A Review of Double or Nothing by Kim Sherwood

Some years ago, I recall watching one of the then-recent Bond films, Skyfall. I ruminated on the journey of Bond from the tongue-in-cheek and titillating humor of the Roger Moore era, and the sexism that punctuated much of the film series.

How does a character like James Bond work in 2023 (and beyond)? Certainly not in the same way that he always has. For his series featuring the character, Anthony Horowitz began from a historical angle. Other authors have tackled the character over the past fifteen years with a range of approaches.

Now, author Kim Sherwood explores the world of Bond by focusing on a new cast of characters who exist in this universe, while Bond himself is MIA. Having read some early reviews, I was not sure what to expect. Would this double-o universe just be a blaring set of new ideas shoe-horned into the same outline as a classic Bond story? Would there be an uncomfortable almost-apology in the storyline?

My takeaway was that Sherwood naturally and artfully presents a story that is still more linked to Bond than I imagined, but which moves forward in narrative. By focusing a new cast of characters (Johanna Harwood, who has a clear connection to 007; Sid Bashir, who works as a lead character well; Joseph Dryden, who honestly did not make as much of an impression as the first two), Sherwood crafts a story that is engaging and does not seem like it is trying to fulfill the legacy of a missing major player.

Instead, the author succeeds at focusing on the characters and story themselves, without fussing too much over what has come before. Sherwood certainly pays homage, as when Bashir notes his rift with Bond and considers what kind of conversation they would have, or as when other characters from the double-o universe show up (no spoilers here, mind you -- but there are some pleasant surprises).

All in all, despite some skepticism, I enjoyed this new entry. As the world moves forward, and as characters grow, it's helpful to see a book like this serve as an example of how the narrative can continue.