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

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.

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).

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.

Deaver Does An Awesome Bond! Great book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

First, Deaver is an excellent writer who understands and writes in the genre with the best of them. I think we are lucky a writer of his caliber would take on Bond at all. Bond movies are so anticipated and loved, they tend to be judged more by how few times you are forced to suspend belief than by how good the story really is. I must confess I carried the same anticipation into the reading of Carte Blanche. In this case, Deaver delivers in a very big way with a complex mystery that is as entertaining as it is realistic.Best of all, he gives Bond the sophistication and complexity he deserves.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carte Blanche?

I loved how Deaver used the contrast of proper police work to expose how Bond's 00 status allows him far more leeway than most law enforcement.

Which character – as performed by Toby Stephens – was your favorite?

Bond, James Bond.

Any additional comments?

If you love good writing, excellent mystery, and believable suspense and of course James Bond, you'll love Carte Blanche!

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.

Disappointment

This was not very good James Bond, and not very good Jeffery Deaver. I managed to make it to the end but the plot was one silly disappointment after another. The reader was pretty good.

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.

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.

Bond, Bond, BOND! More Bond, please!

I love 007 in all his many guises and maybe that is why Deaver's new incarnation is as wonderful as Connery, Moore, Craig and all the others. I am used to "M" being male or female, Felix Leiter being white, black, alive, dead & alive again. I also love Deaver's style of writing & Toby Stephens telling of the tale. Stephens has a beautiful voice that is smooth as clotted cream, veddy, veddy upper crust Brit yet droll, stiff upper lip, as he recounts the gore & gristle. This book was even better than I already knew it would be. The story was gripping and just when I knew who the bad guy was...well just let me say, I was wrong. The bad guy was thoroughly creepy with a particular "love" that even I had not heard of. I also enjoyed the sub-plot of Jame's parents as it lays the framework for more books, I hope. I liked the descriptive detailing of the clothes, watches, tools, toys & guns. It added heft to the new creation of Bond. James is still very manly although more pc in his treatment & regard of women. He remains smart, sleek, tech savvy, sexy, a rogue and a pirate in Savile Row clothing. More, please.