Raymond Benson is the author of approximately 40 published books, the most recent being BLUES IN THE DARK (Oct. 2019), IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT (May 2018), and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE (October 2017). Among his several original suspense novels, he is the author of the acclaimed “Black Stiletto” saga that began with THE BLACK STILETTO in 2011 and continued with THE BLACK STILETTO: BLACK & WHITE (2012), THE BLACK STILETTO: STARS & STRIPES (2013), THE BLACK STILETTO: SECRETS & LIES (2014), and THE BLACK STILETTO: ENDINGS & BEGINNINGS (also 2014). He is mostly known for being the third–and first American–writer to be commissioned by the James Bond literary copyright holders between 1996-2002 to take over writing the 007 novels. In total he penned and published worldwide six original 007 novels, three film novelizations, and three short stories. An anthology of his 007 work, THE UNION TRILOGY, was published in the fall of 2008, and a second anthology, CHOICE OF WEAPONS, appeared summer 2010. His book THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, an encyclopedic work on the 007 phenomenon, was first published in 1984 and was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America for Best Biographical/Critical Work.