One of the few Bond novels to receive a close adaptation to film. SMERSH plots to disgrace Mi6 by setting up James Bond. The first chunk of the tale expands on the villains before the second part follows the Bond formula. The expansion of the villains is excellent. Red Grant is set up a a powerful and cunning match for Bond. Rosa Klebb is portrayed as intelligent and manipulative in establishing her plan for Bond's downfall. Tatiana Romanova is humanized and given clearer motives for her actions, even if she's a little weak.

However, not everything is better. Darko Kerim is terrible. Bond percieves him as charming, yet he talks about keeping a nude woman chained to his desk... The fifties were a scary time. Honestly, he is the worst part of this book. The end helps buoy the novel from Kerim's misogyny. The showdown with Klebb is different and vastly superior to the film. Overall, it is a good but flawed book.