Casino Royale, Live and Let Die and Moonraker (Omnibus Edition) (Penguin Modern Classics) [Paperback]

This omnibus edition of Ian Fleming's first three novels is a great(and affordable) package from Penguin. Fleming's novels are far more believable than the films, and they make a very intense, and gripping read. The sheer success of the James Bond franchise highlights the brilliance of the original concept. Although the films have veered away from Fleming over the years, they still have the core of what fleming created in the 50's and 60's. Another testament to the greatness of fleming's creation is the fact that the literary Bond character has also endured in the works Kingsley Amis, John Gardner and Raymond Benson. Altogether there have now been 35 Bond novels. as well as 7 film adaptations and the new Young Bond books by Charlie Higson, and The Moneypenny Diaries.

Casino Royale - Fleming's first novel is a 'tour de force'. It introduces to us some elements which have become familiarly identified with the Bond franchise. These are summed up in Sheryl Crow's song "Tomorrow Never Dies" as 'Martinis, Girls and Guns'. - What a great combination! Another feature which is now synonomous with Bond is gambling. The centerpiece of this novel is a gripping game of baccarat with the villainous Le Chiffre. It also features a dark, sinister torture scene in which I guarantee you will cross your legs! Vesper Lynd is another great character, although she only features mainly in the second half of the novel. Also introduced are the long-standing Bond characters, M, Moneypenny, Bill Tanner, Felix Leiter, as well as the less well known Rene Mathis, who reappeared in FRWL, as well as in Raymond Benson's Never Dream Of Dying. It also introduces the Russian organisation of revenge, 'SMERSH'. What makes this novel even more interesting is the prospect of the forthcoming film.

Live And Let Die - This novel sees James Bond take on SMERSH operative Mr. Big. The action takes Bond to Harlem, to Florida and to the Carribean. Bond is assisted by Felix Leiter, as well as the likeable Jamaican Quarrel. For fans of the film series, you will notice some scenes from a few films. Notably, the keel-hauling scene, which featured in For Your Eyes Only, and the scene in which Leiter is brutally maimed by a shark. This appeared in the film, Licence To Kill. Solitaire is one of my favourtie Bond girls. She is innocent and beautiful, and brilliantly portrayed by Fleming. The voodoo background provides a strange, mysterious feeling to the novel, which adds to its flavour. A great second novel by Fleming, although not quite as good as Casino Royale, I think the story is well structured and is easier reading then CR.

Moonraker - IMO the best novel in this collection, Moonraker is a well structured, solid thriller. (Nothing like the 1979 film starring Roger Moore). This is a departure from all other Bond novels in that it sees 007 working on home soil, which, strictly speaking is not MI6's domain. Drax is a great villain, and the threat of a nuclear missile exploding in the middle of London is the aspect which gives this novel its power. It also shows the parts of England that Fleming enjoyed the most, and features a great car chase, which is now a quintessential element of the Films. For once, our favourite secret agent does not get his girl, the lovely Gala Brand. However, this is just another twist in a great novel that shows the genius of Fleming's creation.

This is a great set, worthy of any Book collection, whether you are a 007 fan or not.

As a long time fan of the James Bond films, I thought it was about time I found out where it all began, and this collection - cheaper than buying the three stories separately – is the best place to start. The first three Bond novels by Ian Fleming follow the iconic agent to a French casino, where he must ruin an abominable Russian agent at baccarat; to the Caribbean, in pursuit of SMERSH operative Mr. Big; and to the English base of respected philanthropist Sir Hugo Drax and his Moonraker missile project.

With less gadgetry than the films, Bond relies on his wits, and the books are all the better for it – by turns tense, exciting and surprising, and gripping throughout. Film aficionados will recognise a number of the plots and some of the characters, but this will not give anything away as there are substantial differences. Even when one senses the twist, Fleming delivers it powerfully.

It seems a shame that 'Casino Royale' was never filmed as part of the official series; it is probably the highlight of this anthology, with its exhilarating game of baccarat, a grotesque and despicable villain, and the alluring Vesper Lynd. That is not to say that 'Live and Let Die' and 'Moonraker' are not entertaining – Fleming’s style ensures that they are very much so – and although 'From Russia With Love' may be the most famous of the novels (and with some justification), this collection is consistently thrilling. As the 'Sunday Times' once said, ‘Nobody does this sort of thing as well as Mr Fleming’.

We've all seen the films, we all know the lines, as familiar as a dry martini.

However, the novels by Ian Fleming (particularly Casino Royale) show a much sharper, darker edge to James Bond. There is little gadgetry, just a reliance on wits and cunning.

Vesper Lynd is the first (and maybe the best) Bond girl - and for a downbeat ending, just check out the final line of Casino Royale...

If you're a fan of the Bond films, start reading these books for a glimpse of his darker side.