Carte Blanche

The New James Bond Novel

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Toby Stephens

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The face of war is changing. The other side doesn't play by the rules much anymore. There's thinking, in some circles,that we need to play by a different set of rules too....

Fresh from Afghanistan, James Bond has been recruited to a new agency. Conceived in the post-9/11 world, it operates independent of Five, Six and the MoD, its very existence deniable. Its aim: to protect the Realm, by any means necessary. The Night Action alert calls Bond from dinner with a beautiful woman. GCHQ has decrypted an electronic whisper about an attack scheduled for later in the week: casualties estimated in the thousands, British interests adversely affected.

And 007 has been given carte blanche to do whatever it takes to fulfill his mission.

©2011 Jeffrey Deaver (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Audio

An enjoyable listen.

It was a good James Bond novel. I have listend to it three times over the last four years. I will probably listen to it again.

Great story, I think the bad reviews are for the lack of cars that turn into submarines

Im a big fan of the bond books. The after Fleming era has been hit and miss so I rely on these reviews. I was half expecting the author to butcher the character but he did quiet nicely. As a warning, this is a reboot of Bond and a completely new style but the true Bond is here. Some of the new books and especially the movies turn him into a super hero with unrealistic powers including over women that makes me roll my eyes. This stays true to a more real Bond. The Guy Richie like twists may of had me rolling my eyes a bit but over all this is a really solid Bond book

Highly Recommended!

I’m a huge fan of the Ian Fleming Bond novels. This is a great addition to the James Bond adventures! Highly recommended!

Really good story

This is a great audiobook, this is like a James Bond book. The delivery was amazing and the performance was amazing. Cant wait for the next 007 book. would highly suggest reading this book.

Worth The Time

I had read many reviews from the English release of this book two weeks ago and most of them were negative. I have to say that I cannot agree and I can only come to the conclusion that the idea of an American writing James Bond must be too much for some.

I was pulling a split shift (day.... short break.... night) and Carte Blanche has provided excellent company.

Deaver has once again bought Bond back into the 21st century giving him a new shadowy department to work for (which I am not sure I agree with) and a rolled out the usual cast of familiar faces to share the adventure.

Toby Stephens took a little getting used to, starting out very laid back but also proved to be a good choice as the narrator.

Bond girls with silly names, a shadowy villain or two, some twists and turns in the plot.....What more does a Bond fan want?

Book 3-4, narrator 2 stars

The book is what you would expect from a Bond novel, not to much depth but light and entertaining. Its a shame the story is to much written as if it is the first book of a series and not the current last. But my main reason for giving it only 3 stars is that the Narrator is stunningly boring, he reads the book to much as if he's reading at a children's book club with to much emphasis on a r t i c u l a t i n g everything very proper. And he can not do female voices, at least not convincingly in any way.

Superb in Every Way

Toby Stephens delivers Jeffery Deaver's 007 novel with flair and conviction. Deaver's story is typically brilliant and riveting with its twists and unexpected plot points. This is perhaps the best and freshest 007 novel ever. This presentation was a pleasant surprise and an engaging and rewarding experience. Highly recommended from and audio book veteran. This is the kind of story and performance that we search for and has one longing for time with his iPod. More please, Mr. Deaver. Bravo! Five stars all around.

Same Bond But A New Bond

I was skeptical...you know, we've all seen so many Bond novels and movies over the years how can the brand be any different than what's already out there, right? Well I was wrong with this one.

I don't know what the deal is behind the scenes with licensing an all that but I sure hope Deaver continues. This book takes you into the origins of Bonds entrance into the spy business, his parents history and the relationship his "shop' has with other British spy outfits. More interesting were the tidbits about his parents death and his desire to solve that mystery and mete out revenge...ie, to kill the assasin.

The reader is very professional; takes himself seriously and has talent incorporating the diff accents needed for this book. Some were hokey but after listening and getting to know the characters it became apparent that the voice/accent was "perfect" for that character.

There's a very current, up to date feel to this story and the character, who goes back, what to the early 60's (?) is very current as well. There's 3 distinct plot lines and one doesn't see them mesh till the last possible moment.

get this book...and if anyone sees Mr Deaver, please tell him to sit his butt down and start on the next one for me.

The new Bond?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

A little disappointed.

Would you recommend Carte Blanche to your friends? Why or why not?

No. It is not the same Bond as Ian Flemming's.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Toby Stephens?

Yes.

Could you see Carte Blanche being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It could me made into a movie. I have no idea who should star in it.

Any additional comments?

This was a Bond story written in present day; however, Bond is being cast like he was a spy from the 60s. The two don't jive. Bond appears too soft to be a real spy.

A pleasure from start to finish

Carte Blanche: The New James Bond Novel is clever and exciting, and the plot's twists and turns and will keep the listener hanging on every word. This is the James Bond we know from the novels, and not the cartoon hero of the films who performs superhuman feets. The narration by Toby Stephens is perfect. By the way, is there an accent he cannot master? The happy result of hearing this novel is a desire to purchase more of author Jeffery Deaver's other works, and to keep an eye (and ear) out for more of Toby Stephens' narrated books.