Award-winning thriller writer M W Craven has been revealed as the author of a new James Bond action-series for children – sending the world’s best-known secret agent back to school to train the next generation of British spies. James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy, filled with “courage, cleverness, and laugh-out-loud moments” and due to be published next June, will be the first of a series set in the 007 universe aimed at attracting a new generation of fans.
It promises to portray Bond “as you have never seen him”, taking the “world’s most beloved secret agent to a place of dread, weirdos and strange food: school”. “A new generation of young heroes, mentored by 007, have entered the Secret Agent Academy to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Double O’s,” explains the blurb. “Together with Bond can they defeat a deadly foe lurking in the shadows – and, more importantly, can they pass their exams?”
With the future direction of the James Bond films still uncertain following Amazon’s recent buy-out of Eon Productions, the books will be a stop-gap for young fans
Craven, a Newcastle-born former soldier turned probation officer, is now a bestselling crime writer, whose sixth Washington Poe book, The Mercy Chair, won thriller of the year earlier this week at the Capital Crime Fingerprint Awards. “While writing a middle-grade book that features James Bond training the secret agents of tomorrow is undoubtedly an extraordinary honour, it also comes with a daunting responsibility,” admits the 57-year-old.
“The challenge of introducing Ian Fleming’s Bond – a brand that has transcended books and movies to become part of our national identity – to a brand-new audience is not something to accept lightly, but it wasn’t an opportunity I felt I could turn down.
“Yet this is not James Bond as you’ve seen him before. Expect whacky gadgets, whacky lessons, and even whackier members of staff.”
Amanda Douglas, MD at Ian Fleming Publications, says: “This series represents a new and imaginative chapter for 007, introducing the world’s most famous secret agent to the next generation of readers – seen for the first time through children’s eyes. It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure that remains true to the spirit of Bond, featuring a cast of original characters who get to experience Bond not just as a legend, but as their teacher.”
Simon Ward, Publishing Director at Ian Fleming Publications, adds: “We are always looking for stories we want to read: stories that have everything we love from Ian Fleming’s legendary James Bond adventures but with new characters and new settings that Ian would approve of. This is a James Bond story unlike any other we’ve done: a world of twisted villains, extremely silly names and bizarre gadgets but with a contemporary setting and a cast of young heroes children can relate to.”
Craven’s agent, David Headley, added: “Bringing together the gripping storytelling of M W Craven with the legendary world of James Bond is a brilliant step toward inspiring younger readers to pick up books. M W Craven’s unique voice promises to breathe new life into Bond for a younger generation.”