Trigger Mortis
Trigger Mortis is a 2015 James Bond novel authored by Anthony Horowitz, commissioned by the estate of Bond's creator Ian Fleming and released on 8 September 2015.
Plot
Taking place in 1957 amid the Space Race, the story unfolds two weeks after the events of Goldfinger. This installment is the third in the modern series to align with Fleming's original timeline since 1968's Colonel Sun, following Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks and Solo by William Boyd. Notably, it marks the return of the Bond girl Pussy Galore, who first appeared in Goldfinger.
Background
Announced in October 2014, Trigger Mortis incorporates Murder on Wheels, an unpublished piece by Fleming initially intended for a television series that never materialized; Horowitz utilized this material to craft the opening chapter. The book’s title was disclosed on 28 May 2015, coinciding with Fleming’s 107th birthday.
Critical reception
Sarah Ditum of The Guardian highlighted Horowitz’s background with the Alex Rider series as instrumental in his ability to replicate Fleming’s "tersely precise prose" and "cruel poetry" effectively, although she noted some shortcomings when Horowitz diverged from Fleming’s style, especially regarding Pussy Galore’s expanded history and changes to Bond’s character. Barry Forshaw from The Independent referred to the novel as a "clever and enjoyable pastiche" that echoes many of Fleming’s traditional elements. Nicholas Lezard of the London Evening Standard commended its "bonkers but hugely enjoyable" narrative, appreciating the well-rounded villain and exhilarating escape sequences. Scott Murray at The Sydney Morning Herald drew parallels between Horowitz’s writing style and Fleming’s, emphasizing riveting Grand Prix scenes and strong narrative momentum despite minor lapses in description.
Simon Schama writing for the Financial Times described it as a "humdinger of a Bond story" and a "loving tribute" to Fleming. Felix Salmon of The New York Times observed that although this Bond differs from Fleming’s original creation, the storyline remains sufficiently captivating for enthusiasts despite occasional overly detailed technical passages and minor research errors. Muriel Dobbin from The Washington Times praised the authenticity of the racing and space sequences, underscoring the excitement and enjoyment brought by Bond’s character and his Bentley. Jake Kerridge of The Daily Telegraph lauded the "authentically Fleming-esque" SMERSH racing plot but found the stereotypical Bond girl and antagonist less engaging.
Adaptations
In August 2015, an audiobook version was released featuring narration by actor David Oyelowo. Additionally, the BBC Radio 4 drama program Book at Bedtime presented a serialized reading performed by Rupert Penry-Jones during October and November 2015.