This is not a review of the Trigger Mortis by Anthony Horowitz, merely a list of London locations featured. I have included some scatological thoughts below.
If you’re coming to London and interested in finding some James Bond locations you might find two maps of interest available through the online shop.
Chapter 1 – Back to Work
“He shaved, using the orange and bergamot shaving cream that he bought from Floris in Jermyn Street, then rinsed off.” Pg18.
Bond tells Pussy Galore,
‘I won’t be late. We can go out tonight. I can get a table at Scott’s.’ Pg21.
As the book is set in 1957 against the backdrop of the Space Race, and begins two weeks after the events of Goldfinger, Horowitz will be referring to the original Scott’s that Fleming famously ate. As of 2015, the Coventry Street building (18-20 Coventry Street) still exists complete with decorations of an S monogram and shells in stone. It is now part of the Trocadero Centre. The new location for Scott’s can be found on 20 Mount Street, Mayfair. The move date was 1967.
Horowitz also mentions Scott’s in Forever And A Day.
‘Bond was already feeling uncomfortable. Only the night before he had bumped into an acquaintance at the Savoy and had been quietly pleased to see the other man’s eyes gliding over the beautiful woman on his arm. But then she had spoiled it by introducing herself. Pussy Galore.’ Pg24.
Chapter 2 – Racing Uncertainty
Pussy Galore tells Bond about her,
“I went to Fortnum & Mason, then I had lunch at the Ritz.” Pg36.
Chapter 16 – The Lion’s Den
‘Like many schoolboys before him, Bond had been dragged round the house where the poet John Keats had lived in Hampstead, north London.’ Pg198. (10 Keats Grove, Hampstead,NW3 2RR).
Chapter 17 – No Gun Ri
Bond is introduced to Sin, who tells him,
‘Your cigarettes are made by Morlands of Grosvenor Street. I was unable to procure any given such short notice but you are welcome to smoke if you wish.’ Pg209.
Thoughts on Trigger Mortis:
- Great cold opening, that doesn’t feature Bond.
- I love the Le Mans reference that killed 83 people in a race meeting. Based on a true event.
- Pussy Galore gets painted gold, although rescued. And I loved the world that Horowitz created for Galore here. Everything felt authentic to her character.
- The race scene is terrific, and I like the way Bond talks to himself. “Come on you Bastard.”
- The bad guy and the cards was brilliant. If ever they use that for a film I’d be more than happy with it. The buried alive scene was spectacular and I wonder how much and what kind of research had to go into that. I have reached out to Horowitz for an interview but heard nothing back.
