'On His Majesty's Secret Service' by Charlie Higson (2023)

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Comments

  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,344
    It looks very nice, given how rushed things must've been behind the scenes. I wonder if we'll get a signed or exclusive edition of the hardback?
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,695
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    It looks very nice, given how rushed things must've been behind the scenes. I wonder if we'll get a signed or exclusive edition of the hardback?



    Yes.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited April 2023 Posts: 16,614
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    It looks very nice, given how rushed things must've been behind the scenes. I wonder if we'll get a signed or exclusive edition of the hardback?

    Yes I think it's very handsome. I wasn't expecting anything very complex given the time constraints, as you say.
    I have ordered a signed one. I have a good feeling about this story.
  • brinkeguthriebrinkeguthrie Piz Gloria
    Posts: 1,400
    I like it. Simple, elegant, refined.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,344
    I'd already ordered the standard edition on eBay but I'll order one of the signed ones too I think. I'm not sure if there's going to be a Waterstones signed exclusive edition as well as the Goldsboro one but I suppose we'll have to wait and see.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited April 2023 Posts: 16,614
    Yeah I can't see Goldsboro saying anywhere that it's exclusive to them. But then you'd hope if anyone else had it they'd mention it- it comes out in two weeks!

    I might read it all in one go. I don't usually do it but I think it'll be good, plus it'll add to it as it's kind of happening 'live' on the days it's published.
  • timdalton007timdalton007 North Alabama
    Posts: 155
    Saw this as a comment by IFP on their Facebook post for the cover reveal in response to questions about a North American release.

    “ eBook & audio (read by Charlie himself) versions will be released in North America on 4 May, and we hope to have news on physical editions soon...”
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 3,158
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,614
    It also depends if he wants to of course, but fingers crossed this is a sign that he does.
  • Posts: 9,860
    Venutius wrote: »
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.

    As long as he keeps it in the modern era I agree
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,999
    Just ordered my copy. I don't know if it'll be signed or any kind of limited edition, as I have ordered it from a local independent bookshop. Although they have had signed copies of other books in stock, in the back. So maybe.
  • CharmianBondCharmianBond Pett Bottom, Kent
    Posts: 558
    I considered getting the Goldsboro one but it's actually quite a lot when you factor in delivery and I've already got my copy of SilverFin signed so I'm going to go down my local bookshop on release day too I think.
  • Posts: 9,860
    How can I order it for the US
  • Posts: 2,599
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Venutius wrote: »
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.

    As long as he keeps it in the modern era I agree

    Why the modern era?

  • timdalton007timdalton007 North Alabama
    Posts: 155
    Risico007 wrote: »
    How can I order it for the US

    We’re still waiting on US pre-order links. But, per what IFP said on Wednesday:
    Saw this as a comment by IFP on their Facebook post for the cover reveal in response to questions about a North American release.

    “ eBook & audio (read by Charlie himself) versions will be released in North America on 4 May, and we hope to have news on physical editions soon...”

  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited April 2023 Posts: 4,695
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,614
    Very interesting, thank you! It's understandable that he's not put it in the same world as DoN.

    Heartening that he's not ruling out any more though.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,926
    Replying to @TheWizardOfIce. Looks he knows his audience.

  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited April 2023 Posts: 18,344
    Replying to @TheWizardOfIce. Looks he knows his audience.

    Yes, @TheWizardOfIce has found a new home on #BondTwitter where he is one of the most prominent members.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited April 2023 Posts: 16,614
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Replying to @TheWizardOfIce. Looks he knows his audience.

    Yes, @TheWizardOfIce has found a new home on #BondTwitter where is one of the most prominent members.

    I have him on mute. He just seems to appear to try and start arguments. Can't be bothered with him.
    Very rude to reply to a thread Mr Higson is tagged in to say it's a 'cash in'. Ironically it's the one Bond product (potentially ever?) that's actually being produced for charity, so he's stupid as well as rude.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited April 2023 Posts: 13,926
    Risico007 wrote: »
    How can I order it for the US

    I don't see US options like Amazon available to date.

    Do see two online UK sources shipping to the US. And limited printings mentioned.

    Signed-Template-dont-delete.png

    E8IpL96XEAYBD4q.png?mtime=1629126885
    On His Majesty's Secret Service
    https://www.goldsborobooks.com/product/on-his-majestys-secret-service
    by Charlie Higson
    Publisher Ian Fleming Publications
    • Signed & Numbered
    • Limited Edition
    • Hardcover
    • UK First Edition, First Printing
    Limited Edition Only 1000 Copies
    Released May 4, 2023
    ISBN 978-1915797070
    ONLY 1000 COPIES
    LIMITED EDITION
    £16.99

    waterstones-2.png
    On His Majesty's Secret Service - James Bond 007 (Hardback)
    Charlie Higson (author)
    £12.99
    Hardback 176 Pages
    Published: 04/05/2023
    Coming soon
    Awaiting publication
    Waterstones Says
    The world's most famous secret agent meets the new British monarch on the eve of his coronation in this gripping thriller in aid of the National Literacy Trust.

    Join agent 007 in celebration of the coronation of King Charles & in support of the National Literacy Trust.

    It is the 4th of May, two days before the coronation of King Charles III and the world's favourite spy has his work cut out for him. Bond is sent at the last minute to thwart an attempt to disrupt the Coronation by the wealthy, eccentric and self-styled Athelstan of Wessex, who is on a deadly mission of his own to teach the United Kingdom a lesson.

    Can Bond dismantle his shady plans and defeat his privately hired team of mercenaries? This all-new 007 adventure is produced to celebrate the Coronation and all royalties from the sale of the book will go to support the work of the UK charity, the National Literacy Trust.
    Publisher: Ian Fleming Publications Limited
    ISBN: 9781915797070
    Number of pages: 176
    Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
    71ALtOg7oQL.jpg

  • Posts: 9,860
    Bounine wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Venutius wrote: »
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.

    As long as he keeps it in the modern era I agree

    Why the modern era?

    This is going to cause me a lot of grief in the bond fan community but I hate the idea of Bond being a period piece character. Fleming never intended him to be that and honestly apart from the From Russia with love game there hasn’t been a period piece Bond I liked (I love the earlier films obviously but those aren’t period pieces they reflect what was at the time the current views )

    I read through the three Horowitz and hated all three Boyd was boring and Faulks was bland


    Honestly give me Benson, Deaver or heck even Gardner over those three any day of the week..

    And again there is enough political and intrigue that Bond belongs as much in the modern era as he did in any other
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,695
    Some updates from Charlie Higson:
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Bounine wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Venutius wrote: »
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.

    As long as he keeps it in the modern era I agree

    Why the modern era?

    This is going to cause me a lot of grief in the bond fan community but I hate the idea of Bond being a period piece character. Fleming never intended him to be that and honestly apart from the From Russia with love game there hasn’t been a period piece Bond I liked (I love the earlier films obviously but those aren’t period pieces they reflect what was at the time the current views )

    I read through the three Horowitz and hated all three Boyd was boring and Faulks was bland


    Honestly give me Benson, Deaver or heck even Gardner over those three any day of the week..

    And again there is enough political and intrigue that Bond belongs as much in the modern era as he did in any other

    I can respect your viewpoints and I agree. I do like the Anthony Horowitz books, though. He knew what he was doing with the character and the setting. For now though, IFP should keep Bond in the modern day.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 16,614
    I enjoyed Horowitz's books, but I can see Risico's point.

    I think part of it is, if you're just doing Bond adventures as Fleming did them, what's the point? He did them pretty well and he invented it- no one else will do it as well. So if you have to bring Bond back, do it differently to Fleming: add something to it, do something Fleming didn't do. I think, to be fair to him, Horowitz did do that, in that he found some gaps in the beginning, middle and end of Fleming's stories and filled them in. But another way to have a USP, to make it worth doing, is to set them in the modern day, because Fleming can't do that.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,926
    As an acronym how will the new book be distinguished from OHMSS.

    OHMSS 2023. OHMSS 23. OHiMSS.

  • edited April 2023 Posts: 2,599
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Bounine wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    Venutius wrote: »
    Really hope this does well and gives Higson the chance to go on and take over from Horowitz as the official continuation author. If anybody deserves the opportunity, he does.

    As long as he keeps it in the modern era I agree

    Why the modern era?

    This is going to cause me a lot of grief in the bond fan community but I hate the idea of Bond being a period piece character. Fleming never intended him to be that and honestly apart from the From Russia with love game there hasn’t been a period piece Bond I liked (I love the earlier films obviously but those aren’t period pieces they reflect what was at the time the current views )

    I read through the three Horowitz and hated all three Boyd was boring and Faulks was bland


    Honestly give me Benson, Deaver or heck even Gardner over those three any day of the week..

    And again there is enough political and intrigue that Bond belongs as much in the modern era as he did in any other

    I liked Horowitz's and Gardner's books but wasn't a fan of Deaver or Benson. Benson's books were colourful but for me they read like fan fiction for a good part. Obviously you're very much a fan of contemporary Bond. I don't mind them being set in modern day as long as the author remains faithful to the character. Chauvinism and smoking aren't necessary as long as there is no specific comment as to why Bond doesn't smoke and regarding how women are men's equals, bla, bla, bla... These kinds of blatant PC comments are tacky, annoying and unnecessary.

    In fact, something I would like to be different from Fleming's books is for Bond to have a bigger wardrobe of suits.
  • ImpertinentGoonImpertinentGoon Everybody needs a hobby.
    Posts: 1,351
    I liked Deaver‘s update of the MI6/00 section background. I’ve written about this ad nauseam here and it’s all fictional anyway, so who cares, but MI6 is so big and it’s Head so well known that it and they are hardly the shadow warriors of Fleming‘s time. So transposing the significant characters into a smaller, clandestine organisation that kind of sits to the side of official MI6 makes a ton of sense.
    The rest of the book shows Deaver is by now too reliant on cliffhangers and twists. I’ve read many books by him and by know you just know to expect pretty much the exact opposite of what he writes until the last 20 pages and Carte Blanche is very guilty of that.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited April 2023 Posts: 16,614
    Yes I agree: I reread it a few months ago and it's a bit of a mess to be honest. Like Gardner's books, it feels quite like he's making it up as he goes along and it's extremely episodic with cliffhangers all over the place (Gardner would often seem to hit a dead end and just decide to make an ally turn out to be a double agent just to keep the story going). I did quite like the early set piece of Bond being trapped in the building rigged for demolition though, and his method of escape is good.
    Also agreed about the restructuring of the Double O section, it makes sense. The idea of the head of the entire secret intelligence service personally briefing a field officer does seem a bit silly nowadays.
  • edited April 2023 Posts: 2,599
    There were some good moments like the two that have been mentioned above but what I hated about Carte Blanche was that Deaver changed the character of James Bond into someone who was almost unrecognisable. Terrible.

    It'll be interesting to read a Bond novel set in the present day by someone who seems to have a knowledge of the character, this obviously being Charlie Higson.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited April 2023 Posts: 16,614
    Yes, I should have mentioned that; it wasn't really Bond. From memory Gardner still made him feel vaguely the same character- this was just quite a bland hero, really.
    I do expect Higson to nail him much better, yes. It'll be interesting to see as he's not actually written adult Bond before: was there an epilogue on the last one maybe?
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