From the cover:

“Benson is a top-class thriller craftsman who knows showbiz and music like the back of his hand. An unbeatable combination.” – Lee Child

Benson’s Bond anthology, The Union Trilogy is due out soon or.. is out depending on who you talk to. I’ve heard it’s shipping from Amazon.comthough they list a November 4th release. Barnes & Noble lists it as October 28th. Should be cool anyway. 3 full Benson novels and the full uncut short story, “Blast From the Past”. I’ll probably get it for the the short story alone. Well, okay, I’ll be getting it for the short story alone. I have first editions of all his Bond novels and I’ve never read the uncut version of “Blast From the Past”.

I’m not really all that much of a fan of this to be honest. That said it is very paperback looking. Reminds me of the early 70s Pan editions or the late 70s / early 80s British Triads with the girl and typically a gun on the cover. I never liked those. Not to say this is the route they should go, but my favorite paperbacks are the early pulp Pan editions – specifically Live and Let Die. Always wished I had a collection of those.

In the lead up to the book’s release, the YoungBondDossier has unveiled four previews. One. Two. Three. Four.

Order it from Amazon.co.uk for £5.99.

According to a new update on Raymond Benson’s website, he has been signed by publisher Hard Case Crime to write Hunt Through Napoleons Web, the 6th and last in a series of books about a fictional character named Gabriel Hunt. The books which will be credited to Hunt, will be authored by rotating writers. Other authors include Christa Faust, James Reasoner, David J. Schow, Nicholas Kaufmann, and Charles Ardai.

Read more about it at Benson’s website.
And at the official website.

What IFP says:

This beautiful catalogue was published by The Fleming-Wyfold Art Foundation to accompany the exhibition Bond Bound: Ian Fleming and the Art of Cover Design.The exhibition is currently open to the public at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh, and will tour New York and Los Angeles in late 2008.

Bond Bound charts the role of artists in creating and defining the Bond look and features book covers, film posters, letters and previously unseen archive material. The exhibition comes right up to date with artwork from Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series, The Moneypenny Diaries by Samantha Weinberg and the recently released Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming.

Speaking to Sons of Spade, Benson’s interview mainly focused on his last original novel, A Hard Day’s Death and its sequel Dark Side of the Morgue which is scheduled for release in March 2009. Also coming up is the James Bond anthology, The Union Trilogy, which consists of High Time to Kill, Doubleshot, and Never Dream of Dying, as well as the complete short story “Blast From The Past.” The anthology is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will be released later this year on November 4 (Benson’s website says October 18th in New York, October 25th in Chicago).

CommanderBond.net put up a “Looking Back” feature today about Raymond Benson’s James Bond short stories. Check that out as well.

Get more info at Young Bond Dossier.

Seems rather bizarre to me they didn’t go for May 28th. Anyway, more news as we get it. Thanks to CommandBond.net.

Over at the Young Bond Dossier, our good friend has interviewed Charlie Higson about the latest Young Bond novel By Royal Command, recently released in the UK on 3 September.

You’ll have to read the interview for yourself to find out what all it discusses. I didn’t read the entire interview because I don’t want to risk spoiling the book. I’m only about half way through.