NEWS

Posted on 23 April, 2026

Quantum of Menace, the charming, drily humorous and intelligently crafted first book in the new James Bond spin-off series, The Q Mysteries, is now out in paperback.

Selected as Thriller of the Month by The Sunday Times, Vaseem Khan’s book focuses on Q as he lives his life post MI6, and will appeal to Bond fans and readers of Murder Before Evensong, The Thursday Murder Club and Slow Horses.

After Q (aka Major Boothroyd) is unexpectedly ousted from his role at MI6, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water.

His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier’s ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces.

Can Q decode the truth behind Napier’s death, even as danger closes in?

‘Punchy, witty, smart and thrilling’ – Janice Hallett

‘Captivating… manages to blend elements of techno-thriller, spy novel, gangland saga and home counties whodunnit, and Vaseem Khan manages to get the balance just right.’ – The Sunday Times

‘Clever, cunning and quirky’ – Mick Herron

‘Excellent. An entertaining mash-up of Fleming, Le Carré and the best of British detective fiction’ – Charlie Higson

Vaseem is discussing his book, the 007 universe and Q’s new era at events across the UK – find out more here.

Quantum of Menace is also available in hardback, eBook, and as an audiobook read by Alexander Armstrong. The next book in the series, The Man with the Golden Compass, is out on the 22nd October 2026. Both titles are available to order from ianflemingshop.com.