Sebastian Faulks brings us the first post-Raymond Benson 007 novel. Picking up shortly after the final Ian Fleming novel, not short story collection, The Man with The Golden Gun finds James Bond on sabbatical in 1967.

He’s not resting for long, as M calls him in to have him investigate Julius Gorner, who not only runs a pharmaceutical company, but a massive drug-running operation that spans the globe. He’s intent on bringing down England, going so far as planning to start a war between Russia and the UK.

A war that the U.S. may approve of, seeing as their government is less than thrilled by the fact that England hasn’t backed their move in Vietnam.

Bereft of his allies, or is he? Bond is approached by Scarlett Papava, a Parisian banker, who asks for his help in stopping Gorner, in order to rescue her twin sister Poppy.

Initially reticent, Bond agrees to help Scarlett as their goals currently align. But Bond may not be ready for what he comes up against as he squares off against the villain.

Emulating Fleming’s attention to detail when it comes to clothes, food, locations and weapons, Faulks delivers a solid tale that continues 007’s adventures along the original timeline, instead of fudging it to move it up to the 80s, or the 00s. It also, joyfully, restricts technology and options that are open to Bond in the films and the other novels. He is in and of the time, and Faulks is able to keep the story grounded in the time period.

It’s a fun tale, sure it leans into some tropes and stereotypes not just of the series, and spy novels but of the time as well. There are a couple of roll-your-eyes moments, but nothing to completely eject you from the narrative. In fact when they happen you just kind of nod, and say, sure, it’s a James Bond story.

There’s some nice twists and reveals, none that are really surprising, but I was definitely interested in seeing how Bond averts a war we know didn’t happen.

The novel also touches base with Bond’s housekeeper, May and Moneypenny, Q aka Major Boothroyd gets a mention, and both Mathis and Leiter make welcome appearances, tying in with the previously established Fleming continuity.

It was an enjoyable read, one that rockets along, and shows that Fleming’s iconic character can work in any time period. Something I will find out when I dig into the next 007 title, Carte Blanche, written by Jeffrey Deaver that puts Bond back in the modern era, or at least 2011. That will mean some updates to the timeline, but we’ll see it it works when James Bond Returns.