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Raymond Benson's Bond #1
Zero Minus Ten
Just 10 days before the handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule, 007 is sent to investigate the infamous Chinese underworld of Triad. Discovering a diabolical plot of revenge that threatens to derail the return of the former British colony to China, Bond penetrates a deadly high stakes game of intrigue and treachery.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 1997
74 people are currently reading
1721 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Benson
157 books305 followersRaymond Benson is the author of approximately 40 titles. Among his works are the critically-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling serial THE BLACK STILETTO, and he was also the third--and first American--continuation author of the official James Bond 007 novels. His latest novels are HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR, BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 15, 2023
The name is Bond, James Bond. The writer is Benson, Raymond Benson and his claim to fame was the book he wrote about the world of the James Bond 007 in the then ultimate bedside companion. I have never found out what made Benson the perfect continuation writer but he did deliver quite a few decent actioners for 007 book series. His 007 is more the movie version than the bookish Fleming version, and that is fine with me.
There are book fans that find any other writer than Fleming is not worth your time and Benson rates on the bottom of their lists as he had no real writing experience and has for some the feel of a fan-writer with fan fiction. Which says probably more about the critics than the literary skills of Benson, I always look upon it as some kind of envy about the job.
James Bond 007 is send to Hong Kong just before the handing over to China to investigate the terrorist attacks on British and Chinese alike, it feels like somebody is trying to create chaos before the handover is effected. Of course 007 does take matters in his own hand en does visit China and Australia in this episode and stops a war between England and China and a nuclear attack on Hong Kong.
A ver decent first attempt by Benson to forward 007 into the new century and his does so with the formula for an succes movie and can translate it into a book.
Well worth you time, decent beach literature, for James Bond fans too.
And now for the 2023 reread of this particular 007 adventure being the first written by Raymond Benson whose considered a hack and no more than a fan fiction by fans who consider themselves the real fans. I would say that is pure jealousy on these so-called fans.
I always remembered this book as the one in the Australian outback, when in reality it was mostly time spend in British Hong Kong where 007 was send to investigate the attacks on both Chinese and British citizens.
Benson did write a mean few chapters on a game of mahjong reflecting the Fleming's writing on card games and Goldfinger's golf match.
Looking back I much more enjoyed reading this continuation novel than I expected, perhaps this is because of tedious years of Craig's Era in which the series turned into a bloody family soap.
This book contains some fine travel writing, interesting women, some sadistic torture and of course the bromance that 007 has in a quite a few of the Fleming novels as well.
Quite a decent bit of writing and certainly a hommage to Ian Fleming even if this 007 feels a tad more like the movie character than the book character. But still 007 lives long live 007.
There are book fans that find any other writer than Fleming is not worth your time and Benson rates on the bottom of their lists as he had no real writing experience and has for some the feel of a fan-writer with fan fiction. Which says probably more about the critics than the literary skills of Benson, I always look upon it as some kind of envy about the job.
James Bond 007 is send to Hong Kong just before the handing over to China to investigate the terrorist attacks on British and Chinese alike, it feels like somebody is trying to create chaos before the handover is effected. Of course 007 does take matters in his own hand en does visit China and Australia in this episode and stops a war between England and China and a nuclear attack on Hong Kong.
A ver decent first attempt by Benson to forward 007 into the new century and his does so with the formula for an succes movie and can translate it into a book.
Well worth you time, decent beach literature, for James Bond fans too.
And now for the 2023 reread of this particular 007 adventure being the first written by Raymond Benson whose considered a hack and no more than a fan fiction by fans who consider themselves the real fans. I would say that is pure jealousy on these so-called fans.
I always remembered this book as the one in the Australian outback, when in reality it was mostly time spend in British Hong Kong where 007 was send to investigate the attacks on both Chinese and British citizens.
Benson did write a mean few chapters on a game of mahjong reflecting the Fleming's writing on card games and Goldfinger's golf match.
Looking back I much more enjoyed reading this continuation novel than I expected, perhaps this is because of tedious years of Craig's Era in which the series turned into a bloody family soap.
This book contains some fine travel writing, interesting women, some sadistic torture and of course the bromance that 007 has in a quite a few of the Fleming novels as well.
Quite a decent bit of writing and certainly a hommage to Ian Fleming even if this 007 feels a tad more like the movie character than the book character. But still 007 lives long live 007.
December 12, 2024
I am not a snob with the movies I watch so why should I be the same with my readings. Not every spy-fiction I read have to be limited to realistic portrayal of a spy by someone like John Le Carre, Len Deighton or Robert Littell. I grew up with the James Bond movies and thought that maybe I should also read the novel for which the movies are based on (or taken their title from) but Ian Fleming is, at best an adequate novelist. Despite being the creator, Flaming have only written 14 out of the many, many Bond books and out of the four I've read, I like only two of them (Casino Royale and Moonraker). Raymond Benson is the third writer to be hired to write James Bond books and one that many book reader fans said to be less on the wackier side when it comes to the novel with Zero Minus Ten, being his first full length novel.
Prior to writing James Bond, Benson is known for his encyclopedic work (The James Bond Bedside Companion) so there's a familiarity between Benson and the material he was hired to create. This is a stark contrast to the previous writer John Gardner who wasn't actual fan of the franchise and its character and treated it as just that, a steady paycheck.
Zero Minus Ten is not only Benson's first Bond novel, it was his actual first novel, which was another stark contrast to Gardner who was already an accomplished writer beforehand. For a first time prose-writer, Benson did a good job in the actual writing department. His prose, while nothing much in terms of style, does move forward the story well enough and when the time comes for the action set-pieces, it was written clearly. I can tell what were the happening all throughout.
The plot in broad stroke centres around the transfer of Hong Kong from British Sovereignty to Mainland China. There are several assassination at the start of the book and MI6 sends James Bond to Hong Kong to investigate fearing escalation between the UK and China. Much of the story was set in Hong Kong but the later part, it moved to Australia. While investigating, Bond finds himself in a tangle web weaved between three individuals, a British businessman, a triad leader and a renegade Chinese military officer. Much of the story is the conflict between this three faction and how Bond has to react to them, was actually the best part of the novel for me.
As for his Bond along with his orbiting mainstay cast, Benson's a lot more closer with then current films, along with a female M and a lot more serious but suave Pierce Bronson styling.
Zero Minus Ten for me is a fun page-turner thriller from someone who knows and love the character. Benson's writing style was less flashy, a lot more grounded where the character moments and snapshot of the HongKongers were the highlights of the novel.
Prior to writing James Bond, Benson is known for his encyclopedic work (The James Bond Bedside Companion) so there's a familiarity between Benson and the material he was hired to create. This is a stark contrast to the previous writer John Gardner who wasn't actual fan of the franchise and its character and treated it as just that, a steady paycheck.
Zero Minus Ten is not only Benson's first Bond novel, it was his actual first novel, which was another stark contrast to Gardner who was already an accomplished writer beforehand. For a first time prose-writer, Benson did a good job in the actual writing department. His prose, while nothing much in terms of style, does move forward the story well enough and when the time comes for the action set-pieces, it was written clearly. I can tell what were the happening all throughout.
The plot in broad stroke centres around the transfer of Hong Kong from British Sovereignty to Mainland China. There are several assassination at the start of the book and MI6 sends James Bond to Hong Kong to investigate fearing escalation between the UK and China. Much of the story was set in Hong Kong but the later part, it moved to Australia. While investigating, Bond finds himself in a tangle web weaved between three individuals, a British businessman, a triad leader and a renegade Chinese military officer. Much of the story is the conflict between this three faction and how Bond has to react to them, was actually the best part of the novel for me.
As for his Bond along with his orbiting mainstay cast, Benson's a lot more closer with then current films, along with a female M and a lot more serious but suave Pierce Bronson styling.
Zero Minus Ten for me is a fun page-turner thriller from someone who knows and love the character. Benson's writing style was less flashy, a lot more grounded where the character moments and snapshot of the HongKongers were the highlights of the novel.
December 21, 2023
The last time I read Zero Minus Ten was when it was first published 26 years ago. However, when Ian Fleming Publications announced they were publishing this new edition (signed by the author) I thought I'd revisit Benson's first James Bond novel.
Raymond Benson writes a fine opening action sequence & there were many more to follow, which made this an enjoyable read. Unfortunately the novel is pretty uneven & the reader goes from a great fight scene to an extremely dull gambling sequence.
Although an enjoyable thriller I felt now (as I did back in 1997) that the author was trying to please everyone. While Bond's meeting with a girl in a nightclub feels very much like Fleming could have written it the meeting between 007 & Q is stright out of the films & doesn't sit well in the novel. However, Benson's description of Hong Kong is excellent & really brings the place to life.
Although I still find that Zero Minus Ten reads more like a screenplay than a novel it's still a pretty good effort.
Raymond Benson writes a fine opening action sequence & there were many more to follow, which made this an enjoyable read. Unfortunately the novel is pretty uneven & the reader goes from a great fight scene to an extremely dull gambling sequence.
Although an enjoyable thriller I felt now (as I did back in 1997) that the author was trying to please everyone. While Bond's meeting with a girl in a nightclub feels very much like Fleming could have written it the meeting between 007 & Q is stright out of the films & doesn't sit well in the novel. However, Benson's description of Hong Kong is excellent & really brings the place to life.
Although I still find that Zero Minus Ten reads more like a screenplay than a novel it's still a pretty good effort.
February 2, 2020
It is June 1997 and Britain is about to turn Hong Kong over to China. But there are forces acting against this. Several explosions and killings have taken place and Bond is sent to discover what is going on. He does discover a plot to destroy the city....maybe I have said too much. Good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2023
An excellent plotted Bond spy thriller set against the handover from British sovereignty to China.
Filled with the fear, leading up to the exchange with political tensions and threats of invasion, troops massing on the border. Battleship deployment and fractious diplomacy.
Against these international moves, smaller players are at work complicating the peaceful transition with personal greed, criminal Triads and a rogue Chinese general seeking to fill the vacuum with their influence and corrupt trade.
Business figures and generational legacy also play their part as the changing face of an independent Hong Kong is less than clear and with an uncertain future.
The let down for me is that the author in progressing the legend of 007 often writes as a fan and not in the echo of Fleming. This produces and imbalance of filler and padding linking it to the cannon of original books. Also seen with the over doing of name dropping and the wider franchise into film and merchandise.
The master criminal is undone by not following his own advice and allowing his actions to mirror and bring failure to all his plans by not eliminating Bond at his first opportunity. To possess this knowledge and quantify it like he’s read Dr No is strangely annoying. Better his sense of invincibility to drive him forward and say nothing. At least he thought rather than says “No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.”
Filled with the fear, leading up to the exchange with political tensions and threats of invasion, troops massing on the border. Battleship deployment and fractious diplomacy.
Against these international moves, smaller players are at work complicating the peaceful transition with personal greed, criminal Triads and a rogue Chinese general seeking to fill the vacuum with their influence and corrupt trade.
Business figures and generational legacy also play their part as the changing face of an independent Hong Kong is less than clear and with an uncertain future.
The let down for me is that the author in progressing the legend of 007 often writes as a fan and not in the echo of Fleming. This produces and imbalance of filler and padding linking it to the cannon of original books. Also seen with the over doing of name dropping and the wider franchise into film and merchandise.
The master criminal is undone by not following his own advice and allowing his actions to mirror and bring failure to all his plans by not eliminating Bond at his first opportunity. To possess this knowledge and quantify it like he’s read Dr No is strangely annoying. Better his sense of invincibility to drive him forward and say nothing. At least he thought rather than says “No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.”
December 5, 2018
I confess that I was never that big of a fan of the James Bond books. The creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming, is held in very high regard for all of the James Bond novels that he wrote from 1953 until his death in 1964. The reason I was never that big of a fan is not necessarily a reflection of the author, nor his style as a writer. I tend to simply think that “spy novels” were written very differently 60 years ago, and my modern tastes simply don’t absorb this palette of writing very well (I wasn’t even born until after Mr. Fleming passed away.) Still, though, every James Bond movie up until 1987 was somewhat based on one of Ian Fleming’s novels and/or short stories, and being such a fan of the movies, I simply couldn’t pass up on reading the original stories.
A second author, John Gardner, actually became the official “next father” of the Bond books starting around 1980. He wrote about 15 or so, churning out about one book per year. They never really appealed to that many, and those who were still immersed in the Fleming religion frequently screamed “blasphemy” when each book was released. It was the overall consensus that whereas some of Gardner’s work may have contained some sparks, he simply couldn’t hold a candle to Ian Fleming. Again, being a fan, I read them all and agreed with most.
So flash forward to 1997 (only about a year after Gardner retired), Raymond Benson is chosen to be the next torch carrier. Ironic because in 1983, Mr. Benson actually wrote one of those trade paperback compendium homages called “The James Bond Bedside Companion”, which unlike any other of the glossy retrospectives, his focused not just on the Bond on screen, but the Bond of the literary word as well. And, yes, Mr. Benson is a huge fan of the Bond books (well, Fleming’s anyway).
So how would Raymond Benson fare, then, as the new author? I must confess that my expectations were pretty high since Benson could be very critical of anything James Bond related (A bit TOO critical. As much as I enjoyed his “Companion”, I was a bit turned off by all the negativity he emulated).
I must say, however, that this was the best James Bond book that I have EVER read.
So much so, that I would recommend it to NON James Bond fans. The overall story seemed to flow beautifully. Benson stated that he tried to bring the “old” James Bond back, but I really can’t tell that much of a difference between any of the “Bonds” in any of the books. He does modernize the M character. Like the Pierce Brosnan movies that were coming out right about this time, the new M is a lady. Based on the description of the new boss, it sounds as though Raymond Benson was trying to model her after her cinematic counterpart, Judi Dench. This is a good thing. Another good thing is Q is back. He was gone for the Gardner books, but he’s thankfully been resurrected under his true moniker, Major Boothroyd.
The setting for this tale is Hong Kong in 1998. I normally wouldn’t mention this, but Benson carefully constructs some major, real-life history in this book. Without going into detail, 1998 was the year that Britain had to “hand back” Hong Kong to communist China after over 100 years of English rule. People were a bit panicky back then, as no one really new how China would handle a democracy that would now firmly be under her rule. This adds a lot of suspense to the plot, as this story is essentially leading up to this particular event.
So all the key elements of a Bond novel are here, and Benson weaves through all of the intricacies quite masterfully. You never get lost as to who is who, nor what anyone’s motivations are. It’s simply a great story with many interesting plot twists, character twists, and exotic locations.
My only criticism is that sometimes Benson tries a bit too hard to be like his idol Ian Fleming. Fleming could sometimes get sucked into giving us a bit too much detail around an event.
Remember the scene in the movie Goldfinger when Bond realizes he’s being cheated on the golf course? Well, thankfully the movie only spends a few minutes detailing the event. In the book, however, Fleming details each and every hole of the entire 18 hole match. You think watching golf is boring? Try reading about it. Fleming would repeat this instance of the bad guy trying to cheat Bond at some game (Bridge, Poker, Backgammon), only to have Bond outwit him. All this to say that Benson has the same setup here between Bond and the villain as they play a game of Mahjongg. Now, I’ve never played the game, so when Benson spends an entire chapter detailing the game, the progress of the game, Bond being cheated at the game, and then Bond’s strategy to cheat the cheater of the game…… Well, it goes on a bit too long. A minor complaint, however.
I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the other five installments by Raymond Benson. I was very pleased and very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.
A second author, John Gardner, actually became the official “next father” of the Bond books starting around 1980. He wrote about 15 or so, churning out about one book per year. They never really appealed to that many, and those who were still immersed in the Fleming religion frequently screamed “blasphemy” when each book was released. It was the overall consensus that whereas some of Gardner’s work may have contained some sparks, he simply couldn’t hold a candle to Ian Fleming. Again, being a fan, I read them all and agreed with most.
So flash forward to 1997 (only about a year after Gardner retired), Raymond Benson is chosen to be the next torch carrier. Ironic because in 1983, Mr. Benson actually wrote one of those trade paperback compendium homages called “The James Bond Bedside Companion”, which unlike any other of the glossy retrospectives, his focused not just on the Bond on screen, but the Bond of the literary word as well. And, yes, Mr. Benson is a huge fan of the Bond books (well, Fleming’s anyway).
So how would Raymond Benson fare, then, as the new author? I must confess that my expectations were pretty high since Benson could be very critical of anything James Bond related (A bit TOO critical. As much as I enjoyed his “Companion”, I was a bit turned off by all the negativity he emulated).
I must say, however, that this was the best James Bond book that I have EVER read.
So much so, that I would recommend it to NON James Bond fans. The overall story seemed to flow beautifully. Benson stated that he tried to bring the “old” James Bond back, but I really can’t tell that much of a difference between any of the “Bonds” in any of the books. He does modernize the M character. Like the Pierce Brosnan movies that were coming out right about this time, the new M is a lady. Based on the description of the new boss, it sounds as though Raymond Benson was trying to model her after her cinematic counterpart, Judi Dench. This is a good thing. Another good thing is Q is back. He was gone for the Gardner books, but he’s thankfully been resurrected under his true moniker, Major Boothroyd.
The setting for this tale is Hong Kong in 1998. I normally wouldn’t mention this, but Benson carefully constructs some major, real-life history in this book. Without going into detail, 1998 was the year that Britain had to “hand back” Hong Kong to communist China after over 100 years of English rule. People were a bit panicky back then, as no one really new how China would handle a democracy that would now firmly be under her rule. This adds a lot of suspense to the plot, as this story is essentially leading up to this particular event.
So all the key elements of a Bond novel are here, and Benson weaves through all of the intricacies quite masterfully. You never get lost as to who is who, nor what anyone’s motivations are. It’s simply a great story with many interesting plot twists, character twists, and exotic locations.
My only criticism is that sometimes Benson tries a bit too hard to be like his idol Ian Fleming. Fleming could sometimes get sucked into giving us a bit too much detail around an event.
Remember the scene in the movie Goldfinger when Bond realizes he’s being cheated on the golf course? Well, thankfully the movie only spends a few minutes detailing the event. In the book, however, Fleming details each and every hole of the entire 18 hole match. You think watching golf is boring? Try reading about it. Fleming would repeat this instance of the bad guy trying to cheat Bond at some game (Bridge, Poker, Backgammon), only to have Bond outwit him. All this to say that Benson has the same setup here between Bond and the villain as they play a game of Mahjongg. Now, I’ve never played the game, so when Benson spends an entire chapter detailing the game, the progress of the game, Bond being cheated at the game, and then Bond’s strategy to cheat the cheater of the game…… Well, it goes on a bit too long. A minor complaint, however.
I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the other five installments by Raymond Benson. I was very pleased and very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.
October 12, 2020
Adequate James Bond pastiche wherein he fights the Chinese Triads right before the handover to Hong Kong. These days, it seems amazing how much trust people put into the Chinese government.
This time, the big bad are Chinese albino triplets, and he beats the mastermind at Mah jong. I'm not sure Benson really understands the snob appeal of the original books.
Okay, but more like a Roger Moore movie than one of the books.
This time, the big bad are Chinese albino triplets, and he beats the mastermind at Mah jong. I'm not sure Benson really understands the snob appeal of the original books.
Okay, but more like a Roger Moore movie than one of the books.
January 18, 2020
"He had learned long ago how to deal with it and turn the pain into an asset that contributed to his self-made shell--the hardened, tough armour that protected him from the inevitably maddening, and conceivably fatal, aspects of consciousness called human emotions."
Still my favorite line of the novel.
Raymond Benson makes his initial entry into the world of Bond novels; he of the "Bond Bedside Companion" fame. After the frequent departures from the Fleming Bond that John Gardner made, Benson intentionally delivers a Bond that resembles our hero more. He is back to the Walther. He is back to his cold, ruthless self with a mind of his own and a focus on the mission.
"Zero Minus Ten" is interesting - it is set at the backdrop of the handover of Hong Kong to China from Britain in 1997. M is the Barbara Mawdsley character we met in "Goldeneye." The characters are quite interesting. A game of high stakes - which is a must in a classic 007 thriller - takes place; a fun game of mahjong between Bond and the drunken head of a large organization that's mysteriously at the heart of this story.
The heroes and the villains get all mixed up in this one. It's quite entertaining. Benson will go on to write better stories, but this is an excellent first entry. 4 stars.
_________________________________________________________
"He had learned long ago how to deal with it and turn the pain into an asset that contributed to his self-made shell--the hardened, tough armour that protected him from the inevitably maddening, and conceivably fatal, aspects of consciousness called human emotions."
Wow.
While being respectful to the John Gardner novels, Raymond Benson resuscitates the long dormant Ian Fleming James Bond 007. He's smoking, swilling martinis and brandishing a Walther PPK once more, surrounded by beautiful women, worthy adversaries and henchmen and a stellar plot set to the backdrop of the handover of Hong Kong between Britain and China. Bond is put into real danger and shows his true wits and courage in numerous examples, he's put through the ringer and he is true to form for the first time in a long time. This story does not let up, whether it sees 007 gambling in the casino, in action-packed sequences on land and air and literally features heart-pounding, gripping scenes from start to close. 4 stars.
Still my favorite line of the novel.
Raymond Benson makes his initial entry into the world of Bond novels; he of the "Bond Bedside Companion" fame. After the frequent departures from the Fleming Bond that John Gardner made, Benson intentionally delivers a Bond that resembles our hero more. He is back to the Walther. He is back to his cold, ruthless self with a mind of his own and a focus on the mission.
"Zero Minus Ten" is interesting - it is set at the backdrop of the handover of Hong Kong to China from Britain in 1997. M is the Barbara Mawdsley character we met in "Goldeneye." The characters are quite interesting. A game of high stakes - which is a must in a classic 007 thriller - takes place; a fun game of mahjong between Bond and the drunken head of a large organization that's mysteriously at the heart of this story.
The heroes and the villains get all mixed up in this one. It's quite entertaining. Benson will go on to write better stories, but this is an excellent first entry. 4 stars.
_________________________________________________________
"He had learned long ago how to deal with it and turn the pain into an asset that contributed to his self-made shell--the hardened, tough armour that protected him from the inevitably maddening, and conceivably fatal, aspects of consciousness called human emotions."
Wow.
While being respectful to the John Gardner novels, Raymond Benson resuscitates the long dormant Ian Fleming James Bond 007. He's smoking, swilling martinis and brandishing a Walther PPK once more, surrounded by beautiful women, worthy adversaries and henchmen and a stellar plot set to the backdrop of the handover of Hong Kong between Britain and China. Bond is put into real danger and shows his true wits and courage in numerous examples, he's put through the ringer and he is true to form for the first time in a long time. This story does not let up, whether it sees 007 gambling in the casino, in action-packed sequences on land and air and literally features heart-pounding, gripping scenes from start to close. 4 stars.
May 29, 2018
Raymond Benson starts off pretty well, keeping the film style Bond alive in the modern 1990’s focusing on the real historical event of the British return of Hong Kong to China as the backdrop to the mission.
He as well gives us a colder Bond, like Fleming’s with a nod to all the loves of Gardner’s thru the eyes of self loathing because he’s become so predictable with women.
Where Benson falls short, is when he tries to imitate Fleming’s style and knowledge of high stake games. Where Fleming made these highly exciting and a real page turner. Benson’s three chapters on Mahjong is slow, doesn’t have the right pacing and tends to confuse the reader, if not boring them.
Overall I enjoyed it, just to be done with Gardner’s nonsense is a blessing, but you can see these Bond stories are going to be more film like.
overall rating of book series:
1 - Casino Royale / On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2 - Goldfinger
3 - From Russia with Love
4 - Live and Let Die
5 - Diamonds are Forever / Dr. No
6 - Moonraker / For Special Services
7 - Scorpius
8 - Thunderball / License Renewed
9 - Colonel Sun
10 - You Only Live Twice
11 - James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me (Wood)
12 - Icebreaker / GoldenEye
13 - Zero Minus Ten
14 - For Your Eyes Only / Octopussy & The Living Daylights
15 - The Man with the Golden Gun
16 - The Spy Who Loved Me
17 - Nobody Lives Forever
18 - No Deals, Mr. Bond
19 - James Bond and Moonraker (Wood)
20 - The Man from Barbarossa
21 - Win, Lose or Die
22 - Role of Honor / Brokenclaw
23 - Death is Forever
24 - Licence to Kill / Never Send Flowers
25 - SeaFire / COLD
He as well gives us a colder Bond, like Fleming’s with a nod to all the loves of Gardner’s thru the eyes of self loathing because he’s become so predictable with women.
Where Benson falls short, is when he tries to imitate Fleming’s style and knowledge of high stake games. Where Fleming made these highly exciting and a real page turner. Benson’s three chapters on Mahjong is slow, doesn’t have the right pacing and tends to confuse the reader, if not boring them.
Overall I enjoyed it, just to be done with Gardner’s nonsense is a blessing, but you can see these Bond stories are going to be more film like.
overall rating of book series:
1 - Casino Royale / On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2 - Goldfinger
3 - From Russia with Love
4 - Live and Let Die
5 - Diamonds are Forever / Dr. No
6 - Moonraker / For Special Services
7 - Scorpius
8 - Thunderball / License Renewed
9 - Colonel Sun
10 - You Only Live Twice
11 - James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me (Wood)
12 - Icebreaker / GoldenEye
13 - Zero Minus Ten
14 - For Your Eyes Only / Octopussy & The Living Daylights
15 - The Man with the Golden Gun
16 - The Spy Who Loved Me
17 - Nobody Lives Forever
18 - No Deals, Mr. Bond
19 - James Bond and Moonraker (Wood)
20 - The Man from Barbarossa
21 - Win, Lose or Die
22 - Role of Honor / Brokenclaw
23 - Death is Forever
24 - Licence to Kill / Never Send Flowers
25 - SeaFire / COLD
January 17, 2008
Three stars, but just barely. ZERO MINUS TEN has some intriguing moments, and the plot, in general, is actually pretty solid. It's a step up from John Gardner's inane entries in the series, but this is still a far cry from Ian Fleming's Bond. 007 still has some rough edges, but what ostensibly passes for Bond having "gained wisdom from his experiences" reeks of political correctness. Beyond that, though, the writing often slips into long-winded details that don't naturally flow into the narrative; Fleming had mastered the art of merging minutiae with storytelling like few other writers; Benson isn't there yet. And worst of all, in the action-oriented scenes, Benson's prose becomes sloppy, chock-full of passive phrasing and superficial description. There's no passion or sense of urgency, especially when Bond's life is on the line; you're not -inside- the character... you're simply witnessing events from outside. Sadly, when Benson delves into Bond's psyche, the result is endless lines of internalized questioning--to the point of becoming ludicrous. Hardly the self-confident, arrogant, coldhearted professional who yet somehow remained human that Fleming delivered. The villain has adequate motivation to be believable but is otherwise colorless. The best character here is the Chinese Triad chief, Li Xu Nan, who comes across as a more Fleming-inspired personality, a la Marc Ange Draco. Give it a go if you're a Bond completist...
Read
November 30, 2009Benson's books read like rejected screenplays for Bond films that were never made -- not surprising since he wrote the novelizations of several of the Brosnan-era 007 movies. These books would likely be entertaining for anyone who has not read the Ian Fleming novels, especially young Bond fans who were indoctrinated into the series during Brosnan or Craig's tenure as the British super spy. However, once you've read the work of superior Bond novelists (even Sebastian Faulk's Devil May Care was better than Zero Minus Ten), Benson's book pales in comparison. Finished on page 59.
July 29, 2012
James Bond prevents catastrophe at the 1997 hand-off of Hong Kong to China. The gadgets are minimal to non-existent, and the plot is fairly predictable, yet solid Bond faire. Zero Minus Ten marks Raymond Benson's first full-length entry in the Bond pantheon and is a good read for those interested in British/Chinese history. Locales include, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Macau, Kowloon, and the Australian outback.
March 23, 2017
It's a bit more raunchy than the typical James Bond novels that I have read. Furthermore, the author apparently did a lot of research for this book, because he dumps all that information on the reader for pages and pages of unnecessary backstory and triad rituals.
October 5, 2020
Two Americans have written James Bond novels. One of them is Raymond Benson. The other one is Jeffery Deaver. This book proves that they can write them as well as the Brits. Ian Fleming wrote his first James Bond novel, "Casino Royale" in 1952. This book takes place in 1997 as China is about to take over Hong Kong from Great Britain. It's amazing how Bond never seems to age. This book has all of the usual Bond situations and state-of-the-art technology. Bond gets beaten and injured, but his body always recovers in time for a night of sex. He disobeys orders from his boss, "M" but is forgiven. He has amazing endurance and inventiveness. He is definitely a super hero.
June 12, 2019
The plot is intriguing: Bond in Hong Kong during the transfer of power from Britain to China. This was written during the Brosnan era and I think it would have fit his Bond well. The gadgets were relatively low tech but useful. This is more akin to the gadgets in the original bond books than the cinematic invisible cars and what have you. The love interest was compelling and no damsel in distress. Girl had some moves! Not everything translated well from over 20 years ago but it was a super fast, super entertaining read.
April 30, 2025
A fun little read. A bit dated of course. It’s Bond the old style.
Read
October 1, 2021Some fresh hell for 007. Benson’s first entry in the Bond novel series puts Bond through scenarios that are at once familiar and strange. There is Goldfinger’s golf duel recapitulated in a Mah Jong bout. There is a “lost in the middle of nowhere” sequence which echoes a few moments in the film of The Spy Who Loved Me, though with Australia for a setting rather than Egypt. Indeed, Benson’s initial 007 short story—published in Playboy—had Bond Australia-bound, though on a totally different mission. The strip club Bond visits in the film of The Man With The Golden Gun makes an appearance, and there are faint echoes of LeCarre and The Honourable Schoolboy. Again, the film of Diamonds Are Forever is echoed in the life and death and life and death of a major character. Yet for all that feels like recycling, there is also something recharged and fresh about “the new order Bond.” It makes a pleasant change from the later Gardner novels that 007 doesn’t especially want to marry the Bond Girl this time—just help her start a new life in a new place after much trauma. And Bond’s encounter with the young aboriginal woman near Uluru is a genuinely sensual passage in which dominating James is, for a pleasant change, the completely passive one. Benson, a Bond encyclopedia writer, knows his subject. Perhaps it is nothing more than the need for a fresh take, a new eye on the character, that makes Benson’s original Bond stories seem vital.
January 20, 2009
The last James Bond novel I read was so overwhelmingly disappointing I was afraid to try this one. Of course, the fact that a new author has taken over the series gave me a small measure of hope.
I was not disappointed. Zero Minus Ten was an excellent example of what a James Bond novel should be. A story that was believeable, bad guys that are clever, an appropriate amnount of Red herrings/side missions, and finally, a threat of catastrophe large enough to make Bond's mission meaningful.
This novel surrounds the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. A nefarious plot surrounding this handover arises. Bond enters the fray as he investigates a megacorporation, triads, and a corrupt Chinese general.
The only complaint I have about this novel is that there are places where Bond is yelling "Stop!" or "Freeze!" to assailants when it would be more in character for him to shoot them. In one or two of those places there is of course the concern that the person may or may not have information that Bond can use.. but at other times it just seems so out of place and absurd that I just couldn't accept it.
Okay, the conclusion came in a rush and seemed a bit rushed.. still.. all in all, I was not disappointed in this bond adventure. Thank you, Raymond Benson.
I was not disappointed. Zero Minus Ten was an excellent example of what a James Bond novel should be. A story that was believeable, bad guys that are clever, an appropriate amnount of Red herrings/side missions, and finally, a threat of catastrophe large enough to make Bond's mission meaningful.
This novel surrounds the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. A nefarious plot surrounding this handover arises. Bond enters the fray as he investigates a megacorporation, triads, and a corrupt Chinese general.
The only complaint I have about this novel is that there are places where Bond is yelling "Stop!" or "Freeze!" to assailants when it would be more in character for him to shoot them. In one or two of those places there is of course the concern that the person may or may not have information that Bond can use.. but at other times it just seems so out of place and absurd that I just couldn't accept it.
Okay, the conclusion came in a rush and seemed a bit rushed.. still.. all in all, I was not disappointed in this bond adventure. Thank you, Raymond Benson.
March 31, 2021
Book Review - Zero Minus Ten is one of the best "non-Ian Fleming" James Bond novels and is expertly written by Raymond Benson. This book feels like the novelization of an unused Daniel Craig James Bond script. Lots and lots of brutal action that is very visually described, featuring a James Bond that is physically very powerful. The locations are described well (Hong Kong, Macau, and the Australian Outback.) The right amount of leisure and travel-writing occurs with games of Mah-Jong and an Australian Walkabout. This has to be the best non-Fleming Bond book that I have read to date. The story is brilliantly put together, the plot is really clever and the entire story is wrapped around the handover of British-controlled Hong Kong to the Chinese back in 1997. I found this Bond novel a 'hard to put down' read, which was a problem when reading late at night! All that said, nothing is perfect and I found the sex scenes borderline cheap Romance novel-porn and the game of Mah-Jong was difficult to understand. All in all, Zero Minus Ten is an excellent book (my favorite Raymond Benson Bond book), which in my mind deserves to be a James Bond film... Definitely worth a read for any James Bond fan.
January 21, 2024
For fans of the Pierce Brosnan movies, this is an opportunity to travel back to the 1990’s for a slice of spy action from the era of Hollywood assuming the Cold War was over. It’s inspired by the re-invention of the movie franchise that originated in Goldeneye, and provides an alternative take on the Hong Kong handover that would similarly be mined by the movie producers for Tomorrow Never Dies.
Whilst it’s not a successful pastiche of Fleming’s writing style (as both Kingsley Amis and Antony Horowitz achieved in their continuation novels) it nevertheless contains a lot of the fine details on food and culture that Fleming would pepper throughout his work, and the gambling scene featuring the game of Majong will entertain fans of the original books.
Is it an essential continuation novel? No. But is it fun? Yes - it’s enjoyable enough to pass the time.
Turn your brain off and let yourself be stirred, if not quite shaken.
Whilst it’s not a successful pastiche of Fleming’s writing style (as both Kingsley Amis and Antony Horowitz achieved in their continuation novels) it nevertheless contains a lot of the fine details on food and culture that Fleming would pepper throughout his work, and the gambling scene featuring the game of Majong will entertain fans of the original books.
Is it an essential continuation novel? No. But is it fun? Yes - it’s enjoyable enough to pass the time.
Turn your brain off and let yourself be stirred, if not quite shaken.
June 25, 2018
This is the first time I have read a Bond book by Raymond Benson. My initial reservation was the same as for the Gardner books. It is absurdly unrealistic to imagine that a spy from the 1950s can remain active, and in full physicial condition, in the 1990s. There is a concession to time with a female M, but this is just to follow the films. Bond showed respect to the original M, even when he didn't agree. Here he openly defies instructions. The story begins very slowly until after the obligatory casino scene, nice touch to play Mahjong though. Then it picks up. The scenes with the Triads and in China are brilliantly described and hard to put down. The only problem is an obvious twist and it's hard to see how Bond was fooled.
July 23, 2019
An okay debut novel, but Benson has not found his voice, teetering between trying to emulate Fleming tone (2 chapters devoted to a making game!) And the snark of the films (one liners and aloof humor that works in the films fall flat on the page), not to mention clunky and unnecessary sex scenes. There is some decent action, but a lot of the novel is predictable and the villain is ultimately lackluster.
Here's to hoping Benson finds his own voice in the 8 subsequent novels he penned (though with 3 of those being adaptations of films, my hopes are not that high).
Would give it a 2.5.
Here's to hoping Benson finds his own voice in the 8 subsequent novels he penned (though with 3 of those being adaptations of films, my hopes are not that high).
Would give it a 2.5.
December 20, 2020
Nothing extraordinary
The best thing from this Benson Bond novel in my estimation is his plot construction, especially in maintaining the intrigue and tension. The story is trite but compelling. It is the writing that fails to be extraordinary. I read so many unnecessary (they are all unnecessary) ‘’Suddenly”, or “All of a sudden” that I wanted to throw the book into the road. It is just lazy writing. But there is much lazy writing in Benson’s Bond novels, and yet I continue to read them because I like 007, and when there is a good one it is fresh, exciting, and fulfilling.
The best thing from this Benson Bond novel in my estimation is his plot construction, especially in maintaining the intrigue and tension. The story is trite but compelling. It is the writing that fails to be extraordinary. I read so many unnecessary (they are all unnecessary) ‘’Suddenly”, or “All of a sudden” that I wanted to throw the book into the road. It is just lazy writing. But there is much lazy writing in Benson’s Bond novels, and yet I continue to read them because I like 007, and when there is a good one it is fresh, exciting, and fulfilling.
November 2, 2015
This has what every Bond novel has: adventure, action, drama, espionage, romance, and murder. 007 is fierce, yet pushed to his limits in this great story. Even in bits of story we would not understand, the author goes in depth and detail to make sure reader understands whats going on without losing the readers' attention or grasp. I truly loved this read as any other Bond novel i have read!
May 7, 2023
Good read...Plot is very familiar in the old 007 movie- nuclear threat...Very familiar and very predictable story line..Hongkong and China is the location ..A bubble gum novel
Very honestly Benson is not my favorite 007 continuation author
His 007 is very far from Ian Fleming..More womanizer and a weak character.
Very honestly Benson is not my favorite 007 continuation author
His 007 is very far from Ian Fleming..More womanizer and a weak character.
April 11, 2021
Not a great bond story. Characters lack any depth, and the plot is weak, with a weaker villain. Too much detail on non important details, like dates and places, with weak action, except for the final fight. Just drug on in places. Book could have been 50 to 75 pages shorter, and been better but still bland.
February 6, 2013
Terrible let down after reading Kingsley Amis's effort. This one by Raymond Benson is written like a fan fiction cross-over of Roger Moore-era James Bond and James Clavell's Noble House
May 30, 2018
A grittier feel than the Gardner Bonds.
April 22, 2024
Just finished this having previously only read Benson's film novelisations and for the most part I really enjoyed it. It doesn't QUITE have the razor sharp pulpy edge of Fleming, but you can definitely feel the similarities in the way Benson will zero in on descriptions of vehicles and local idiosyncrasies. The book motors along at a great pace but never feels devoid of atmosphere or tension. Benson has spoken before about how his brief was to give his books a brisker 'page-turner' pace and I think he mostly succeeded at blending that with Fleming's flair for description.
I definitely appreciate the attempt to blend the feel of the films into the book universe as well, even if some of it feels a touch out of place (I liked the "utility shoe" gadget in the book but the Q briefing felt out of place with the tone of the rest of the book). Even the action felt a bit more "movie Bond" with set piece shootouts, last minute bomb disposals and a faster pace than Fleming. There's even a pre title sequence which felt a lot more Moore/Brosnan than Fleming.
My favourite thing about the book is how meticulously researched and well drawn Hong Kong is, with patient attention paid to its history and the significance of the 1997 handover. This makes the book a very interesting time capsule. I think it's important that Bond movies and books should be of their time and while I like a lot of the Craig era and I LOVE Horowitz's books, I do wish we could have more Bond stories that are firmly of the time in which they are made, rather than trying to be timeless all the time. James Bond has ascended to mythic status and should be able to exist across different time periods and not be solely anchored to the Cold War all the time. I didn't love Charlie Higson's coronation story but I admire Glidrose for commissioning it for this very reason. More Modern Bond!
Some moments haven't aged well (Bond resorts to a Marty McFly-esque "Oh my God, what is THAT?!" diversion in one scene near the end; the villain has a Doctor Evil "Why doesn't he villain just SHOOT the hero?" monologue) and more than a few passages didn't quite have the punch of Fleming or Horowitz but by and large this is one of the better continuation novels and I look forward to reading the rest of Benson's novels.
I definitely appreciate the attempt to blend the feel of the films into the book universe as well, even if some of it feels a touch out of place (I liked the "utility shoe" gadget in the book but the Q briefing felt out of place with the tone of the rest of the book). Even the action felt a bit more "movie Bond" with set piece shootouts, last minute bomb disposals and a faster pace than Fleming. There's even a pre title sequence which felt a lot more Moore/Brosnan than Fleming.
My favourite thing about the book is how meticulously researched and well drawn Hong Kong is, with patient attention paid to its history and the significance of the 1997 handover. This makes the book a very interesting time capsule. I think it's important that Bond movies and books should be of their time and while I like a lot of the Craig era and I LOVE Horowitz's books, I do wish we could have more Bond stories that are firmly of the time in which they are made, rather than trying to be timeless all the time. James Bond has ascended to mythic status and should be able to exist across different time periods and not be solely anchored to the Cold War all the time. I didn't love Charlie Higson's coronation story but I admire Glidrose for commissioning it for this very reason. More Modern Bond!
Some moments haven't aged well (Bond resorts to a Marty McFly-esque "Oh my God, what is THAT?!" diversion in one scene near the end; the villain has a Doctor Evil "Why doesn't he villain just SHOOT the hero?" monologue) and more than a few passages didn't quite have the punch of Fleming or Horowitz but by and large this is one of the better continuation novels and I look forward to reading the rest of Benson's novels.
February 15, 2024
It's 1997 and in 10 days the British Empire will turn over Hong Kong to the Republic of China. In the days leading up there have been several terrorist attacks culminating with an explosion that kills the entire board of directors of Eurasian Enterprises with the exception of the CEO. James Bond is sent to troubleshoot and find if these incidents are related. At the same time an atomic bomb is set off in the Australian outback and nobody knows why. Bond goes to Hong Kong and gets wrapped up in a conspiracy involving the Triad which goes back hundreds of years. It involves the CEO, the head of the local Triad, and a Chinese general. Also, a beautiful Chinese American woman named Sunni Pei. Bond must face down the Triad, go into Communist China, and go on a walkabout in Australia to prevent World War III.
This is the first book in the transition from John Gardner to Raymond Benson. As is normal with such transitions in both books and the movies when they change actors the writer has harkened back to the original. Bond returns to his old trusty Walther PPK, smokes a few cigarettes, and resolves not to get too involved with women. Benson does not abandon Gardner and mentions many of his works cementing them in the cannon. Along the way we get an intricate instruction in the game of mah-jongg, and about 10 pounds of spy stuff secreted in his shoes. Plus a call back to the very first Bond novel Casino Royale as Bond gets his ass beat, literally.
There are some problems with the mah-jongg game where someone cheats in a way that would be easily exposed. Other than that this is a remarkable novel considering that this is Benson's first. He did write a James Bond Companion but this is his first foray into an original work. He clearly has detailed knowledge of all the Bond works and uses that knowledge with great skill. This is a good sign of what is to come.
This is the first book in the transition from John Gardner to Raymond Benson. As is normal with such transitions in both books and the movies when they change actors the writer has harkened back to the original. Bond returns to his old trusty Walther PPK, smokes a few cigarettes, and resolves not to get too involved with women. Benson does not abandon Gardner and mentions many of his works cementing them in the cannon. Along the way we get an intricate instruction in the game of mah-jongg, and about 10 pounds of spy stuff secreted in his shoes. Plus a call back to the very first Bond novel Casino Royale as Bond gets his ass beat, literally.
There are some problems with the mah-jongg game where someone cheats in a way that would be easily exposed. Other than that this is a remarkable novel considering that this is Benson's first. He did write a James Bond Companion but this is his first foray into an original work. He clearly has detailed knowledge of all the Bond works and uses that knowledge with great skill. This is a good sign of what is to come.
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