Diamonds Are Forever

The story, without spoilers

Stolen diamonds are leaking out of Africa and into the United States, and the British government wants to know who is running the route. Bond goes in as a courier, carrying stones across a border and trying to look like a man who can be relied on.

His contact is Tiffany Case, who knows much more about the operation than it is safe for her to say. The trail runs through New York to Las Vegas and the Spangled Mob, a gang run by the Spang brothers. Felix Leiter helps from the American side, but help from officials only goes so far inside a criminal network.

Can I start here?

Yes. It is more a crime story than a Cold War one, so it needs less background than most.

What stands out

Fleming shows the nuts and bolts of smuggling against a backdrop of casinos and conspicuous money. His research for it also produced his factual book The Diamond Smugglers.

• The title echoes a diamond advertising slogan Fleming noticed.
• The 2025 Audible recording is read by Pippa Bennett-Warner.

Content notes

Suggested age 16+. Violent crime, threats, sexual material and dated characterisations.

Book and film

The 1971 Sean Connery film keeps the smuggling set-up and several names but changes the plot a great deal.

Where it is set

• Sierra Leone
• England
• USA: New York
• USA: Las Vegas, Nevada

Real and fictional Bond places

Main characters

James Bond, Tiffany Case, Felix Leiter, Jack and Seraffimo Spang, Wint and Kidd.