Very few authors have had the chance to write stories featuring James Bond, a character created and developed by Ian Fleming in his 14 novels. So, when acclaimed author Vaseem Khan, known for his Baby Ganesh Detective Agency series, was asked to write a new series of books starring Q – Bond’s famous inventor – he was thrilled, but also felt the pressure of living up to such an iconic character that fans already love.
He told TopMob, “If I really messed this up, Bond fans would turn on me completely.”
One thing helping ease the author’s anxiety is that Quantum of Menace – the first book in the new Q series – isn’t a direct continuation of the Bond story. It’s a bit of a departure, described by the author as falling somewhere between the spy thrillers of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses and the cozy mysteries of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club.
Okay, so it’s not like a James Bond thriller, thankfully! This new book kicks off with Q – yes, the Q, Major Boothroyd – unexpectedly leaving MI6. He goes back to his sleepy hometown, Wickstone-on-Water, hoping for some peace, but then a childhood friend, Peter Napier – a brilliant scientist working on quantum computers – turns up dead. Suddenly, Q’s pulled into investigating, and it looks like Peter’s work might have made him a target. It’s a really intriguing setup, and I’m already hooked!
Khan is both a published author and the Business Development Director at UCL’s Security and Crime Science Department. In his role, he helps lead the UCL Dawes Centre for Future Crime, which studies how new technologies – like quantum computing – could be used for criminal activity. This research has significantly shaped the ideas presented in his book.
The goal was to offer a fresh perspective on the James Bond universe, including a reimagined Q. According to Khan, they wanted to take a familiar character and completely reinvent him.
Q is a highly accomplished scientist who is very confident in his intelligence. However, I wanted to portray him as someone completely out of his element – despite all his achievements, he finds himself lost at sea. He’s clashing with those in power who don’t want him there, and he’s now trying to figure out what to do with his life next.
The character Q has been played by many actors, but Desmond Llewelyn is the most famous, having appeared in 17 James Bond films from 1963 to 1999. More recently, Ben Whishaw has played Q in three films released between 2012 and 2021.
The character in Quantum of Menace is a new take, positioned by Khan as being somewhere between the youthful tech expert played by Whishaw and the more seasoned, authoritative Q portrayed by Llewelyn.
The character I’m developing is in his fifties – a little younger than Llewelyn, allowing for more physical action when needed. He’s also knowledgeable about current technology and cybersecurity, much like Ben Whishaw.
The book explores Q’s past relationships, revealing that the detective investigating Napier’s death is actually Boothroyd’s former fiancée – and they didn’t break up on good terms. According to Khan, this adds to the story’s appeal, as James Bond is known for his complex romantic life. While Q isn’t a playboy, Khan explains that everyone experiences the realities of life and emotions, including heartbreak.
The film also reveals – a bit of a surprise – that Q and Moneypenny had a brief romantic relationship while working together, completely unknown to Bond. This is a departure from what fans know about the characters, but the folks at Ian Fleming Publications, who oversee the Bond franchise, were okay with it. They’ve given the filmmakers a lot of freedom, as long as they don’t drastically alter the core Bond universe – something like making Q and Blofeld best friends would definitely be a step too far.
We also had to avoid using things that only appeared in the movies. For example, my initial draft included Aston Martins, but Bond originally drove a Bentley, so I had to make that and similar small changes to stay true to the source material.
Fans and critics are loving the new Bond novel, Quantum of Menace, and there’s already exciting news about the next book in the series. A sneak peek at the first chapter is actually included in the hardcover edition of Quantum of Menace.
Khan announced that the next book in the series will be titled ‘The Man With the Golden Compass,’ adding with a laugh that he’s really enjoying coming up with the titles.
The next book in the series, The Man With the Golden Compass, will continue to combine classic mystery with modern technology, and will delve deeper into Q’s personal life. Author Khan has introduced a new family member who he believes is his best character yet in the series.
That’s Mortimer Boothroyd, Q’s father. He’s a retired historian who Q hasn’t spoken to in thirty years—the reason why is revealed in the book—and he shares Q’s sharp and biting personality. Their reunion is predictably explosive!
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2025-10-31 10:39