Who Should Write the Next Bond Continuation Novel?

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  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited April 2023 Posts: 4,111
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    I'm hoping more for Kim Sherwood and Charlie Higson Bond novels.

    Both are also a good ambassadors for IFP.

    I second that.

    Also I don't really know many thriller authors who I want to write a continuation novel. Mick Herron is fantastic but his books are very much the antithesis of Fleming. Similarly with Charlotte Philby if her work could be compared to any Fleming it would The Spy Who Loved Me and personally I'd love to see to that but I can't imagine anyone else does.

    Daniel Cole's Ragdoll trilogy is sensational and bombastic in the way that continuation novels often are but I don't think he'd capture the nuances of Fleming. I really loved Gillian McAllister's 'How to Disappear', but whether she could or would want to write a spy thriller is another question.

    Idk, Higson is a renaissance man but Sherwood was pretty much an unknown and knocked it out the park so whatever happens I trust IFP to make the right choice.

    I agree with you both on Charlie and Kim. I'd also like to throw Anthony Horowitz with them. He truly cared about Bond and could make a good future ambassador for IFP. The above authors I picked out, they'd probably be one offs. I'd like to also mention David Koepp. He has written lots of action, suspense, horror and spy stories to boot. A Bond novel should have all of those things. He could pull it off. My fear with a continuation author is being around as long as John Gardener. I'm happy we got him, but towards the end it seemed he was just writing Bond for the sake of writing it. It seems like most of the continuation authors are happy with their Bond work. Just not Sebastian Faulks. He was a really unhappy, ungrateful author for Bond. Jeffery Deaver has always liked my Tweets related to Carte Blanche. As for my picks, it's mostly wishful thinking. But I know QT, CN and PWB are fans of Bond, who could give the continuation novels a unique writing style. Most of the continuation authors want their books filmed, why not start getting film writers involved in writing books? Just some observations.
  • CharmianBondCharmianBond Pett Bottom, Kent
    edited April 2023 Posts: 534
    I think Horowitz was a great continuation author even if I didn't agree with everything about his trilogy but at the same time I think three books is enough for one continuation author. One of the reasons I've not gotten into Gardner is that it's overwhelming how many books there are.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    I think Horowitz was a great continuation author even if I didn't agree with everything about his trilogy but at the same time I think three books is enough for one continuation author. One of the reasons I've not gotten into Gardner is that it's overwhelming how many books there are.

    Same here about John Gardener. Raymond Benson had the right amount of time and books to his name. I hope IFP goes back to a book a year, with a spinoff book focusing on a different character, namely villains. We'll see what happens with Charlie and Kim over the next couple of years.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    I don’t (sadly) know many modern day full-time authors who could write a great James Bond novel. Any suggestions from anyone are welcome! You think that anyone would have suggested Sebastian Faulks before Devil May Care? Probably not. I don’t want JK Rowling, that’s for sure. Maybe Steven Knight, seeing where his Rey Star Wars movie goes.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    I should write one. It would probably be very strange and bizarre though. Think late term John Gardner.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    I should write one. It would probably be very strange and bizarre though. Think late term John Gardner.

    I'd be interested. I also have modern day spinoff ideas for Goldfinger, Blofeld and Trevelyan.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    I should write one. It would probably be very strange and bizarre though. Think late term John Gardner.

    I'd be interested. I also have modern day spinoff ideas for Goldfinger, Blofeld and Trevelyan.

    I'd love to be able to do it but sadly I haven't written any fiction in many years. I tend to focus on non-fiction nowadays as I think I'm better at writing it than fiction.
  • Posts: 9,770
    I should have it by next Wednesday
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    Risico007 wrote: »
    I should have it by next Wednesday

    I hope you're enjoying Win, Lose or Die in the meantime? I think it's one of Gardner's better Bond novels.
  • Posts: 9,770
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    I should have it by next Wednesday

    I hope you're enjoying Win, Lose or Die in the meantime? I think it's one of Gardner's better Bond novels.

    Its ok its not my favorite of the gardner’s (which is seafire) but its not as bad as license renewed… its far better then the Horowitz trilogy
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited May 2023 Posts: 4,111
    I have some more recommendations for future James Bond continuation authors. They come from mostly Sherlock Holmes and Jack Ryan stories. I’m also trying to name authors born after the 1950s, as IFP seems to be obsessed with hiring writers from that decade. There are some expectations though.

    Laurie R. King: Author of the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes stories. A good author to use for a legacy character. I consider her Mary Russell books canon to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books. Maybe she could write Solitaire or Honey Ryder as a main character, after their Bond adventure.
    Guy Adams: His work is almost purely British. He’s written a few books on Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who. Why not add James Bond to keep the British end up?
    James Lovegrove: More Holmes: but a fair amount of crossovers. Is it time for Holmes and Bond too meet, officially? I know there’s a short story of them meeting, but how about on a actual case?
    Sherry Thomas: A novelist of young adult fantasy, historical romance, and contemporary romance. Common themes in her work include unrequited love, love betrayal, and fate. Source: Wikipedia. Things that Bond is arguably known for.
    Michael Chabon: A writer of a variety of genres. Could write a great supporting cast, particularly a Bond girl and villain, who feel outcast.
    Mark Greaney: Tom Clancy’s original literary heir. He learned from the best. He’s work in spy series, namely Jack Ryan and The Gray Man. The spy part of Bond has been missing from Bond books, and he definitely could bring it back.
    Mike Maden: He’s worked in the political field, he has experience working with real life issues. Like Ian Fleming. Another Jack Ryan heir.
    Marc Cameron: A life long Bond and Indiana Jones fan. He writes a lot of adventure books, so he could be a great contender for Bond moving forward.
    Sophie Hannah: The only official book writer for Hercule Poirot. For settings, she could do James Bond justice. With unique ideas and expressions of certain places.

    All of these writers, (including several of our actual Bond book writers) I would love to see write and revive the Indiana Jones literary series. Indy has the potential to be a great book series as the characters I’ve mentioned. I could see Bond also crossing over with some of these characters. In particular Jack Ryan as President, imagine Felix Leiter working for him! I wish that IFP would better plan out the book series. They shouldn’t be like the MCU, with a book every 3-4 months, but at least 2-3 books a year would be great. These authors could take James Bond, his characters and his world very far, if given the chance.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,951
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    All of these writers, (including several of our actual Bond book writers) I would love to see write and revive the Indiana Jones literary series. Indy has the potential to be a great book series as the characters I’ve mentioned.

    I would love some well-written, fun pulpy Indy books. There was an Indy book series in the 90s but I'm afraid all the ones I've tried are pretty poor and don't live up to the wit and fun of the films.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited May 2023 Posts: 4,111
    Another author that I think would write a great Bond novel would be James Patterson. While he's a bit old, he is a thriller writer. He also co-authors his books, which means that there is a chance he wouldn't get lost in his ego. I think that he and all the other writers I've mentioned would be great for a Bond Short Story collection. It's time Bond got some short stories again. Like this Sherlock Holmes collection.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_uncollected_short_stories

    https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Vintage-Original/dp/1101872616
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    James Patterson would be OK if he could get someone else to write it for him under his name.
  • Posts: 9,770
    Why cant Higson do a modern bond trilogy?
  • timdalton007timdalton007 North Alabama
    edited May 2023 Posts: 154
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Another author that I think would write a great Bond novel would be James Patterson. While he's a bit old, he is a thriller writer. He also co-authors his books, which means that there is a chance he wouldn't get lost in his ego. I think that he and all the other writers I've mentioned would be great for a Bond Short Story collection. It's time Bond got some short stories again. Like this Sherlock Holmes collection.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_uncollected_short_stories

    https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Vintage-Original/dp/1101872616
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    James Patterson would be OK if he could get someone else to write it for him under his name.

    While Patterson writing Bond would definitely bring a lot of (new) eyes to literary Bond, given the scratching reviews his book for The Shadow has received, I’d prefer he stay well clear of Bond. Though the reviews haven’t stopped him (or his co-author/ghost writer) writing a second one, it seems…
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,804
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Another author that I think would write a great Bond novel would be James Patterson. While he's a bit old, he is a thriller writer. He also co-authors his books, which means that there is a chance he wouldn't get lost in his ego. I think that he and all the other writers I've mentioned would be great for a Bond Short Story collection. It's time Bond got some short stories again. Like this Sherlock Holmes collection.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_uncollected_short_stories

    https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Vintage-Original/dp/1101872616
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    James Patterson would be OK if he could get someone else to write it for him under his name.

    While Patterson writing Bond would definitely bring a lot of (new) eyes to literary Bond, given the scratching reviews his book got The Shadow has received, I’d prefer he stay well clear of Bond. Though the reviews haven’t stopped him (or his co-author/ghost writer) writing a second one, it seems…

    AI does have its uses.
  • Posts: 9,770
    What about Stephen King woukd force my family to read it or miss out on one book by the great stephen king
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    Risico007 wrote: »
    What about Stephen King woukd force my family to read it or miss out on one book by the great stephen king

    I mentioned him earlier. Maybe he would be interested in a short story, considering his schedule.
  • Posts: 9,770
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Risico007 wrote: »
    What about Stephen King woukd force my family to read it or miss out on one book by the great stephen king

    I mentioned him earlier. Maybe he would be interested in a short story, considering his schedule.
    A compendium of short stories by famous authors

    Wait why isnt IFP doing that

    Like
    Patterson
    Higson
    Horowitz
    King
    Cussler
    The guy who wrote the meg if he is still alive

    Etc

    I could see that being interesting
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,951
    Yes I've said the same thing for a while: short stories by some decent names would be a good idea I think. They did one recently of Miss Marple stories.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited May 2023 Posts: 4,111
    From another Bond website, some interesting choices:

    I’d love to read a Bond novel by Robert Harris. He seems to be comfortable with both period pieces and modern settings, but I definitely see him on a cold war plot.

    Besides, Charles Cumming or the already mentioned Mick Herring would have my favors, too. I’d not dislike to see William Boyd returning, either.

    More out of box, Gillian Flynn has a touch to scratch under the surface of her characters, that could benefit for a modern days Bond.

    Ken Follett recently returned to the spy genre, too. If you ever wanted to read a brick on James Bond…

    Mick Herron is the first name that comes to mind for me as he’s my favorite author currently working in the spy genre. Admittedly he’s more le Carré than Fleming (I like to describe Slow Horses as le Carré if everyone was really sarcastic) but he does drop the occasional winking reference to Bond so I think he could make the switch.

    Another thought would be Ben Aaronovitch. He’s more from a sci-fi/ fantasy background, he started as a screenwriter for Doctor Who in the 80’s and is currently best known for his Rivers of London fantasy series (there’s a department in the Metropolitan police that deals with magic). I feel that he could tap into the larger than life elements that Bond is know for.

    Charles Cumming is meeting with Kim Sherwood tomorrow, foreshadowing for the future, perhaps? I'd be interested in any of them, as long as we get a Bond book or two every year.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    Jeremy Duns: A known admirer of Fleming and helped discover some lost Bond material. With a mixture of Bond love and history of espionage buff, he’s more than qualifed.

    https://www.jeremy-duns.com/bond

    Thomas Harris: Creator of Hannibal Lecter. Not very proficient with his writing, other than the Hannibal series, writing just two other novels, Black Sunday (1975) and Cari Mora (2019). He could be a good choice for a horror, truly suspenseful, Bond adventure.

    James Czajkowski or his pen last names Rollins or Clemens: He has a mix of action adventure and fantasy novels, to help his case for writing. With his main writing series is about the military and learning the knowledge of it and counter terrorism and technology being the main enemies. Bond always is just to be slightly in the future, with what is the main threat and how do we beat them. Add a touch of true fantasy, it could help Bond feel a bit different.

    JJ Abrams: Before you put your thumbs down, I am surprised at myself for thinking of him. If you want something old made new, there’s no one better.

    Patty Jenkins: She has lived all over the world, and has a passion for air travel. If Star Wars: Rogue Squadron truly doesn’t work out, I’d give her a chance.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited October 2023 Posts: 4,111
    A James Bond author is like a James Bond actor: a lot of people want to see who does it. It's also a thankless job.

    I feel that IFP wasted a bit of time in the six year gap between The Man With The Red Tattoo and Devil May Care. They should have had a Bond as an adult novel at least once in those years. As I’ve said before, Everything or Nothing should have been a novelization. With either Raymond Benson or Bruce Feirstein as its author. Another spin-off novel that should have happened is the cancelled Jinx film. Michael Madsen and Halle Berry could have both written a foreword for the book. It’s a shame that EON and IFP have had such a grudge against each other. I would tie the EON and Jinx books by saying Bond and Jinx are on their respective missions. I don’t know who could have written it. But I do believe that the two books are for sure a missed opportunity, next to Per Fine Ounce and another Kingsley Amis story with Bond on a train.

    Continuing with the novelizations, Bloodstone could have easily gotten a novelization. Written by the game’s writer, Bruce Feirstein, he could have fleshed out some things that weren’t covered very well in the game. He also could have connected it to the Casino Royale/Quantum Of Solace storyline. Now, I wish that he would write those three plus the last 3 DC films into one long book, Moonraker style. Lastly, keeping with DC’s films. Another last novelization that should have been written is Skyfall. The main reason that I would pick SF is that it seemed not to have many screenwriting problems that the other DC films had. Surprisingly, two of the authors that I would pick to write it are either John Logan or Jeffery Deaver. Deaver modernized Bond, who’s better to prove he’s still relevant?

    Overall, IFP could take advantage of having more Bond adventures come out between some of the longer gaps. It’s still a shame that they and EON aren’t getting along. We could have had some unique adventures come out of their partnerships together.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    SaintMark wrote: »
    Bounine wrote: »
    The Evening Standard reported that Horowitz wanted to do a Bond novel but heartily disliked Faulks and Deaver's efforts and in any case wasn't sure he would as the other two had mucked about with it too much. Which I agree with, so some hope there.

    Also it was reported that his Bond book would be set in the world of 1950s motor sport. Therefore it takes place in between the Fleming adventures and avoids the whole Bond getting old guff of Devil May Care and the last one.

    Indeed it is encouraging that Horowitz dislikes DMC and CB. I wonder if he's read SOLO. There were some good bits in this book I felt but overall, obviously a pretty lacklustre story.

    I like how it will supposedly be set between the Fleming stories. Time for a change from the usual pre and post Fleming adventures.

    Mr Horowitz is tumbling down in my appreciation if he really said something negative about his fellow writers, a long time before we can judge his effort. I am just not a great fan of writer who feel that they need to put their colleagues down.
    Bounine wrote: »
    I do agree. Some professionalism is always required. For me, and now that he has supposedly said it, it is encouraging that he doesn't like these books as they are pretty poor in my opinion. Still, as I've said, I won't be getting my hopes up. Just because he doesn't like them, it doesn't necessarily mean that he's going to write a cracker of a Bond book. Of course, I would never write anyone off before reading the final result either. Moreover, the fact that a number of fans have always been keen on having H for the gig gives me a little more confidence. We shall see, however...

    Uniquely bringing up an almost 10 year old conversion. Now that Horowitz is arguably done, I want to defend him in his criticism. His three books are better than the Celebrity Author trilogy, and I like all six books. Just remember my fellow fans about writing criticism. Charlie Higson defended Purvis and Wade fairly, and I'm happy he has. But NOBODY has done more of their work sucks criticism than Richard Maibaum. It's actually horrible how he would make himself seem like he was the only person who could write Bond. Nobody was right in his eyes but himself and he often criticized actors for not making his sometimes poor material work. So honestly Anthony Horowitz's criticism has NOTHING on Richard Maibaum in general to others. I hope we get some more news soon, and maybe two books a year from IFP.
  • Posts: 2,897
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    SaintMark wrote: »
    Bounine wrote: »
    The Evening Standard reported that Horowitz wanted to do a Bond novel but heartily disliked Faulks and Deaver's efforts and in any case wasn't sure he would as the other two had mucked about with it too much. Which I agree with, so some hope there.

    Also it was reported that his Bond book would be set in the world of 1950s motor sport. Therefore it takes place in between the Fleming adventures and avoids the whole Bond getting old guff of Devil May Care and the last one.

    Indeed it is encouraging that Horowitz dislikes DMC and CB. I wonder if he's read SOLO. There were some good bits in this book I felt but overall, obviously a pretty lacklustre story.

    I like how it will supposedly be set between the Fleming stories. Time for a change from the usual pre and post Fleming adventures.

    Mr Horowitz is tumbling down in my appreciation if he really said something negative about his fellow writers, a long time before we can judge his effort. I am just not a great fan of writer who feel that they need to put their colleagues down.
    Bounine wrote: »
    I do agree. Some professionalism is always required. For me, and now that he has supposedly said it, it is encouraging that he doesn't like these books as they are pretty poor in my opinion. Still, as I've said, I won't be getting my hopes up. Just because he doesn't like them, it doesn't necessarily mean that he's going to write a cracker of a Bond book. Of course, I would never write anyone off before reading the final result either. Moreover, the fact that a number of fans have always been keen on having H for the gig gives me a little more confidence. We shall see, however...

    Uniquely bringing up an almost 10 year old conversion. Now that Horowitz is arguably done, I want to defend him in his criticism. His three books are better than the Celebrity Author trilogy, and I like all six books. Just remember my fellow fans about writing criticism. Charlie Higson defended Purvis and Wade fairly, and I'm happy he has. But NOBODY has done more of their work sucks criticism than Richard Maibaum. It's actually horrible how he would make himself seem like he was the only person who could write Bond. Nobody was right in his eyes but himself and he often criticized actors for not making his sometimes poor material work. So honestly Anthony Horowitz's criticism has NOTHING on Richard Maibaum in general to others. I hope we get some more news soon, and maybe two books a year from IFP.

    Maybe it’s just me but I’ve personally found Horrowitz’s Bond novels underwhelming. WAMTK in particular was a bit of a slog to get through. FAAD had some good ideas (albeit many that broadly had been done in the Craig films) but lame villains and never quite came together for me.

    No doubt though, there’s very much a sense that Carte Blanche and Devil May Care didn’t quite succeed for many readers. And yes, Horrowitz isn’t as bad as Maibaum for his criticisms.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,111
    Michael Arndt: he has written two of the better sequels in the last 15 years. He’s one of Pixar’s regular ideas-people. If you trust someone to write a continuing story, I would trust him, novel or film.

    Brad Bird: The Incredibles was a giant love letter to Bond in the 60s, to the point of him originally hiring John Barry. He is a strong story writer, while pushing human emotion forward, in more ways than one.
  • Posts: 21
    Maybe give the book series a rest for a few years? I do think we're at saturation point.
  • thedovethedove hiding in the Greek underworld
    Posts: 4,968
    Maybe give the book series a rest for a few years? I do think we're at saturation point.

    Imagine me in the 1980's getting a new Bond book every year. A visit to the bookstore was always a treat and I loved to see the new Bond book on the shelf. It will be a few years built in as WAMTK was released in 2022. I wouldn't expect a book until 2025?
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