On His Majesty's Secret Service cover art

On His Majesty's Secret Service

A James Bond Adventure

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On His Majesty's Secret Service

By: Charlie Higson
Narrated by: Charlie Higson
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About this listen

It is the 4th of May, two days before the Coronation of King Charles III and the world’s favourite spy has his work cut out for him. Bond is sent at the last minute to thwart an attempt to disrupt the Coronation by the wealthy, eccentric and self-styled Athelstan of Wessex, who is on a deadly mission of his own to teach the United Kingdom a lesson. Can Bond dismantle his shady plans and defeat his privately hired team of mercenaries?

Charlie Higson returns with a brand new Bond adventure. On His Majesty’s Secret Service celebrates the Coronation of King III Charles and will be published on Thursday 4 May ahead of the Coronation on Saturday 6 May–60 years after the publication of Ian Fleming’s tenth novel, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, in 1963. Ian Fleming Publications and the author, Charlie Higson, are donating all royalties from print, audio and ebooks to the National Literacy Trust.

©2023 Charlie Higson (P)2023 Ian Fleming Publications Action & Adventure Espionage Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Royalty Adventure

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All stars
Most relevant  
Spinning blur of silver like a spent cartridge spat out by a handgun?

It's a 50p piece ferchrissakes!

This really is James Bond as imagined by Alan Partridge - and I bet he tucks his rollneck into his trousers.

Great joke near the end, though...

James Bond as Imagined by Alan Partridge

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shocking wouldn't waste your time with this one. barley a Bond story apart from his name is dropped in.

worst bond story

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I watched an interview with the author Charlie Higson on Breakfast TV just before The Coronation. He made a point of saying he hadn't had much time to write this James Bond story in time for release on the big day. There was no chance to get to know any of the characters and the plot development was dispensed with great speed. It did slow down a bit during the description of Budapest and I imagine Mr Higson had either been there recently or had just read a Simon Calder travel feature about the Hungarian capital. I was expecting the prices of accommodation to be mentioned.

The 'zeit geity' reference to pens not working (or getting lost) was way too cheesy.

I shall be interested to read other reviews.

Quickly rushed for a deadline?

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Cliche story like it was written in the 1950s… Really boring, and that’s surprising considering it was so short. At least it was done for charity

Yawn!

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I was looking forward to this, as I know Higson is a Bond fan having written the Jr Bond books. The set up of an attempt on the life of Prince Charles is a good one, however this is more in the vein of Casino Royale, (the 69 sh*t fest of a film not the Craig one) The villain is straight out of a Fast show skit, and read by Charlie even more so. To be honest I did finish it, but I was so disappointed, the plot is from the realm of 'really?' virtually no action, no intrigue and some of the dialogue is not great.

Cant get past the Fast show

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You get the distinct feeling that the author is a "remoaner". His narration is proficient but not optimum for this type of story in my opinion. Too high pitched and lacking gravitas. He does a decent South African accent though IMHO. Bond is hunting (Far Right) terrorists no less! Feels like a fairly generic spy adventure rather than a Flemming Bond story. You get the feeling that this version of Bond insists on soy milk in his decaf.

Not bad but not good either.

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Definitely a Daniel Craig and not a Sean Connery Bond, but what should we expect with such a short amount of writing time available!…. Great potential though for Mr Higson to write more Adult Bond novels

What should we expect?

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Badly written (the author does not know the difference between a gun's magazine and cartridge). There is no real tension. Could have done with another hour to allow for more intrigue and action. The author should stick with his implausible Little Jimmy Bond stories.

Bad.

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Very up to date with references to current events (2023). A decent story but just missed that twist that you don't see coming. All in all worth a read/listen

Bond saves the King

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I really didn’t enjoy this book. It’s message is very heavy handed and it wasn’t all that entertaining. A rushed Bond book that isn’t really worth your time.

Heavy handed and rushed

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