As if having to turn down an invite to the dramatic launch party of the new James Bond novel, Carte Blanche, wasn't disappointing enough, having to walk past the event taking place in the champagne bar at London St Pancras on my way to another meeting was really too much. As a rule, I do not drink a lot of champagne before midday, but I'm always prepared to make an exception, particularly when there's a Bond girl around.
By way of compensation, my copy of Carte Blanche arrived in the mail this morning. Unfortunately, as blogging is not yet lucrative enough to allow me to pack in the day job, I can't tell you much more than that the book has a very stylish cover. But 15 minutes or so when I head off to bed, I will start reading it, and I hope to review it soon.
Thanks to publisher Hodder & Stoughton, I also have a copy signed by Jeffrey Deaver to give away to one UK reader of Material Witness.
All you have to - by the end of Tuesday May 31 is answer a simple question:
In what year was the last James Bond novel (Sebastian Faulks' Devil May Care) set?
A) 1987
B) 1967
C) 2007
A clue - well, let's be honest, the answer - can be found in this review of Devil May Care.
Send your answer, together with your name and postal address to [email protected]. Good luck.