Now pay close attention, 007. Book Bond is well and truly back! In an exciting announcement made today (1st April), Ian Fleming Publications (IFP) revealed that a brand new James Bond novel, written by Charlie Higson, entitled King Zero, will be published in the UK in September, 2026.
In a press release issued by IFP, it was revealed that the new novel by the Young Bond author, who also penned the short story On His Majesty’s Secret Service for the King’s Coronation in 2023, is an adult full-length 007 adventure which very much brings James Bond into the 21st Century.
Beginning with the murder of an agent in Saudi Arabia by a weapon never before seen by MI6, and spanning the globe in an epic race to prevent a major catastrophe, the new book will also introduce a highly dangerous new villain. Some of the key themes at the heart of the book will also concern issues of power, technology and international tensions over resources.
Charlie Higson said in a statement: ‘Having warmed up with my Young Bond series, and the shory story On His Majesty’s Secret Service, I’m beyond excited to be writing my first full blown adult Bond adventure. 20 years after first writing “The name’s Bond, James Bond”, it still sends shivers down my spine every time I type it. I’m having a blast with this new novel, which is absolutely set in the modern world’. He also revealed: ‘It embraces the worlds of both the literary Bond and the cinematic Bond, and my bad guy has all the elements we expect from a classic Bond villain, with a twist that’s not been done before’.
Amanda Douglas, Managing Director of IFP, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Penguin Michael Joseph on the publication of King Zero. Charlie Higson’s return to James Bond follows his outstanding success with On His Majesty’s Secret Service… and we are delighted to be working with Charlie again, bringing the next chapter of Bond to fans’.
Interestingly, Higson’s short story written for the Coronation in 2023 saw some imaginative sales strategies employed to boost the appeal of the publication to dedicated Bond fans. The official signed hardcover limited edition was limited to just 1,000 copies, sold through Goldsboro Books. Similarly, there was a special limited run of 200 signed paperback copies, featuring unique sprayed edges, and these sold out within an hour of being announced. It will be fascinating to see what sales and marketing approaches will be adopted by Penguin Michael Joseph.
The new Bond novel King Zero, which has an evocative dust-jacket adorned with two sharks, will be published in the UK on 24th September, 2026, by Penguin Michael Joseph publishers. Welcome back, Mr Bond – we’ve been missing you.
