Synopsis
The exciting new mystery featuring the former head of MI6's Q Branch, Major Boothroyd, from the James Bond universe.
'A FIVE-STAR BONDVERSE MYSTERY' JANICE HALLETT
'PAY ATTENTION, THRILLER FANS ... HUGELY ENTERTAINING' SARAH HILARY
Fresh from successfully reinvestigating his childhood friend's mysterious death, Q is hired as a civilian contractor by the police in his sleepy hometown to look into the unsolved murder of tech millionaire turned online antique dealer, Laurence Noble. Six months ago, Noble was tortured and killed, a circular object made of gold and inscribed with mysterious runes found in his pocket. As Q investigates, he finds himself dragged into a chilling conspiracy where past and present meet in a way he could not possibly have imagined.
Praise for the Q Mysteries series
'Excellent. An entertaining mash-up of Fleming, Le Carré and the best of British detective fiction' CHARLIE HIGSON
'A thrilling addition to the 007 universe .... worthy of Fleming himself' THE EXPRESS
'Fast, wise, funny, suspenseful and highly recommended' LEE CHILD
'A cunning and propulsive thriller brimming with wit. A sparkling addition to Bond's literary universe' MARK BILLINGHAM
'Clever, cunning and quirky ... Quintessential Khan' MICK HERRON
'A wonderful novel, escapist and playful, but with moments of deep tenderness and serious comment' ANN CLEEVES
'Punchy, witty, smart and thrilling' JANICE HALLETT
'An irresistible cocktail of thrills, wit, and style ... Fans of Slow Horses will LOVE this' WILL DEAN
'An original idea, brilliantly executed; shaken not stirred' RAGNAR JÓNASSON
'Only one man could bring a fan favourite 007 character to life with such wit and skill: the name's Khan, Vaseem Khan' BENJAMIN STEVENSON
'A FIVE-STAR BONDVERSE MYSTERY' JANICE HALLETT
'PAY ATTENTION, THRILLER FANS ... HUGELY ENTERTAINING' SARAH HILARY
Fresh from successfully reinvestigating his childhood friend's mysterious death, Q is hired as a civilian contractor by the police in his sleepy hometown to look into the unsolved murder of tech millionaire turned online antique dealer, Laurence Noble. Six months ago, Noble was tortured and killed, a circular object made of gold and inscribed with mysterious runes found in his pocket. As Q investigates, he finds himself dragged into a chilling conspiracy where past and present meet in a way he could not possibly have imagined.
Praise for the Q Mysteries series
'Excellent. An entertaining mash-up of Fleming, Le Carré and the best of British detective fiction' CHARLIE HIGSON
'A thrilling addition to the 007 universe .... worthy of Fleming himself' THE EXPRESS
'Fast, wise, funny, suspenseful and highly recommended' LEE CHILD
'A cunning and propulsive thriller brimming with wit. A sparkling addition to Bond's literary universe' MARK BILLINGHAM
'Clever, cunning and quirky ... Quintessential Khan' MICK HERRON
'A wonderful novel, escapist and playful, but with moments of deep tenderness and serious comment' ANN CLEEVES
'Punchy, witty, smart and thrilling' JANICE HALLETT
'An irresistible cocktail of thrills, wit, and style ... Fans of Slow Horses will LOVE this' WILL DEAN
'An original idea, brilliantly executed; shaken not stirred' RAGNAR JÓNASSON
'Only one man could bring a fan favourite 007 character to life with such wit and skill: the name's Khan, Vaseem Khan' BENJAMIN STEVENSON
Details
22 October 2026
9781804188699Imprint: Zaffre
Reviews
Vaseem Khan is on fire with this enchanting series of Bondverse adventures. The charismatic, if somewhat curmudgeonly, MI6 inventor Q is back and in searing form. The Man with the Golden Compass is a lively, sharply observed small-town murder mystery, in which Q finds himself working alongside his ex, and the result is a breathless romp where past and present collide in the most delicious of ways! Five golden stars!
Pay attention, thriller fans. Vaseem Khan has delivered another hugely entertaining tale of Q's adventures beyond MI6. A dastardly plot involving evil treasure hunters is the engine that powers the story but the stars are Q, his endearing oddball family, and his arsenal of devices, not least of which is his own utterly disarming charm
