Every Wednesday, we here at Criminal Element will put together a list of Staff Picks of the books that published the day before—sharing the ones that we are looking forward to reading the most! A lost James Bond-inspired novel from Donald Westlake and a new James Bourne thriller by Eric Van Lustbader highlight a great…
To celebrate the publication of The Bourne Initiative, we're giving away a hardcover copy along with 9 other books in the Jason Bourne series! Click here to learn how to register for your chance to win!
Jason Bourne is one of the most popular and compelling characters in contemporary fiction. Originally created by bestselling author Robert Ludlum, the Jason Bourne series was later adapted into films that have become modern classics. Now, New York Times-bestselling writer Eric Van Lustbader carries on Jason Bourne's story with a new novel about the rogue…
While not the first fictional spy, James Bond is clearly the most notable. But notability doesn’t necessarily mean best. Spy fiction has exploded in just about every era with international conflict, inspiring every kind of spy—from the smooth and suave to the tough and heartless to the resourceful and tech-savvy and every kind in between. …
Last night, some of us focused on the athletic competition of a sport's elite teams battling it out for the championship; some of us focused on the theater of what was a memorable half-time show (see: Chris Martin's shoes); and some of us focused on what went on between the broadcast—the ads—particularly the new movie…
Undercover ops and fancy gadgetry; cold War tensions and hand-to-hand combat; secret government programs and high-speed chases—espionage films have been a mainstay in Hollywood since before WWII, and recent years have only seen an uptick in their popularity. Little wonder, they're full of action, mystery, exotic locales, and sex. Everyone always looks so cool with…
spy NOUN: pl. spies An agent employed by a state to obtain secret information, especially of a military nature, concerning its potential or actual enemies. One employed by a company to obtain confidential information about its competitors. One who secretly keeps watch on another or others. (American Heritage Dictionary) Say “intelligence” and whoever hears you…
“When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar.” A simple riddle that I heard the first time I think on Doctor Who. Applying the same premise to literature we could just as well ask, “When is a James Bond novel not a James Bond novel?” The answer being ever since Ian Fleming died.…
Let me run this idea past you. I’m going to start a movie franchise based on a spy hero played by a man in his early thirties. I’m then going to produce a few more films based on the same character over the next six or seven years, then change the central actor and do…
