High Time to Kill

As a long time 007 fan, I have just re-read all of Raymond Benson's Bond novels in the proper order and have some reflections on his entire series through "Never Dream of Dying." First of all, Benson is not Ian Fleming and readers should get past that expectation before beginning. He's not John Gardner, either (thank goodness!). That said, I believe Benson has come the closest to Ian Fleming of all the post-Fleming writers in that he has truly captured the essence of Bond's character and the universe in which 007 operates. It is a fantasy spy world, not based in reality, just as Fleming's was, but like Bond's creator, Benson keeps the main character very human. Benson's Bond makes mistakes, shows fear, feels pain, and is melancholy much of the time. At the same time, Benson has brought in many elements of the Bond film series (I have read an interview with him that states that he and the Ian Fleming Estate agreed that this would be the approach to take). Therefore, Benson's Bond is a mixture of the cinematic and literary Bonds, and for me, this works splendidly. I have seen some fans object to this or that but it seems to me that these fans are not getting past personal expectations. Bond is many things to many people. Benson, a long time Bond scholar and author of the excellent "James Bond Bedside Companion" knows his stuff. He has nailed the Bond character. Some have complained about his writing style. Benson is no Fleming, as stated earlier, but his style is succinct and easy to read. His books flow quickly and are highly entertaining. "ZERO MINUS TEN": Benson's first book has one of his best plots, but it suffers slightly from being a "first novel." His writing is at its weakest here, but that said, ZMT is a wonderful Bond story. It is very Fleming-esque with its Hong Kong location, characters like Guy Thackeray and T. Y. Woo and Li Xu Nan, and its descriptions of food, mahjong, and Triads. When reading ZMT, one is immediately aware that this is a harder-edged and darker Bond than perhaps what we are used to. For a first effort, it is very, very good. "THE FACTS OF DEATH": Benson's second book is more film-like, it feels like an EON Productions movie story. The plot is more "fantastic" in that it deals with a secret criminal organization called the Decada that is run by a crazy mastermind. The writing is improved, though, and in many ways this is a more entertaining book than ZMT. What is especially interesting is Benson's development of the "M" character and her relationship with Bond. "HIGH TIME TO KILL": My personal favorite of the bunch. This is a classic Bond novel in every sense of the word. The first half is fairly predictable cinematic-Bond stuff, except for a very Fleming-esque opening and 2nd chapter golf match. The second half, however, shows Benson hitting his stride and finding his own voice with a truly original departure from what is expected. As Bond and companions climb one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, the action be

This is the third of the Benson Bond books that I've read and I must say that as I progress through every one, the stories are becoming more and more difficult to put down and carry on with everyday life. The petty jealousy and 'little boy' attitude of Bond towards an old school classmate was a fresh touch in making James Bond more human than any other author (Fleming included)to date. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and, as one other reviewer pointed out, the story was a good enough match to Trevanian's 'The Eiger Sanction'. Read this book and read Mr. Benson's next one...they're getting better and better...

In High Time To Kill, Bond is back and more saturnine and human than ever, thanks to author Raymond Benson. For those of us who first caught the Bond bug through contact with the original Fleming canon, this third outing by Benson provides all the gratification of the Ian Fleming sweep, sadism, and sex. Benson's Bonds incorporate the action and gadgetry from the films with the flair of the early literary 007. Benson also continues to pay homage to the Bond creator by craftily weaving elements from Bond's Fleming yarns.High Time to Kill presents 007 with the task of tracking down the stolen "Skin 17" - a classified military innovation. From an assassination in Bahamas (ahem... not Fleming's home, as mentioned in the Kirkus review) to a beating in Brussels, and on to a suicidal expedition atop the Himalayas, Bond shows his toughness while discovering just what might be his limit of courage and endurance. It's all there - the women, the escapes, the allies and the introduction of Bond's newest enemy -- the arch-criminal organization, the Union.With his first two Bond novels, Benson established his capabilities as 007's new progenitor. Now that the honeymoon's over for Mr. Benson, he's proven that his talents as a storyteller are no fluke. We can now leave the Fleming comparisons behind and continue to look forward to more Benson Bond. Keep them coming, Raymond.

Raymond Benson has done it again. His third original James Bond novel truly proves that he was a superb choice to succeed Ian Fleming and John Gardner. He has given both James Bond fans and the casual reader an exciting adventure story with all of the elements that one associates with James Bond.The book has everything, as 007 is now up against a new adversary--the Union, a new terrorist organization as ruthless as the SPECTRE and SMERSH of old, but this time, they appear to be only interested in one thing--money. Thus, they can sell their services to the highest bidder and have apparently infiltrated the British Secret Service itself!This time Bond is called upon to retrieve an item stolen by the Union which is critical to national security. Along the way, readers encounter the familiar characters who compose the British Secret Service family and are introduced to new ones, especially Dr. Hope Kendall, whose stunning good looks and other attributes are straight in the Flenming tradition. She is a fresh entry into the Bond harem!Bond's main antagonist within the Union is cunning and ruthless. For the first time in many a Bond book, he engenders real feelings of hate from the reader.The book moves quickly across the world, as readers are once again given the exotic locales expected in Bond's world. Benson does not disappoint, as the reader is taken on a lengthy mountain climbing expedition with Bond, a mission which leads up to an explosive climax.Through it all , Raymond Benson has proven that he really has what it takes to fill Ian Fleming;s shoes. Benson has developed a style similiar to the way Fleming was able to sweep readers along with the narrative, enjoying the intricate details of the story itself without ever losing focus on James Bond. Benson here accomplishes nearly the same thing, but instead writes for a very modern audience. He appears very comfortable in Bond's world. This book is highly recommended for anyone who has glimpsed into that world, and would like to visit it again. James Bond is back, and, with Raymond Benson, nobody does it better!

I don't understand some of the negative comments I have read here. "High Time to Kill" is one of the best Bond novels ever, with a superb storyline and intriguing characters. It's a Hitchcock-like adventure with a chase across the continents, totally engrossing and educational too. Raymond Benson writes well and spins a good yarn.