Review Tuesday - In Print: James Bond - Zero Minus Ten by Raymond Benson

Over thirty years after the death of Ian Fleming one of his biggest fans got to kick off a line of James Bond novels. The first was ZERO MINUS TEN by Raymond Benson.

The plot: A nuclear weapon is detonated in an isolated part of Australia less than two weeks before the British are to hand over Hong Kong  in 1995. No one is taking responsibility for the blast. There is massive unrest in Hong Kong and China due to the change-over of regimes. Agent 007 of SIS, James Bond is sent to Hong Kong to find out who's behind the incidents leading to animosity.

As you would imagine the two incidents aren't separate and Bond finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy 150 years in the making.

I have to say, Benson did a great job creating the good old James Bond atmosphere in this book. While they never say how old Bond actually is, you only have to do the math. He was around his mid thirties in 1965 when Fleming died. 007 was considering retirement in a couple novels back then, because agents were put to pasture before they hit 40. So you have to figure he SHOULD be in his mid 60s in 1995. Benson does allude to the fact that Bond isn't as spry as he once was, but she still knows how to unleash a beating on his enemies. Additionally his thirst for women and booze hasn't slowed down at all either. All classic Bond traits wonderfully captured in this book.  

Benson made the mistake that many authors do when they pick up another's story: reflection. Bond spent way too much time strolling down memory lane thinking and discussing his previous adventures. Most of the more famous tales were mentioned in one way or another. It is true that occasionally Bond would mention history here and there, but never to the extent that it appears n this book.

That aside, I found the book roller coaster of fun to read. It was written to be easily understood, while not being condescending. It kept my full attention until the final page, and with a good solid ending, I felt satisfied. Indeed, I would call this a good book. If you feel that void after reading the original series, this is a good one to pick up.