James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 1-5 - Charlie Higson Audiobook

Written by Charlie Higson
Read by Nathaniel Parker, Gerard Doyle
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

01 - SilverFin
James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 1
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Awards: Notable Children’s Recordings
Release date: April 11, 2006
Duration: 08:29:22

What does it take to become the greatest secret agent the world has ever known? In this thrilling prequel to the adventures of James Bond, 007, readers meet a young boy whose inquisitive mind and determination set him on a path that will someday take him across the globe, in pursuit of the most dangerous criminals of all time.

In 1933, thirteen-year-old James Bond arrives at Eton College for boys for the first time to continue his schooling. There he meets an American bully and his arms dealing father, Lord Randolph Hellebore. While on Easter break, Bond’s adventure continues in the Highlands of Scotland. Teaming up with Red Kelly, James finally reaches a castle and a loch and discovers a deadly secret.

Acclaimed British author Charlie Higson has written a brilliantly crafted tale that reveals the unknown story of a boy who grew up to become one of the most iconic figures of our time. SilverFin is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will mesmerize readers of all ages.

This isn’t the daring, suave, and skillful James Bond that blazes across movie screens every few years. This youthful Bond, still in high school, has insecurities, doesn’t always get the girl, and isn’t quite the best there is. But he is determined, resourceful, and brave as he discovers the strange machinations of Lord Randolph Halibor, the owner of the castle at Loch SilverFin. Delivering numerous accents, including upper-class British, as well as Scots, Midwestern American, and German, Nathaniel Parker proves his ability to transition from nationality to nationality, often in the same scene. Parker also executes Bond’s voice with the precise amount of emotion every time, whether the lad is feeling brazen, fearful, lonely, or angry. L.E. (c) AudioFile 2006,

02 - Blood Fever (2006):
James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 2
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Length: 8hrs 42min

In 1933, James Bond is back at Eton where he is now a member of a secret risk-taking club known as the Danger Society. When summer vacation arrives Bond goes on a field trip to the Italian island of Sardinia where he stays with his much older cousin Victor. While there, James investigates a Roman secret society known as the Millenaria that had plans throughout history to restore the Roman Empire. It seems the Millenaria are still active and are led by the sinister Count Ugo Carnifex.

Double or Die
James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 3
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Release date: April 22, 2008
Duration: 08:33:37

Kidnapping. Explosions. Murder.

This is no ordinary weekend. But then, James Bond is no ordinary boy. . . .

In a north London cemetery, a professor is kidnapped at gunpoint. Then, a suspicious letter crammed with cryptic clues arrives at Eton. To decipher the deadly mystery, James Bond must take a series of dangerous gambles. Once the code is cracked, he has just forty-eight hours to save the professor from the dark forces that threaten to destroy them both. And if they can’t escape, it’s not only their future under threat: it’s the rest of the world’s…

This installation in the series begins while James is attending Eton. The professor in charge of his roommate’s crossword-puzzle club departs the school unexpectedly and leaves a cryptic letter to the boy explaining his absence. That strange note, combined with the clues from his last crossword contribution to the London “Times”, has the boys off on an adventure to solve the mystery and rescue Mr. Fairburn. They must decipher all manner of word clues, and the author does a good job of reviewing the last clue while moving on to the next so that readers don’t get lost. James and his friends use their wits, but his agile athletic abilities also come in handy as they run after and away from the menacing bad guys.

The plot is clever and well developed, and the boys and their actions are believable. An added bonus is the discussion of the medical oddities found at London’s Royal College of Surgeons, which will be highly prized among teen boys for the gross-out factor. Students who cut their teeth on Donald J. Sobol’s “Encyclopedia Brown” series (Delacorte) will love this more mature mystery, and will have fun trying to figure out the clues before Bond, James Bond.”

Hurricane Gold (2007)
James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 4
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Length: 8hrs 14min

As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lágrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds. On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex–flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. But a gang of thieves lies in ambush. They want Stone’s precious safe and will kill for its contents. James embarks on a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle. On this terrifying trail of greed and betrayal, only danger is guaranteed—survival is not.

The plot is centered around Bond trying to foil the robbery of a team of professional criminals, only to end up following them around Mexico and eventually to a mysterious Caribbean island called Lagrimas Negras. The book contains many references to Mayan mythology and much of the end is focused on it.

By Royal Command (2008) Gerard Doyle
James Bond: Young Bond Series, Book 5
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release date: May 18, 2010
Duration: 09:51:19

Following a treacherous rescue mission high in the freezing Alps, James Bond is preparing for life back at Eton. But James is under surveillance; his every move is being watched. He alone holds the clue to a sinister plot that will bring bloodshed and carnage to his school—and his country.

Forced to flee from Eton to Austria, James must leave behind everything he knows, with only a beautiful—and dangerous—girl by his side. Soon he is trapped in a deadly war of secrets and lies, as a nightmare reunion with a bitter enemy plunges him once more into the face of death. Life for James Bond will never be the same again.

The Royal Family and the British secret service also play a part in the plot (revealing that Bond’s tutor is a British spy).

Note— Bond leaving Eton College due to the incident with the Irish maid, Roan, as mentioned in You Only Live Twice. Books 1-4 are not my rip. My thanks to the original up-loader.