007 returns for one more mission as Charlie Higson delivers the latest and last, as of this date, James Bond literary adventure.

Set in the modern era, M informs Bond of a possible coup attempt during the coronation of King Charles. It’s 007’s job to pick up where 009 left off before he was discovered dead.

Bond sets off an adventure that sees him going up against a mass of right-wingers led by a manipulator who claims to be the direct descendant of King Alfred the Great, and has a stronger claim to the throne.

Bond has to insinuate himself into the group, posing as a gun for hire. He will have his hands full, dealing with right-wing beliefs, angry nationalism, betrayals and torture.

The tale is fast-paced and Higson has a talent for delivering callbacks and nods to other stories and iconic Bond moments.

There is a lot of familiar politics mentioned throughout the book, the January 6 riots, the roles of Putin and the Americans, the troubling growth of xenophobic nationalism. As much as I love 007 stories, this one is the one that feels the most real, ripped right from some troubling headlines.

It also takes those headlines and combines them with what one expects from a James Bond story, dastardly villains, a gadget or two, escapes, fights, thrills, and sure, beautiful women. To Higson and the other authors credit who have taken the reins from Ian Fleming, they have made their woman characters stronger over the years.

This one is arguably a short adventure, written in time to celebration King Charles coronation, but it plays wonderfully. It marries the punchy, detail-laden prose with the modern world politics and enemies. James Bond is still needed, and he proves it time and again in this story.

He also knows that he won’t be around forever, but it’s not quite time to hang up his license to kill yet. He’s ready to serve, for king and country, and will continue to work On His Majesty’s Secret Service. And although there’s no firm title, author or release date for further literary adventures, I do know this…

James Bond Will Return.