Kim Sherwood

I received an advance copy of this book. Thank you

In all fairness to the author and the series, I have not read the first book in this series. Perhaps if I had, I'd have found it easier to follow. I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters, what action was taking place where and with whom and how they all came together. That said, it was a clever story, fewer cool toys than in a Bond movie, but that's ok. Bond definitely seemed like a minor character, more always in the background, and I never quite felt his presence, which was fine because there were a lot of other Double OO's who deserved the lime light. I liked Moneypenny's role.… (altro)

Book 2 in a series. Did not read book #1. We start out learning of a bomb in London’s BBC buildings putting Moneypenny and Agents 004 and 000 are trying to figure out what happened and who was behind the blast, which left one of their own seriously injured. They also discover that there is a leak in MI6 and James Bond is missing.
Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda while she is not working due to the loss of a loved one – she is looking for 007, James Bond, who left a clue behind at the black site where he was being held captive.
As the investigation progresses, we are thrust into the world of trafficking, specifically art, antiquities, diamonds and people.
Overall, a pretty fast-paced read. I received this book from the publisher and Book Club Girl for an honest review.… (altro)

Double Or Nothing (2023) (00 World #1) by Kim Sherwood. What is a Bond novel without James running around in it? Read this book and find out.
I am a big fan of the James Bond novels, be they from the pen of Fleming, Robert Markham (Kingsley Amis), John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Sebastian Faulks, Jeffery Deaver, William Boyd, Anthony Horowitz, or the “Young Bond” author Charlie Hinson. But now we have the “00” series beginning with this book and I have a problem.
The only trace of Bond in this book is the scent of where he has been. Missing for over a year, HQ is in a quandary as to closing the file on him or keeping hope alive. He has gone missing before and always managed to return in some, generally beat up, worn out or, in at least one case, in a brain washed condition. The hope is can he do it again but as the days pass that candle in the window is burning lower and lower.
Keep in mind all the earlier Bond books had but one main character and were generally told from his point of view. That singular look at the world is exploded here with many characters, encompassing a broad spectrum of “types” but trying to hit on most of them, and each offers their own strengths and weaknesses. As points of view vary you might feel a bit lost in the telling. Certainly there is a lot of action, but I never felt drawn to any of the main characters. It is as if “Corporate” decided to not offend anyone so had every persuasion of person possible included in this mix. While many may enjoy that, and even may have been applauding for a greater width of character rather than the average “straight white man, devil may care attitude, required to save the world” want ad of the past.
But sometimes you can overdo it, and this is one of those.
Instead of a Bond story, this is truly a 00 section story, and this book features far more 00s than any previous novel. There is 003, Johanna Harwood, who has been captured by the evil Rattenfanger organization, the same people who probably have 007. Sid Bashir is 009, in love with 003 and in the process of recovering her in whatever condition she might be in. 004 and 000 are also running around. Moneypenny for some reason is the new M, but why I can’t tell you. Bill Tanner must have felt outrage at this massive slight, but Ms. Sherwood manages to make what has happened to him so far look minuscule in comparison to what happens at the end of this tale.
There are so many things that have gone wrong with this book, and my hands are getting a little tired or writing bad news by this point, that I won’t go into further details. This is the first in a trio of books about the 00s and perhaps the author was just laying a groundwork for better things to come.
I doubt that even the new “Q” could figure a way out of this quagmire, but, as with the ending to this story, there is always hope for better things to come.… (altro)