Archive for Raymond Benson

New Bond Omnibus and More!

The year 2024 kicks off with a bang!

“Kiss kiss bang bang,” that is.

James Bond: The Raymond Benson Years is a new e-book anthology, available February 26, 2024, that contains all six of Raymond’s original James Bond novels. These books were originally published between 1997 and 2002 and are now collected together in digital form for the first time and at a nice price.

You get: ZERO MINUS TEN, THE FACTS OF DEATH, HIGH TIME TO KILL, DOUBLESHOT, NEVER DREAM OF DYING, and THE MAN WITH THE RED TATTOO.

Published by Ian Fleming Publications, the e-book can be found at most retail outlets, but you can order it here from the James Bond Books page! (And you can read about Ian Fleming Publications’ recent publication news here.

Also available are the recent publications:

Zero Minus Ten New Edition cover
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.

Mad Mad Murders of Marigold Way cover
The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way, published in October 2022 from Beaufort Books. 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! The e-book edition is occasionally on sale at a nice price.

Brutal and Strange Cover
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.

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

Order “The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way,” and “Brutal & Strange” 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

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, “BE SAFE AND HEALTHY!”

James Bond Is Back In Action!

Raymond’s first James Bond novel, ZERO MINUS TEN, returns in print in the UK!

On August 12, 2023, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. announced the publication of new editions of three classic James Bond continuation novels, including Raymond’s 1997 debut 007 adventure, ZERO MINUS TEN (the others being Kingsley Amis’ COLONEL SUN and John Pearson’s JAMES BOND: THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY).

The new edition, to be published October 5, will feature a new cover and a new Introduction by Raymond.

Copies may be pre-ordered from Ian Fleming Publications. Go to the James Bond Books Page for links to order a SIGNED edition or the Standard edition.

Raymond Benson Plays Piano

Raymond Benson plays piano at home.

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

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 THE MAD, MAD MURDERS OF MARIGOLD WAY (winner of the IPPY Gold Medal in Mystery from the Independent Publisher Book Awards!), 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, “BE SAFE AND BE HEALTHY!”

It’s 2023: Time to Read!

As 2023 rolls onward, Raymond has some NEWS!

Thrilling Adventure Yarns cover

FIRST, 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.” Robert Greenberger is the editor and producer/overseer, and the authors include Raymond plus Lester Dent, David Gerrold, Aaron Rosenberg, Bart Sears & Michelle Sears, Geoffrey Thorne, Glenn Hauman, Greg Cox, Hildy Silverman, Jean Rabe. Jenifer Rosenberg, Jody Lynn Nye, Kathleen David, Peter David, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Lucienne Diver, Mark Verheiden, Mary Fan, Michael Jan Friedman, Paul Kupperberg, Caitlin Rozakis, Russ Colchamiro, and Will Murray.

You can order the book in the Short Stories section at the bottom of the Fiction/Non-Fiction Page!

The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way promo ad

SECOND, Raymond’s latest novel, THE MAD, MAD MURDERS OF MARIGOLD WAY, is garnering wonderful reviews and attention.

Publisher’s Weekly gave the book a STARRED review, saying: “This stellar mystery set in May 2020… focuses on TV writer turned novelist Scott Hatcher and Rachel Bergman, Scott’s dutiful housewife neighbor, who live in Lincoln Grove, a quiet Chicago suburb. When their respective spouses turn out to have gone missing on the same day, Lt. Pat Dante, of the Lincoln Grove PD, investigates. The stakes rise with the discovery of the remains of the missing spouses in a house destroyed by arson. Curiously, large amounts of personal protective equipment, apparently stolen, were burned in the fire. Scott and Rachel fall under suspicion, and they grow closer as Dante tries to untangle a spiraling web of crime. Though all the characters are painted with convincing brushstrokes, it’s the narrator, not identified until the end, who steals the show. “I’m the storyteller here, and I can tell the tale any way I choose!” he declares, and he freely editorializes and speculates about others, himself, and the troubled times following the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This wild roller coaster of a novel is an attention-grabber from first page to last.”

See other early reviews on the Fiction Reviews page!

Fans of Thornton Wilder’s classic Our Town and films by the sardonic Coen Brothers will be captivated by the warped Americana of The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way.

Order now from the Fiction/Non-Fiction Page! Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook.

SHELF UNBOUND 2022 Best Indie Book Finalist and Notable Indie!

Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Finalist 2022

Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Notable 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 

FINALLY, 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

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, “BE SAFE AND BE HEALTHY!”

The New Novel is Here!

“The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way” is Here!

Raymond is pleased to announce the publication of his new novel on October 4, 2022, The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way, from Beaufort Books!

Publisher’s Weekly gave the book a STARRED review, saying: “This stellar mystery set in May 2020… focuses on TV writer turned novelist Scott Hatcher and Rachel Bergman, Scott’s dutiful housewife neighbor, who live in Lincoln Grove, a quiet Chicago suburb. When their respective spouses turn out to have gone missing on the same day, Lt. Pat Dante, of the Lincoln Grove PD, investigates. The stakes rise with the discovery of the remains of the missing spouses in a house destroyed by arson. Curiously, large amounts of personal protective equipment, apparently stolen, were burned in the fire. Scott and Rachel fall under suspicion, and they grow closer as Dante tries to untangle a spiraling web of crime. Though all the characters are painted with convincing brushstrokes, it’s the narrator, not identified until the end, who steals the show. “I’m the storyteller here, and I can tell the tale any way I choose!” he declares, and he freely editorializes and speculates about others, himself, and the troubled times following the lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This wild roller coaster of a novel is an attention-grabber from first page to last.”

See other early reviews on the Fiction Reviews page!

Fans of Thornton Wilder’s classic Our Town and films by the sardonic Coen Brothers will be captivated by the warped Americana of The Mad, Mad Murders of Marigold Way.

Order now from the Fiction/Non-Fiction Page! Available in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook.

SHELF UNBOUND 2022 Best Indie Book Finalist and Notable Indie!

Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Finalist 2022

Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Notable 2022

2021 : BOOKS, MUSIC, AND MORE!

As the year 2021 rolls forward, Raymond would like to share with you some items of interest.

FIRST, Raymond’s ghost story novel, HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir, was published in September 2020 by Crossroad Press, and is available as an e-book, trade paperback, and a spectacular audiobook from Audible.

WHAT IF YOU, AS A GHOST, HAD TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER? “HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir” is a ghost story with a distinctive noir sensibility mixed with David Lynchian surrealism.

Hotel Destiny Cover

ALSO, Raymond has written the Introduction to the fabulous anthology, TURNING THE TIED, which contains short stories by members of the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers (IAMTW). These new tales feature public domain characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein’s Monster, John Carter of Mars, Dracula, the Three Musketeers, and more. Sales will benefit the World Literacy Foundation. Now available as an e-book and trade paperback.

Turning the Tied cover

FINALLY, over the past pandemic year, Raymond has been recording piano solos at home during quarantine and uploading them to YouTube. To date he has uploaded 92 and the goal is to reach 100 by the time of the one-year anniversary of lockdowns in mid-March.

Raymond Benson Plays Piano

Raymond Benson plays piano at home.

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

OF COURSE, Raymond’s other recent books like BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, and the five-book serial, THE BLACK STILETTO, are all still available. Find them on the Books–Fiction & Non-Fiction page, and the Books–Tie-Ins page!

RAYMOND SENDS HUGS TO EVERYONE AND SAYS, “BE SAFE AND BE HEALTHY!”

“Hotel Destiny” Now Available!

(Updated October 2020)

WHAT IF YOU, AS A GHOST, HAD TO SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER?

From internationally acclaimed and New York Times best-selling author Raymond Benson comes a novel that is a ghost story with a distinctive noir sensibility mixed with David Lynchian surrealism.

“HOTEL DESTINY–A Ghost Noir” was published by Crossroad Press in September 2020!

The year is 1985. Manhattan’s Times Square area is sleazy, and the streets are full of what Coleman Sackler calls “New York Street Skunk.” Cole is the night manager and self-proclaimed hotel detective for the transient Hotel Destiny, which has been plagued with scandals over the century, including several murders, gangster occupation and ownership, and fleabag status during the 1960s and 70s. Five recent slayings in the building have been attributed to—the police believe—one killer.

During the gala grand re-opening Halloween party, Cole Sackler himself is murdered by a masked man. But hold on! Cole “awakes” and is still in the hotel—as a ghost. Prior to his death, a mysterious woman had told him that hidden portals located throughout the building can lead one to other time periods, and that the key to Cole’s destiny is in the hotel’s past and embedded in its many secrets.

Thus, Cole’s spirit sets out to solve his own murder by dropping in on living characters throughout Hotel Destiny’s history and observing and/or interacting with them. His goal is to discover the identity of his killer, as well as learn the ironic truth about his own family, his heritage, and himself!

SEE THE BOOKS–FICTION & NON-FICTION PAGE FOR LINKS TO ORDER THE E-BOOK, PRINT BOOK, OR AUDIOBOOK!

2019 and The Decade–That’s a Wrap!

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.

Blues in the Dark Cover

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.

James Bond Ebooks

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.

12 + 1 by Raymond Benson

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!

New Novel “Blues in the Dark” for 2019

As the year 2018 comes to a close, Raymond is pleased to announce that his next novel is titled BLUES IN THE DARK and will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in the Fall of 2019. In keeping with his previous two novels from Skyhorse, BLUES is a stand-alone suspense tale. This one is set in Hollywood in both the present day and the 1940s. Watch this space for future news regarding BLUES IN THE DARK!

Raymond’s previous novels of suspense from Skyhorse, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE, have received very positive reviews and are still available in hardcover, audiobook, and e-book. See the Fiction Page for links to purchase.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“In the Hush of the Night” May 15, 2018!

Raymond’s new thriller, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT, will be published by Skyhorse Publishing on May 15, 2018!

From the New York Times bestselling author and former James Bond novelist comes a gritty, riveting tale of modern crime, featuring a female FBI agent embroiled in a Russian human trafficking case.

Chicago Special Agent Annie Marino examines the case of a dead young woman who possesses a tattoo Annie has come across before―that of bloody bear claws. Several deceased women with the tattoo have turned up over the past few years, all suspected of being involved in a vast human trafficking operation.

Annie’s neighborhood friend, Jason Ward, is a young writer engaged to be married into an upper-class family from a posh Chicago suburb. Jason believes his future brother-in-law, a war veteran, is definitely a bully―but does he also have ties to the Russian mob?

Yana Kravec, a woman from St. Petersburg, Russia, has been fraudulently lured into a trafficking scheme and thrown into a horrid and seemingly hopeless situation. She is, however, determined to fight back and escape her captors.

Annie’s investigation eventually uncovers a sordid plot of procuring slaves overseas and marketing them in the US. Her interests soon coincide with those of Jason and Yana, bringing the trio together to fight against a deadly network of criminals. As the separate lives of these characters collide, their paths ultimately converge in a night of terror and survival in a Michigan forest, where they become the prey of evil men who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.

*

“Bringing to light the often-hidden underbelly of human trafficking crimes, Benson spins a riveting, suspenseful narrative that is as much a cat-and-mouse procedural as it is an exploration of the victim’s humanity. The FBI detail is impressively realistic and the dynamic Special Agent, Annie Marino, is terrific!”
―John Douglas, former Chief of FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and co-author of Mindhunter, the basis for the Netflix television series

“With can’t-stop-reading suspense, In the Hush of the Night splits open an ugly international criminal underworld that includes Russia’s vicious FSB. Rich with details, this insider thriller has far-reaching tentacles that FBI Special Agent Annie Marino pulls together through a joint operation of the FBI, ICE, local police, and sheriff organizations across six states. Turn on your reading light and settle in for an exciting ride.”
―Gayle Lynds, New York Times-bestselling author of The Assassins

“Chilling and laced with menace, In the Hush of the Night deftly tackles a horrifying, timely, and too-often-overlooked crime of our day. Annie Marino is a great character, and the author’s knowledge of the underworld is more than a little frightening. If you’re not reading Raymond Benson, you’re missing out.”
―Marcus Sakey, author of the bestselling Brilliance Trilogy and Afterlife

“A gritty, realistic story of human trafficking that introduces Annie Marino, an FBI agent unafraid to work the toughest cases. Benson’s stellar novel In the Hush of the Night twists and turns to the explosive and satisfying ending. You’ll want to hear more from Annie Marino.”
―Jamie Freveletti, internationally bestselling author of Blood Run

“In the Hush of the Night sucked me in and kept me glued to the page. Raymond Benson’s book is an intense and frighteningly authentic portrayal of the harrowing experiences inflicted on human trafficking victims by the depraved men who prey upon them for profit and twisted pleasure. FBI Special Agent Annie Marino’s compassion, strength, and dedication to the pursuit of justice for these women makes her exactly the kind of realistic hero readers crave. A captivating story that will stay with you long after you reach the end.”
―Diane Capri, New York Times- and USA Today-bestselling author of The Hunt for Jack Reacher series

You can pre-order the hardcover, e-book, and audiobook from the link on the Fiction page.

“Secrets on Chicory Lane” $1.99 E-Book Sale!

THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE is enjoying a $1.99 #BookBub E-Book Sale for one week only, beginning February 22, 2018! Now’s your chance to pick it up for your e-reader (any platform).

“Benson, a master of suspense, has crafted a story as compelling as any thriller but with a depth of feeling few thrillers achieve. And the ending, I guarantee, will leave you breathless.” –William Kent Krueger, Edgar Award Winning Author of “Ordinary Grace”

Here are links to some retailers:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook

Spread the word!