Doubleshot

The story, without spoilers

The Union wants revenge on Bond and attacks his confidence in his own mind and identity. His pursuit takes him from London to Tangier and Morocco, into a plot connected with Spain and Gibraltar. Recovering control of the investigation means understanding how his enemies intend to use him.

This is the second part of the Union sequence. Its threat is deliberately personal: the organisation does not merely want to defeat Bond on a mission, but to compromise the person whose interference it resents.

Can I start here?

Read High Time to Kill first. The Union's revenge follows that encounter, so this is a weaker entry point than the trilogy's opening. Continue afterwards with Never Dream of Dying.

What stands out

The pressure on Bond's identity changes the kind of suspense. Choose it as the middle Union chapter, where an ongoing enemy tries to turn Bond's reputation and judgement against him.

Who wrote it

Benson wrote The James Bond Bedside Companion before becoming the first American commissioned to write Bond; his official work includes Doubleshot. He wrote six original Bond novels and three film novelisations.

Where it fits in Bond’s life

Doubleshot belongs to Benson’s six original 1990s–2000s missions, read in publication order. It is part of the Union sequence: High Time to Kill, Doubleshot, then Never Dream of Dying. The publisher gives no immediate Fleming-book placement for this adventure.

Content notes

Adult readers. Psychological manipulation, a head injury, assassination plots and adult violence.

Setting

• London
• Tangier and Morocco
• Spain and Gibraltar

Main characters

James Bond, The Union, Le Gérant.