The Moneypenny Diaries Trilogy (2005 – 2008)
The Moneypenny Diaries is a trilogy of novels
chronicling the life of Miss Moneypenny, M’s personal secretary
in Ian Fleming’s
James Bond series. Dr Kate
Westbrook is the editor of The Moneypenny Diaries. Ten years
after the death of her aunt, Jane Moneypenny, Kate inherited
an extraordinary legacy: the journals that show that Ian Fleming’s
novels are far from fictional… Kate Westbrook is also the pseudonym
of award-winning Moneypenny Diaries author Samantha Weinberg, who
has worked extensively as a journalist in South Africa and the
UK.
She is also the author of several internationally
best-selling works of non-fiction, including "Pointing From
The Grave", which won the 2003 CWA Gold Dagger for non-fiction.
Interviews
Samantha
Weinberg Interview – Book One
Samantha
Weinberg Interview – Book Two (1)
Samantha
Weinberg Interview – Book Two (2)
From her colonial childhood in Kenya to her death in 1990, Jane
Moneypenny led an extraordinary, clandestine life. Positioned
at the heart of British intelligence she had a ringside seat
at the political intrigues that shaped world history. But, contrary
to popular belief, she was not simply a bystander while James
Bond saw all the action. As her diaries make startlingly clear,
Miss Moneypenny played a central role in the build-up to the
Cuban Missile Crisis and the threat of all-out nuclear war.
But a life of espionage has personal as well as political ramification.
For Jane Moneypenny the price was high. Romantic relationships
were necessarily built on lies – sometimes on both sides – and
you could not trust the motives of anyone. The impact of Jane
Moneypenny’s career on her emotional life was even more profound
as, with her access to classified information, she began to investigate
the mysterious circumstances of her father’s presumed death while
in service.
Guarding so many secrets with no one to confide in, she found
herself breaking the first rule of espionage. Unbeknownst to
anyone, she kept a diary. This became an outlet for her innermost
thoughts and, despite the risk of discovery, for state secrets.
It should never have been made public…
|
Above: First edition UK paperback (left), first edition US
paperback (right) |
Secret Servant (Book Two)
| Author: |
Kate Westbrook (fictional editor)
Samantha Weinberg (author) |
| Published: |
2nd November 2006 (John Murray) |
| Pages |
320 |
| MI6 Rating: |
 |
Capsule Synopsis
Jane Moneypenny is tasked with her own mission surrounding the defection
of Harold Adrian Russell ‘Kim’ Philby. The action takes place through
London, Berlin, Moscow, Leningrad and Helsinki.
Trivia
In order to write the book Weinberg met up with ex Secret
Service agents and even traveled to Moscow to meet Kim
Philby’s widow.
Artist Stina Persson designed the "Secret
Servant" paperback, and the "Final Fling" hardcover using
a retro 1960’s style.  Order
Hardback – Amazon UK
Order
Paperback – Amazon UK
|
|
Above: First edition cover artwork
of John Murray hardback (UK) |
Official Blurb
From saving spies to private passions – the secret adventures of James Bond’s
right-hand woman, Jane Moneypenny may project an image of chic, sophisticated
poise but her secret diary reveals her other side. In the grip of an uncertain
love affair and haunted by a dark family secret, the last thing she needs
is
a crisis at work. But the Secret Intelligence Service is in chaos
and her beloved James in danger. Only a woman’s touch can save
them. Moneypenny soon finds herself embroiled in a highly charged
adventure infused with the glamour of the Cold War espionage
game. Alone on a dangerous Russian mission she turns, with breathless
intimacy, to writing a explosive private diary.
|
Above: First edition
UK paperback (left), unused draft UK paperback
artwork (right)
|
Final Fling (Book Three)
| Author: |
Kate Westbrook (fictional editor)
Samantha Weinberg (author) |
| Published: |
1st May 2008 (John Murray) |
| Pages |
288 |
| MI6 Rating: |
CLASSIFED |
Trivia
Locations for the final adventure include Jamaica, the Outer Hebrides,
Cambridge, and London. The storyline will be almost evenly divided
between the adventures of Miss Moneypenny and the modern adventures
of editor Kate Westbrook.
Order
Hardback – Amazon UK
Pre-Order
Paperback – Amazon UK
Official Blurb
Miss Moneypenny projects a cool, calm and collected image, the personification
of chic sophistication and unflappable poise. She handles her cohort
of 00 agents with good-humoured grace. She is professional and precise
yet there is always the feeling that there is more to Jane than meets
the eye. Indeed, it is time to move over James Bond!
For now one of our sassiest and sexiest female icons, has been
given a far larger role of her own. Jane is equally daring and
dastardly, as this third and final book in The Moneypenny Diaries
series reveals.
|
|
Above: First edition cover artwork
of John Murray hardback (UK) |
"Final Fling" combines the excitement
of a cold war spy thriller with the mystery of a contemporary
detective story. In the 1964/65 volume of her private diaries,
Jane Moneypenny reports her demotion from the position of M’s
secretary as the British Secret Intelligence Service is hit by
a series of defection scandals. Facing considerable personal
danger, she combines forces with 007 in a resolve to smoke out
the mole she is convinced is buried deep in the heart of the
Office. But, when Bond is sacked and M is forced into retirement,
Moneypenny finds herself on her own…
Forty-two years later, Miss Moneypenny’s niece and heir,
Kate Westbrook, starts to suspect that her aunt’s death
was no accident. She is sure the clues to what happened lie in
the search for the mole. As she pieces them together, however,
she realizes that there are significant forces who are determined
to prevent her finding the truth. From the glamour of 1960s Jamaica
to the treacherous beaches of the Outer Hebrides, "Final
Fling" reveals just how
far people are prepared to go to defend – or betray – their
beliefs, and relates the life and death, and surprising final
love, of the world’s most famous fictional secretary.
Short Stories
For Your Eyes Only, James" (2006 short story)
Published in the November issue of Tatler, the short story tells the tale of
a weekend shared between Bond and Moneypenny at Royale-les-Eaux (see Casino
Royale) in 1956.
"Moneypenny’s First Date With Bond" (2006
short story)
Published in the November 11, 2006 issue of The Spectator, the short story
tells the tale of Moneypenny’s and James Bond’s first meeting.
Publication Timeline
| 2005 |
Oct 10 – "Guardian Angel" 1st edition
John Murray hardback (UK) |
| 2006 |
May 8 – "Guardian Angel" 1st edition John Murray
paperback (UK)
Nov 2 – "Secret Servant" 1st edition John Murray
hardback (UK)
Nov 11 – "Moneypenny’s First Date With Bond" November
11th issue of The Spectator
Nov – "For Your Eyes Only, James" November issue
of Tatler |
| 2007 |
Jul 12 – "Secret Servant" 1st edition John
Murray paperback (UK) |
| 2008 |
May 1 – "Final Fling" 1st edition John Murray
hardback (UK)
May 13 – "Guardian Angel" 1st edition Thomas Dunne paperback (USA)
Nov 13 – "Final Fling" 1st edition John Murray paperback (UK) |
Quotes
‘Thrilling’ – Joanna Lumley
‘A thoroughly enjoyable romp’ – The Guardian
‘A damned good read’ – Roger Moore
‘A compelling tour de force’ – Jeffrey Deaver
‘Beats pretend-Flemings hands down.’ – Literary Review
‘Brilliant…Bridget Jones’ Diary crossed with Spooks, but set in the
60s.’ – The Mirror
‘There is more to Moneypenny than meets the GoldenEye, as she embarks on her
very own secret mission…Read her riveting account in this explosive, page-turning
diary.’ – OK Magazine
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Samantha
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