There are car chases, fight scenes, a glamorous party and a final shoot-out that is surely a homage to the climax of The Man With the Golden Gun . . . [Cole] is a master of action, and the scenes on the sinister airship as it makes its way over the Atlantic are particularly tense.

What impressed me most about Shoot to Kill was Cole’s ability to create a contained story that moved the character of James Bond on, but stayed true to the Fleming vision. Children will love the action elements of this book, but even an adult who is a fan of Bond can get some sneaky pleasure out of the book.

The story was exciting and the period details were authentic; he has obviously done his research and handles his material with confidence. The writing is economical and the characters are well drawn, they include some suitably villainous bad guys plus strong female roles too. As a life-long fan of Fleming's books Steve Cole is comfortable in Bond's world including several playful nods to the older Bond's character.

Action-packed, with references to Fleming's Bond that will surprise and delight the most avid Bond fan.

Comedy, dash and imagination refresh a rebooted British hero.

Packed with blackmail, murder and revenge, Shoot to Kill is Young Bond at his best.

Cole, Steve Cole, has picked up the bond baton from Charlie Higson with this his first book in the Young Bond sereis. It's set in mafia-soaked, golden-era Hollywood, giving this proto-007 plenty of scope for adventure. It's a cracking read with fantasic fight scenes, glam parties and some pretty decent plotting

Nail-biting excitement