Win, Lose or Die

The story, without spoilers

A terrorist group plans to attack a British aircraft carrier hosting the leaders of Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union. M promotes Bond to captain and returns him to naval duty. Protecting the summit places him inside a large military operation with an assassin already pursuing him.

The carrier changes the usual geography of a Bond assignment. Instead of travelling towards the final target, Bond must protect a confined, strategically important setting where the enemy's presence is uncertain and the political stakes are immediate.

Can I start here?

You can follow the summit mission without earlier Gardner plots. Choose Licence Renewed for the author's introduction, or this book if Bond's naval career is the part you most want to see explored.

What stands out

The naval setting is the main distinction. Bond's promotion, the carrier and the meeting of three world leaders create a military protection story with a different scale from a solitary undercover journey.

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 Win, Lose or Die. His run contains fourteen original novels and two film adaptations.

Where it fits in Bond’s life

Win, Lose or Die is Gardner’s original Bond novel 8 of fourteen. In Win, Lose or Die, Gardner’s updated Bond operates after the original Fleming era. No precise neighbouring Fleming mission is given.

Content notes

Adult readers. Terrorist threats, assassination attempts, military violence and hostage stakes.

Setting

• A British aircraft carrier

Main characters

James Bond, M, The summit’s political leaders, The terrorist group.