This is a rag-bag of stories that screams of a collection put together posthumously. It’s amazing how little excitement there is within these four tales; indeed they all just drift aimlessly into each other. But then, to be fair, I can’t now remember any detail about the adventures in ‘For Your Eyes Only’ either. Perhaps it’s the case that Fleming was a much better long-distance runner than he was a sprinter, as these tales – which mostly lack sex and dramatic tension – seem far removed from even his lesser novels. So we have James Bond going to an auction in one story, and confronting a disgraced officer with a love of octopi in another. And if you’ve read those vague descriptions of them, then you’ve pretty much read the whole thing.

The highlight is certainly ‘The Living Daylights’, which does throw in some action and sexual frisson with its take on Bond as a hired killer. Undoubtedly the worst is ‘OO7 in New York’, which is a weird kind of travelogue. Basically if the most exciting thing to happen in a story is Bond giving out a recipe for scrambled eggs, then something vital has got lost somewhere.

My 14th & final James Bond book of 2021 is a collection of three short stories.
Octopussy: In Jamaica James Bond confronts Major Dexter Smythe with a long hidden secret. A really strong, character driven story with Bond playing only a support role.
The Property of a Lady: In London Bond attends an auction to identify who is paying a Russian agent. An average tale with only a few good moments.
The Living Daylights: In Berlin 007 is assisgned to kill a Russian sniper. A dark & gritty story that, despite its downbeat feel, is one of Flemings' best.
Re-reading all of Ian Fleming's James Bond books during 2021 has been a very enjoyable experience. I've read them all quite a few times over the last 47 years, & I'm pleased to say that they have entertained me as much now as they have always done.

Part ten of my 2023 James Bond movie/book project. Continued from For Your Eyes Only in September.

Octopussy theme song ("All Time High") sung by Rita Coolidge.

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And I'm afraid y'all will be on the economy tour too in this review. This is the second and final James Bond short story collection, and I'll cover all the stories in it even though "Octopussy" and "The Property of a Lady" are the only ones related to my project. The Octopussy movie uses the plot of both stories... kind of. "The Living Daylights" is also a Bond movie, but it won't get its own separate review since it's not part of the project, though I will do it the honor of linking the theme song. For some reason the book I have doesn't include "007 in New York" though it's in other editions. Luckily some kind Canadian unconcerned with copyright laws posted it online, so I was able to read it, and I'll be reviewing that too.

"Octopussy" (story): ★★★★✰ (3.5)

This relates to maybe 0.5% of the movie since it refers to a scene that happened in the past and off screen. At one point Octopussy and Bond have this exchange:

Octopussy: You remember Major Dexter Smythe? You were sent out to arrest him, weren't you?
James Bond: You seem to have done your homework.
James Bond: [Octopussy hands Bond a drink] Thank you.
James Bond: Yes. Smythe, after a brilliant military career, was seconded to our secret service. His mission was to recover a cache of Chinese gold seized in North Korea. Both he and his native guide disappeared. The gold was never found.
Octopussy: And 20 years later you were sent after him.
James Bond: Well, the guide's body turned up with a bullet still in his skull from Smythe's service revolver. I traced Smythe to Sri Lanka, faced him with the facts, and gave him 24 hours to clear up his affairs before I took him back.
Octopussy: He committed suicide rather than face the disgrace of a court martial.
James Bond: What's the connection?
Octopussy: He was my father. I'd hoped fate would bring us together one day.
James Bond: To avenge him?
Octopussy: No, to thank you for giving him an honorable alternative.

This is the story of Bond's encounter with Smythe, though a couple of details are different. He worked for the Allies during WWII, found out about some Nazi gold hidden in Austria, and concocted a plan to get it which involved murdering an Austrian who was on the wrong side (though he was drafted into it because he knew English, and was really participating just to avoid being killed by the Nazis). During times of war, killing people on the other side is just a matter of course even if it was done under shady circumstances, so it was easier to get away with it. In short, Smythe, though a decent guy otherwise, abused his position as a Nazi hunter and interrogator to make a shit ton of moolah. Unfortunately for him, the person he killed was like a second father to Bond before the war, and once the body was found 20 years later, Bond got on the scent, and that took care of that. It was a tough spot to be in since Smythe was quite decorated and a great guy other than that one incident, so Bond gave him time alone for a few hours to perhaps take another way out. That wasn't exactly what happened, but Bond and everyone else assumed it was suicide since he was found drowned. He was actually checking on an octopus he called Octopussy he had found in the ocean outside his house for one last time before turning himself in, but he was stung by a scorpionfish, and their venom is lethal.

"The Property of a Lady": ★★★✰✰

This covers the Faberge egg auction scene, though the reason Bond is there is a little different. He's trying to flush out a KGB agent, the boss of a double agent they know of in MI6 whom they've been feeding info to for three years. She is a useful tool, but they'd love to get rid of the boss, and the auction would give them a chance to discover his identity.

And how about the double agent in the office?

(Bond) found an excuse to go into the Communications Section and wander into the little room where Miss Maria Freudenstein and two assistants were working the cipher machines that handled the Purple Cipher dispatches. He picked up an en clair file—he had freedom of access to most material at headquarters—and ran his eye down the carefully edited paragraphs that, in half an hour or so, would be spiked, unread, by some Junior CIA clerk in Washington and, in Moscow, be handed, with reverence, to a top-ranking officer of the KGB. He joked with the two junior girls, but Maria Freudenstein only looked up from her machine to give him a polite smile and Bond's skin crawled minutely at this proximity to treachery and at the black and deadly secret locked up beneath the frilly white blouse. She was an unattractive girl with a pale, rather pimply skin, black hair and a vaguely unwashed appearance. Such a girl would be unloved, make few friends, have chips on her shoulder—more particularly in view of her illegitimacy—and a grouse against society. Perhaps her only pleasure in life was the triumphant secret she harboured in that flattish bosom—the knowledge that she was cleverer than all those around her, that she was, every day, hitting back against the world—the world that despised, or just ignored her, because of her plainness—with all her might. One day they'd be sorry! It was a common neurotic pattern—the revenge of the ugly duckling on society.

I guess with a name like Freudenstein she had to be ugly. Couple that with the fact that she's KGB, and she's gotta be downright fugly. Oh, Fleming.

Octopussy (movie): (no star rating since it's a movie)

For Your Eyes Only scaled down the campiness and gadgetry, but Octopussy brought them back in full force and overshot the mark. (Just my opinion). I really like this movie, and some scenes are great, but it's probably my least favorite of the Moore Bonds. It's an odd mix of good plot and stupidity. Everything concerning the bomb plotline with the Soviets is good, but it's interrupted by stuff like the ridiculous tuk tuk chase followed by the bazaar festival fight (both of which I admittedly love), a dude with a circular saw yo-yo (which has to be the most inefficient weapon ever made since you can only attack people from above), a safari chase through the jungle complete with a Tarzan yell and telling a tiger to sit, Bond in a gorilla suit checking his watch, and then there's the battle at the end on Octopussy's island between her lady ninjas and Khan's guards which is... well, it's not as silly as the Moonraker space battle. I enjoy all of it, but it just doesn't gel well. However, the knife throwing twins are pretty kick-ass.

But I don't know; something's just a little off with this one. Maybe it was the directing, or the producers, or I don't know what.

Tidbit: The title "Octopussy" didn't always translate well, or at all, into foreign languages, so some countries got some creative titles.
Brazil and Portugal: 007 Against Octopussy
Finland: Octopus
Italy: Operation Octopus
Argentina: 007 Vs The Deadly Girls
It should come as no surprise that China butchers it the worst: 007 Averts The Plot (Although, they might be onto something here...)

We shouldn't be too hard on them. Translating from Chinese to English is no easy task. I once saw a warning on a Chinese butcher knife that advised the purchaser to "keep out of children..." Well, where's the fun in that?! And the packaging of some tool once advised me to "not leave in the sunshine place," which I assume was their way of telling me to stick it up my ass.

"The Living Daylights": ★★★★✰

The Living Daylights theme song sung by A-Ha. It wasn't released as a single in the US due to some in-fighting between the band and the producers. It could've prevented them from being a one hit wonder over here. However, they were HUGE in Europe, so I don't think they were too bugged about Take on Me being their only hit stateside.

I know almost nothing about this movie except that it's the one with the cello. This story also involves the cellist, and is pretty much the opening scene to the movie, though as with "The Property of a Lady," the details are different. I had to look up the opening scene since I don't remember it at all. In fact, the only thing I remember clearly is them sledding down the side of a mountain in the cello case, and thankfully that wasn't in the story.

After watching the video to the song linked above, I may have to give this movie another shot. It looks like there's a lot of silly action that I can appreciate, but my memories, hazy as they are, tell me I was unimpressed. Dalton is no Moore or Conery, or so I recall. Also, the tone of the Bond films changed with A View to a Kill, and they became a little more serious and grittier. In short, they weren't quite as much fun as earlier installments, so that works against this one too. And isn't this the one with the general and his toy war machines or something at the end? Still, I bet it's been every bit of 25 years since I've seen this (though I've caught bits and pieces on TV in the ensuing years), so maybe I should try it again. Regardless, the short story was really good.

Update, 12/7/24:

This was on TV today, and I watched it... kind of. It was on in the background while I did a few other things, but I paid attention. I was right in my opinion, and I'm still unimpressed. I liked it, but Dalton ain't no Moore. He has Moore's lines but not his delivery, and that makes a huge difference. I'll have no problem watching again if I see it on, but it's nothing I need to seek out. But, since I've seen it, I must now provide a quote. I reckon this one will do.

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"007 in New York": ★★★✰✰ (2.5)

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At least it had an amusing twist ending which earns it an extra half star. It's unlike any other Bond story I've ever read, BUT! It has a tip for scrambling eggs that I've never tried before. I like my recipe, but I've never considered using a whisk to continue beating the eggs once you put them in the pan. Is that what makes them fluffy? I like my simple recipe, but they're never quite as light as what I get from most restaurants. I'll have to give that a try next time... though I might have to use the small cast iron skillet, because no way am I beating eggs in the nonstick pan... And I just gave the small rubber coated whisk to Goodwill a couple months ago since we'd had it for years and never used it since we have a small metal one we use all the time. Ain't that always the way? God dammit, Bond; you and your bloody scrambled eggs recipe.

Next up in November: From a View to a Kill

Very short collection of four short Bond-themed stories. More mood pieces than real stories, to be fair, but interesting reading.

I have a few of these Bond books on my shelf that my dad (a huge Bond fan) handed down to me. This is the second book I've read from the stack. It's apparently book #14 (out of 14) and the only other one I had read was book #1. So I've read the beginning and the end to this infamous series. That being said, I don't think it matters what order you read these books in.

Anyways, this one I did not enjoy near as much. It's a collection actually of 4 short stories. 2 of those stories have had Bond movies made of them. Ironically, Bond movies are really really long and these stories are really really short and don't seem to reflect the movies at all. The only story of the four that stood out to me was The Living Daylights. In this one, James Bond has to stop a deadly sniper from making a hit and there's actually some good tension. The other three stories are yawners. Great writing, but no action at all.

Essentially this book is for that Bond enthusiast who has to read every book. If that's you...well read it. If that's not you, maybe try some of the other books first and save #14 for last as I should have done.

A short story collection which was released after the death of Ian Fleming.

'007 in New York': Is more a bit of tourist information than an actual short story. But it shows Flemings skill of description, but here it lacks his usual strength which makes boring stuff come alive.

'Octopussy': This story is not a 007 adventure but more a tale of WOII where a soldier steals from the Nazi's. But while doing that he makes a mistake which brings 007 on his doorstep. An impressive little tale well told. ( was mentioned in the movie "Octopussy')

'The Living Daylights': The best story in the book, It is abouts 007's license to kill. It happens in Berlin during the cold war and tells you a lot more about the thoughts and world of James Bond at work. (Featured in the movie "The Living Daylights")

'The Property of a Lady': Especially written for an auctionhouse, so that is what is the star in the movie. More a police story than a spy thriller. But still well written. (Featured in the movie Octopussy)

For somebody who likes Flemings writing I would say it is recomended reading.

This is to Ian Fleming’s Bond stories as Coda is to Led Zeppelin – a thin collection of what’s left after it’s over.

Led Zeppelin was no more after the demise of their drummer John Bonham in 1980. Coda was released in 1982 featuring a collection of previously unreleased tracks from various sessions throughout the band’s twelve-year reign as metal gods. Ian Fleming passed away in 1964 and Octopussy and The Living Daylights was published posthumously in 1966 after Fleming had taken the world by storm, introducing us to his master spy James Bond.

The 14th and final Bond book by originator Fleming, this follows the 1960 publication of For Your Eyes Only as a collection of short stories. This edition has four stories – “Octopussy”, “The Living Daylights”, “Property of a Lady” and “007 in New York”.

What readers of the Bond stories will discern as compared to the popular films is the greater depth of characterization. James Bond, as written by Ian Fleming, is much more human and vulnerable, often struggling with the moral dilemmas of taking lives for the service of his country. Fleming, a lifetime smoker and heavy drinker, describes Bond as such as well, and supporting players like M and Moneypenny worry about Bond’s fragile health.

These are all extremely entertaining and I highly recommend the entire collection. Here’s my list of the Best of Bond – but they’re all good and I liked them all. So light up a cigarette, take a sip from a vodka martini with a lemon peel and enjoy.

Thunderball
From Russia with Love
Goldfinger
On Her Majesty Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
Diamonds are Forever
Live and Let Die
Moonraker
Man with the Golden Gun
Doctor No
Casino Royale
For Your Eyes Only 
Octopussy and The Living Daylights
The Spy Who Loved Me

Decent end to the Bond series from Fleming. Three short stories that see 007 track down a murderer, oust a KGB agent at an auction, and try to snipe a sniper.

Ian Fleming shows that the James Bond adventures work equally well in the short story format. While not perhaps on such an epic scale as other 007 tales all three episodes are written with Fleming's superb journalistic style.

I was very surprised by this audiobook. I had as certain idea of what "James Bond" is... and this wasn't it.

I've read spy stories, and thrillers, and these stories were much more like THAT. These stories are from the '60s and were more introspective and character based than I expected from a "James Bond" novel. Somehow I expected something full of mindless action, car chases and meaningless sex. I bought it because I enjoy the sound of Tom Hiddleston's voice-- I'd listen to him read the phone book.

He was excellent. He changes the tone of voice, and intonations for each character. They are all unique. And, if you like interesting short tales of espionage, mystery and a little bit of angst about how it feels to be told you're going to kill someone tomorrow-- and really not being given a choice in that-- just that it's your duty. Here's the guy who's your support personnel (and who will report back how you behave, and if you do what you are suppose to) and who is ostensibly there only to give you your supplies and necessities. Well, you may find this very interesting indeed.

If you can't find this, I believe I purchased it through Amazon UK (or try your local library.)

Clare

liked the stories but loved having Tom Hiddleston read it to me!

Although I remain largely unimpressed by James Bond in the short story format, these selections are slightly better and more memorable than the ones featured in For Your Eyes Only. "Octopussy" is the sole standout, partly because of its unorthodox format of being told from villain Smythe's point of view and in flashback. "The Living Daylights" has an intriguing setup, but feels like a prologue to a much bigger story and ends before it really goes anywhere. As for the other two, meh. The best thing that this audiobook has going for it is narrator Tom Hiddleston, who does a divine reading.

SERIES IN REVIEW

The James Bond series has not aged particularly well; nevertheless, it was still fun to experience the books doled out over the past 14 months, with audiobook serving as the perfect format. I have yet to make it through all of the Bond films, but after completing all of the books, I have renewed desire to accomplish this task. I'm not particularly interested in reading a continuation of the character by other authors as I would prefer to stick to creator Fleming's version.

BEST BOOK: Casino Royale gets the series off to a roaring start. Thunderball has a surprisingly progressive plot. On Her Majesty's Secret Service features interesting character development for Bond.

WORST BOOK: The Spy Who Loved Me, hands down. A misguided aberration, and the end result is a dumpster fire.

BEST VILLAIN: Auric Goldfinger's plan for world domination is elaborate and admirable. Ernst Stavro Blofeld is so creative and engaging that he shows up in three separate books. I wanted more of Rosa Klebb, who displays a flair for the genius with her venom-laced blades hidden within her shoes. Honorable mention to the formidable giant squid in Doctor No.

WORST VILLAIN: Not to keep picking on The Spy Who Loved Me, but Horror and Sluggsy are little more than common mobsters. BORING. Guntram Shatterhand makes a disappointing finale for Blofeld and his garden of death plan is random and idiotic.

BEST BOND GIRL: Vesper Lynd, Solitaire, Tiffany Case, Domino and Mary Goodnight all have distinct personalities, interesting backstories and match up well intellectually with Bond.

WORST BOND GIRL: Kissy Suzuki, for taking advantage of Bond's amnesia to keep him around and keeping her pregnancy by Bond a secret. Not cool.

BEST NARRATOR: Nearly all are fantastic, but Damian Lewis and Jason Isaacs in particular stand out to me. Both do an incredible job tackling multiple accents.

WORST NARRATOR: Martin Jarvis adopts an unfortunate, stereotypical Asian inflection while narrating dialogue for the Japanese characters in You Only Live Twice.

OTHER RANDOM THOUGHTS: I would love a companion book or story from occasional sidekick Felix Leiter's point of view; he is a very entertaining character providing much needed levity, and I always enjoyed it when he popped up. I grew very weary of Bond threatening to spank the women he interacted with, which happens more times than you'd expect. Thankfully, this trend peters out during the last half of the series as he slowly becomes more grounded and human.