The only Bond novel written by Kingsley Amis (under the Robert Markham pseudonym) is one of the best non-Fleming 007 adventures. Amis is a superior stylist and manages to capture Fleming's touch in many places, and he applies a rigorous realism that sets his work apart from the later continuation authors. However, Amis has a much more political slant to his work that differentiates it from Fleming's more apolitical fantasies, and this sometimes bogs down the story's movement. After an exciting opening, the middle is often excruciatingly slow. The finale is bloody and thrilling, however, with a fiendish torture that Fleming would have approved.

Unfortunately, despite the qualities of this book, the proposed series of "Robert Markham" Bond novels failed after this one entry, and it wouldn't be until 1981 that more new novels would hit the shelves. ( )

The first non Ian Flemming James Bond book. Not a bad effort but noticebly not Iam Flemming, ( )

The first Bond novel not written by Ian Fleming, this book was written by Kingsley Amis under a pseudonym.

In this book, M is kidnapped, and of course Bond has to rescue him. He has help from a Greek agent, and the title of the book is the name of the villain of the piece, a Chinese agent himself.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2006/1... ( )

Kingsley Amis was somewhat of an expert on James Bond, writing a critical guide to the series, among other things. His authorized attempt at imitation--writing under the pseudonym, Robert Markham--is just as good as any of the originals (which is a tribute to Amis, not a criticism of Ian Fleming). ( )

Year - 1968
Tease - It was inevitable, after years of killing and chasing and being chased by the most diabolical enemies the world has ever known, that a new James Bond would emerge from the old. The man of instant reflexes, iron determination and breath-taking audacity would begin to show a part of his secret self - his feelings.
Villain - Colonel Sun Liang-tan is a tall Chinese man, big-boned with a long head. His hair is blue-black and dead straight. His skin color is flat light yellow. His irises were pewter-grey
Bond-Girl - Ariadne Alexandrou, a beautiful Greek woman with tabacco-blonde hair. Her skin has soft tints of tan and white and olive and rose. Her eyes are tan-colored. She is resourceful, brave, intelligent and strong
Minor Characters - M, Niko Litsas, Von Richter, Dr. Lohmann, Evgeny, De Graaf, Willi.
Plot - Red Chinese plot to blow-up Russian summit conference in Greece and leave the dead bodies of M and Bond nearby to throw blame at the British.
Highlights - M's home, Quarterdeck, confrontation and the death of the Hammonds. Moonlit chase through the Acropolis. Sea battle. Confrontational torture scene with Colonel Sun and final showdown.
Opening Sentence - James Bond stood at the middle tees of the eighteenth on the Sunningdale New Course, enjoying the tranquil normality of a sunny English afternoon in early September.
Trivia - The Fleming estate and Glidrose were preparing to create a new series of OO7 novels under the faux author's name, Robert Markham.
Source -- www.shatterhand007.com