YOUR COLD, COLD HEART released today

Dynamite marks their 10th anniversary publishing original James Bond graphic novels with their new release, Your Cold, Cold Heart, written by Garth Ennis with art by Rapha Lobosco.

Codename: Stalvoda 

Translation (from Russian): Steel Water 

It kills without trace. Puts unspeakable power in the hands of a madman. Buried in its chemical formula is the means of ending the worldwide balance of power. MI6 thought they controlled it- but in fact, British Intelligence have now fallen victim to a decades-old conspiracy, reaching back into the mists of the Cold War.

James Bond is assigned to retrieve the lethal compound- and finds himself in a race against friend and foe alike, from the icy cold of Earth's orbit to the endless wastes of the deserts below. The stakes could not be higher- and as the opposition soon finds out, 007 will do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

 Writer Garth Ennis joins artist Rapha Lobosco (James Bond: Black Box) and cover artist Dave Johnson to present this deadly spy thriller, marking the 10-year anniversary of Dynamite publishing James Bond.

You can buy Your Cold, Cold Heart at Amazom.com and Amazon.co.uk.

JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY

The spin-offs keep coming! Over the weekend, Ian Fleming Publications announced James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy by M.W. Craven. This is the first in a news series of books aimed at young readers. While James Bond appears in this book, his role is somewhat different. Below is the description.

Bond’s licence to kill has ended. His licence to teach has only just begun...

Ian Fleming Publications announce a new blockbuster adventure in the James Bond literary franchise. JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY by bestselling crime writer M.W. Craven will kick-off an action-packed new series for readers aged 8-12.

Simon Ward, Publishing Director, bought UK BC rights in a two book deal from Viola Hayden and Ciara Finan at Curtis Brown, representing Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, and David Headley at the DHH Literary Agency, representing M.W. Craven.

JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY will be launched in June 2026 with a dynamic marketing, publicity and events campaign; reaching existing Bond fans and recruiting a new generation of spy thriller readers. The book will be published in paperback original, eBook and audio by Ian Fleming Publications, the in-house publishing arm of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.

JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY is the first in a brand-new series, taking the world’s most beloved secret agent to a place of dread, weirdos and strange food: school. A new generation of young heroes, mentored by 007, have entered the Secret Agent Academy to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Double O's. Together with Bond can they defeat a deadly foe lurking in the shadows – and, more importantly, can they pass their exams?

Amanda Douglas, the new managing director of IFP, says: "This series represents a new and imaginative chapter for 007, introducing the world’s most famous secret agent to the next generation of readers - seen for the first time through children’s eyes. It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure that remains true to the spirit of Bond, featuring a cast of original characters who get to experience Bond not just as a legend, but as their teacher. The story opens the door for younger readers to engage with the legacy and excitement of the "Bondiverse."

Author M.W. Craven

I wish everyone luck with this news series, but as I said in my recent interview on the To Live and Let Die in LA podcast, I'm eagerly awaiting the announcement of a straight-ahead James Bond 007 novel. I'm finding it hard to get excited about these spin-offs until we have at least the promise of a new book in our future. 

In the meantime, I guess we're going back to school!

Coming out of the darkness?

This is just a video game, but, damn, it feels great to see James Bond 007 himself back in action. Great title too.

Call me crazy, but Bond's slim build in this silhouette kind of reminds me of the 007 we see on some very early book covers.

TALK OF THE DEVIL is out now

Talk of the Devil: The Collected Writings of Ian Fleming is out now in the U.S. and UK. Conceived by Ian Fleming Publications, the book had previously only been available as part of an expensive collection of the Fleming novels. Below is the U.S. cover and a description.

A fascinating collection of rarely seen journalism and other writings by Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series. Ian Fleming was best known for bringing to life the legendary character of James Bond, one of the most beloved and enduring icons of our time, but he was perhaps even more interesting than his creation. His career in Naval Intelligence and extensive travels around the world gave Fleming a keen eye and the authority to write on a wide range of topics beyond Bond’s adventures. 

This collection contains a selection of journalism and other writings by Fleming, covering his wartime experiences, reflections on crime and espionage, and the process of writing his novels, among other topics. Readers will feel like they are right beside Fleming, immersed in his world as he works to meet the deadline for his next Bond novel, or participates in a mortifying golf tournament, or befriends an octopus in his beloved Jamaica. A black-and-white photo insert gives dimension to the man behind the myth, bringing life to his words and providing a unique glimpse into Fleming’s world.

You can purchase Talk of the Devil at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, or directly from Ian Fleming Publications.

Cover art for THE HOOK AND THE EYE

Cover art for Raymond Benson's Felix Leiter spin-off adventure, The Hook and the Eye, has been revealed, and it's pretty slick! The eBook serialization begins May 27th. The novel will be released in paperback in October.

To Live and Let Die in L.A. Podcast Episode 5: JOHN COX

I'm honored to have been a guest on the To Live and Let Die in L.A. James Bond podcast with Steve Kilcullen and Neil McNally. I was there to talk Bond books and more. Hope you enjoy.

Check out Steve and Neil's To Live and Let Die in L.A. website and Instagram. And if you're in L.A., consider attending one of their screenings at the Culver Theater.

IFP announces THE SOLDIER AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Ian Fleming Publications has announced a new publication for release in September. Below are details.

Announcing a Festive Adventure: The Soldier and the Christmas Tree

We know it’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, but with the 80th anniversary of V.E. Day today there is no better time to reveal our new title, which is set both during the war and during the most wonderful time of the year! Publishing in autumn 2025, this heartwarming tale is inspired by the true story of how Ian Fleming was instrumental in bringing the first Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square.

It wasn’t just a rescue mission anymore. It was a race.

It is 1942, three weeks before Christmas, and the war is blazing over London. Arthur Pryor is sent on a top secret mission to Germany-occupied Norway as part of a highly-trained unit. He does not know why Commander Ian Fleming has sent them, or what they will find there. All he knows is that he must make it home to his son before Christmas day. He promised.

The Soldier and the Christmas Tree is a heartwarming tale of family and war, inspired by the true story of the first Christmas tree to be placed in Trafalgar Square, due in large part to the covert actions of James Bond creator Ian Fleming and his commando unit during the Second World War.

From the streets of London to the forests of Norway, this is an adventure filled with the horrors of war and the magic of Christmas. 

Written by Ian Fleming Publications Publishing Director Simon Ward, this perfect seasonal read also includes an essay on the real-life historical incident.

You can pre-order The Soldier and the Christmas Tree HERE.

Calvin Dyson reviews DOUBLESHOT

With news of Raymond Benson's upcoming Felix Leiter novel, The Hook and the Eye, it seems like the right time to share Calvin Dyson's latest Benson Bond book review. This time, Doubleshot is in the gun barrel. Enjoy.

RAYMOND BENSON returns with a Felix Leiter adventure

Some exciting news from IFP today. Raymond Benson is BACK with a new an original novel featuring James Bond's best friend and alley Felix Leiter. Below is the press release.

Announcing The Hook and the Eye: a Felix Leiter adventure by Raymond Benson

Ian Fleming Publications is pleased to announce a new novel coming soon from 007 continuation author Raymond Benson. The Hook and the Eye focuses on Felix Leiter, James Bond’s trusted American friend and ally. This full-length novel will be released digitally in ten instalments, beginning on May 27th, recalling the serialisation of classic pulp fiction in the early twentieth century. This will be followed by the paperback publication of the full story on October 2nd.

Felix Leiter – James Bond’s trusted friend and ally – takes centre stage in a brand new adventure by legendary Bond novelist, Raymond Benson.

It is 1952. Felix has lost his job at the CIA and finds himself working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. What starts as a simple surveillance job turns into anything but when Felix stumbles upon a murder and a cabal of spies embedded in Manhattan. Hired to transport the impossibly beautiful and impossibly secretive Dora from New York to Texas, Felix is thrust into a non-stop adventure, where danger and deceit lie in wait around every bend in the road.

The Hook and the Eye is a mystery, a romance, a spy story and a postcard to a lost Americana. It is also Raymond Benson at his very best.

IFPL’s Publishing Director Simon Ward commented “Raymond may be a Bond author, but he was born to write Felix Leiter. He came to us with a story – one filled with intrigue, mystery and danger – and it was exactly what we were looking for. We are thrilled to be working with Raymond again and we think the fans are going to love the journey he takes our favourite CIA agent on. I think it’s the best ‘Bond universe’ book Raymond has ever written.”

Author Raymond Benson added “Having worked on this project in secrecy since May 2024, I am now pleased and proud to finally present the first ever Felix Leiter novel, appropriately set in Ian Fleming's timeline of the 1950s between the character's appearances in Live and Let Die and Diamonds are Forever. As a native Texan myself, I've always had an affinity for 007's close American friend.”

So how, and when, can you read this new adventure? Starting on May 27th the eBook serialisation will begin with ‘The Hook and the Eye: Episode 1’ containing the first four chapters of the novel. This will be followed every two weeks with a new episode, concluding on September 30th with the tenth instalment. Episodes will be released via updates to the original eBook file, so be aware that in order to read them you’ll need to either enable automatic file updates on your e-reader device, or manually download the updated files. Following the final ‘Episode’ release, we’ll also be publishing a physical paperback edition of The Hook and the Eye on October 2nd. This is currently available to pre-order, exclusively via our website.

Readers in the UK can pre-order the eBook direct from us (and can also access a special bundle price for both the digital and physical versions together), whilst readers around the world can pre-order from their preferred eBook retailer.

We’re very excited to share this thrilling story with you over the coming months.

LINK: James Bond - the 'final' Jonathan Cape editions

Our friend Peter Crush is back with a look at the final Jonathan Cape hardcover printings of the Ian Fleming James Bond novels. All four parts are below:

James Bond - the 'final' Jonathan Cape editions: (Part 1)

James Bond Last impressions Part 2: Firsts & Lasts side-by-side

The 'last impressions' (Part 3): Dr No to Thunderball - compared

Ian Fleming 'last impressions' (part 4): The final four books!

This inspired me to have a look at my own "final" hardcovers. I picked these up in 1987 during my first trip to England. Not a complete set, but all still in beautiful condition.

Keep 'em coming, Peter!