Forever and A Day by Anthony Horowitz

James Bond has millions of fans, whether it be of the movies, the original Ian Fleming novels, or the works of those who have picked up Fleming’s mantle since his death. Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz should please all of them. Forever and a Day tells the story of 007’s first mission in 1950, shortly after his elevation to 00 status when he is sent to France to investigate his predecessor’s murder.

British Intelligence had been investigating suspicious activity by the Corsican gangs that run the docks, or rather a suspicious lack of activity. Bond’s only lead involves a message his predecessor sent regarding Sixtine. She was a spy for the British during the war and currently an independent operator of uncertain loyalties. Bond follows the trail that leads from Sixtine to a Corsican underworld figure, Scipio, to an American businessman, Irwin Wolfe. Running into CIA operative Reade Griffith along the way, Bond must unravel what is going on and who murdered his predecessor. True to Bond lore, there will be pretty women, luxurious locales, diabolic schemes and a very clever British agent to foil them.

Horowitz hits all the notes that makes 007 such a phenomenon and he does it in a relentlessly entertaining way. He walks a clever line in writing Bond’s first adventure, making him both recognizable and yet still learning and picking up some of the habits that make him an icon. The story is intelligent and fits the 1950’s setting. The locale descriptions are beautiful. Where Horowitz really excels is the dialogue between Bond and the other characters, particularly Sixtine. The interaction between these two practically sizzles. Great, fast-paced action scenes, including an explosive resolution, propel this book forward. Forever and a Day should please James Bond fans as well as making a great entry point for new fans. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

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