It’s been awhile since I checked in with James Bond, and his early days as chronicled by Charlie Higson. Set in the 1930s, the young Bond finds himself on an adventure that takes him on a dangerous journey through the Mexican jungles, and a dangerous rat-run on a hidden Caribbean island.

That island is a haven for criminals and gangsters, who live out their lives there, under the protection of El Huracan, who rules the island with hard set of rules, and will not tolerate dissidence.

Travelling with his Aunt, who has the chance to do some research in Mexico, James finds himself staying at the Stone home, with Mr. Stone’s (a former war hero pilot) two children, JJ, and Precious, who is close in age to James, but is very rude, and arrogant.

A group of criminals attack the Stone mansion in the midst of a tropical storm, looking for something, and James, Precious and JJ work to escape… but will they be able to elude the dangerous Glass, and her gang, who are after something in Stone’s safe, and isn’t afraid to use hostages to get what she wants.

It’s a fast-moving tale that has some very brutal moments that push the young James to his limits, and also continues to create the man he will become. It’s a fantastic adventure, one that seems more completely in line with Ian Fleming’s tales than any of the cinematic things Bond has achieved.

The climax of the story sees Bond fighting for his life on the remote island and fighting his way through Huracan’s dangerous rat-run.

The book is quick, fantastically paced and despite featuring a young character, Bond must be in his early or mid-teens, the story is not afraid to get dark and brutal. Which, once again, keeps it very much in line with Fleming’s storytelling style.

Higson tells a great story, knows how to model his style after Fleming’s and knows how to keep his reader’s on edge with the things he buts James through. All these things Bond has gone through, and he hasn’t even joined the service or Royal Navy yet. The young man has a storied future ahead of him.

This one feels very Fleming, a novel adventure as opposed to the globe-trotting cinematic adventures that would be 007 on the big screen. Higson has one more adventure to deliver, but this one may in fact be my favorite so far. It checks in with Bond’s Eton schoolmates, but only to lay groundwork for what comes next. It’s just a solid adventure that doesn’t hold back from the more darker more violent moments, despite the character’s age.

James Bond will return in By Royal Command.