Raymond Benson

New York Times Bestselling Author – Musician/Film Historian

Archive for James Bond

2023: That’s a Wrap!

Posted by Raymond Benson //

The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way and Zero Minus Ten

The year 2023 has come to a close!

Two of Raymond’s books have dominated the news of the past year.

First, The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way, published in October 2022 from Beaufort Books, has been earning acclaim. It won the IPPY Gold (1st Place) Award in the Mystery Category from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, it was a Traditional Fiction finalist in Chicago Writers Association’s Book of the Year Awards, and it was a SHELF UNBOUND 2022 Best Indie Book Finalist and Notable Indie!

Second, Zero Minus Ten, Raymond’s first James Bond novel (originally published in 1997), was reprinted in the UK in October 2023 from Ian Fleming Publications, with a new Introduction by Raymond himself and a new cover.

Third, Raymond is a contributor to Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello, an anthology published by Down and Out Books in December 2023. The collection, edited by Jim Fusilli, features a track listing of many outstanding crime writers. Raymond’s tale, “The Beat,” is a meditation on Costello’s tune of the same name from his 1978 album, This Year’s Model.

Fourth, Raymond appears in the anthology, Thrilling Adventure Yarns 2022, an anthology of pulp, fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, horror, and plain ol’ awesome short stories by 28 fantastic authors (plus illustrations!). It contains Raymond’s tale, “Sea People.” Edited by Robert Greenberger, the book was published in January 2023 by Crazy 8 Publishing.

Order “Zero Minus Ten” from the James Bond Books page!

Order “The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way,” “Brutal & Strange,” and “Thrilling Adventure Yarns 2022” from the Fiction/Non-Fiction page (scroll to the bottom of the page for the short story collections)!

Subscribe to Raymond’s YouTube Channel to see and hear his eclectic repertoire of 100+ classic rock, movie music, and original compositions on piano!

Raymond Benson plays piano at home.

OF COURSE, many of Raymond’s previous books go on sale as e-books at various times. It’s always best to follow Raymond’s Facebook and Twitter posts to take advantage of these sales. In the meantime, his recent novels like BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, HOTEL DESTINY: A GHOST NOIR, and the five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO, are all still available. Find them on the Books pages (James Bond; The Black Stiletto; Fiction & Non-Fiction; Tie-Ins)!

RAYMOND SENDS HUGS TO EVERYONE AND SAYS, “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!”

2019 and The Decade–That’s a Wrap!

Posted by Raymond Benson //

December 6, 2019

As the entire decade of the 2010s comes to a close, Raymond humbly shares with you what an amazing and busy ten years it has been.

In 2010, HUNT THROUGH NAPOLEON’S WEB was published, along with CHOICE OF WEAPONS, an anthology containing three of Raymond’s earlier James Bond novels.

2011 saw the publication of the first entry in a five-book serial that Raymond calls his “magnum opus”–THE BLACK STILETTO (from Oceanview Publishing). Additionally, two other novels were published as e-books (and subsequently became available in print and audiobook)–ARTIFACT OF EVIL and TORMENT–A LOVE STORY. Finally, Raymond’s tie-in, co-authored with filmmaker John Milius, HOMEFRONT–THE VOICE OF FREEDOM, was published. Crossroad Press also began publishing Raymond’s BACK LIST of original novels as e-books and audiobooks.

In 2012, THE BLACK STILETTO–BLACK & WHITE and HITMAN: DAMNATION were published. Additionally, all six of Raymond’s JAMES BOND NOVELS (originally published between 1997 and 2002) were made available as e-books.

In 2013, THE BLACK STILETTO–STARS & STRIPES made its debut from Oceanview Publishing.

The year 2014 was a busy one. THE BLACK STILETTO–SECRETS & LIES premiered, followed by Raymond’s collaboration with fellow 007 author Jeffery Deaver as co-editors of the annual Mystery Writers of America anthology, entitled ICE COLD–TALES OF INTRIGUE FROM THE COLD WAR. The collection contained short stories by both Raymond and Jeff, along with many other terrific authors and members of MWA. The year closed with the publication of the final book in the serial, THE BLACK STILETTO–ENDINGS & BEGINNINGS.

In 2015, Crossroad Press published an anthology of Raymond’s unpublished and previously published short stories, along with a stage play, entitled 12+1–TWELVE SHORT THRILLERS AND A PLAY. Raymond’s tie-in to the popular videogame, DYING LIGHT–NIGHTMARE ROW, was published in Poland. Finally, Oceanview published as an e-book anthology, THE BLACK STILETTO–THE COMPLETE SAGA.

2016: DYING LIGHT–NIGHTMARE ROW was published in English.

In 2017, Raymond began a relationship with Skyhorse Publishing with the appearance of THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE. His short story, THE MacGUFFIN, was published as an e-book after appearing as “The Purple Bag” in the online magazine, HOP Media, in 2016.

2018 saw the publication of IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT.

In 2019, Raymond’s latest suspense novel, BLUES IN THE DARK, was published by Skyhorse’s new imprint, Arcade CrimeWise, and his musical score for the short film, GHOSTS IN THE INK, won the award for Best Score at the Vegas Movie Awards.

All of these works, as well as Raymond’s back list from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, are available for purchase on the various Books pages:
Fiction and Non-Fiction
The Black Stiletto Serial
James Bond Novels
Media Tie-Ins

RAYMOND WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ONWARD TO THE 2020s!

20 Year Anniversary of “Zero Minus Ten”!

Posted by Raymond Benson //

April 5, 2017

It was twenty years ago this month (April 1997) that Raymond’s first James Bond novel was published in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton. ZERO MINUS TEN marked the first time an American author assumed the mantle of penning original adult 007 books. It was published in the US in May ’97 by Putnam, and was serialized in Playboy magazine (April and May ’97). The locations include Hong Kong/Kowloon, Macau, China, Australia, England, and Jamaica.

From the jacket flap: “In ten days, Hong Kong will pass into the hands of the Chinese–and 007 is on his way there to undertake his most dangerous and thrilling mission yet. In the Australian desert, a nuclear bomb explodes. There are no survivors, and no clues about who has made it or detonated it. In England, two police officers are shot dead when they apprehend a cargo vessel in Portsmouth dock. Vast quantities of heroin are later found on board. And in Hong Kong, an explosion rips through one of the colony’s famous floating restaurants, killing the entire Board of Directors of EurAsia Enterprises Ltd, a multi-billion dollar shipping corporation. The People’s Republic of China is about to resume control after a century and a half of British rule–and the colony is a powder keg waiting to explode. The tension reaches breaking point when a solicitor from one of Britain’s most prestigious law firms is killed in a car bomb at Government House. These apparently random events are connected–and Bond must find out how and why. From the seedy strip clubs of Kowloon, 007’s investigations bring him into conflict with ruthless Triad gangs, a power-hungry Chinese general–and a beautiful night club hostess called Sunni Pei. All enquiries seem to lead to EurAsia Enterprises Ltd–and its assassinated owner. James Bond is about to come up against one of the most formidable adversaries of his career. A new era of high adventure, intrigue and danger begins for James Bond with Raymond Benson’s eagerly awaited 007 thriller–a story of sensuality and nonstop excitement.”

The novel is currently in print in the trade paperback anthology, CHOICE OF WEAPONS, as an e-book on Amazon Kindle, and as an audiobook. Original print copies of the UK or US hardcover or paperback are often available on Amazon Marketplace and eBay. You can find Amazon links here.

RB Collection 1/2 Price Sale at Smashwords!

Posted by Raymond Benson //

March 4, 2017

Smashwords, the alternative online source for e-books, is having a half price sale on selected titles beginning March 5 (Sunday) through March 11 (Saturday). During that period, all of the “Essential Raymond Benson Collection” titles published by Crossroad Press will be half price (usually anywhere between $1.50 – $2.00; discount will be applied at checkout)!

You can get the e-books in ANY format (Kindle, Nook, PDF, Sony Reader, etc.).

The Essential Collection includes–
* THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION (classic 1988 edition with a new introduction)
* 12+1: TWELVE SHORT THRILLERS AND A PLAY (anthology of short fiction)
* EVIL HOURS
* FACE BLIND
* SWEETIE’S DIAMONDS
* A HARD DAY’S DEATH
* DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE
* ARTIFACT OF EVIL
* TORMENT–A LOVE STORY

Go to this link. If you’re not a member of Smashwords, it’s free and easy to sign up. SEARCH for “Raymond Benson” or for any of the titles listed above. The sale price should be already listed.

And that’s not all! In a couple of weeks, Amazon will offer THE BLACK STILETTO: THE COMPLETE SAGA (all five books in one e-book) for only 99 cents… but that’s another message. You can be sure a reminder will be posted. 🙂

News Archive: 2012

Posted by Sue //

January 5, 2014

October 30, 2012

HITMAN: DAMNATION is published today! This is a “prequel” to IO Interactive’s upcoming videogame, “Hitman: Absolution.” It also works as a stand-alone novel, so readers do not have to be familiar with the videogame to enjoy it.

RAYMOND’S JAMES BOND NOVELS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR KINDLE!

Raymond’s original James Bond 007 novels, originally published between 1997 and 2002, are now available as e-books for Kindle (other formats will come in the future)! They come with newly-designed covers (above) and they’re at a nice price.
ZERO MINUS TEN
THE FACTS OF DEATH
HIGH TIME TO KILL
DOUBLESHOT
NEVER DREAM OF DYING
THE MAN WITH THE RED TATTOO

October 15, 2012

THE BLACK STILETTO: BLACK & WHITE is now another unique 3-voice AUDIOBOOK from Crossroad Press and Audible.com. Get it from Audible!

Raymond’s “historical supernatural thriller,” ARTIFACT OF EVIL, originally published as an e-book in 2011, is now available in print (trade paperback).

May 1, 2012

THE BLACK STILETTO e-book reached the Amazon Kindle Store’s Top Ten (#7!) recently. Things are gearing up for the publication of the sequel, THE BLACK STILETTO: BLACK & WHITE (May 30). Watch this space and Raymond’s Facebook author page for updates, contest announcements, price drops, reviews, and other Black Stiletto news.

Check out the very nice interview with Raymond and the review of THE BLACK STILETTO: BLACK & WHITE on “The Big Thrill” e-newsletter from the International Thriller Writers: here!

Novelspot.com features a seven-part blog by Raymond about “How I Became a Writer.” This link goes to Part 1; follow the links to the other parts.

February 11, 2012

The film rights to THE BLACK STILETTO have been picked up by Lonetree Entertainment. Benson was represented by veteran literary and film manager, Peter Miller, of Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc.

“Stiletto was a real find and we’re all very excited about the potential of this unique genre-bending project,” said Lonetree producing partner Tony Eldridge. Lonetree Entertainment is currently partnered with Escape Artists and Sony Pictures on “The Equalizer” feature film starring Denzel Washington. The company has a number of other projects in development, including the epic WWII action drama, “The War Magician” with Marc Forster attached to direct, and “The Kitchen House,” based on Kathleen Grissom’s New York Times bestseller. Lonetree is fast tracking Stiletto and is currently in discussions with several A-list screenwriters.

In other news, THE BLACK STILETTO: BLACK & WHITE (#2 in the series, publication date May 30, 2012) has received its first review from Bestsellersworld.com!

February 5, 2012

HOMEFRONT: THE VOICE OF FREEDOM, by John Milius and Raymond Benson, won the “Lovey” (Readers Choice) Award for Best Paranormal / Sci Fi / Horror Novel of 2011 at the Love is Murder writers conference in Chicago, Illinois!

January 10, 2012

Now Available! The classic 1980s reference book all about 007, THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, has been re-published!

THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION was Raymond’s very first published work (it originally appeared in 1984!). Crossroad Press will publish it again this week, first as an e-book, available for Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, and all other e-reader formats. Coming later will be an downloadable audiobook edition, followed by a new print edition!

THE BEDSIDE COMPANION was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Biographical/Critical Work of 1984 by Mystery Writers of America and 007 fans still consider it to be a “Bond Bible.”

Also Available! THE ESSENTIAL RAYMOND BENSON COLLECTION! Crossroad Press has also re-published all of Raymond’s backlist original thrillers in e-book format. As with the BEDSIDE COMPANION, in the coming months each title will appear as a downloadable audiobook and print edition.

You can buy every e-book format directly from Crossroad Press here. Or, you can go directly to Amazon for the Kindle-only editions. The titles will appear soon on the Barnes & Noble site.

In other news, THE BLACK STILETTO continues to garner great reviews. Check out Praise page on the official Black Stiletto website for samples and links to full reviews. More will be added as they come in.

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