“I’m excited to bring this story to dedicated fans of Ian Fleming. It’s been a long time brewing!”
– Raymond Benson
Congratulations to Bond author Raymond Benson for returning to the Fleming literary fold with a brilliantly timely and fascinating new book project, The Hook and The Eye.
Set in 1952 on the cusp of the original Casino Royale (1953), The Hook and the Eye sees Benson focus on 007’s CIA pal and fellow Fleming adventurer, Felix Leiter.
Leiter is jobless, has left the CIA and working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. When he discovers a murder plot and a cabal of spies in the heart of Manhattan, Felix must escort the ‘impossibly beautiful’ Dora across America from NYC to Texas. Intrigue, adventure and deceit are like highway billboards, and Benson’s Bond-adjacent caper is a love story, a spy thriller and a love letter to Americana.
After penning the influential and vital The James Bond Bedside Companion (1984), Raymond’s Bond reach later listed six continuation James Bond novels (beginning with 1997’s Zero Minus Ten), and now also includes short stories, computer games, role playing games and Bond film novelizations.
Not only are Raymond’s Bond credentials without question, but his take on mid-century Americana, the backdrop of the States and his grip on US culture and politics are so well primed to assist Felix Leiter in this new project.
The Hook and the Eye is an eBook release serial issued over ten instalments.
A new episode will be released every two weeks, starting on May 27th 2025 (and ending at the end of September 2025).
A paperback edition of the book will be published on October 2nd 2025. This is the second – so far – release from Ian Fleming Publications in 2025. Benson’s fellow literary agent Vaseem Khan is also bringing a new novel about Bond’s other ally ‘Q’ to readers. Quantum of Menace will also be published in October 2025
For more details on The Hook and the Eye click here.
Photo / Mark O’Connell
