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Q Mysteries #1
Quantum of Menace
Q is out of MI6 . . .
. . . and in over his head
After Q (aka Major Boothroyd) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces . . . Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in?
. . . and in over his head
After Q (aka Major Boothroyd) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces . . . Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2025
About the author
Vaseem Khan
57 books1,067 followersVaseem Khan is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India and the upcoming Quantum of Menace, the first in a series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. His debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. In 2021, Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, won the CWA Historical Dagger. Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. Vaseem is the current Chair of the UK Crime Writers Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 29, 2025
The latest attempt to expand the James Bond universe is a shameless attempt to cash in on the current cosy murder mystery trend by following Q, the MI6 armourer, back to a sleepy English village.
There are abundant missteps in expanding the backstory and life of a very minor Fleming character: a halfbaked robot assistant called Honeypenny; Q and Moneypenny having had an affair in the past; a pet dog called Bastard; Q's endless reminiscing about 007. It's never entirely clear why Q has been made to leave MI6, beyond a new M not liking him much. The cameo appearance of Bond, who needlessly shows up for one scene, then vanishes again, is pointless and feels indulgent.
The gimmick of calling Q Q and never revealing his first name has been done before and leads to the odd situation of his own father, his ex-fiancee and everyone else not calling him by his name bit by Q, a moniker he only acquired after he left town and started working for MI6. And it's also strange that everyone in the village knows he left to work for MI6 and has had a 30 year career in the secret service.
The writing style: the constant cultural and historical references starts to grate - Roman history, Greek myth, the Godfather movies and so on. Equally, the use of short sentences of one. Or two. Words. Where the author (or editor) drops the subject of the sentence. Or not. Is irritating in a full length novel. There are far too many characters, with too many minor characters given too much time.
It's caught between wanting to be a spy novel and a cosy mystery and doesn't fully commit to either, leading to an underwhelming end. Likewise the character is caught between the various Q interpretations from the films, the Q of the original novels, or a completely new Q that has nothing to do with any of them.
All that being said, the second half improves on the first and with the contrived set up of Q now being asked to join forces with the local police force, there is still the potential for a series of murder-mysteries (think Marple, Midsummer Murders) here and now that the awkward backstory and Bond reverence is out the way, maybe future books will work better.
So far, the literary attempts to expand the 007 universe have left me crying out for someone to sit down and write a really good traditional Bond story.
2.5 stars, rounded up. Just.
There are abundant missteps in expanding the backstory and life of a very minor Fleming character: a halfbaked robot assistant called Honeypenny; Q and Moneypenny having had an affair in the past; a pet dog called Bastard; Q's endless reminiscing about 007. It's never entirely clear why Q has been made to leave MI6, beyond a new M not liking him much. The cameo appearance of Bond, who needlessly shows up for one scene, then vanishes again, is pointless and feels indulgent.
The gimmick of calling Q Q and never revealing his first name has been done before and leads to the odd situation of his own father, his ex-fiancee and everyone else not calling him by his name bit by Q, a moniker he only acquired after he left town and started working for MI6. And it's also strange that everyone in the village knows he left to work for MI6 and has had a 30 year career in the secret service.
The writing style: the constant cultural and historical references starts to grate - Roman history, Greek myth, the Godfather movies and so on. Equally, the use of short sentences of one. Or two. Words. Where the author (or editor) drops the subject of the sentence. Or not. Is irritating in a full length novel. There are far too many characters, with too many minor characters given too much time.
It's caught between wanting to be a spy novel and a cosy mystery and doesn't fully commit to either, leading to an underwhelming end. Likewise the character is caught between the various Q interpretations from the films, the Q of the original novels, or a completely new Q that has nothing to do with any of them.
All that being said, the second half improves on the first and with the contrived set up of Q now being asked to join forces with the local police force, there is still the potential for a series of murder-mysteries (think Marple, Midsummer Murders) here and now that the awkward backstory and Bond reverence is out the way, maybe future books will work better.
So far, the literary attempts to expand the 007 universe have left me crying out for someone to sit down and write a really good traditional Bond story.
2.5 stars, rounded up. Just.
August 3, 2025
Major Boothroyd, or Q as he is known throughout the book, is unceremoniously chucked out of his job as head of Q Section in MI6. The world has moved on. Time for new faces. He returns to his home town, Wickstone , where with something less than enthusiasm, he sees a quiet uneventful retirement. Until, that is, he receives a note from an old childhood friend, Peter Napier, recently deceased, implying that his death, reported as a suicide was no such thing. Included in the note is a code which if deciphered, will give Q clues as to what really happened. Napier was a brilliant scientist who, with other brilliant scientists, was working on quantum computing in his lab on the outskirts of Wickstone.
Q, of course decides to investigate and so puts himself in danger, and along the way we meet a rejected old flame, now a detective (corny) his estranged father, and various thugs and criminals heading up a major drugs racket, all in the sleepy town of Wickstone.
I was looking forward to digging into this book but was really disappointed. I found the plot slow, the writing plodding and the characters hard to care about. There was a great deal of repetition about Q and his shock at being “ let go”. There were anecdotes about 007 which just made it appear that Q sort of hero worshipped him and did nothing to move the plot forward. The humour such as it was, I thought somewhat clichéd. In all of this, very little sense of danger or personal risk…until about 3/4 of the way through.
I’m sorry to give this book such a negative review but maybe I’m missing something as so many people have raved about it. However, this is my honest opinion after a complete reading of the book
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy which I read on my kindle though it wasn’t formatted properly.
Q, of course decides to investigate and so puts himself in danger, and along the way we meet a rejected old flame, now a detective (corny) his estranged father, and various thugs and criminals heading up a major drugs racket, all in the sleepy town of Wickstone.
I was looking forward to digging into this book but was really disappointed. I found the plot slow, the writing plodding and the characters hard to care about. There was a great deal of repetition about Q and his shock at being “ let go”. There were anecdotes about 007 which just made it appear that Q sort of hero worshipped him and did nothing to move the plot forward. The humour such as it was, I thought somewhat clichéd. In all of this, very little sense of danger or personal risk…until about 3/4 of the way through.
I’m sorry to give this book such a negative review but maybe I’m missing something as so many people have raved about it. However, this is my honest opinion after a complete reading of the book
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy which I read on my kindle though it wasn’t formatted properly.
November 9, 2025
"Q. Cząstka strachu" - czyli wydajmy sobie słaby fanfik
Zacznę od tego, że uwielbiam przygody Jamesa Bonda - czy to filmy czy teraz książki, które zyskały drugie życie dzięki wydawnictwu Skarpa Warszawska. I właśnie to wydawnictwo jakiś czas temu zaspamowała FB postami w stylu "Premiera książki ze świata Jamesa Bonda" albo "Bez Q nie byłoby Bonda" albo "Wojciech Chmielarz poleca książkę Q. Cząstka strachu". I z jednej strony powinienem się cieszyć, że dostaje coś nowego z tego świata ale z drugiej zapaliła mi się wielka czerwona lampka ostrzegawcza i pomyślałem "ej Pafeu, to chyba scam". Nie pozostało mi nic innego jak przeczytać i samemu ocenić. I mogę to całe doświadczenie podsumować jednym słowem: Qpa (pun intended)
Nawet nie wiem od czego zacząć, chyba może od tego że już nigdy nie zaufam żadnej kampanii reklamowej prowadzonej przez żadne wydawnictwo na FB. Ta książka nie ma absolutnie nic ciekawego do zaoferowania. Bo w sumie jak stworzyć coś ciekawego o postaci, którą praktycznie tylko znamy z filmów - wiemy tylko tyle, że pracowała ona w MI6 jako zbrojmistrz/rusznikarz dla agentów 00. Bo autor nie mógł bazować na książkach, bo tam Q po prostu nie było (tak się nazywał cały wydział a nie jedna osoba) więc pozostaje tylko wiedza z filmów. A więc dostajemy byłego już agenta Q, czyli majora Boothroyd, który przez ostatnie 30 lat pracował w MI6 i postanawia wrócić do miasteczka z którego pochodzi by rozwiązać tajemniczą śmierć swojego przyjaciela z dzieciństwa który był znanym "informatykiem kwantowym".
No i spoko i fajnie ale co dalej? Noo w sumie to nic - nasz bohater jedzie z punktu A do punktu B i zadaje pytania. Gdy już zada wystarczająco dużo pytań, to musi sobie gdzieś usiąść i pomyśleć by magicznie wymyślić kolejny trop, który prowadzi go coraz bardziej do rozwiązania całej sprawy. I nie żebym teraz krytykował to podejście bo nie każda książka musi mieć koniecznie 51234 scen akcji by była ciekawa - po prostu tutaj te rozmowy są zrobione naprawdę nijako. Q jedzie do salonu samochodowego by zadać niewygodne pytania: "jasne Q siadaj, wszystko Ci opowiem", Q spotyka się z gansterem i pyta go czy był związany ze śmiercią: "oczywiście że tak, fajnie że pytasz". Chyba najbardziej mnie załamała rozmowa z pewnym profesorem na uniwersytecie, który widzi Q pierwszy raz ale znajdzie czas by wyjaśnić mu działanie komputerów kwantowych... noż kurwa, rozmowy z NPCami w Oblivionie wypadają lepiej niż w tej książce.
Jak już jestem przy wątku komputerów kwantowych, czy innych zagadnień naukowo/technicznych to są tutaj tylko pustymi frazesami, które pewnie były zasłyszane przez autora z jakichś wiadomości. Chociaż sam pomysł na fabułę jest nawet OK to autor w żaden sposób nie umie tego w ciekawy sposób przedstawić. Jak już mówimy o bezsensowych fragmentach to autor notorycznie dorzuca jakieś nawiązania do popkultury, które niczemu nie służą. Jednak najgorszą rzeczą, którą autor zrobił to nadużycie produktów firmy Apple - ja w pewnym momencie się zastanawiałem, czy nie pominąłem gdzieś fragmentu sponsorowanego. Możecie znaleźć fragmenty w stylu "wzięła swojego iPhone'a", "biegał w swoim Apple AirPods", "wyjął swojego iPad Mini" albo najgorszy "Apple Watch ma znakomity system GPS". Autorze, ja Cię błagam... jeszcze brakowało mi sceny, by nasz bohater kupował sobie najnowszy model iPhone'a - ale to może będzie w kontynuacji, kto wie.
Pomówmy chwilę o głównym bohaterze, bo w końcu "Bez Q nie byłoby Bonda". To więc jakimi umiejętnościami, może się pochwalić nasz zbrojmistrz z MI6, których nie ma nasz słynny agent 007. Otóż Q ma... znajomości. Gdy w pewnym momencie bohater stoi w miejscu ze swoim śledztwem to wykorzystuje swoje byłe kontakty w brytyjskim wywiadzie by dostać ściśle tajne informacje do których już nie powinien mieć dostępu. Pomyślicie "ale Pafeu, przecież coś musi być oprócz tego, w końcu tworzył gadżety dla Bonda" i w sumie racja, ma gadżety - całe 3: ukrytą kamerkę (którą potem skomentował, że można dostać na eBayu) małego drona i zegarek do wysyłania sygnału SOS wraz z małą piłą. No jak na kogoś kto zajmował się tym przez 30 lat to wygląda to strasznie biednie.
Ostatni akapit poświęcę samej fabule, czyli całemu śledztwu dot. śmierci jego przyjaciela z dzieciństwa. Chciałbym napisać, że to jest coś nowego i odkrywczego ale nie mogę - tam po prostu nie ma nic oryginalnego. Tak jak pisałem wcześniej: Q jedzie z jednego miejsca do drugiego by zadać pytania by potem zadać pytania gangsterom by na końcu pojechać do osoby która była zaangażowana w morderstwo by powiedzieć że już wszystko wie. Wymęczyło mnie też to, że jeżeli bohater jechał w jakieś niebezpieczne miejsce to bez jakiegoś planu i na wielkim spontanie. I nawet nie martwiłem się o to, że coś może mu się stać bo autor już mnie oswoił, że na bohatera zawsze czeka jakieś "magiczne wybawienie z opresji".
Kończąc ten mój dłuższy rant na mogę stwierdzić, że ta książka ABSOLUTNIE nie potrzebowała wykorzystywać świata Jamesa Bonda i agentów MI6. Moim zdaniem autor był zbyt leniwy by stworzyć zupełnie postać od nowa, więc wziął sobie Q i postanowił dokleić do niego nijaką historię. Chociaż jak tak sobie myślę, to autor również nienawidzi tego całego świata, bo nieraz trafiałem na fragmenty w których to Bond był poniekąd mieszany z błotem. Jeszcze jest sporo rzeczy, o których mógłbym tu napisać ale po prostu mi się nie chce. Idę zrobić sobie kolację. Nie czytajcie tej książki.
Ocena: ★☆☆☆☆
Zacznę od tego, że uwielbiam przygody Jamesa Bonda - czy to filmy czy teraz książki, które zyskały drugie życie dzięki wydawnictwu Skarpa Warszawska. I właśnie to wydawnictwo jakiś czas temu zaspamowała FB postami w stylu "Premiera książki ze świata Jamesa Bonda" albo "Bez Q nie byłoby Bonda" albo "Wojciech Chmielarz poleca książkę Q. Cząstka strachu". I z jednej strony powinienem się cieszyć, że dostaje coś nowego z tego świata ale z drugiej zapaliła mi się wielka czerwona lampka ostrzegawcza i pomyślałem "ej Pafeu, to chyba scam". Nie pozostało mi nic innego jak przeczytać i samemu ocenić. I mogę to całe doświadczenie podsumować jednym słowem: Qpa (pun intended)
Nawet nie wiem od czego zacząć, chyba może od tego że już nigdy nie zaufam żadnej kampanii reklamowej prowadzonej przez żadne wydawnictwo na FB. Ta książka nie ma absolutnie nic ciekawego do zaoferowania. Bo w sumie jak stworzyć coś ciekawego o postaci, którą praktycznie tylko znamy z filmów - wiemy tylko tyle, że pracowała ona w MI6 jako zbrojmistrz/rusznikarz dla agentów 00. Bo autor nie mógł bazować na książkach, bo tam Q po prostu nie było (tak się nazywał cały wydział a nie jedna osoba) więc pozostaje tylko wiedza z filmów. A więc dostajemy byłego już agenta Q, czyli majora Boothroyd, który przez ostatnie 30 lat pracował w MI6 i postanawia wrócić do miasteczka z którego pochodzi by rozwiązać tajemniczą śmierć swojego przyjaciela z dzieciństwa który był znanym "informatykiem kwantowym".
No i spoko i fajnie ale co dalej? Noo w sumie to nic - nasz bohater jedzie z punktu A do punktu B i zadaje pytania. Gdy już zada wystarczająco dużo pytań, to musi sobie gdzieś usiąść i pomyśleć by magicznie wymyślić kolejny trop, który prowadzi go coraz bardziej do rozwiązania całej sprawy. I nie żebym teraz krytykował to podejście bo nie każda książka musi mieć koniecznie 51234 scen akcji by była ciekawa - po prostu tutaj te rozmowy są zrobione naprawdę nijako. Q jedzie do salonu samochodowego by zadać niewygodne pytania: "jasne Q siadaj, wszystko Ci opowiem", Q spotyka się z gansterem i pyta go czy był związany ze śmiercią: "oczywiście że tak, fajnie że pytasz". Chyba najbardziej mnie załamała rozmowa z pewnym profesorem na uniwersytecie, który widzi Q pierwszy raz ale znajdzie czas by wyjaśnić mu działanie komputerów kwantowych... noż kurwa, rozmowy z NPCami w Oblivionie wypadają lepiej niż w tej książce.
Jak już jestem przy wątku komputerów kwantowych, czy innych zagadnień naukowo/technicznych to są tutaj tylko pustymi frazesami, które pewnie były zasłyszane przez autora z jakichś wiadomości. Chociaż sam pomysł na fabułę jest nawet OK to autor w żaden sposób nie umie tego w ciekawy sposób przedstawić. Jak już mówimy o bezsensowych fragmentach to autor notorycznie dorzuca jakieś nawiązania do popkultury, które niczemu nie służą. Jednak najgorszą rzeczą, którą autor zrobił to nadużycie produktów firmy Apple - ja w pewnym momencie się zastanawiałem, czy nie pominąłem gdzieś fragmentu sponsorowanego. Możecie znaleźć fragmenty w stylu "wzięła swojego iPhone'a", "biegał w swoim Apple AirPods", "wyjął swojego iPad Mini" albo najgorszy "Apple Watch ma znakomity system GPS". Autorze, ja Cię błagam... jeszcze brakowało mi sceny, by nasz bohater kupował sobie najnowszy model iPhone'a - ale to może będzie w kontynuacji, kto wie.
Pomówmy chwilę o głównym bohaterze, bo w końcu "Bez Q nie byłoby Bonda". To więc jakimi umiejętnościami, może się pochwalić nasz zbrojmistrz z MI6, których nie ma nasz słynny agent 007. Otóż Q ma... znajomości. Gdy w pewnym momencie bohater stoi w miejscu ze swoim śledztwem to wykorzystuje swoje byłe kontakty w brytyjskim wywiadzie by dostać ściśle tajne informacje do których już nie powinien mieć dostępu. Pomyślicie "ale Pafeu, przecież coś musi być oprócz tego, w końcu tworzył gadżety dla Bonda" i w sumie racja, ma gadżety - całe 3: ukrytą kamerkę (którą potem skomentował, że można dostać na eBayu) małego drona i zegarek do wysyłania sygnału SOS wraz z małą piłą. No jak na kogoś kto zajmował się tym przez 30 lat to wygląda to strasznie biednie.
Ostatni akapit poświęcę samej fabule, czyli całemu śledztwu dot. śmierci jego przyjaciela z dzieciństwa. Chciałbym napisać, że to jest coś nowego i odkrywczego ale nie mogę - tam po prostu nie ma nic oryginalnego. Tak jak pisałem wcześniej: Q jedzie z jednego miejsca do drugiego by zadać pytania by potem zadać pytania gangsterom by na końcu pojechać do osoby która była zaangażowana w morderstwo by powiedzieć że już wszystko wie. Wymęczyło mnie też to, że jeżeli bohater jechał w jakieś niebezpieczne miejsce to bez jakiegoś planu i na wielkim spontanie. I nawet nie martwiłem się o to, że coś może mu się stać bo autor już mnie oswoił, że na bohatera zawsze czeka jakieś "magiczne wybawienie z opresji".
Kończąc ten mój dłuższy rant na mogę stwierdzić, że ta książka ABSOLUTNIE nie potrzebowała wykorzystywać świata Jamesa Bonda i agentów MI6. Moim zdaniem autor był zbyt leniwy by stworzyć zupełnie postać od nowa, więc wziął sobie Q i postanowił dokleić do niego nijaką historię. Chociaż jak tak sobie myślę, to autor również nienawidzi tego całego świata, bo nieraz trafiałem na fragmenty w których to Bond był poniekąd mieszany z błotem. Jeszcze jest sporo rzeczy, o których mógłbym tu napisać ale po prostu mi się nie chce. Idę zrobić sobie kolację. Nie czytajcie tej książki.
Ocena: ★☆☆☆☆
October 24, 2025
4* Quantum of Menace - Vaseem Khan. A first outing for Q and it’s a super romp of mystery, intrigue and fun.
Q’s time in MI6 is up, having being unceremoniously removed from his role in favour of a new Q. At a loss as to what to do, he receives news of the death of his childhood friend Pete, a cutting edge computer scientist. Just before his death Pete wrote to Q, suggesting that his life may be in danger.
Having spent a career hidden in a lab, Q takes to the field to try and work out what happened to his friend. Returning to his childhood village, he has to confront many ghosts of the past, a whole posse of potentially bad actors and unravel a knotty mystery.
I’ve read just about everything Vaseem has written and was thrilled when this series was announced. He has absolutely thrown himself headlong into this new series, picking up a character that is so well known but which next to nothing is known about. There is dry humour and gadgets a plenty, along with plenty of nods to the many other characters in the Bond series.
The story is superb and keeps you guessing all along (I guessed some but not all of the twists) and the wider cast are all worthy additions in their own right. I romped through this over 2 days. If you like Bond and/or just love a good mystery, you will hugely enjoy this book. Looking forward to the next instalment but please fit in a Malabar House as well.
I note the nod in the acknowledgements about having a bit of fun at the expense of those of us from Newcastle … I hope one of the Northern authors is set for some revenge.
Thanks to Bonnier Books and Netgalley for an ARC.
Q’s time in MI6 is up, having being unceremoniously removed from his role in favour of a new Q. At a loss as to what to do, he receives news of the death of his childhood friend Pete, a cutting edge computer scientist. Just before his death Pete wrote to Q, suggesting that his life may be in danger.
Having spent a career hidden in a lab, Q takes to the field to try and work out what happened to his friend. Returning to his childhood village, he has to confront many ghosts of the past, a whole posse of potentially bad actors and unravel a knotty mystery.
I’ve read just about everything Vaseem has written and was thrilled when this series was announced. He has absolutely thrown himself headlong into this new series, picking up a character that is so well known but which next to nothing is known about. There is dry humour and gadgets a plenty, along with plenty of nods to the many other characters in the Bond series.
The story is superb and keeps you guessing all along (I guessed some but not all of the twists) and the wider cast are all worthy additions in their own right. I romped through this over 2 days. If you like Bond and/or just love a good mystery, you will hugely enjoy this book. Looking forward to the next instalment but please fit in a Malabar House as well.
I note the nod in the acknowledgements about having a bit of fun at the expense of those of us from Newcastle … I hope one of the Northern authors is set for some revenge.
Thanks to Bonnier Books and Netgalley for an ARC.
September 26, 2025
It’s easy to see what the publisher’s brief was: the adventures of Bond’s Q crossed with The Thursday Murders Club; Fleming told by Osman. On paper it’s a good idea, bringing together two very successful formulas. Sadly, in reality, it doesn’t quite work and the book ends up falling unsatisfactorily somewhere between a number of stools.
Vaseem Khan’s book has a retired (more forced into leaving the service early in fairness) Q finding his way in normal life, investigating the death of a friend in an apparently quiet backwater town. The town hides some dark secrets and, as Q’s hometown, some characters from his past. Its inhabitants and those connected to the story, including - perhaps especially- the stories criminals and gangsters, have time for slice of life, somewhat amusing, musings about the world. The set up and telling of the tale is all very Osman-ish cosy crime adjacent, then. One of things all that makes you appreciate, is exactly how skilful Osman is in putting all this together. When his plotting doesn’t quite fit together, it doesn’t matter because the rest of the confection is so pleasing. The tone is artfully light and frothy in a way very few can put together and - talented author though Khan might be - he can’t quite achieve the same level of charm.
All of which means the other flaws in the book become rather more apparent. There’s the underdeveloped sudden move into genuine spy story arriving and disposed of in a few pages and serving no real purpose. There’s the fact that most readers will find themselves well ahead of Q at a number of points, including the solution to the central mystery; in fact it’s a solution so obvious it will probably occur to most readers familiar with mystery stories at the same time Q reaches the incorrect conclusion he is soon dissatisfied with. And there’s ongoing mystery as to why everyone calls the central character Q, even if they’ve known him since childhood.
Bond fans might be left wondering which incarnation of Q or Major Boothroyd is being described. Not the original Armourer of the books, not the Desmond Llewellyn original Q from the movies but not it turns out Ben Whishaw’s Q either. This is definitely contemporary Q is someone quite new, sharing only his name (both real and service code name initial) with the character from the films.
There are some nice ideas here. The Quantum of the title refers to quantum computing (as well as to the title of Bond story) and the potential for such computers to rewrite the rules for every piece of encryption software in the world is a great starting point for a thriller.
But this isn’t it. It isn’t badly written and it has potential to do something interesting but it is also a book that is tonally all over the place - a talking cyborg-ish AI called Honeypenny (geddit?) appears to have arrived from a quite different story - and which doesn’t quite work as a mystery and never gets started as a spy thriller.
A shame, but not a book I can really recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance proof.
Vaseem Khan’s book has a retired (more forced into leaving the service early in fairness) Q finding his way in normal life, investigating the death of a friend in an apparently quiet backwater town. The town hides some dark secrets and, as Q’s hometown, some characters from his past. Its inhabitants and those connected to the story, including - perhaps especially- the stories criminals and gangsters, have time for slice of life, somewhat amusing, musings about the world. The set up and telling of the tale is all very Osman-ish cosy crime adjacent, then. One of things all that makes you appreciate, is exactly how skilful Osman is in putting all this together. When his plotting doesn’t quite fit together, it doesn’t matter because the rest of the confection is so pleasing. The tone is artfully light and frothy in a way very few can put together and - talented author though Khan might be - he can’t quite achieve the same level of charm.
All of which means the other flaws in the book become rather more apparent. There’s the underdeveloped sudden move into genuine spy story arriving and disposed of in a few pages and serving no real purpose. There’s the fact that most readers will find themselves well ahead of Q at a number of points, including the solution to the central mystery; in fact it’s a solution so obvious it will probably occur to most readers familiar with mystery stories at the same time Q reaches the incorrect conclusion he is soon dissatisfied with. And there’s ongoing mystery as to why everyone calls the central character Q, even if they’ve known him since childhood.
Bond fans might be left wondering which incarnation of Q or Major Boothroyd is being described. Not the original Armourer of the books, not the Desmond Llewellyn original Q from the movies but not it turns out Ben Whishaw’s Q either. This is definitely contemporary Q is someone quite new, sharing only his name (both real and service code name initial) with the character from the films.
There are some nice ideas here. The Quantum of the title refers to quantum computing (as well as to the title of Bond story) and the potential for such computers to rewrite the rules for every piece of encryption software in the world is a great starting point for a thriller.
But this isn’t it. It isn’t badly written and it has potential to do something interesting but it is also a book that is tonally all over the place - a talking cyborg-ish AI called Honeypenny (geddit?) appears to have arrived from a quite different story - and which doesn’t quite work as a mystery and never gets started as a spy thriller.
A shame, but not a book I can really recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance proof.
October 2, 2025
This is a great audiobook superbly narrated by Alexander Armstrong. Q is all for solving the mystery of the death of his childhood friend. There’s many twists and turns along the way. It’s great Q has some of his own gadgets to help him in ‘sticky’ situations. Do look out for Bond. There’s complex characters and relationships with trauma and guilt going back years.
Highly recommend the audiobook. Enjoyable and entertaining.
Highly recommend the audiobook. Enjoyable and entertaining.
March 23, 2026
This book let Ian Fleming's Q down, and falls short of being either a "cosy crime" or a "cosy spy" novel. Q in name only, the main character lacks any of the intrigue, intelligence or innovation you'd expect to see. The book frequently repeats information you'd just been told a few pages or chapters before, is slow, and refuses to explain why Q was "let go" (but you're told, repeatedly, that he was).
June 11, 2026
Recently ousted from MI6, Q is at a loose end.
Having long been a fan of Vaseem Khan’s historical Malabar House series, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a James Bond spin-off as I’ve never read one of the original books. What I found was enough familiar reference to 007 to please any Bond fan, but without overwhelming or alienating those of us without any depth of knowledge. Quantum of Menace is a skilful and carefully crafted start to a series that I fully expect to be equally as popular as Fleming’s books. I loved it.
The plot is a belter. It romps along, blending mystery, science and organised crime with conventional policing, alongside intelligent sleuthing from Q. I must mention too the smashing wit threaded throughout and the variety of sentence structure that means tantalising hooks draw in the reader, making them desperate to know what happens next. There’s impressive insight into the world of quantum physics and espionage too so that Quantum of Menace is multi-faceted, providing something for any reader.
Q is a brilliant creation as he is obsessive in believing his childhood friend Peter Napier was murdered and he has a strong sense of justice and what is right. At the same time, he’s more than willing to circumvent the rules, pull in favours or behave in an underhand manner. In effect, he’s human. I loved the potential for romance with Kathy; the woman Q spurned years before and am hoping that might develop in future books. Equally appealing is his upbringing, relationship with his father and the insight into why Q behaves and thinks as he does.
Indeed, Q has a marked sociological and emotional depth. Q’s understanding of Zak for example, illustrates how we all have potential and provides a subtle insight into immigration, single parent families and prejudice. I loved these emotionally intelligent asides to the main plot because they added depth and texture to Quantum of Menace. There’s also an unnerving gravitas beneath the lightness of touch. Big tech, cyber security, international threat and control, all bubble under the surface, echoing elements that we hear about every day so that there’s an unsettling authenticity to this romp of a book.
Bridging the gap perfectly between gritty thrillers and cosy crime, Quantum of Menace is a triumph. Hugely entertaining, filled with both realism and surprise, this story is a real corker. It’s packed with drama, stylishly written and completely addictive. I thought it was absolutely excellent.
Having long been a fan of Vaseem Khan’s historical Malabar House series, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a James Bond spin-off as I’ve never read one of the original books. What I found was enough familiar reference to 007 to please any Bond fan, but without overwhelming or alienating those of us without any depth of knowledge. Quantum of Menace is a skilful and carefully crafted start to a series that I fully expect to be equally as popular as Fleming’s books. I loved it.
The plot is a belter. It romps along, blending mystery, science and organised crime with conventional policing, alongside intelligent sleuthing from Q. I must mention too the smashing wit threaded throughout and the variety of sentence structure that means tantalising hooks draw in the reader, making them desperate to know what happens next. There’s impressive insight into the world of quantum physics and espionage too so that Quantum of Menace is multi-faceted, providing something for any reader.
Q is a brilliant creation as he is obsessive in believing his childhood friend Peter Napier was murdered and he has a strong sense of justice and what is right. At the same time, he’s more than willing to circumvent the rules, pull in favours or behave in an underhand manner. In effect, he’s human. I loved the potential for romance with Kathy; the woman Q spurned years before and am hoping that might develop in future books. Equally appealing is his upbringing, relationship with his father and the insight into why Q behaves and thinks as he does.
Indeed, Q has a marked sociological and emotional depth. Q’s understanding of Zak for example, illustrates how we all have potential and provides a subtle insight into immigration, single parent families and prejudice. I loved these emotionally intelligent asides to the main plot because they added depth and texture to Quantum of Menace. There’s also an unnerving gravitas beneath the lightness of touch. Big tech, cyber security, international threat and control, all bubble under the surface, echoing elements that we hear about every day so that there’s an unsettling authenticity to this romp of a book.
Bridging the gap perfectly between gritty thrillers and cosy crime, Quantum of Menace is a triumph. Hugely entertaining, filled with both realism and surprise, this story is a real corker. It’s packed with drama, stylishly written and completely addictive. I thought it was absolutely excellent.
June 12, 2026
Delightful mystery spin-off from the James Bond stories by Vaseem Khan, one of the wittiest and cleverest mystery writers around. Major Boothroyd, aka Q, has been unceremoniously retired from MI6 and is at a loose end. When he receives a coded letter from his oldest friend Pete and learns of his mysterious death, he heads back to his home village of Wickstone to investigate. This brings him into contact with a number of people from his past and various long-hidden secrets.
I found this really enjoyable. Even the slower earlier chapters that set up Q’s backstory and the characters of Wickstone were engaging and full of funny observations, and once the various strands of the mystery got underway I was gripped. There are plenty of twists and turns, some touching moments that make the stuffy Q more human and lovable, and the touch of menace that prevents this from being too cosy. Looking forwards to the next in what promises to be a quality series.
I found this really enjoyable. Even the slower earlier chapters that set up Q’s backstory and the characters of Wickstone were engaging and full of funny observations, and once the various strands of the mystery got underway I was gripped. There are plenty of twists and turns, some touching moments that make the stuffy Q more human and lovable, and the touch of menace that prevents this from being too cosy. Looking forwards to the next in what promises to be a quality series.
May 20, 2026
Loved this story. Although I’m not a special fan of Bond I am a fan of Vaseem so gave this a go. Great characters and background on Q and his personal life drew me in and was the driving force of the book which read imo similar to the great Richard Osman . Vaseem writes emotional and humorous scenes equally well . It says lot when you care about the characters even though you’ve just met them . Looking forward to the upcoming new one
June 18, 2026
Tailor made for my interests so obviously I enjoyed it. I thought it was quite predictable in some ways but there were a couple of twists I didn't entirely see coming. Still, that's just part of the genre and overall a very good read!
October 23, 2025
This new foray into the world of James Bond, approved by Ian Fleming Publications, focuses not on the iconic spy but on his gadget provider, Q. Forced to leave MI6 due to office politics, Q is somewhat at a loss. He then receives a letter from an old friend who has recently died, with a mysterious encryption in it. As he investigates his friend's death and discovers more about rhe dangers of quantum computing, he finds himself forced to confront his past.
This was a fun read. I loved the style of writing, full of dry wit. Although Bond is not the hero of the story, there are many flashbacks to his interactions with Q and we also meet familiar characters such as Moneypenny.
A recommended read for fans of James Bond, digital threats and murder mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read. I loved the style of writing, full of dry wit. Although Bond is not the hero of the story, there are many flashbacks to his interactions with Q and we also meet familiar characters such as Moneypenny.
A recommended read for fans of James Bond, digital threats and murder mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2025
After Q, aka Major Boothroyd, is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6’s 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist, Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seen uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier’s ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces. Can Q decode the truth behind Napier’s death, even as danger closes in…?
Well, well, well…. What a gem of a book! A really great idea to bring Q into the spotlight and share his story. We have a well-known character that we don’t actually know an awful lot about. Here, we get to know Q on a whole other level and it’s a great journey. The plot is well thought out and has plenty of twists and turns. I got some right but not all of them.
There’s appearances from some other well-known characters and the rest of the wider cast more than play their part. Familiarity, dry humour, emotional musings and a good old fashioned mystery all rolled into one. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Well, well, well…. What a gem of a book! A really great idea to bring Q into the spotlight and share his story. We have a well-known character that we don’t actually know an awful lot about. Here, we get to know Q on a whole other level and it’s a great journey. The plot is well thought out and has plenty of twists and turns. I got some right but not all of them.
There’s appearances from some other well-known characters and the rest of the wider cast more than play their part. Familiarity, dry humour, emotional musings and a good old fashioned mystery all rolled into one. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series.
February 9, 2026
Still can't get over the title of this book
And the author wonders why all his other books keep getting retitled
And the author wonders why all his other books keep getting retitled
January 5, 2026
Overall I enjoyed this cosy murder mystery, with Q from the popular Bond franchise taking centre stage. I think this story could definitely have been trimmed down as it felt, at time, to be eternal, but it had a nice clean ending with a clear segue into the next instalment. Wouldn’t mind seeing what happens next if the library get the next one in.
September 26, 2025
I wasnt sure what to expect from this, given it's a spin off front James Bond, obviously by another author. However, I got sucked into it straight away. I liked the writing style, the humour and the characters. I liked seeing a different side to Q and all of the potential new stories coming out of this one. It was quite a gentle book.
Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2026
Warwickshire Book Bingo 2026: A book that is first in a series.
It must have been a HUGE pressure to write a companion novel to the 007 canon. As a spin-off character Q is a good choice. But surprisingly Khan hasn’t gone down the route of having Q fight crime with an arsenal of fancy gadgetry, instead we find him ousted from MI6, back on home turf, lured by behind death of an old friend. There’s wry humour and a lightness to the writing that makes it an easy enjoyable read.
It must have been a HUGE pressure to write a companion novel to the 007 canon. As a spin-off character Q is a good choice. But surprisingly Khan hasn’t gone down the route of having Q fight crime with an arsenal of fancy gadgetry, instead we find him ousted from MI6, back on home turf, lured by behind death of an old friend. There’s wry humour and a lightness to the writing that makes it an easy enjoyable read.
October 13, 2025
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Zaffre for my copy, this is my honest review.
I was over the moon to get this book as I’m a big fan of Q and all his inventions. Whilst there are plenty of references to Bond and how he might act or react, this was still very much a book with Q at the centre of things. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world from Q’s perspective and felt like he had growth in the book, recognising his past foibles and errors in judgement and adapting how he dealt with situations now. Delving into the past that had shaped him was fascinating and I loved getting that background to fill in our mysterious Q.
The story begins with Q being unceremoniously retired from his post at MI6 when the new M takes over pushing a different agenda. Forced to look introspectively at his life he returns to his home town where his old friend has just died. Although the coroner's report and police investigation are in agreement that it was death by misadventure, Q is not convinced and a letter from beyond the grave pulls him in to begin his own investigations.
The more he investigates the more it becomes evident he is on to something as someone is trying to stop him.
Being back in his home town is proving to be a haunting experience of lost opportunities and past hurts. Q must face his past demons if he will ever be able to move forward.
The book cleverly weaves in modern crime and warfare and links it to the story with a crime family and quantum computing. Using all his expertise and wiles Q refuses to be sidelined and doggedly keeps pursuing the answers, even when it puts him in grave danger.
I enjoyed getting to know the side characters both young and old in the book, including some familiar faces such as Moneypenny, they added the right amount of life into Q bringing him into being. They helped to shape him and showed his complexities. I found his relationship and treatment of Zak particularly heartwarming.
The ending tied everything up but left it open ended enough that I hope there will be more in this series as I would definitely want to dive back into this world. More please!
I was over the moon to get this book as I’m a big fan of Q and all his inventions. Whilst there are plenty of references to Bond and how he might act or react, this was still very much a book with Q at the centre of things. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world from Q’s perspective and felt like he had growth in the book, recognising his past foibles and errors in judgement and adapting how he dealt with situations now. Delving into the past that had shaped him was fascinating and I loved getting that background to fill in our mysterious Q.
The story begins with Q being unceremoniously retired from his post at MI6 when the new M takes over pushing a different agenda. Forced to look introspectively at his life he returns to his home town where his old friend has just died. Although the coroner's report and police investigation are in agreement that it was death by misadventure, Q is not convinced and a letter from beyond the grave pulls him in to begin his own investigations.
The more he investigates the more it becomes evident he is on to something as someone is trying to stop him.
Being back in his home town is proving to be a haunting experience of lost opportunities and past hurts. Q must face his past demons if he will ever be able to move forward.
The book cleverly weaves in modern crime and warfare and links it to the story with a crime family and quantum computing. Using all his expertise and wiles Q refuses to be sidelined and doggedly keeps pursuing the answers, even when it puts him in grave danger.
I enjoyed getting to know the side characters both young and old in the book, including some familiar faces such as Moneypenny, they added the right amount of life into Q bringing him into being. They helped to shape him and showed his complexities. I found his relationship and treatment of Zak particularly heartwarming.
The ending tied everything up but left it open ended enough that I hope there will be more in this series as I would definitely want to dive back into this world. More please!
December 20, 2025
I have always been a huge James Bond fan, I have seen every single film at least 25 times, but can you believe I have never read any of Ian Flemings Bond books! So when I seen this new spin off mystery series about Q I immediately bought it!
The Blurb...
"After Major Boothroyd (aka Q) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note.
The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces . . . Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in?"
This was such a great insight into our beloved quartermaster and I loved learning all about his backstory. Vaseem's writing is incredible and I loved how he developed sharp twists that kept me engaged right to the end with some great characters. I am a huge science geek so loved that aspect of the storyline.
I would love to see this story adapted on screen. I hope Mr Villanueve has been sent a copy 👀
One tiny thing for me is I would have loved a bit more action/violence but I guess that's what 007 is for 🤣
A great book, perfect for all Bond fans. I hope you read this soon if it's on your list 🥰
Sad I have to wait until October for book 2.
May 13, 2026
Not my usual genre, espionage isn't one I frequent but I have enjoyed Vaseem Khan's writing in the past and wanted to try this, especially as it's a new series.
I was a bit thrown off by the fact Q is middle aged in this, not the Ben Whishaw I was expecting- so more John Cleese which caused a lot of inner amusement.
I thought the plot was really well done, I wanted to know more about Q but he's as secretive as they come. I liked the characters, the twists and turns.
I did feel a bit removed from it in places, and that's probably why it's only rated a high 3 star rather than a 4.
I will certainly try the sequel which is due to be released later in 2026.
CAWPILE 6.43
3.75 STARS
I was a bit thrown off by the fact Q is middle aged in this, not the Ben Whishaw I was expecting- so more John Cleese which caused a lot of inner amusement.
I thought the plot was really well done, I wanted to know more about Q but he's as secretive as they come. I liked the characters, the twists and turns.
I did feel a bit removed from it in places, and that's probably why it's only rated a high 3 star rather than a 4.
I will certainly try the sequel which is due to be released later in 2026.
CAWPILE 6.43
3.75 STARS
October 26, 2025
Musze przyznać, że nie spodziewałem się tak dobrej książki osadzonej w świecie najsłynniejszego szpiega. Zbrojmistrz Q po zwolnieniu ze służby bada sprawę śmierci swojego przyjaciela z przeszłości. Początkowo trudno było mi się połapać w tym wszystkim wraz z pojawiającymi się nowymi postaciami, ale dzięki temu ma się wrażenie, że akcja gna naprzód. W ogóle początek przypominiał mi nieco strukturą powieści Dana Browna. Główny bohater od początku daje się lubić przez co ksiazka wciąga jeszcze bardziej. Fajna rozrywka i na pewno must read dla każdego fana 007.
May 24, 2026
Listened to this on audiobook as it’s narrated by Alexander Armstrong who is just fantastic, he has the perfect voice for Q (second to Ben Whishaw from the films). Really enjoyed the storyline, and while I guessed some of the twists, it was still a great ending. Can’t wait to read the next one when it’s released.
November 5, 2025
3.5⭐️ Enjoyed this but it seemed to take awhile to get going….first half 3⭐️ then second half 4⭐️. This is the first of a new series so I think the introducing of the characters is what slowed it down at the beginning. Looking forward to future instalments though.
December 13, 2025
I knew I wanted to read this book when I first saw it announced. I was a bit nervous about how the author would write one of my favourite fictional characters from other books and films but there was no need as the book was better that I could possibly have imagined ad I am looking forward to the next instalment that I’m about to go and pre order
January 23, 2026
Wow! absolutely loved this page turner with all the nods to the original books (and subsequent films) but with Mr B as a side character and Q as a extremely readable
lead character. Very much looking forward to book 2
lead character. Very much looking forward to book 2
December 6, 2025
Enjoyed 70% of it but didn’t like the ending or the build up to the ending
May 11, 2026
Enjoyed it - nice angle on Bond
June 4, 2026
I did enjoy this book and found it quite a page turner. Yes, some of it is a bit of a stretch in the plot stakes, but fun nonetheless. I look forward to the next instalment. A definite ‘cosy crime’ novel.
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Vaseem Khan’s books.
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Vaseem Khan’s books.
May 30, 2026
I really liked his Malabar House novel, so jumped on reading this book when it came up. Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my previous experience.
July 15, 2025
I was desperate to read this book as I love this author’s Malabar House series & I also love the world of Bond. My prayers were answered & I was sent a gorgeous proof copy. Q is out of MI6. To find out why, you will have to read this thriller set in & around his boyhood home.
Q has returned to Wickstone after receiving a short cryptic note with an apparently random set of letters at its end. The note is from Peter Napier, a quantum computer scientist & Q’s childhood friend. Q receives the message after a verdict of misadventure has been returned on the latter’s death, but Peter had suggested that he was in danger & his life was being threatened. Although he heard from his friend too late, Q is convinced that Peter would not have killed himself, especially given his water phobia, so decides to investigate.
Wickstone is full of memories for Q & we learn something of his backstory. There are some passages that are laugh out loud, especially when Q’s father & his inherited dog are involved.
I would highly recommend this to all Bond fans & those who just love a rollicking good thriller. It is well paced with a couple of twists which hold the readers interest, & an appearance by James himself. Could this be the start of a series? I do hope so, I can’t wait for another instalment.
I think you can tell I enjoyed this book; review posted THREE MONTHS before publication! And if I could have given it more stars, I would have!
Q has returned to Wickstone after receiving a short cryptic note with an apparently random set of letters at its end. The note is from Peter Napier, a quantum computer scientist & Q’s childhood friend. Q receives the message after a verdict of misadventure has been returned on the latter’s death, but Peter had suggested that he was in danger & his life was being threatened. Although he heard from his friend too late, Q is convinced that Peter would not have killed himself, especially given his water phobia, so decides to investigate.
Wickstone is full of memories for Q & we learn something of his backstory. There are some passages that are laugh out loud, especially when Q’s father & his inherited dog are involved.
I would highly recommend this to all Bond fans & those who just love a rollicking good thriller. It is well paced with a couple of twists which hold the readers interest, & an appearance by James himself. Could this be the start of a series? I do hope so, I can’t wait for another instalment.
I think you can tell I enjoyed this book; review posted THREE MONTHS before publication! And if I could have given it more stars, I would have!
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