High Time to Kill
(Hodder & Stoughton, Putnam; 1999)
"Benson...shows
why he was chosen to pick up from stylish John Gardner
the franchise on Ian Fleming’s deathproof
hero. No one can ever match FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE,
Fleming’s dark masterpiece of serious Bondian
daring...but Benson’s latest will satisfy
those destined never to have the thrill of discovery
FROM RUSSIA gave us in the 1950s... Smartly plotted
all the way, right down to a black climax echoing
the final page of ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET
SERVICE."
(Kirkus Reviews, USA)
"...a
good yarn spun round a fairly implausible plot...It’s
not only for Bond fans, but a good adventure story
in its own right."
(Middlesborough Evening Gazette, UK)
"The
new Bond adventure HIGH TIME TO KILL is [Benson’s]
most thrilling yet."
(Evening News, UK)
"This
is by far Benson’s best Bond novel. Not only
does he present a realistic plot, but he gives 007
interesting people to interact with...As in the
original books, Benson makes use of the "Fleming
Sweep," which whisks the reader from one short
chapter to another...This is a thoroughly modern
espionage novel that also gives insights into James
Bond’s past...Benson’s writing fits
precisely into the Bond tradition of escapist fiction...As
Ian Fleming was fond of saying about his own books,
HIGH TIME TO KILL is the perfect book to read on
an airplane or waiting for a train. It is light
fare that goes down quickly and is not meant for
serious thought-just plain summer fun. Nobody does
it better."
(Oregon Daily Emerald, USA)
"...there
are enough twists and turns in the tale to keep
things exciting...definitely worth a read for Bond
fans who can’t wait for the forthcoming 007
movie..."
(Hartlepool Mail, UK)
"If
anything, Benson has made Bond less gimmicky, concentrating
on the action rather than the gadgets. The results
is a slick enough read for dedicated Bond fans who
like blazing guns (Walthers, of course) and beautiful
women."
(Sunday Mercury, Birmingham, UK)
"Raymond
Benson is no Ian Fleming, but he captures the spirit
and pluck of Fleming’s 007 in this high-flying
spy thriller...a perfect read for a free afternoon."
(Chicago Tribune, USA)
