Carte Blanche

A bit of exciting news just came my way this rather stressful and so far quite uneventful morning- the appearance this May or June (depending on where one resides) of the newest James Bond novel (Carte Blanche) by Jefferey Deaver.

Having just finished re-reading one of the old classics (The Man with the Golden Gun) by the creator Ian Fleming, I was wondering about all the other Bond stories that have come out after his death by different authors which were never quite up to par.  The last one in particular (Devil May Care), while sporting a good cover, was so bland and predictable that it must surely have followed a worn out formula and was definitely not worthy of the Ian Fleming centenary.  

The announcement of a new one, based in dated Dubai of all places, leaves one wondering exactly how Bond will be updated.  Hopefully, of course, for the better.  Although, judging by the American book cover design, it looks like someone already did a number on James Bond. Best stick with the UK design, whether one or not approves of smoking (although it may be a smoking gun).

UK edition and the amateurishly designed US edition

In an interview with the writer in The Express, he allows the following thought:  "That's what makes a spy.  Most of us wouldn't want 'carte blanche'.  We wouldn't know what to do with it.  Most people like being told what to do."