In the novel that introduced James Bond to the world, Ian Fleming�s agent 007 is dispatched to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux. His mission? Bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who�s been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table. One of SMERSH�s most deadly operatives, the man known only as �Le Chiffre,� has been a prime target of the British Secret Service for years. If Bond can wipe out his bankroll, Le Chiffre will likely be �retired� by his paymasters in Moscow. But what if the cards won�t cooperate? After a brutal night at the gaming tables, Bond soon finds himself dodging would-be assassins, fighting off brutal torturers, and going all-in to save the life of his beautiful female counterpart, Vesper Lynd. Taut, tense, and effortlessly stylish, Ian Fleming�s inaugural James Bond adventure has all the hallmarks that made the series a touchstone for a generation of readers.