New James Bond book, ‘On His Majesty’s Secret Service,’ out ahead of King Charles’ coronation

By Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News

A new James Bond adventure will be released in tandem with King Charles III’s coronation.

Titled “On His Majesty’s Secret Service,” the novel is set to hit shelves Thursday — just two days before the U.K. officially crowns its new monarch.

“Young Bond” series author Charlie Higson was commissioned by Ian Fleming Publications to write the new 007 story. According to The Telegraph, the publisher — named after the late author who created the James Bond franchise — approached the writer on short notice, giving him only one month to turn around the manuscript.

“Getting it written and turned around in such a short space of time was going to be as tense and heart-pounding as any Bond mission,” Higson said. “Although, of course, nobody would actually be shooting at me.”

“I’ve been thinking about writing an adult Bond adventure ever since working on the Young Bond books, and he came bursting out of me with both fists flying,” he continued. “It was all I could do to keep up with him and get his story down on paper.”

The book, which brings Bond into the present day, revolves around a mission to thwart villain Athelstan of Wessex’s attempt to disrupt King Charles’ Coronation Day events.

Higson previously wrote five books for the “Young Bond” series, covering the secret agent’s time at Eton College in the 1930s. The books sold over a million copies in the U.K., Variety reported.

“On His Majesty’s Secret Service” arrives 60 years after Fleming released his 10th novel, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” in 1963. A total of 25 movies were released based on the James Bond character.

All royalties from sales of the book will support the work of the National Literacy Trust, an independent U.K. charity to provide disadvantaged children with literacy skills.