James Bond is back, in the modern era.

Jeffrey Deaver, acclaimed author of the Lincoln Rhyme novels updates 007 for the 21st century with his novel, Carte Blanche.

While there are recognizable names and characters, Deaver shakes things up a little bit as he establishes a new timeline for Ian Fleming’s iconic character.

This time around Bond doesn’t work for MI6, he works for another secret government organization, an organization that gives him carte blanche to carry out his missions to protect the realm.

Moneypenny, M, Tanner, and Q are all present, as are Mathis and Leiter, all in delightful incarnations. And with familiar trappings, and Fleming’s renowned attention to detail, Deaver sets 007 loose on the 21st century.

Working with the barest scraps of information, James is sent out on a mission to stop a terrorist attack that could claim thousands of lives. He finds himself working in Serbia and traveling to South Africa investigating a recycling company whose owner has a penchant for things that decay.

Working with the local security services, Bond finds himself in a race against time to save lives. But where is the attack going to take place? Who is the target? and who can 007 trust?

Throw in an investigation into the death of his parents and you have the trappings for a solid James Bond adventure that Deaver delivers at a full-throttle pace. It’s a fast-paced and enjoyable read. It also has all the trappings one expects from a James Bond tale, there are action beats, gadgets, beautiful women, henchmen and dangerous threats on all sides.

Deaver also knows how to craft a fun mystery, so there are some fun clues that 007 has to puzzle out, and if the reader pays attention, they can put it together the same way Bond does.

With characters like Felicity Willing, Bheka Jordaan, Ophelia Maidenstone, Gregory Lamb and Percy Osborne-Smith, the literary world of 007 works solidly in the 21st century, and Bond is at ease here.

That’s the great thing about the novels, and the films, 007 can be a reflection of the times when set in modern times, and can be an enjoyable throwback when set in the past, like the next novel, Solo by William Boyd, which I’ve read previously.

I really enjoyed Deaver’s take on Bond, and I’m rather bummed that this is his only outing with 007. I think he should crank out a couple more.

And since I’m already read solo, I’m going to skip ahead to the next book after that, so…

James Bond will return in Trigger Mortis.