Raymond Benson
Encyclopedia
Raymond Benson is an American author best known for being the official author of the adult James Bond
novels from 1997 to 2003. Benson was born in Midland
, Texas
and graduated from Permian High School
in Odessa
in 1973. In primary school Benson took an interest in the piano which would later in his life develop into an interest in composing music (mostly for theatrical productions). Benson also took part in drama at school and became the vice president of his high school's drama department, an interest that he would later pursue by directing stage productions in New York City after attending and receiving a degree in Drama Production—Directing from the University of Texas at Austin
. Other hobbies include film history and criticism, writing, and designing computer games
.
resigned from writing Bond books. Glidrose Publications
promptly chose Benson to replace him. As a James Bond novelist, Raymond Benson was initially controversial for being American, and for ignoring much of the continuity established by Gardner. The author did much to placate these concerns however, and promptly embarked on regular tours to promote his novels in the UK, as well as occasional trips to mainland Europe; several signing sessions were held at the offices of his UK publisher Hodder & Stoughton
, and at London booksellers Murder One and James Bond specialists Adrian Harrington
Ltd. Benson had previously written The James Bond Bedside Companion
, a book dedicated to Ian Fleming, the official novels, and the films. The book was initially released in 1984
and later updated in 1988
. It was nominated for an Edgar Award
by Mystery Writers of America
in the Best Biographical/Critical Work category. Benson also contributed to the creation of a module in the popular James Bond 007 role-playing game
in the 1980s. In total, Benson wrote six James Bond novels, three novelizations, and three short stories. He was the first Bond author since Ian Fleming to write short stories (published in Playboy
and TV Guide
magazines and collected in anthologies published in 2008 and 2010).
Glidrose changed its name to Ian Fleming Publications
commencing with Benson's novel, High Time to Kill
. Benson resigned from writing Bond books in 2003.
Benson's novel The Man with the Red Tattoo
inspired the government of Japan's Kagawa Prefecture in 2005 to erect a permanent museum (the "007 Man with the Red Tattoo Museum", dedicated to the book) and honor Benson with the title of Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2008 High Time to Kill, Doubleshot, Never Dream of Dying and his 1997 short story "Blast from the Past" were grouped and released as an omnibus called The Union Trilogy: Three 007 Novels. A second anthology entitled Choice of Weapons was published in 2010 and contained Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death, The Man with the Red Tattoo, and the short stories "Midsummer Night's Doom" and "Live at Five".
(2003), Evil Hours
(2004), and Sweetie's Diamonds
(2006) as well as the non-fiction work The Pocket Essential Guide to Jethro Tull (Jethro Tull
biography) (2002).
In 2004, Benson began writing the first of two books based on the acclaimed video game series, Splinter Cell
, although both are credited to the pseudonym, David Michaels
. Further titles in the Splinter Cell series have also been credited to David Michaels, but were not authored by Benson. The first book, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
was published in 2004 followed by Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda
in 2005.
In 2008 Benson wrote A Hard Day's Death
about a private investigator who looks into the death of a rock star. The book spawned a second novel in 2009 called Dark Side of the Morgue
, which was nominated for a Shamus Award
for Best Paperback Original PI Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America. The two novels plus a short story, "On the Threshold of a Death", were collected in 2011 as an e-book anthology, The Rock 'n' Roll Detective's Greatest Hits.
Benson also wrote the novelization of the video game Metal Gear Solid
in 2008 and followed it in 2009 with a novelization of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
. His entry in the Gabriel Hunt pulp adventure series, Hunt Through Napoleon's Web, appeared as an e-book in 2010 and will be published in print in 2011.
In February 2011, Benson novel, co-authored with John Milius
, entitled Homefront--the Voice of Freedom was released, a prequel to the THQ
videogame Homefront
.
Benson's first novel in a series of "women's action/adventure thrillers," The Black Stiletto, will be published in September 2011. The July 2011 issue of Library Journal
described the book as a "mashup of the work of Gloria Steinem
, Ian Fleming
, and Mario Puzo
, all under the editorship of Stan Lee
." In anticipation of the book's publication, Benson released a free downloadable e-book short story, "The Black Stiletto's Autograph". The second book in the series, The Black Stiletto: Black & White, will be published in May 2012.
Raymond Benson continues to write a series of classic film reviews for the publication Cinema Retro
. In 2007, he teamed up with Chicago Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire to present Dann & Raymond's Movie Club, a popular live program held at Chicago suburban libraries. Gire and Benson present evenings of various cinema history topics, show clips, relate anecdotes and trivia, and tell jokes.
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
novels from 1997 to 2003. Benson was born in Midland
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and graduated from Permian High School
Permian High School
Permian High School is a public high school located in Odessa, Texas and is part of the Ector County Independent School District. It was the subject of the book Friday Night Lights which in turn inspired a movie and TV series of the same name.-History:...
in Odessa
Odessa, Texas
Odessa is a city in and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, United States. It is located primarily in Ector County, although a small portion of the city extends into Midland County. Odessa's population was 99,940 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Odessa, Texas Metropolitan...
in 1973. In primary school Benson took an interest in the piano which would later in his life develop into an interest in composing music (mostly for theatrical productions). Benson also took part in drama at school and became the vice president of his high school's drama department, an interest that he would later pursue by directing stage productions in New York City after attending and receiving a degree in Drama Production—Directing from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. Other hobbies include film history and criticism, writing, and designing computer games
Computer Games
"Computer Games" is a single by New Zealand group, Mi-Sex released in 1979 in Australia and New Zealand and in 1981 throughout Europe. It was the single that launched the band, and was hugely popular, particularly in Australia and New Zealand...
.
James Bond works
In 1996, John GardnerJohn Gardner (thriller writer)
John Edmund Gardner was an English spy novelist, most notably for the James Bond series.-Early life:Gardner was born in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. He graduated from St John's College, Cambridge and did postgraduate study at Oxford...
resigned from writing Bond books. Glidrose Publications
Ian Fleming Publications
Ian Fleming Publications is the production company formerly known as both Glidrose Productions Limited and Glidrose Publications Limited, named after its founders John Gliddon and Norman Rose...
promptly chose Benson to replace him. As a James Bond novelist, Raymond Benson was initially controversial for being American, and for ignoring much of the continuity established by Gardner. The author did much to placate these concerns however, and promptly embarked on regular tours to promote his novels in the UK, as well as occasional trips to mainland Europe; several signing sessions were held at the offices of his UK publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Hodder & Stoughton
Hodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette.-History:The firm has its origins in the 1840s, with Matthew Hodder's employment, aged fourteen, with Messrs Jackson and Walford, the official publisher for the Congregational Union...
, and at London booksellers Murder One and James Bond specialists Adrian Harrington
Adrian Harrington
Adrian Harrington is a notable antiquarian bookseller, a Past President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association , 2001–2003, and a recent Past President of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers...
Ltd. Benson had previously written The James Bond Bedside Companion
The James Bond Bedside Companion
The James Bond Bedside Companion is a non-fiction book written by the official James Bond author, Raymond Benson, first published in 1984. It was later updated in 1988...
, a book dedicated to Ian Fleming, the official novels, and the films. The book was initially released in 1984
1984 in literature
The year 1984 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*The book Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is widely read....
and later updated in 1988
1988 in literature
The year 1988 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Margaret Atwood - Cat's Eye*J.G. Ballard - Memories of the Space Age*Iain M...
. It was nominated for an Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
by Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
in the Best Biographical/Critical Work category. Benson also contributed to the creation of a module in the popular James Bond 007 role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
in the 1980s. In total, Benson wrote six James Bond novels, three novelizations, and three short stories. He was the first Bond author since Ian Fleming to write short stories (published in Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
and TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
magazines and collected in anthologies published in 2008 and 2010).
Glidrose changed its name to Ian Fleming Publications
Ian Fleming Publications
Ian Fleming Publications is the production company formerly known as both Glidrose Productions Limited and Glidrose Publications Limited, named after its founders John Gliddon and Norman Rose...
commencing with Benson's novel, High Time to Kill
High Time to Kill
High Time to Kill, published in 1999, is the fourth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming’s secret agent, James Bond . This is the first James Bond novel copyrighted by Ian Fleming Publications...
. Benson resigned from writing Bond books in 2003.
- "Blast from the Past" (short storyShort storyA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
, 1997) - Zero Minus TenZero Minus TenZero Minus Ten, published in 1997, is the first novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's James Bond following John Gardner's departure in 1996...
(1997) - Tomorrow Never Dies (novelization, 1997)
- The Facts of DeathThe Facts of DeathThe Facts of Death, first published in 1998, was the third novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond...
(1998) - "Midsummer Night's Doom" (short story, 1999)
- "Live at Five" (short story, 1999)
- The World Is Not EnoughThe World Is Not Enough (novel)The World Is Not Enough, published in 1999, is the fifth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond based on the 1999 film of the same name. It was only the second James Bond novel copyrighted by Ian Fleming Publications...
(novelization, 1999) - High Time to KillHigh Time to KillHigh Time to Kill, published in 1999, is the fourth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming’s secret agent, James Bond . This is the first James Bond novel copyrighted by Ian Fleming Publications...
(1999) - DoubleShotDoubleshotDoubleShot, first published in 2000, was the sixth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond . Carrying the Ian Fleming Publications copyright, it was first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton and in the United States by Putnam...
(2000) - Never Dream of DyingNever Dream of DyingNever Dream of Dying, first published in 2001, was the seventh novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond...
(2001) - The Man with the Red TattooThe Man with the Red TattooThe Man with the Red Tattoo, first published in 2002, was the sixth and final original novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond. Carrying the Ian Fleming Publications copyright, it was first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton and in the United...
(2002) - Die Another Day (novelization, 2002)
Benson's novel The Man with the Red Tattoo
The Man with the Red Tattoo
The Man with the Red Tattoo, first published in 2002, was the sixth and final original novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond. Carrying the Ian Fleming Publications copyright, it was first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton and in the United...
inspired the government of Japan's Kagawa Prefecture in 2005 to erect a permanent museum (the "007 Man with the Red Tattoo Museum", dedicated to the book) and honor Benson with the title of Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2008 High Time to Kill, Doubleshot, Never Dream of Dying and his 1997 short story "Blast from the Past" were grouped and released as an omnibus called The Union Trilogy: Three 007 Novels. A second anthology entitled Choice of Weapons was published in 2010 and contained Zero Minus Ten, The Facts of Death, The Man with the Red Tattoo, and the short stories "Midsummer Night's Doom" and "Live at Five".
Other works
Since authoring Bond novels, Benson has had a number of books published, including original suspense novels Face BlindFace Blind
Face Blind is a suspense novel penned by author Raymond Benson, published by Twenty First Century Publishers Ltd. in 2003. Benson is mostly known as the author of several James Bond continuation novels....
(2003), Evil Hours
Evil Hours
Evil Hours is a suspense novel penned by author Raymond Benson, published by Twenty First Century Publishers Ltd. in 2004. It was originally published as an e-book by PublishingOnline.com in 2001. Benson is primarily known as the author of several James Bond continuation novels....
(2004), and Sweetie's Diamonds
Sweetie's Diamonds
Sweetie's Diamonds is a suspense thriller written by Raymond Benson that was first published in 2006 by Five Star/Thomson Gale. A mass market paperback edition was published by Leisure Books, an imprint of Dorchester Publishing, in 2007. The novel won the "Best Thriller of 2006" award at the Love...
(2006) as well as the non-fiction work The Pocket Essential Guide to Jethro Tull (Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
biography) (2002).
In 2004, Benson began writing the first of two books based on the acclaimed video game series, Splinter Cell
Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a series of stealth video games, the first of which was released in 2002, and their tie-in novels. The protagonist, Sam Fisher, is presented as a highly-trained agent of a fictional black-ops sub-division within the NSA, dubbed "Third Echelon"...
, although both are credited to the pseudonym, David Michaels
David Michaels
David Michaels is a pseudonym for the authors of novels in the Splinter Cell, EndWar, H.A.W.X , and Ghost Recon series, all of which were created by Ubisoft Entertainment and developed under Ubisoft's Tom Clancy license...
. Further titles in the Splinter Cell series have also been credited to David Michaels, but were not authored by Benson. The first book, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (novel)
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a 2004 novel told in the first person by author Raymond Benson, writing under the pseudonym David Michaels. The novel is based on the video game series Splinter Cell created by author Tom Clancy...
was published in 2004 followed by Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda is a 2005 novel in the Splinter Cell series and a sequel to the 2004 novel Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Both novels were written by Raymond Benson under the pseudonym David Michaels...
in 2005.
In 2008 Benson wrote A Hard Day's Death
A Hard Day's Death
A Hard Day's Death is the first of a planned series of original mystery/thrillers by former James Bond author Raymond Benson. Published in April 2008 by Leisure Books it has a rock and roll setting and features a detective named Spike Berenger...
about a private investigator who looks into the death of a rock star. The book spawned a second novel in 2009 called Dark Side of the Morgue
Dark Side of the Morgue
Dark Side of the Morgue is the second of a series of original mystery/thrillers by former James Bond author Raymond Benson. Published in March 2009 by Leisure Books it has a rock and roll setting and features a detective named Spike Berenger...
, which was nominated for a Shamus Award
Shamus Award
The Shamus Award is awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America for the best detective fiction genre novels and short stories of the year....
for Best Paperback Original PI Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America. The two novels plus a short story, "On the Threshold of a Death", were collected in 2011 as an e-book anthology, The Rock 'n' Roll Detective's Greatest Hits.
Benson also wrote the novelization of the video game Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid
is a videogame by Hideo Kojima. The game was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and first published by Konami in 1998 for the PlayStation video game console. It is the sequel to Kojimas early MSX2 computer games Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake...
in 2008 and followed it in 2009 with a novelization of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
is a stealth action video game directed by Hideo Kojima, developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2001....
. His entry in the Gabriel Hunt pulp adventure series, Hunt Through Napoleon's Web, appeared as an e-book in 2010 and will be published in print in 2011.
In February 2011, Benson novel, co-authored with John Milius
John Milius
John Frederick Milius is an American screenwriter, director, and producer of motion pictures.-Early life:Milius was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Elizabeth and William Styx Milius, who was a shoe manufacturer. Milius attempted to join the Marine Corps in the late 1960s, but was rejected...
, entitled Homefront--the Voice of Freedom was released, a prequel to the THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
videogame Homefront
Homefront (video game)
Homefront is a first-person shooter video game developed by now defunct Kaos Studios and published by THQ, in which players play as members of a resistance movement fighting against a near-future Korean military occupation of the United States. The story was written by John Milius, who co-wrote...
.
Benson's first novel in a series of "women's action/adventure thrillers," The Black Stiletto, will be published in September 2011. The July 2011 issue of Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
described the book as a "mashup of the work of Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Marie Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s...
, Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming
Ian Lancaster Fleming was a British author, journalist and Naval Intelligence Officer.Fleming is best known for creating the fictional British spy James Bond and for a series of twelve novels and nine short stories about the character, one of the biggest-selling series of fictional books of...
, and Mario Puzo
Mario Puzo
Mario Gianluigi Puzo was an American author and screenwriter, known for his novels about the Mafia, including The Godfather , which he later co-adapted into a film by Francis Ford Coppola...
, all under the editorship of Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
." In anticipation of the book's publication, Benson released a free downloadable e-book short story, "The Black Stiletto's Autograph". The second book in the series, The Black Stiletto: Black & White, will be published in May 2012.
Raymond Benson continues to write a series of classic film reviews for the publication Cinema Retro
Cinema Retro
Cinema Retro is an English magazine devoted to "celebrating films of the 1960s & 1970s". Founded in 2005 by Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall, it is subtitled "the Essential Guide to Cult and Classic Movies"...
. In 2007, he teamed up with Chicago Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire to present Dann & Raymond's Movie Club, a popular live program held at Chicago suburban libraries. Gire and Benson present evenings of various cinema history topics, show clips, relate anecdotes and trivia, and tell jokes.
Fiction
- 1997 Zero Minus TenZero Minus TenZero Minus Ten, published in 1997, is the first novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's James Bond following John Gardner's departure in 1996...
(novel) - 1997 Tomorrow Never DiesTomorrow Never DiesTomorrow Never Dies is the eighteenth spy film in the James Bond series, and the second to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Bruce Feirstein wrote the screenplay, and it was directed by Roger Spottiswoode. It follows Bond as he tries to stop a media mogul from engineering...
(novelization, based on the screenplay) - 1998 The Facts of DeathThe Facts of DeathThe Facts of Death, first published in 1998, was the third novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond...
(novel) - 1999 High Time to KillHigh Time to KillHigh Time to Kill, published in 1999, is the fourth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming’s secret agent, James Bond . This is the first James Bond novel copyrighted by Ian Fleming Publications...
(novel) - 1999 The World Is Not EnoughThe World Is Not EnoughThe World Is Not Enough is the nineteenth spy film in the James Bond film series, and the third to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was directed by Michael Apted, with the original story and screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Bruce Feirstein. It...
(novelization, based on the screenplay) - 2000 DoubleShotDoubleshotDoubleShot, first published in 2000, was the sixth novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond . Carrying the Ian Fleming Publications copyright, it was first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton and in the United States by Putnam...
(novel) - 2001 Evil HoursEvil HoursEvil Hours is a suspense novel penned by author Raymond Benson, published by Twenty First Century Publishers Ltd. in 2004. It was originally published as an e-book by PublishingOnline.com in 2001. Benson is primarily known as the author of several James Bond continuation novels....
(novel, revised edition published 2004) - 2001 Never Dream of DyingNever Dream of DyingNever Dream of Dying, first published in 2001, was the seventh novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond...
(novel) - 2002 The Man with the Red TattooThe Man with the Red TattooThe Man with the Red Tattoo, first published in 2002, was the sixth and final original novel by Raymond Benson featuring Ian Fleming's secret agent, James Bond. Carrying the Ian Fleming Publications copyright, it was first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton and in the United...
(novel) - 2002 Die Another DayDie Another DayDie Another Day is the 20th spy film in the James Bond series, and the fourth and last film to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond; it is also the last Bond film of the original timeline with the series being rebooted with Casino Royale...
(novelizaton, based on the screenplay) - 2003 Face BlindFace BlindFace Blind is a suspense novel penned by author Raymond Benson, published by Twenty First Century Publishers Ltd. in 2003. Benson is mostly known as the author of several James Bond continuation novels....
(novel) - 2004 Tom Clancy's Splinter CellTom Clancy's Splinter CellTom Clancy's Splinter Cell is an action-adventure stealth game, developed by Ubisoft Montreal and built on the Unreal Engine 2. It is the first Splinter Cell game in the series endorsed by author Tom Clancy, and follows the activities of American NSA Black Operation, "Black Ops", agent Sam Fisher....
(original novel based on the UbisoftUbisoftUbisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
videogame, writing as "David Michaels") - 2005 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation BarracudaTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation BarracudaTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda is a 2005 novel in the Splinter Cell series and a sequel to the 2004 novel Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Both novels were written by Raymond Benson under the pseudonym David Michaels...
(original novel based on the UbisoftUbisoftUbisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
videogame, writing as "David Michaels") - 2006 Sweetie's DiamondsSweetie's DiamondsSweetie's Diamonds is a suspense thriller written by Raymond Benson that was first published in 2006 by Five Star/Thomson Gale. A mass market paperback edition was published by Leisure Books, an imprint of Dorchester Publishing, in 2007. The novel won the "Best Thriller of 2006" award at the Love...
(novel) - 2008 A Hard Day's DeathA Hard Day's DeathA Hard Day's Death is the first of a planned series of original mystery/thrillers by former James Bond author Raymond Benson. Published in April 2008 by Leisure Books it has a rock and roll setting and features a detective named Spike Berenger...
(novel) - 2008 Metal Gear SolidMetal Gear Solidis a videogame by Hideo Kojima. The game was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and first published by Konami in 1998 for the PlayStation video game console. It is the sequel to Kojimas early MSX2 computer games Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake...
(novelization, based on the Konami videogame) - 2008 The Union Trilogy (anthology; contains three novels and one short story)
- 2009 Dark Side of the MorgueDark Side of the MorgueDark Side of the Morgue is the second of a series of original mystery/thrillers by former James Bond author Raymond Benson. Published in March 2009 by Leisure Books it has a rock and roll setting and features a detective named Spike Berenger...
(novel) - 2009 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis a stealth action video game directed by Hideo Kojima, developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2001....
(novelization, based on the Konami videogame) - 2010 Choice of Weapons (anthology; contains three novels and two short stories)
- 2010 Hunt Through Napoleon's Web (novel, writing "with" fictional character Gabriel Hunt)
- 2011 Homefront--the Voice of Freedom (novel, co-written with John MiliusJohn MiliusJohn Frederick Milius is an American screenwriter, director, and producer of motion pictures.-Early life:Milius was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Elizabeth and William Styx Milius, who was a shoe manufacturer. Milius attempted to join the Marine Corps in the late 1960s, but was rejected...
) - 2011 Torment (novel)
- 2011 Artifact of Evil (novel)
- 2011 The Rock 'n' Roll Detective's Greatest Hits (anthology; contains two novels and a short story)
- 2011 The Black Stiletto (novel)
Non-fiction
- 1984 The James Bond Bedside CompanionThe James Bond Bedside CompanionThe James Bond Bedside Companion is a non-fiction book written by the official James Bond author, Raymond Benson, first published in 1984. It was later updated in 1988...
(U.K. and updated edition published in 1988) - 2002 The Pocket Essential Guide to Jethro Tull
Short stories
- 1997 "Blast From the Past" (PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
Magazine, January 1997 issue) - 1999 "Midsummer Night's Doom" (PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
Magazine, January 1999 issue) - 1999 "Live at FiveLive at FiveLive at Five is a name used by several television stations in some countries to refer to their 5:00pm newscasts or talk shows.* The name was coined by WNBC-TV in New York City in 1980 for a lifestyle and celebrity news show...
" (TV GuideTV GuideTV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
Magazine, November 13, 1999 issue) - 2006 "Thumbs Down" (published by Amazon Shorts)
- 2006 "The Plagiarist" (published by Amazon Shorts)
- 2006 "Another Rock 'n' Roll Hit" (published in crime anthology These Guns for Hire)
- 2009 "On the Threshold of a Death" (Crimespree Magazine, May 2009 issue)
- 2009 "After the Gig" (Popcorn Fiction)
- 2011 "The Devil is a Gentleman" (published in fantasy anthology Boondocks Fantasy)
- 2011 "The Black Stiletto's Autograph" (teaser to The Black Stiletto novel, published by Smashwords)
Produced musical composition for theatre
- 1972 On Borrowed TimeOn Borrowed TimeOn Borrowed Time is a 1939 film about the role death plays in life, and how humanity cannot live without it. It is adapted from Paul Osborn's 1938 Broadway hit play. The play, based on a novel by Lawrence Edward Watkin, has been revived twice on Broadway since its original run.Set in small-town...
(book by Paul OsbornePaul OsbornePaul Osborne is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, administrator and politician. He played first-grade rugby league for the St George Dragons and Canberra Raiders before serving as a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1995 until 2001...
) - 1974 Out of GasOut of Gas"Out of Gas" is the eighth episode of the science fiction television series Firefly created by Joss Whedon. It differs stylistically from the rest of the series, in that it tells its story alternately in three timeframes: events in the present, events in the near-past that led to the present, and...
(book and lyrics by Michael Robert David) - 1975 Hugo Martyr (book and lyrics by Jeffrey Kindley)
- 1975 The Resurrection of Jackie Cramer (book and lyrics by Frank Gagliano (playwright), subsequent productions 1976, 1979, 1980)
- 1976 Primer for City Dwellers (book and lyrics by Bertolt BrechtBertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
) - 1976 Paper Tiger (musical) (book and lyrics by Thomas BraschThomas BraschThomas Brasch was a German author, poet and film director.- Awards :1981 Bavarian Film Awards, Best Director- Publications :* „Sie geht, sie geht nicht“, Theaterstück, 1970...
, subsequent production 1980) - 1977 ClueClueClue may refer to:* Cluedo , a crime fiction board game** Clue , based on the board game** Clue , based on the board game** Clue , based on the board game...
(lyrics by Stuart Howard) - 1978 Alice in Wonderland (lyrics by Lewis CarrollLewis CarrollCharles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
) - 1979 Miss JulieMiss JulieMiss Julie is a naturalistic play written in 1888 by August Strindberg dealing with class, love, lust, the battle of the sexes, and the interaction among them...
(play by August StrindbergAugust StrindbergJohan August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter. A prolific writer who often drew directly on his personal experience, Strindberg's career spanned four decades, during which time he wrote over 60 plays and more than 30 works of fiction, autobiography,...
, subsequent production 1982) - 1981 I Can't Imagine Tomorrow (play by Tennessee WilliamsTennessee WilliamsThomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
) - 1981 DeirdreDeirdreDeirdre or Derdriu is the foremost tragic heroine in Irish mythology and probably its best-known figure in modern times. She is often called "Deirdre of the Sorrows." Her story is part of the Ulster Cycle, the best-known stories of pre-Christian Ireland.-Legendary Biography:Deirdre was the...
(book and lyrics by Norman Morrow) - 1984 The Man Who Could See Through Time (play by Terri Wagener)
- 1984 Charlotte's WebCharlotte's WebCharlotte's Web is an award-winning children's novel by acclaimed American author E. B. White, about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from being slaughtered by an intelligent spider named Charlotte. The book was first published in 1952, with illustrations by Garth Williams.The novel tells the story...
(play by Joe Robinette based on the novel, subsequent production 1985) - 1987 The Lucky Chance (play by Aphra BehnAphra BehnAphra Behn was a prolific dramatist of the English Restoration and was one of the first English professional female writers. Her writing contributed to the amatory fiction genre of British literature.-Early life:...
) - 1989 Hyde ParkHyde Park (play)Hyde Park is a Caroline era comedy of manners written by James Shirley, and first published in 1637.Hyde Park was licensed for performance by Sir Henry Herbert, the Master of the Revels, on April 20, 1632, and acted at the Cockpit Theatre by Queen Henrietta's Men...
(play by James ShirleyJames ShirleyJames Shirley was an English dramatist.He belonged to the great period of English dramatic literature, but, in Lamb's words, he "claims a place among the worthies of this period, not so much for any transcendent genius in himself, as that he was the last of a great race, all of whom spoke nearly...
)
Produced plays
- 1977 ClueClueClue may refer to:* Cluedo , a crime fiction board game** Clue , based on the board game** Clue , based on the board game** Clue , based on the board game...
- 2005 Second Chance (co-written by Doug Redenius)
Computer games
- 1985 Stephen King's The Mist (Designer/Writer; MindscapeMindscapeMindscape is an international software publishing company, previously part of The Learning Company. They are now affiliated with EA . As of 2004, the group has offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. It has an annual turnover of €38 million and employs 150 people. Mindscape...
) - 1985 A View to a KillA View to a KillA View to a Kill is the fourteenth spy film of the James Bond series, and the seventh and last to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Although the title is adapted from Ian Fleming's short story "From a View to a Kill", the film is the fourth Bond film after The Spy Who Loved...
(Designer/Writer; MindscapeMindscapeMindscape is an international software publishing company, previously part of The Learning Company. They are now affiliated with EA . As of 2004, the group has offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. It has an annual turnover of €38 million and employs 150 people. Mindscape...
) - 1986 Goldfinger (Designer/Writer; MindscapeMindscapeMindscape is an international software publishing company, previously part of The Learning Company. They are now affiliated with EA . As of 2004, the group has offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. It has an annual turnover of €38 million and employs 150 people. Mindscape...
) - 1992 Ultima VII: The Black Gate (Story Direction, Head Writer; Origin SystemsOrigin SystemsOrigin Systems, Inc. was a computer game developer based in Austin, Texas that was active from 1983 to 2004...
) - 1993 Ultima VII, Part Two: Serpent's Isle (Co-Writer; Origin SystemsOrigin SystemsOrigin Systems, Inc. was a computer game developer based in Austin, Texas that was active from 1983 to 2004...
) - 1993 Return of the PhantomReturn of the PhantomReturn of the Phantom is a "point-and-click" style graphic animated adventure developed and published by MicroProse in 1993. It was produced by Matt Gruson and designed/written by future James Bond novelist Raymond Benson....
(Designer/Writer; MicroProse Software) - 1994 Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Tale of Orpheo's Curse (Story Direction, Head Writer; Viacom New Media)
- 1995 The Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the CupboardThe Indian in the Cupboard is a children's book by British author Lynne Reid Banks, and illustrated by Brock Cole. It was first published in 1980, and has received numerous awards, as well as being made into a film in 1995....
(Designer/Writer; Viacom New Media) - 1995 Dark Seed II (Designer/Writer; Cyberdreams, Inc.)
Role-playing game
- 1986 You Only Live Twice II: Back of Beyond (Designer/Writer; Victory Games, Inc.)
External links
- Raymond Benson's official website
- The Black Stiletto official website
- Raymond Benson announcing himself as writer of Splinter Cell
- CommanderBond.net Raymond Benson interview
- Raymond Benson's official MySpace
- English website for the 007 Man With the Red Tattoo Museum
- Buzznews.net interview by Travis Clemmons (October 2009)
- April 2007 interview with Raymond Benson at Paradigm, an art/literary journal published by Rain Farm Press. Located under "Fiction."