James Bond Novel: 'King Zero' by Charlie Higson will be released in September 2026.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Fans of the legendary secret agent James Bond are gearing up for a new adventure.

The first full-length adult novel, "King Zero," has been officially announced by Ian Fleming Publications for April 1, 2026.

The work is written by Charlie Higson, a writer familiar with the world of 007, having previously written the "Young Bond" series and the novella "On His Majesty's Secret Service" in 2023.

"King Zero" is scheduled for release on September 24, 2026, and will be published by Penguin Michael Joseph in the UK and Commonwealth, and pre-orders are now open to loyal James Bond readers worldwide.

In "King Zero," James Bond will be confronted with a changing 21st-century world, where the old order that shaped his character is crumbling and terrifying new threats are emerging.

The story begins with the assassination of an agent in Saudi Arabia using a weapon never before seen by the Secret Service, suggesting a traitor within the organization.

Bond will track this mysterious trail across the globe to uncover a secret so precious it must be guarded with his life.

Agent 007 must race against time to prevent a looming global catastrophe, facing espionage, betrayal, and a tense countdown.

Charlie Higson stated that the novel is set in the modern world and centers on a 35-year-old Bond.

"King Zero" will be widely available in brick-and-mortar bookstores, online platforms, and airport shelves, ensuring accessibility for James Bond fans everywhere.

This marks Higson's first full-length adult novel after two decades of writing the "Young Bond" series and novellas, an achievement he has eagerly anticipated.

Higson expressed his excitement at writing his first full-length adult Bond adventure, hoping it will sit comfortably alongside other contemporary thrillers on airport bookshelves.

He also mentioned that "King Zero" embraces the Bond universe from both a literary and cinematic perspective, creating a bridge between the two mediums.

Joel Richardson, publisher at Penguin Michael Joseph, praised Higson's ability to capture the essence of the James Bond character so uniquely since Ian Fleming's passing.

Meanwhile, Amanda Douglas, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Higson and Penguin Michael Joseph again to bring a new chapter to Bond fans.

"King Zero" is a continuation of Higson's original 007 book saga, enriching the existing James Bond literary legacy.

This announcement comes amid a period of adjustment for the Bond character across various formats, including film, games, and audio stories, especially after Amazon took creative control of the Bond film franchise in 2025.

Besides "King Zero," 2026 will also be a busy year for 007 fans with the publication of other Bond novels.

These include "Hurricane Room" by Kim Sherwood, "The Man with the Golden Compass" by Vaseem Khan, and "James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy" by M.W. Craven.