A spy in Dubai

Daniel Craig, the 6th James Bond.

British superspy James Bond is heading to Dubai on his next mission.

The author of the upcoming Bond novel, “Carte Blanche,” says the Gulf city-state will be the backdrop for 007’s new adventures.

Jeffery Deaver told reporters Monday he was attracted by Dubai’s “exotic” mix of gleaming towers and desert. But Deaver did not divulge any story lines in the novel, published by Hodder and Stoughton in Britain and scheduled to be released in May.

Deaver, who has published more than two dozen novels, was commissioned to write the book by the estate of Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Deaver has promised to push the world’s most famous fictional spy to “new extremes” and explore the question of how far he should go to protect national and international security.

“Are there lines that even James Bond should not cross?” Deaver said in a statement.

Unlike the most recent official Bond book, Sebastian Faulks’ period piece “Devil May Care,” Deaver’s story will have a contemporary setting.

As part of his latest assignment, Bond spends several hours in Dubai meeting up with an old friend and tracking a “very disturbing” villain. According to the publishers, it is the first time Dubai has featured in a James Bond novel.

The debonair secret agent has company. The next “Mission Impossible” film, due out in December, has scenes filmed in Dubai.