    LOVE the MP diaries. Out freaking standing.

    They are indeed excellent. Have you read all three of them? As with Higson's Young Bond novels, I've only read the beginning of The Moneypenny Diaries, but I've found both of these series to be excellently written and look forward to reading them in full some day.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,383
    Yes suddenly folks are saying that a lot- I'm going to have to give them a go.
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    mtm wrote: »
    Is it set in period?
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    The media marketing seems to be suggesting that this is the first female Bond author though of course Samantha Weinberg was the first with the Moneypenny Diaries.

    Yeah that's really weird.

    LOVE the MP diaries. Out freaking standing.

    They are indeed excellent. Have you read all three of them? As with Higson's Young Bond novels, I've only read the beginning of The Moneypenny Diaries, but I've found both of these series to be excellently written and look forward to reading them in full some day.

    There's three and a small short story that's free on Amazon:
    https://www.amazon.com/Moneypenny-Diaries-Secret-Chapters-ebook/dp/B08GTRRF7M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22GYJ1G2BEZNQ&keywords=moneypenny+diaries&qid=1643862943&sprefix=Moneypenny+,aps,271&sr=8-1
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,629
    I’ve talking to Kim Sherwood on Twitter, she said that From A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights are two of her favorite short stories. I noticed she went quiet when I asked her if any classic characters are coming back. She also never answered me if the trilogy that she’s writing is all connected. She’s hiding something from us... :-j
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    I’ve talking to Kim Sherwood on Twitter, she said that From A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights are two of her favorite short stories.

    Mine too. This bodes well.
  • Posts: 9,846
    I think I do own one of the moneypenny diaries like I said I will read the first 00 book and I sadly will be suckered into the rest as I like being apart of the conversation and I need something till project 007 comes out
  • Posts: 520
    Any spin off that excludes 007 will have to compete in the thriller market on its own terms.
    This will be a stretch in a genre dominated by some fine writers
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,383
    Oh I don't know, it's a definite advantage to have that brand relationship- we wouldn't be talking about it for one thing.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,629


    I wish the best on her recovery. It’s nice to see her being a true fan, as the last couple of writers seem like it’s just a job to them.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,789
    Well she's in good spirits all best to her.

    4b1f7f80-3d56-11ec-9ffc-c6274765cba8
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