In this episode, Javi Trujillo and Bill Koenig sit down with James Bond continuation author Raymond Benson for a lively, wide-ranging conversation. Best known for carrying the literary torch after John Gardner, Benson returns to the world of 007—this time through the eyes of Felix Leiter.
They delve into The Hook and the Eye, Benson’s forthcoming novel focused on Bond’s CIA ally. Set shortly after the events of Live and Let Die, the story explores what happens to Leiter in the aftermath of his encounter with a shark. Serialised digitally via Kindle and slated for paperback release later this year, the book promises mystery, period detail, and a fresh perspective on a familiar character.
Benson talks about the challenges of writing a one-armed protagonist, the meticulous research behind capturing mid-century America, and how the road trip from New York to Texas has changed since 1952. The episode also covers the contrast between writing Bond and writing Leiter, how first-person narration reshapes the storytelling, and why Fleming’s Leiter has never truly made it to the screen.
A must-listen for Bond fans and anyone interested in the craft of spy fiction.
Recorded on 16th May 2025 in the United States.
Raymond Benson
https://raymondbenson.com/
Javi Trujillo
https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social or https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/Bill Koenig
https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/