Tiffany Case stands between James Bond and the leaders of a diamond-smuggling ring that stretches from Africa via London to the States. Bond uses her to infiltrate this gang, but once in America the hunter becomes the hunted. Bond is in real danger until help comes from an unlikely quarter.
Diamonds are Forever: James Bond 007
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Amazon Review
Diamonds Are Forever, Ian Fleming's fourth Bond novel, has all the hallmarks of a classic 007 adventure and whilst it lacks some of the strength and depth of other books in the series it nevertheless has much to recommend it. The plot concerns a ruthless syndicate known as the Spangled Mob who are running a diamond smuggling pipeline out of Africa into the USA. This is costing England millions of pounds and James Bond is sent to investigate. A promising set up, but it soon becomes apparent that the syndicate's only aim is to get rich and as Bond novels go it is slightly disappointing that this is the sum total of the villains' project.
On a more positive note, Tiffany Case is an excellent Bond girl who plays an integral part in the book. The relationship that develops between her and Bond is highly convincing and well-observed and the book is rich in dialogue between the two. On the topic of marriage:
Bond: "Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other."Tiffany: "But it depends what you want it to add up to. Something human or something inhuman. You can't be complete by yourself."
As suggested by the syndicate's comparatively (in Bond terms) modest ambitions, Diamonds Are Forever lacks a really good principle villain, but it does have well-portrayed minor contenders in the form of the duo Wint and Kidd, two violent and ruthless killers. There are some tense moments in the novel and although there is no real action until well over half way through it, once it starts, it is almost non-stop until the end.
One of the outstanding features of this adventure remains the way Fleming wrote the character of Tiffany. Her relationship with Bond adds humanity and life to Diamonds Are Forever. --Jamie Campbell --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
Probably the most forceful and driving writer of thrillers in England (Raymond Chandler )
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this when I was in my teans and now I am in my mid-forties I thought it was time for a revisit. I'm a Bond fan, love the films and have read all the various books from Fleming through to Benson and I have to admit I was surprised how much I had forgotten about this book, my memories having been tarnished by the film and the more modern versions of Bond.
Initially I was astonished how old this book was (1956!) and this is more of a detective story with a Bond that is over confident and too casual at times who is at odds with the emerging American mob.
In many ways it does show its age, and this adds to the charm.
Well worth reading to remind oneself where and how it all started...
Initially I was astonished how old this book was (1956!) and this is more of a detective story with a Bond that is over confident and too casual at times who is at odds with the emerging American mob.
In many ways it does show its age, and this adds to the charm.
Well worth reading to remind oneself where and how it all started...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Diamonds are Forever: Ian Fleming - A decent adventure, but lacking a little sparkle.
19 Nov 2012
Format:Paperback
Published in 1956, this is the fourth outing in print for Ian Fleming's spy James Bond. Here Bond is sent out to follow a diamond smuggling pipeline and to close it down. Inserted into the pipeline undercover, he has to deal with ruthless American Gangsters the Spangled mob, working his way through various scrapes with fixed horse races, hot mud baths and runaway steam locomotives before finally getting to the brains of the operation.
It is written with all of Fleming's verve and eye for detail. The opening paragraphs are adsorbing, and the big set pieces, especially the locomotive chase, are thrilling and breathtaking. These are the real strengths of the book. However, it does have a weakness in that the plot really isn't up to much, and the villains are less than impressive. Fleming tries to talk them up, but there is never really any feeling of threat or danger. And the plot does have a few holes in it. In all, these weaknesses are overcome by the strength of Fleming's writing. Even with unimpressive villains and a weak plot it is still an exciting read. Fleming had a real flair for adding in little descriptive touches that really build a vivid image in the mind's eye and transport the reader to the scene, I always find it adsorbing. On balance, 3 stars.
It is written with all of Fleming's verve and eye for detail. The opening paragraphs are adsorbing, and the big set pieces, especially the locomotive chase, are thrilling and breathtaking. These are the real strengths of the book. However, it does have a weakness in that the plot really isn't up to much, and the villains are less than impressive. Fleming tries to talk them up, but there is never really any feeling of threat or danger. And the plot does have a few holes in it. In all, these weaknesses are overcome by the strength of Fleming's writing. Even with unimpressive villains and a weak plot it is still an exciting read. Fleming had a real flair for adding in little descriptive touches that really build a vivid image in the mind's eye and transport the reader to the scene, I always find it adsorbing. On balance, 3 stars.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Devin Zydel
Format:Paperback
I think this may be the most underrated James Bond book by Ian Fleming. It literally is a thrilling read. While not his very best, it is a true gem, just with some rough edges.
Tiffany Case is one terrific leading lady by Fleming, one of his better ones, I think. A woman with a strong wall surrounding her for the most part, and one that you do not get to call all the shots with. She goes through quite a change in the story from being the frosty version we meet with Bond's alias of Peter Franks to the much happier one during their nighttime escape and Queen Elizabeth trip.
If there is one problem with this book, it is the obvious one, the villains. Yes, they are hardly some of Fleming's best. Jack and Serrafimo Spang, the beginning and end of the pipeline from England/Africa to the USA, while described as being some of the toughest of the bunch, and made out to be quite the villains, are never given enough actual time in the book to show off exactly what they are. Serrafimo gets a few minimal scenes with Bond, and Jack is....to save for spoilers...hardly in the book much at all. Wint and Kidd are fairly good though. They receive a general amount of time to be shown as a threat to Bond, as odd as they both may be.
The location switching is often claimed as a huge fault of this book, I even used to always harp on that myself, but I've come to see that it really doesn't bother me much at all. London and the USA are done fairly well for me, and I really, really love the moving around in this book. I like reading about the Tiara in the US, and the House of Diamonds, it just feels like a James Bond book.
Very excellent little aspect in this book...
A strong story overall, at times it gets murky, such as in the horse racing, and that sort, but I don't think anything in this story detracts too heavily from the overall plot.
Death is Forever. Diamonds are Forever. And this book is Forever. 4/5
Tiffany Case is one terrific leading lady by Fleming, one of his better ones, I think. A woman with a strong wall surrounding her for the most part, and one that you do not get to call all the shots with. She goes through quite a change in the story from being the frosty version we meet with Bond's alias of Peter Franks to the much happier one during their nighttime escape and Queen Elizabeth trip.
If there is one problem with this book, it is the obvious one, the villains. Yes, they are hardly some of Fleming's best. Jack and Serrafimo Spang, the beginning and end of the pipeline from England/Africa to the USA, while described as being some of the toughest of the bunch, and made out to be quite the villains, are never given enough actual time in the book to show off exactly what they are. Serrafimo gets a few minimal scenes with Bond, and Jack is....to save for spoilers...hardly in the book much at all. Wint and Kidd are fairly good though. They receive a general amount of time to be shown as a threat to Bond, as odd as they both may be.
The location switching is often claimed as a huge fault of this book, I even used to always harp on that myself, but I've come to see that it really doesn't bother me much at all. London and the USA are done fairly well for me, and I really, really love the moving around in this book. I like reading about the Tiara in the US, and the House of Diamonds, it just feels like a James Bond book.
Very excellent little aspect in this book...
A strong story overall, at times it gets murky, such as in the horse racing, and that sort, but I don't think anything in this story detracts too heavily from the overall plot.
Death is Forever. Diamonds are Forever. And this book is Forever. 4/5
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hard Boiled
Maybe not quite as good as the earlier books, but still an excellent read. Surprisingly hard-nosed, amoral & vicious if you are only used to the movies. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Mark Rawsthorne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
So much more thrilling than the movies. Can't wait to read the rest of the Fleming novels! Bond as Bond is meant to be!
Published 1 month ago by danbuntz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful cover
I bought this to add to my collection of Bond paperbacks. The cover is excellent, there is a luxurious feel to it and I love the raised gold lettering (it's a good read too).
Published 2 months ago by M. Wood
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Bond
Bond's fourth outing under the pen of Ian Fleming has found him investigating a diamond smuggling pipeline. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bridgey
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved it
i'm loving the ian Fleming writes the books about Bond and all the other star's.
a very nice read looking forward to the next book.
a very nice read looking forward to the next book.
Published 2 months ago by Simon S Gull
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diamonds
Not my favourite of the bonds, but a good read.
Took a while to get started but picked up towards the middle.
Took a while to get started but picked up towards the middle.
Published 2 months ago by Penny the story reader
2.0 out of 5 stars
diamonds are not forever
I found this book to be a dissapointment towards Ian Fleming James Bond. The plot is flimsy and you can predict what is going to happen. Not my cup of tea.
Published 3 months ago by lakshmiprabha
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diamonds are forever
I really liked this classic by Ian Fleming as it stood out mostly because the main antagonists were gangsters as the previous three villains(in some way)were working for the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Alfie Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great stuff
Don't be fooled. The Bond movie of the same name bears very little resemblance to this book. I think the book is much better.
Published 4 months ago by Uncle Mac
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but missing that spark
Diamonds are Forever is probably the weakest of the four James Bond novels I have recently re-read. Bond is roped in to track the pipeline that delivers stolen diamonds from... Read more
Published 22 months ago by J. R. Johnson-Rollings
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