"Q from Bond makes a fabulous not-so-amateur detective as he helps the police investigate a killing, perfect if you like the cosier side of crime novels paired with a searing bite and wit."
With high energy and a fabulously devious plot, MI6’s Q returns, this time assisting the police investigate the killing of a tech millionaire. Forming part of the Q Mysteries, the debut in the series Quantum of Menace was a LoveReading Star Book and beautifully set Q up as a main character in his own right.
The Man with the Golden Compass really seals the deal, taking a side step away from cosy it confirms Q as one of the most ingenious amateur detectives on the block. Vaseem Khan is one of my favourite authors, and I can highly recommend the Malabar House and Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation series. He deploys a light but sharp wit with precision, emotional intelligence and social and political observations are key, and his novels are hugely and vibrantly entertaining.
Q is settling into life with his adopted dog and able assistant, and is still working out how to navigate relationships with his former fiancé, and his father. The investigation is tricksy and enjoys its links with Q’s previous world of spy craft and the smartest of gadgets and technology.
With true style and panache this joins its sister as a LoveReading Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month, this is a series that looks to run and run. Highly recommended, The Man With the Golden Compass is oh-so rewarding and satisfying as it turns the behind the scenes side of the spying game front and centre, and into the most entertaining of crime novels.
The exciting new cosy mystery featuring the former head of MI6's Q Branch, Major Boothroyd, from the James Bond universe.
| Primary Genre | Espionage and spy thriller |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
The exciting new cosy mystery featuring the former head of MI6's Q Branch, Major Boothroyd, from the James Bond universe.Dismissed from MI6's Q Branch, where he developed weapons and field technology, Major Boothroyd (aka 'Q') has found a new lease of life as an amateur detective in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water.Fresh from successfully solving the murder of his childhood friend, Q is now hired by the police to re-examine the unsolved killing of Lawrence Noble, a tech millionaire turned online antique dealer.Why was Noble tortured before his death? What is the significance of the circular golden object inscribed with mysterious runes found by his body?As Q investigates, danger stalks those around him, and he soon finds himself dragged into a chilling conspiracy where past and present meet in a way he could not possibly have imagined . . .
The Man With the Golden Compass features in the following genres: Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Crime and Mystery, Espionage and spy thriller, Thriller and Suspense, Crime and mystery: cosy mystery, Classic crime and mystery fiction, Espionage and spy thriller, Fiction, Classic crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery: cosy mystery
Paperback, Hardback. £18.00, down from the £20.00 cover price. Pre-order. 22nd October 2026.
The Man With the Golden Compass was written by Vaseem Khan and published by Zaffre an imprint of Bonnier Books UK
The Man With the Golden Compass has 352 pages
Yes it is part of Q Mysteries series
£18.00, reduced from £20.00. Pre-order. 22nd October 2026.
