U.K. cover to High Time to Kill, the James Bond continuation novel by Raymond Benson
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of High Time to Kill, the third Raymond Benson James Bond continuation novel.
Benson (b. 1955), an American, was hired to be the new Bond continuation author in 1995 after John Gardner had finished his long run. Benson earlier had written the reference book The James Bond Bedside Companion.
Besides doing novels, Benson penned a number of Bond short stories, some of which were commissioned by Playboy and TV Guide. Glidrose (later Ian Fleming Publications) had approval for publication as well as titles of the Benson novels. The author could suggest titles but he didn't have the final say.
High Time to Kill stands out among the Benson stories because of its details about mountain climbing. A henchman in the novel was named after Benson's friend (and proofreader) Paul Baack.
In that respect, Benson followed in the footsteps of Ian Fleming, who named characters after friends of his. "Aieeeeee!" the literary Baack yelled as he fell to his death. (I'm not sure I got all the "e's" right.)
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