Zaffre to launch brand-new series expanding the Ian Fleming literary franchise

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2024-07-16

Zaffre, the flagship commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK (a family-owned top-15 world publisher headquartered in Sweden), has won a three-way auction for a brand-new crime series expanding the Ian Fleming literary franchise, centred around the iconic character of Q from the James Bond adventures. The first book, Quantum of Menace, will be published autumn 2025.

This top-secret project has been created in conjunction with Ian Fleming Publications, written by acclaimed crime writer and Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, Vaseem Khan.

UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) in a two-book deal were acquired by editorial director Kelly Smith from Ciara Finan at Curtis Brown.

Filled with wit, humour and verve, Vaseem Khan brings his vibrant and dynamic style to one of Ian Fleming’s most beloved characters.

Q Branch – the Secret Service department responsible for weapons and gadgets – was first introduced in Ian Fleming’s groundbreaking Casino Royale (1953) and featured throughout the James Bond books. The armourer in Q Branch, Major Boothroyd, first appeared in Dr. No (1962), giving 007 a Walther PPK to replace his Beretta firearm.

The character has been a mainstay of the James Bond films and his interactions with the super spy have entered the cultural zeitgeist. Readers and fans of 007 will now get to spend real time with him in the charming milieu of a crime series.

Vaseem Khan said: “I can’t think of anything more exhilarating as a writer than bringing to life such an iconic character, one that I have adored since childhood. I was the kid who watched Bond films just to see what new gadgets Q would come up with for 007. To now recreate Q in a series of contemporary mystery novels, bringing together everything I love about the genre, is the coolest assignment I could hope for. I cannot wait to share my Q with readers. Move over Bond. Q is coming.”

Vaseem Khan, Quantum of Menace

Vaseem Khan, author of Quantum of Menace, the first book in a new crime series expanding Ian Fleming's literary legacy.

Kelly Smith, editorial director at Zaffre, said: “I have long admired Vaseem’s work so the opportunity to work with him on any project, let alone one as pitch perfect as this, was one I had to grasp. With his unique wit and flair, cosy crime readers and James Bond fans alike will be unable to resist this series and his imagining of Q.”

Corinne Turner of Ian Fleming Publications said: “We at Ian Fleming Publications could not think of a better partner to breathe new life into the beloved character of Q. Vaseem’s mystery novels have enthralled me for many years, and I am thrilled with what he is crafting for Q’s first solo missions. This is a modern and exceedingly clever crime series.”

Blurb: Q is out of MI6... and into a new world of deceit and death

After Q (aka Major Boothroyd) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6’s OO agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem disinterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier’s ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces... Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in?

Quantum of Menace will be published in hardback, eBook and audio in autumn 2025.

Quantum of Menace, James Bond, spin-off, series

About Ian Fleming Publications
Ian Fleming Publications LTD is run by the Fleming family and holds the copyright in Ian Fleming's fiction and non-fiction books. Connect online at ianfleming.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook.

About Bonnier Books UK

Bonnier Books UK believe that every book matters. They love to publish stories and content that opens eyes to new perspectives and bring us closer together. They offer a nurturing home for authors, illustrators and brand partners, publishing bestselling books for readers and listeners everywhere. They know that fantastic stories can come from anywhere and their purpose is to bring them to as wide an audience as possible, a simple ethos that has led them becoming one of the country’s leading publishers.

The offspring of Bonnier Books, a family-owned top-15 world publisher headquartered in Sweden, they are inspired by a rich literary heritage but not bound by convention. Bonnier think in generations rather than quarters, and strive always to operate in an open, curious way that contributes to the future of the planet and its people. As a climate-neutral publisher we are an active participant in the Science Based Target initiative, committed to a strategy to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.

Pre-order Quantum of Menace from Amazon UK or Amazon.com.

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