In this fourth installment by Ian Fleming, James Bond finds himself shipped undercover to America to follow the illegal diamond smugglers. Bond must use the unknowing diamond smuggling-extraordinaire, Tiffany Case to infiltrate the operation. Perhaps getting mixed up in American gangs proves to be more than Bond signed up for...


This installment has an overall different flavor than the ones previous, which makes it difficult to rate. Bond is certainly still Bond, but otherwise this novel was a different breed. I knew things were off when Bond didn't find himself in a life threatening position within the first third of the book. It was lacking the suspense the novels normally contain. That being said, this suspense was traded for time spent putting a spotlight on Tiffany Case. Not only do we receive a thorough backstory to this woman, but she also becomes a heroine, rather than a liability for Bond to save and inevitably bed. It was an interesting and welcome change, I just wish it didn't happen at the expense of the thrilling element these books normally hold. Why can't I have both?