In Print: Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming (1954)

Live And Let Die was the second Bond novel written by Ian Fleming. James Bond is sent to the US to intercept a suspected SMERSH agent who's leaving a trail of gold coins across the country that were stolen from Jamaica. When this agent is discussed between M and Bond, James said that with such people he employs the philosophy "Live and Let Die" and hence the title of the book.

This is another fairly smooth and straightforward tale. Bond meets up with CIA man Felix Leiter to got after the villain, Mr Big. In doing so they "acquire" Domino, the woman Mr Big greatly desires. He takes her back then feeds Leiter to a shark. Bond tracks Big to Jamaica where Bond settles the score.

It's an interesting adventure, but more interesting is the writing. Being written in 1954 there are many racist tones in this book, things that no author could get away with in current days. Worth reading just for the journey into what society looked like in 1954.