Ian Fleming's James Bond series began its descent with Thunderball, and never regained traction, or ever threatened to reclaim its former glory, despite fleeing glimpses of ingenuity in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and a couple of hair-raising scenes in You Only Live Twice. At this point, both the author, and his famous protagonist seem to be … Continue reading Review: The Man With the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming

Following the failed experiment that was The Spy Who Loved Me, Ian Fleming reverted to type with his next Bond novel, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. But even here, there is evidence of his discontent with the 007 formula, perhaps with the character himself. For the six years of his existence, James Bond had been … Continue reading Review: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming

I’m all for authors writing outside their established wheelhouse, or breaking free of their ‘series characters.’ Recently, I’ve wished for Lee Child, mega-selling author of the Jack Reacher novels, to try his hand at a standalone; to remove himself from the ‘comfort’ of his nomadic purveyor of justice. Not that he has any reason to … Continue reading Review: The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming

Memorable for introducing Ernst Stavro Blofeld as the head of SPECTRE – the organisation responsible for many of James Bond’s deadliest capers – Thunderball has the potential to be the secret agent’s most spectacular mission yet. But with its glacial opening chapters – interesting because Fleming shines the spotlight on Bond’s excessive lifestyle when he’s … Continue reading Review: Thunderball by Ian Fleming

The five short stories presented in For Your Eyes Only are wonderful additions to 007 continuity. Rather than pitting James Bond against another megalomaniac psychopath with a penchant for destruction, these tales are smaller in scope, demonstrating to readers that not every case 007 is handed contorts into the stuff of fantasy: for every Goldfinger … Continue reading Review: For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming

With his seventh James Bond novel, Ian Fleming took his craft to another level. Not only is Goldfinger a brilliant, enthralling spy novel – capped with thrills, dastardly villains, and audacious action – but here, more than ever before, 007 is presented as a complex individual; not just the callous, sardonic killer for Queen and … Continue reading Review: Goldfinger by Ian Fleming

Dr. No occurs months after the events of From Russia With Love, which (for those who came in late) ended on a cliff-hanger, with 007 perilously close to death after being injected with poison by a Russian spymaster. The botched operation has landed Bond on the Head of Service’s shit-list; his reputation is tarnished, his … Continue reading Review: Dr. No by Ian Fleming

James Bond played a vital role in the defeats of Le Chiffre (Casino Royale), Mr. Big (Live and Let Die), and Hugo Drax (Moonraker). In doing so, he has made himself the grand nemesis of SMERSH, the Soviet counter-intelligence agency; and they have plans for him. A simple assassination job lacks the necessary grandeur; SMERSH doesn’t … Continue reading Review: From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming

Ian Fleming’s fourth James Bond novel, Diamonds are Forever, centres on the British Secret Service agent’s infiltration and subsequent destruction of a diamond smuggling operation. And while it’s a solid entry in the series, boasting a memorable finale aboard the Queen Elizabeth, after the high-stakes of Moonraker – the near-destruction of London – here, Bond’s … Continue reading Review: Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming

Moonraker is 007’s third adventure, and the stakes have never been higher. It’s one of Fleming’s most timely novels, playing on the rampant fears of the 1950s, of rocket attacks from overseas, and seemingly inevitable nuclear warfare. It is a clear demonstration of Fleming fine-tuning his craft, ably mixing the perfect ingredients – high stakes … Continue reading Review: Moonraker by Ian Fleming