From Russia With Love is an interesting book. Bond himself only appears about half way through. The whole first half of the book is spent with the enemy, Russia, as they plan an attack on the British Secret Service and pick their target and decide how it is to be done.

Only then does James Bond appear. It actually makes for an refreshing change, but you do wonder if Ian Fleming - like Conan Doyle before him - was becoming a little tired of his creation. That seems to be reflected in Bond's own state of mind when he finally pops up and in the ending.

Bond's something of a fool in this. He lets a pretty face distract him. In fact the best and most professional character in book is Darko Kerim, who seems to have his head properly screwed on whilst all about him are behaving unprofessionally.

Interesting characters come and go: Red Grant - the psychopathic SMERSH assassin, Rosa Kleb and Kronsteen. There's some lovely stuff about the internal politicking of the Soviet Union. I also enjoyed Bond's stay in Istanbul. It actually feels more like one of Eric Ambler's novels than it does a James Bond novel.

I enjoyed it more than I expected to and I think I must have missed reading this one when I last read a load of Bond books. I'd put it second to Moonraker so far if I have to spoil these things with that weird desire to put things into tables and award points.