Bond’s literary guardians unveil the spinoff series no one has been waiting for.
Ian Fleming Publications has announced a new crime series in collaboration with Zaffre, the flagship commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK. This new series, titled The Q Mysteries, will centre around the iconic character Q from the James Bond films. The first book in the series, Quantum of Menace, is set for release in autumn 2025 and will be penned by acclaimed crime writer and Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, Vaseem Khan.
While the press release boasts about Khan’s “vibrant and dynamic style” and promises a series “filled with wit, humour and verve”, Q is a character whose charm lies in his brief, witty interactions with 007. Elevating him to the central figure of a new series feels like a stretch, and perhaps a sign that IFP is flailing around for ways to keep the Bond franchise alive and relevant.
Khan’s enthusiasm for the project is evident. He stated, “I can’t think of anything more exhilarating as a writer than bringing to life such an iconic character, one that I have adored since childhood. I was the kid who watched Bond films just to see what new gadgets Q would come up with for 007. To now recreate Q in a series of contemporary mystery novels, bringing together everything I love about the genre, is the coolest assignment I could hope for. I cannot wait to share my Q with readers. Move over Bond. Q is coming”.
This enthusiasm is echoed by Kelly Smith, editorial director at Zaffre, who added, “With his unique wit and flair, cosy crime readers and James Bond fans alike will be unable to resist this series and his imagining of Q.”
Corinne Turner of IFP seems equally optimistic, claiming, “We at Ian Fleming Publications could not think of a better partner to breathe new life into the beloved character of Q. Vaseem’s mystery novels have enthralled me for many years, and I am thrilled with what he is crafting for Q’s first solo missions. This is a modern and exceedingly clever crime series.”
Quantum of Menace will see Q ousted from his role at MI6 and returning to his hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. Here, he investigates the mysterious death of his childhood friend, quantum computer scientist Peter Napier. As Q delves into the mystery, he uncovers a web of deceit and danger tied to Napier’s ground-breaking work.
While the concept might intrigue die-hard Bond fans, the real question remains whether this spinoff series can truly captivate readers, or is it merely a sign of IFP grasping at straws? Only time will tell if The Q Mysteries can stand on their own or if they will simply be a footnote in the legacy of 007.
Quantum of Menace is available to pre-order from Amazon.
July 17th, 2024 at 14:45
It is good to have a new Bond-ish novel or series, but this one is not elevating my interest.