When the trustees of Ian Fleming’s estate began looking for an author to write a new James Bond book many assumed hard-bitten thriller writers such as Frederick Forsyth or John Le Carré would top the list.Certainly no one tipped the acclaimed serious literary novelist Sebastian Faulks to be entrusted with the latest incarnation of Britain’s most famous spy. But the author of the best-selling First World War novel Birdsong was yesterday disclosed as the writer of a new 007 novel to mark the centenary of Fleming’s birth.

Faulks’ version of 007 will be released next year – in May, according to the article – and will be titled Devil May Care. So prepare to shake (not stir) a martini (or, you know, a nice cup of tea) and settle in for a thrilling night with the notorious James Bond.