Rating: 
Summary: Once again Benson delivers.
Review: This book ranks right up there with HIGH TIME TO KILL as may favorite Benson Bond book (which is fitting as itÕs a loose continuation of that novel). I canÕt wait for the next book and the conclusion of the "Union Trilogy."
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Good as I expected
Review: I reviewed this book first before I read it. I expected it to be awesomelike the others. However, it was not a worthy book of Benson's excellent Bond career. It seemed that Benson really slapped this book together without too much thought. I am a great fan of Benson's Bond books, and I have read them all. This was the worst of the bunch. It really felt like it was rushed and did not compare to Zero Minus Ten, the Facts of Death, High Time to Kill, or even his 2 movie novelizations. While it was enjoyable, it was very predictable and at times rediculous even without the insane gadgets that have been Benson's trademark in the series. I reccomend this book only to hardcore Bond fans who cannot bear to miss an installment in the series (like myself). I still look forward to the next Bond book which should conclude the Union saga. Again, get this book if you really are addicted to Bond. If you aren't, try reading some of his others.
Rating:
Summary: A page turner!
Review: I'm not sure which of Raymond Benson's Bond novels are the best, but this one certainly deserves consideration for the award! I read it in one day/night, I simply couldn't put it down! The plot is very complex for a Bond story, and a more personal one, too. It reminded me of the beginning of "You Only Live Twice" when Bond is having a nervous breakdown of sorts. The duality theme in this one is strong. The characters and locales are terrific. Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This book had a very large amount of action. It was full of suspence and kept me guessing until the very end!
Rating:
Summary: Benson's newest
Review: Benson comes through with a unique look at 007. I liked the book more than High Time to Kill, but not more than The Facts of Death. I think Raymond Benson is an excellent author and I can't wait for his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid outing, but overall a disappointment.
Review: Doubleshot is a "so so" James Bond novel, but only hardcore fans will appreciate it. The characters are tremendously underdeveloped. Domingo Espada, the main villain, doesn't seem like he's in the novel very much and as a result is not a particularly compelling or sinister villain. The main female characters (twin sisters) are ditzy beyond belief and do not resemble savvy CIA agents at all. Granted that they are supposed to be from California, but I don't think the CIA recruits valley girls and sends them to the Middle East. See p168 if you want to know what I mean. Benson's idea of toying with Bond's psyche has been done before (and better) by Ian Fleming in Man with the Golden Gun. Once again, Benson is never really able to get the reader into the head of James Bond, making his psychological ploys weak at best. James Bond does not even remotely resemble a competent secret agent, generally bumbling his way through the novel as a pawn of the bad guys. He seems to win some of the fights while undergoing an epileptic seizure. Furthermore, the novel is organized poorly. Mr. Benson attempts a somewhat new approach for a 007 novel by starting in the present and then catching the reader up by flashing back into the past. Unfortunately, it's done poorly and serves to tip off the reader to the entire plot. The entire novel suffers from brevity. Neither the plot nor the characters are developed enough to really make the reader care. Doubleshot will be interesting to a hardcore 007 fan as a bridge to the next novel, but will hold little appeal for the casual fan. If you want to waste an afternoon then this is for you, otherwise, look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent Bond adventure in the Ian Fleming tradition!
Review: "Doubleshot" is an excellent entry into the world of 007 by Raymond Benson. Mr. Benson proves yet again how he is a worthy successor to both John Gardner and, indeed, to even Ian Fleming. In his fourth original Bond novel, Mr. Benson takes a few risks with the character of James Bond which one who may only be familiar with 007 from the films may be surprised at, but there is no need to fear, as it is all resolved by the end.Mr. Benson does another superb job in expanding on James Bond himself, all the while staying within the parameters established by Ian Fleming and brought to life in the various interpretations by Messrs. Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan. The reader will be a little shocked at some of the events, but need not be concerned, as Mr. Benson is a master in tying it all together. He is able to flesh out Bond to give the reader a true feeling for Bond as a human being, and thus allow the reader to more readily identify with 007. This is one of Mr. Benson's greatest strengths, as he demonstrates a great understanding of Bond as envisioned by Ian Fleming: the tough but occasionally vulnerable secret agent. Indeed, Bond is at his most human since Ian Fleming's penultimate full length Bond novel, "You Only Live Twice". Mr. Benson also does a superb job in developing the other characters, as he introduces the reader to some very sexy Bond girls, and without spoiling it, thhe girls this time are his most successful, easily the best since John Gardner's Beatrice in "Win, Lose or Die" and "Cold Fall" and Ian Fleming's Tracy from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". As Mr. Gardner had Beatrice return, which is generally unheard of in a Bond book, the same should be allowed for Bond's love interest here. The rest of the characters are top notch, from the villain Espada and the seductive villainess Margarita, to Mr. Benson's excellent handling of the supporting cast of M, Miss Moneypenny and Bill Tanner. There is plenty of action in the book, with several chases and fights leading to a thrilling climax. The book also features the globe hopping which people are used to, from London to Tangier to Gibraltar, and Mr. Benson describes each of the locations to the point where the reader feels as if he is actually there. "Doubleshot" is a thrilling, first rate Bond adventure. Long time fans will not be disappointed, and new readers, who may not be as familiar with the literary James Bond, should still feel welcome to dive in. There is no need for them to feel that they will not understand what is going on. Bond, particularly in Mr. Benson's expert hands, is a character immediately accessible to anyone who enjoys high adventure, beautiful women, and political intrigue, with a hero involved in the perpetual struggle of good versus evil.
Rating:
Summary: Benson adds another great story to the 007 canon.
Review: Doubleshot is another excellent addition to the Bond canon as possibly one of Benson's strongest entries. For one thing, as with the last entry High Time to Kill, Doubleshot initially makes a departure from the traditional Bond formula. The book begins with our favorite agent operating at less than his full capacity. Benson's depiction of Bond is an absolute contrast with the agile, strong figure that he first described in the opening chapter of Zero Minus Ten. Throughout the narrative, the author sprinkles his tale with echoing recalls from Ian Fleming's literary Bond and some elements of the Bond films. However, for the purists, this is the literary Bond and not his celluloid counterpart. Benson has received some criticism for making his novels "too much like a screenplay," however, I think that by carefully adding a few cinematic surroundings, he makes an easy introduction to the literary Bond for casual fans and those that are not fully aquatinted with Fleming's work. As this is his fourth original novel, Benson has firmly set his own style. He is more comfortable with his story telling ability and his characterizations are more daring. This book contains very violent actions conducted by some of Benson's most ruthless creations. Domingo Espada and Margareta Piel are two of the most twisted and sadistic villains Bond has ever encountered. As with the Skin 17 plot element in High Time to Kill, the Bond doppleganger also works well in the story in spite of the fact that this plot device seems more like a Bond rip-off than genuine 007. I initially had my doubts about a double 007, however Benson makes it work and allows the reader to enjoy his story for the fantasy and escapism that Bond novels are. Although some readers may not bother with such details, Benson pays attention to the technical aspects of his books while remaining faithful to the basic elements of Ian Fleming's world. One case in point is Bond's armament. Benson realistically balances Bond's use of the trusty Walther PPK with a more serious combat handgun, the Walther P99. By recognizing that Bond is a professional operator, he equips Bond with a professional's gear, all the way down to real world custom-made holsters for Bond's .40 caliber P99. I hope other readers find the same enjoyment I found in this book. It is a fast paced and engaging story. With excellent characters, including Benson's best Bond girl(s) and an interesting plot, Raymond Benson assures us that, even in the 21st century, there's still plenty of "Sex, Sadism, and Snobbery" to go around.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad!
Review: Benson's latest Bond thriller, "Doubleshot," is on par with last year's "High Time To Kill." The story that centers around the Union becomes more developed, but the book remains unique. New characters emerge and some return from "High Time To Kill." The story is very original, placing Bond in new situations while continually testing his psychological and physical limitations. Solid characters and very well written: keep up the good work Mr. Benson! (I'll be interested to see how the Union's story is concluded in the last book of the trilogy).
Rating:
Summary: Looks to Be another great Bond book
Review: I have read all of Benson's Bond books, and i have yet to be dissapointed. I bought this book the first day it was out, and i just started it today (2nd day). I'm 2 chapters in and it already looks to be promising. Its a sequel to High Time to Kill so I suggest you read that first.
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