I must be one of the very few people on the planet who have not really watched a James Bond movie. I did go to the cinema to see one many years ago, but I went with a large group of friends, including a couple of complete nutters who ended up more entertaining than the film, and as I was still a teenage at the time, I have completely forgotten the actual film. After recently reading and enjoying Young Bond so much, of course I had to try the adult version, and have made a point not to watch any films before I could read the book. Unfortunately this book was still somewhat spoiled for me, as I made the mistake of reading the back cover of the book when it ...  Read the complete review

"Casino Royale" is the book which introduces Ian Fleming's James Bond. I was interested to see how this book would compare with the more modern thrillers and if it had stood the test of time. First published in 1953 there were always going to be things which were hard to relate to but I was pleasantly surprised with how relevant this book was. Testament to this is how little the recent "Casino Royale" movie tinkered with the plot. Bond is introduced as a cold hearted gambler who is fond of a strong drink or two. He has been selected to take on Le Chiffre at the gambling tables in Royale. Le Chiffre is described as "a formidable ...  Read the complete review

'The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning.' Casino Royale is the first ever James Bond novel and was originally published in 1953. Post war readers were thrilled by the Fleming mix of colour, escapism, sadism, sex and food and both the author and his creation went on to become world famous. The plot of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale involves a Soviet agent named Le Chiffre. Le Chiffre is connected to SMERSH - a ruthless organisation similar to the KGB. Le Chiffre has taken control of a number of brothels in the west with SMERSH money. He knows that he is a dead man unless he recovers the money he has used to ...  Read the complete review