SilverFin

He of Fast Show fame has been awarded the prize of creating a childhood for none other than James Bond. In fact, the whole long adventure has every ingredient of the original novels and plays like the adult version but with a well connected Eton schoolboy as main protagonist. He’s physically attractive and posh; he’s tenacious; he’s resourceful, strong and intelligent. Best of all he’s a morally upright role model.

Checklist:

Mad villain, Lord Hellebore, intent on world domination through the scientific creation of an army of unkillable soldiers in a heavily fortified Scottish castle, with its own lake of killer eels. Training up son to be just like his father.

Teen beauty called Wilder Lawless, on horseback and with a mean line in backchat.

A bevy of supportive relatives and friends, some with well-connected pasts and useful skills when you’re in a tight spot.

Shady henchmen who are definitely not kind to animals.

There are some stretches of detail that take some absorbing, but on the whole it’s a good yarn with plenty of excitement and first in what’ll no doubt be a long line of similar adventures.