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

A new Bond for new times.

well written with great respect to the original writing of his creator Ian Fleming. hope there'll be another one soon.

An excellent reboot of the literary 007

Toby Stephens delivers an engaging read of the only recent continuation novel to be set in the present day, which includes some interesting revisions to Bond’s backstory and world. It’s a nicely paced and well-written thriller with memorable villains, a likable and well-drawn supporting cast, some great set pieces, and many more twists than you’d find in a typical Fleming novel. The plot is fun, even when it reveals itself to be a bit overstuffed. Overall a great 007 book, maybe one of my favorites—I wish there were more like it!

Blah Blah Bond

It was a labor to finish this book. The performance was adequate, but the story never really captured my imagination. Though I have seen all of the movies, this was my first Bond book. I was surprised by how pedestrian this Bond was compared to the others to which I am accustom. I was disappointed, and I would not recommend this audiobook.

Long winded

Not the best bond story. Very long winded for the first 2/3. Reader was good though.

Not Ian Fleming...

Was hoping for a Bond in the classic style, sadly that didn't happen. Nothing ever goes wrong for Bond that can't be fixed by a bit of Deus ex machina it seems. Very predictable, and a bit Hardy Boyish in my opinion.

No Ian Fleming

Would you try another book from Jeffery Deaver and/or Toby Stephens?

Not unless I read some other reviews that were positive

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeffery Deaver again?

Yes

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

If you mean the reading it was fine.

What character would you cut from Carte Blanche?

Heigts girlfriend

Any additional comments?

This book was soooo slow. I don't know the number of pages but it should have been cut in half.
Also too many sub plots.
This book was just terrible.

Long and Very detailed!

I asked my husband to pick a book that we would both enjoy listening to while we were driving to and from the beach. This is what he picked. This is Deaver's first attempt at writing a Bond novel. The story has some decent action but gets a little boring at times. The book was a long listen and was the type of story that you thought should have ended 3 different times. Deaver is very detailed to the point of rediculous. For example, we learned that when Bond takes a shower that he uses unscented soap. LOL!

Expected Sean Connery got David Niven

We know Bond, James Bond what we receive a neutered Bond. Shooting bad guys in the elbow, come on get real. His choice of adult beverages was over the top and he didn't even get the girl. The endless technical information was dull, I planted my left foot parallel to my right as I positioned myself to shoot geez I wish I bought the abridged version to avoid such banality. My anticipation was high for this book but it flowed like a new bottle of Heinz Ketchup. Where was Simon Vance to save the audiobook? Toby Stephans narrative was as interesting as listening to the Butler answering the door and inviting someone to sit in the study while he gets the Master of the House. His monotone delivery was shocking. This book is about rubbish and is rubbish, poorly conceived and poorly received. We know Bond all about Bond and this wasn't close. The bad guy wasn't a sinister villain. Political correctness and James Bond do not mix. Jeffrey Deaver is to Ian Fleming as Timothy Dalton was to Sean Connery. Where is the dashing, exciting, fearless, ladies man licensed to kill with a quick wit and clever dialogue. Where is the hero every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with.....perhaps next time..
I read Dr. No a couple weeks ago and it stands the test of time, Deaver has no way to go but up after this "stinker" (no pun intended).

Had high hopes

I like the James Bond series generally. I picked this up on a bit of a gamble and had high hopes but I was disappointed. Starts off very slow and grinds along. The action is predictable and the result was also predictable. By the end, I was thinking - that was it? None of the inventiveness or clever things I expected. I think I wasted a credit.

not the bond i know

This is not the james bond I know. This james bond actually has an office with a secretary! This james bond depends on others to get out of jams. This james bond drives a subaru! This james bond assesses each woman in her potential to be a long term relationship. This james bond is not take advantage of technological gadgets. This james bond is noht larger than life. In fact he seems less than mitch rapp or cotton malone. This james bond maybe more real that is not the james bond I know and love.