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King Zero

The Sunday Times bestselling new James Bond novel, 'A terrific read' The Times

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King Zero

By: Charlie Higson
Narrated by: Peter Serafinowicz
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Summary

BOND IS BACK, in the instant Sunday Times bestseller, KING ZERO

Discover the explosive new James Bond novel from the multi-million copy bestselling author, Charlie Higson, read by Peter Serafinowicz.

THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2026

Le Chiffre. Dr No. Goldfinger. James Bond has faced them all. But now the world is changing, and even 007 has no idea what’s coming for him…

It starts with a murdered agent in the Saudi desert.

Only a traitor could have known enough to bring him down.

But even James Bond can’t guess at the secret that was worth killing him to keep.

As Bond follows the trail across the globe, he doesn’t realise the countdown has already begun.

And hiding in the shadows is a man with more power than he could ever have imagined.

Prepare for a villain unlike any before.

Prepare for KING ZERO.

'A brilliant addition to the James Bond canon... Wholly compelling' WILLIAM BOYD

'A terrific read' THE TIMES

'A Bond fit for the 2020s' TELEGRAPH

© Charlie Higson 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Action & Adventure Espionage Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Royalty
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Critic reviews

A brilliant addition to the James Bond canon, written with great brio and aplomb and a shrewd understanding of what makes the Bond universe tick. Wholly compelling (William Boyd)
[Charlie Higson] knows a thing or two about what makes for a good 007… the new film’s producers could certainly take tips when it comes to keeping 007 up to date… Fans can rest assured that King Zero also brims with danger and sensual femme fatales, with sex and run-ins with sharks – even a streak of horror… it’s a terrific read
Charlie Higson hasn’t just seamlessly picked up the Ian Fleming baton, he’s sprinted so far into the distance with it we can barely see his heels. King Zero is proper old-school Bond but with a modern edge (Bond on Spotify, anyone?) – violent, stylish, scarily plausible. And in King Zero, Higson has created the most memorable Bond villain for a long time, one who sits comfortably alongside Goldfinger, Dr. No and Hugo Drax . . . A superb book and highly recommended. (M.W. Craven)
Sharks, Eton, a magnificently monikered femme fatale – King Zero is a surefooted homage to Bond’s heritage. Gives 007 the shake it needs
A Bond fit for the 2020s… [Higson] has made a very good job of it… a series of gloriously hair-raising action set-pieces, all of which culminate in an apocalyptic finale (Jake Kerridge)
A new Bond novel is always a major event, and with a new writer at the helm, expectations have run high. Higson does not disappoint. King Zero delivers the authentic Bond experience, whilst adding a sense of up-to-the-minute flair. When an old field agent turns up dead James Bond is called into action, dropping into a plot featuring everything we love about the franchise: exotic locations, dangerous women, villainous megalomaniacs, and, above all, Bond doing what he does best: fighting the good fight while dancing with the devil. A must for Bond and thriller fans alike (Vaseem Khan)
Charlie Higson has given us everything you could possibly want from a James Bond literary adventure - and so much more. All the Bond ingredients are present and refreshed with real contemporary wit and bite, with so many memorable characters and standout, unforgettable scenes. Bond stories excel when you are faced with something you’ve never seen or heard of before, and consequently blow your mind - and that happened repeatedly as the pages blasted by. Achingly exciting, desperately compelling and, at times, utterly jaw-dropping, King Zero is nothing short of an electrifying triumph - and up there with the very best of this beloved series (Rob Parker)
Charlie Higson's 007 is back on His Majesty's Secret Service in King Zero. As a guy who knows a bit about that, it's a cracking read (George Lazenby)
All stars
Most relevant
…and not a moment too soon! Higson subtly updates Bond in a modern day setting whilst ensuring he remains recognisably Fleming’s creation. Great fun!

Bond is back

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After the trilogy before this where Bond was incidental this was up against it. Great story well read. The formula of course predictable.

Good Story

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Felt like classic bond for the modern age. There are chapters that make slow the pace but its pros out shine the cons. Brilliant performed by Peter Serafinowicz. If you’re 007 fan I think it will hit its target of enjoyment.

License to Thrill

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Enjoyed the story and most of the characters but the bad guys were largely a bit cliché and predictable.
Good Bond type plot where our hero needs to save the world and decent supporting characters with a few areas that I would say were worthy of expansion and could have saved it from some of its more clichéd elements.
Was it worth using a credit on? On the whole, yeah I'd say so.

Enjoyable listen (but not exceptional)

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Charlie - if you check these, what the hell did Douglas do wrong? Ruthless.

Modern Bond was great. I look forward to his second book.

Narration was spot on!

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