SeaFire

The story, without spoilers

Bond and Flicka von Grusse investigate Sir Maxwell Tarn, whose legitimate business empire conceals extensive weapons dealing. A Cambridge operation leads into a fast-moving international pursuit, with neo-Nazi conspirators adding to the danger. The trail eventually reaches Puerto Rico.

The central contrast is between an outwardly respectable commercial organisation and the violence it supports. Bond's established partnership with Flicka gives the investigation continuity with the previous book, even as the new adversary changes the mission.

Can I start here?

Read Never Send Flowers first for Bond's partnership with Flicka. SeaFire has a new target, but that earlier introduction makes the personal side of this later Gardner adventure easier to follow.

What stands out

Tarn's global business provides the structure for the chase. Choose this after Never Send Flowers if you want to stay with Bond and Flicka while the scale shifts from an assassination inquiry to international arms dealing.

Who wrote it

Gardner had created the comic spy Boysie Oakes before the Fleming estate invited him to bring Bond into the 1980s; he later wrote SeaFire. His run contains fourteen original novels and two film adaptations.

Where it fits in Bond’s life

SeaFire is Gardner’s original Bond novel 13 of fourteen. In SeaFire, Gardner’s updated Bond operates after the original Fleming era. No precise neighbouring Fleming mission is given.

Content notes

Adult readers. Weapons trafficking, assassination, neo-Nazi extremism, captivity and violence.

Setting

• Cambridge
• Spain
• Israel
• Germany
• Puerto Rico

Main characters

James Bond, Flicka von Grusse, Sir Maxwell Tarn.