Trigger Mortis
With Original Material by Ian Fleming
📘 About This Book
"Horowitz delivers an entertainment sure to please James Bond fans.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The heart of any good thriller is the plot, and…Horowitz doesn’t disappoint.” — New York Times Book Review Blockbuster author Anthony Horowitz delivers a riveting and stylish take on literary legend James Bond (authorized by the Ian Fleming Estate) with a story that unfolds in the 1950s—and is the first new Bond novel to feature recently discovered original material by Ian Fleming. It’s 1957 and James Bond (agent 007) has only just survived his showdown with Auric Goldfinger at Fort Knox. By his side is Pussy Galore, who was with him at the end. Unknown to either of them, the USSR and the West are in a deadly struggle for technological superiority. And SMERSH is back. The Soviet counter-intelligence agency plans to sabotage a Grand Prix race at the most dangerous track in Europe. But it’s Bond who finds himself in the driving seat and events take an unexpected turn when he observes a suspicious meeting between SMERSH’s driver and a sinister Korean millionaire, Jai Seong Sin. Soon Bond is pitched into an entirely different race uncovering a plan that could bring the West to its knees. Welcoming back familiar faces, including M and Miss Moneypenny, international bestselling author Anthony Horowitz ticks all the boxes: speed, danger, strong women and fiendish villains, to reinvent the golden age of Bond in this brilliantly gripping adventure. Trigger Mortis is also the first James Bond novel to feature previously unseen Ian Fleming material. This is James Bond as Fleming imagined him.
📖 Summary
Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz is a stylish and riveting work of fiction published in 2015 that brings back the legendary James Bond in a story authorized by the Ian Fleming Estate. Spanning 204 pages, the novel is set in the 1950s and holds a unique place in Bond publishing history as the first new novel to feature recently discovered original material written by Ian Fleming himself. The narrative kicks off in 1957, immediately following the events of Goldfinger. James Bond has just survived his harrowing showdown with the infamous Auric Goldfinger at Fort Knox, and by his side is Pussy Galore, the formidable woman who stood with him at the end. While Bond catches his breath and navigates the immediate aftermath of his previous exploits, a much larger, deadlier global struggle is quietly unfolding behind the scenes. The Cold War is at its height, and the United States and the West are locked in a tense race against the USSR for technological superiority. Amidst this international paranoia, the sinister Soviet counterintelligence agency SMERSH has returned, seeking vengeance and aiming to tip the global balance of power. Horowitz expertly captures the vintage atmosphere of the original Ian Fleming books, blending espionage, high-stakes danger, and classic Bond tropes into a fast-paced thriller. The novel delivers on all fronts, offering a plot driven by tension, clever plotting, and the signature grit that fans of the literary 007 have come to expect. Horowitz seamlessly weaves his own writing with Fleming's lost fragments, resulting in a seamless homage that honors the spirit of the original creator while injecting fresh, modern pacing into the classic formula. From thrilling action sequences to intricate geopolitical conflicts, Trigger Mortis immerses readers right back into the golden age of espionage, proving that James Bond remains as compelling as ever in the face of old and new enemies alike.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Features newly discovered original material by Ian Fleming
Captures the authentic 1950s atmosphere of the original series
Delivers a fast-paced and entertaining plot for thriller fans
Seamlessly continues the narrative immediately after Goldfinger
⚠️ Cons
Relatively short length at 204 pages may leave some readers wanting more
Relies heavily on established tropes from classic spy fiction
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Trigger Mortis? +
The book is written by blockbuster author Anthony Horowitz.
When was Trigger Mortis published? +
It was published in 2015.
What makes this book unique among James Bond novels? +
It is the first new Bond novel to feature recently discovered original material by Ian Fleming.
When does the story take place? +
The story is set in 1957, immediately following the events of Goldfinger.
Which organization returns as a major threat in the book? +
The Soviet counterintelligence agency SMERSH returns to oppose James Bond.
