Forever and a Day was published by Jonathan Cape in 2018. The novel is a prequel to Casino Royale — Bond’s first mission as 007, set in the weeks before Fleming’s first novel begins. The previous 007 has been found dead, floating in the harbor of Marseille. Bond is assigned his number and sent to the Côte d’Azur to investigate, uncovering a heroin-trafficking operation run by a French industrialist with connections to the Corsican underworld.
The novel answers a question Fleming never addressed: how did Bond earn his 00 status? Horowitz provides an origin story that respects Fleming’s characterization while adding psychological depth — showing the young Bond learning the emotional cost of the license to kill.
Collecting Forever and a Day
First edition (Jonathan Cape, London, 2018): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $20–$35
- Very good: $10–$20
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation. The prequel concept — how Bond became 007 — gives the novel permanent appeal among Bond enthusiasts.
The Bond Origin
Forever and a Day is the literary equivalent of Casino Royale (2006): an origin story. But where the Daniel Craig film reimagined Bond for the 21st century, Horowitz’s novel stays firmly in Fleming’s 1950s world — tailored suits, vintage cars, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and the specific moral landscape of post-war Europe. The result is a novel that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Forever and a Day fit in the Bond chronology? It is set immediately before Casino Royale (1953), making it the earliest story in Bond’s career. Bond has just been promoted to 00 status and is on his first mission as 007. Reading it before re-reading Casino Royale provides a seamless entry into Fleming’s series.