Double Or Die (2007) - The Young
James Bond Series by Charlie Higson: Book Three
| Author: |
Charlie Higson |
| Published: |
4th January 2007 (UK),
22nd April 2008 (USA) |
| MI6 Rating: |
 |
Data Stream
| Villains: |
Sir John Charnage , Ludwig and Wolfgang Snith (henchmen) |
| Plot: |
The creation of a decision making machine for the Russians |
| Bond Girls: |
Kelly |
| Allies: |
Pritpal, Perry
|
| Locations: |
Eton, London, Docklands (UK) |
| Highlights: |
Surgeons Museum, Pneumatic Railway, Card Game at Eton |
Capsule Synopsis
The swift departure of a professor and even swifter arrival of a strange
letter from him sparks intrigue between between the boys and the staff
at Eton. It doesn't take long for Pritpal, Perry and Bond to realise that the
letter is actually a code that leads to the whereabouts of the professor. It's
a race against time to find him and the machine he's been working on for the
Russians.
|
|
Above: UK first edition paperback cover. |
Official Blurb (UK Proof
Edition)
With kidnap, violence, explosions, and murder, it was no ordinary
weekend. But then, James Bond is no ordinary boy...In a North
London cemetery, a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. A suspicious
letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher
the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous
gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just 48 hours to save
the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy
them both. And if the professor can't escape, it's not only
his future under threat. It's the rest of the world's...
The third instalment in a planned series of
five titles, written by Charlie Higson, sees the young James
Bond pitted against the dangerous criminal underworld of interwar
London, a world of illegal gambling dens, Cambridge spies and
East End gangs. Here you’ll read about the experiences
which turned the boy into the steely and ruthless secret agent
that Bond becomes as an adult.
Chapter Listing
The Hungry Machine
Part One: FRIDAY
1 Thoughts in a Side-valve Tourer
2 Stevens and Oliver
3 The Raid on Codrose's
4 Ape X
5 Gourdiou
6 Shoot the Moon
7 A Lovely Wreck
8 See Cambridge and Die
9 The Smith Brothers
Part Two: SATURDAY
10 The Big Smoke
11 Scrambled Eggs
12 A Clarinet Sang in Berkeley Square
13 Breaking the Code
14 Soft Tissue
15 It's Your Funeral
16 Carcass Row
17 Paradice
18 What's Your Poison?
19 A Volatile Substance
Part Three: SUNDAY
20 The Monstrous Regiment
21 The Knight Who Did a Deal With the Devil
22 The Pneumatic Railway
23 Into the Lion's Jaws
24 Nemesis
25 The Empress of the East
26 Babushka
27 Wake Up or Die
28 Out of the Fog
29 The Eyes of a Killer
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|
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Above: US first edition hardback
cover.
UK
Publisher: Puffin
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Released: 4th January 2006
Buy
Now
|
|
USA
Publisher: Hyperion
Format: Hardback
Pages: 382
Released: April 22nd 2008
Buy
Now |
Double
Or Die - Audiobook (Amazon UK) |
Title Vote
Thousands of Young James Bond fans voted for their favourite of three given titles, devised by the author Charlie Higson: Double or Die, N.E.M.E.S.I.S. or The Deadlock Cipher. This is the first instance that readers have decided the title of a book.
The vote was conducted via the Young Bond website (www.youngbond.com) between 3rd October and 3rd November, where fans could read an exclusive extract from the book. The title of Young Bond 3 has been kept a closely guarded secret since voting was closed and the books have been printed under high security, each sealed in its own special foil packaging to conceal the title.
Charlie Higson revealed the title in front of Young Bond fans at a special party at Waterstone's Piccadilly today, where he also discovered the title for the first time himself.
The new book is an explosive, action packed thriller that sees the young James Bond delve in to the dark underworld of illegal gambling dens, Cambridge spies, East End gangs and tough Irish dockers. In Double or Die, James finds himself in close quarters to one of the most notorious gamblers and proves to be very lucky at the roulette table.
Twelve year old Billy Jones from Manchester, whose name appears in the book, was also at the party. Billy earned the opportunity to be in the third Young Bond book when he triumphed at the Young Bond Stunt Academy in January 2006. He and ten other contestants were taught the skills of a young secret agent by stunt professionals at a special day held at Eton College, Windsor, where both Ian Fleming and Young Bond went to school.
The latest Young Bond instalment features Billy as an able sidekick to Red Kelly, one of Bond's closest allies.
Quotes
"Put him out of the way," said Babuska. "Then throw him somewhere in the North Sea."
Charnage looked at Babushka. He looked into her merciless black
eyes.
"...I care nothing for my country."
"You betrayed everyone," said James.
James looked across the table at Gordius, trying to keep a straight face. "Do you have the five pounds on you?" he said. "Or will you have to borrow it?"
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