Licence Renewed

The story, without spoilers

Gardner brings Bond into the 1980s, when political pressure threatens the Double O section. M still finds work for his most useful agent: investigating nuclear physicist Anton Murik and his dealings with a terrorist called Franco. Their plans put nuclear power stations at risk.

The mission retains the familiar briefing, wealthy adversary and dangerous technology, while the surrounding world has moved forward. Bond's habits and the service's constraints have changed, making this both a new adventure and a fresh introduction to an established character.

Can I start here?

Yes. This is Gardner's first Bond novel and the clearest entry to his fourteen original adventures. Knowing who M and Moneypenny are helps, but you do not need to read another Gardner book first.

What stands out

Choose this for the point where literary Bond enters the 1980s. A nuclear threat provides the large-scale stakes; the changes to Bond and his department are the reason to begin here rather than halfway through Gardner.

Who wrote it

Gardner had created the comic spy Boysie Oakes before the Fleming estate invited him to bring Bond into the 1980s; he later wrote Licence Renewed. His run contains fourteen original novels and two film adaptations.

Where it fits in Bond’s life

Licence Renewed is Gardner’s original Bond novel 1 of fourteen. In Licence Renewed, Gardner’s updated Bond operates after the original Fleming era. No precise neighbouring Fleming mission is given.

Content notes

Adult readers. Terrorism, threatened nuclear catastrophe, violence and adult relationships.

Setting

• Britain
• Scotland

Main characters

James Bond, M, Anton Murik, Franco, Lavender Peacock.