Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming

Beautiful, fortune-telling Solitaire is the prisoner (and tool) of Mr Big - master of fear, artist in crime and Voodoo Baron of Death. James Bond has no time for superstition - he knows that Mr Big is also a top SMERSH operative and a real threat. More than that, after tracking him through the jazz joints of Harlem, to the Everglades and on to the Caribbean, 007 has realized that Mr Big is one of the most dangerous men that he has ever faced. And no-one, not even the enigmatic Solitaire, can be sure how their battle of wills is going to end ...

Excellent listen and very typical James Bond book, is very dated now but that doesn't take away from what is an excellent spy novel at the time and also a great book for any James Bond fan.

3.5 out of 5 stars for Live and Let Die (James Bond #2)

Mixed feelings for Live and Let Die, on the one hand I enjoyed the book as (in all honesty), I have with each Bond book I've read so far. But, and there is a but. The casual racism was difficult to read.

However, It's worth noting this book was written in the 50's where racial prejudice was more accepted than it is today, and worth noting that Bond himself is not portrayed as racist (in my opinion) the causal N word drop did make me cringe a few times.

The bad guy Mr Big doesn't get as much page time as I would have liked and the same for Solitaire, the Bond girl. The Voodo inspired story was interesting but for me this wasn't as interesting as Casino Royale or the newer Forever and a Day.

Worth a read if you're a Bond fan, if your new to the series I recommend starting with either Casino Royale or the newer Forever and a Day.

Also – side note – Bond as a character is much more loving that he is portrayed in the films (and media), he basically has mummy issues (as an orphan) and doesn't know how to handle his feelings. Macho man!