If we are to declare a starting point for the autumn publishing season, I think today might be the day. Dashed into Waterstones for a signed copy of Bob Mortimer's new one, and a the new Robert Harris was both signed and half price, picked that up as well. Both were fairly heavily promoted in store. Rather less so was the, also published today, paperback of the latest James Bond book, A Spy Like Me by Kim Sherwood. Had to go upstairs and hunt in the A-Z fiction by author filing to track down the single copy they had in store.
Ian Fleming publications released the first chapter of the forthcoming Felix Leiter book on Tuesday this week. They could have waited for a day and released it on Fleming's (117th) birthday, but never mind. Their post includes both the first chapter and the author, Raymond Benson, reading it. I am reminded of this post from 2023 when I was pleased to report on a successful eBay purchase from Mr Benson. Last year, I was able to repeat the trick by purchasing, directly from the author, another set, this time of the US first edition signed paperbacks of his Bond works. As for The Hook and the Eye, I don't think I'm going to sign up for the digital serialisation, but will look forward to the hard copy later this year.
