Back in the late 90s, acclaimed author Donald E. Westlake was asked to make an attempt at the story for the next James Bond film, landing solidly in the Pierce Brosnan era. Complications ensued, and it never happened. The story, Forever and a Death was finally unveiled in 2017, posthumously becoming the last book Westlake had published.

The novel was reworked from the original storyline, but even the glimpses we are given of the possibilities suggested a James Bond adventure that had all the familiar beats, and while fun and clever, ultimately, I feel, would not have done anything new with the franchise.

It makes a fun read, a cool ‘what if?’ but even in this adapted text, I don’t see anything that would have made an above and beyond 007 story. That’s not to say it’s not a fun romp of a novel, because it is, it just doesn’t seem to have anything to really elevate it beyond what had come before. It feels like more of the same when it comes to Bond.

The novel introduces us to Richard Curtis, a wealthy businessman who is harboring a grudge against China following the handover of Hong Kong, which saw him kicked out of the country. Now, he’s got a plan of revenge, and theft, that will restore his financial empire, and lay waste to his once beloved island.

The story travels from Australia to Singapore to Hong Kong, as Curtis lays the groundwork for his plan. Unfortunately problems arise in the form of his one time engineer, George Manville (the 007 stand-in), and Kim Baldur, a young woman working with the eco group Planetwatch.

The pair, aided by some friends, and local law enforcement, go after Curtis in the hopes of stopping him before he can trigger his doomsday device. The story Westlake delivers here is no doubt vastly different from what he had originally planned to put 007 through. Bond wouldn’t have to rely on local authorities to help out, and he doesn’t have any gadgets helping him along.

There are also no big set pieces, which would be a requirement for the film. There are some action beats, but overall this one leans more to thriller-action as opposed to super-spy action.

It’s an enjoyable read, and I love the Hard Case Crime covers, but I also found myself hoping for a little more from it. Especially considering the story’s genesis. Obviously, it couldn’t be written as a 007 story without the Ian Fleming Foundation’s permission, and that’s unfortunate, I would have loved to see how it played, even in novel form, as a James Bond adventure.

I remember the clerk, seeing me buying this title, told me I would be back for more Westlake in the future. For now, I think I’ll leave it as just this one. We’ll see if that changes in the future.

A good read, and the story behind it is fascinating.