James Bond’s future may be taking shape on screen with a new film from Amazon MGM Studios in the works, but the wider 007 franchise is already keeping fans busier than usual.
From new mysteries featuring familiar characters to original adventures by contemporary authors, the Bond franchise continues to release new stories beyond Ian Fleming’s original novels and novellas. Now, another writer is getting the chance to take Bond somewhere new.
Related: ‘James Bond’ Franchise Expands With Official New Series, ‘Sunbreaker’
Per The Independent, Historian Dan Jones has been commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications to write All In, a new novella celebrating the 70th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The project is part of the UK’s National Year of Reading, with publication scheduled for December 3.
The publisher’s synopsis sees 007 pursuing one of the world’s most valuable gemstones. His search takes him through the mountains of Kandy and into the depths of the ocean, where a dangerous game threatens to become much bigger than the jewel itself. Here’s the official synopsis from the publisher:
Ceylon, 1954.
The British are leaving. It’s six years since Ceylon, land of the most precious gemstones on earth, was released from the Empire. The forts and officers’ messes on the island are emptying.
But James Bond is travelling in the opposite direction.
007 is on a mission to track down one of the most valuable stones in the world. And he doesn’t have much time to do it. Bond is lured into a deadly game played from the cool mountains of Kandy to the pitch-black depths of the ocean floor, finding the stakes are far higher than gemstones alone.
To come out alive, he’s going to have to gamble everything. It’s ALL IN – or nothing.
- Jones described being asked to write a James Bond story as “one of the greatest honours in contemporary fiction.” He also spoke about his excitement at revisiting Diamonds Are Forever, one of the books that helped establish Fleming’s literary legacy.
That legacy has provided plenty of material for modern authors. Earlier this year, Kim Sherwood completed her Double O trilogy with Hurricane Room, while Vaseem Khan’s The Man with the Golden Compass recently continued his Q Mysteries series.
Charlie Higson has also returned to Bond with King Zero, while Big Finish Productions recently adapted his 2005 Young Bond novel SilverFin into an audio drama.
Which upcoming Bond project has caught your attention? Let us know in the comments below!
