Historian Dan Jones has been commissioned to write a new James Bond novella to help celebrate the National Year of Reading and its Go All In campaign. Titled All In, it pays tribute to Ian Fleming’s fourth novel, Diamonds Are Forever, 70 years after its publication in 1956, and will be released as a special edition on December 3.
The bestselling author of Henry V, The Plantagenets, The Templars and the fictional Essex Dogs trilogy, said: “Being asked to write a James Bond story is one of the greatest honours in contemporary fiction. I’m very excited to take Bond to Ceylon at such a pivotal moment in world history – and thrilled that Ian Fleming Publications are trusting me to pay tribute to Diamonds Are Forever, which is one of the great books in the Bond canon.
An inner child’s dream
“But happiest of all is my inner child – the little boy who was such an avid reader that he went to the library twice on a Saturday, who would read the back of the breakfast cereal box if he ran out of books, and who scarcely dared to dream that he would grow up to be a writer, let alone one who has been asked to Go All In for the National Year of Reading.”
The entirely new 007 novella, supporting the ‘Go All In’ campaign, finds James Bond in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1954. It marks Jones’ first novel set in the modern age.
A deadly game in Ceylon
It’s six years since Ceylon – land of the most precious gemstones on earth – was granted independence and the British are leaving. The forts and officers’ messes on the island are emptying. But James Bond is travelling in the opposite direction – joined by his ally and lover, the diamond smuggler Tiffany Case. 007 is on a mission to track down one of the most valuable stones in the world. Bond is lured into a deadly game played from the cool mountains of Kandy to the pitch-black depths of the ocean floor, finding the stakes are far higher than gemstones alone. To come out alive, he’s going to have to gamble everything.
Amanda Douglas, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the National Literacy Trust once again following the success of On His Majesty’s Secret Service. We are especially excited to be publishing All In, a brand-new James Bond adventure by Dan Jones, to commemorate the National Year of Reading. The campaign’s ‘Go All In’ message really resonated with us. Ian Fleming’s writing has always been at the heart of James Bond’s enduring appeal, and we hope All In will encourage readers of all ages to delve into the world of literary Bond.”
Celebrating the National Year of Reading
Simon Ward, Publishing Director, explained: “It was Dan who pulled it all together, conjuring the perfect 007 adventure, full of intrigue, danger, glamour and some surprise cameos. It is a beautiful, classic story, one that will thrill our fans, delight Dan’s loyal subjects and appeal to new readers this Christmas period.”
David Hayman, Director of The National Year of Reading, added: “The National Year of Reading is about celebrating the stories and characters that make people want to read, so it’s fitting to welcome All In, a new James Bond adventure, during this landmark year. Few characters have captured imaginations across generations quite like Bond, and a new 007 story is a brilliant opportunity to excite devoted fans and new readers alike. We’re delighted to see Bond going All In as we continue helping people across the UK fall back in love with reading.”
