(Penguin) IAN Fleming did not probably realise that his secret service hero would be around quite so long. But the agent of sin, sex and sudden death has survived. In Casino Royale – which has been re-published – James Bond is promoted in the ranks to be

(Penguin)

IAN Fleming did not probably realise that his secret service hero would be around quite so long.

But the agent of sin, sex and sudden death has survived.

In Casino Royale - which has been re-published - James Bond is promoted in the ranks to become an agent with the 00 licence to kill accreditation.

His job is simply to play baccarat at the exclusive casino in Royales-les-Eaux and disgrace a Russian agent, who will then be retired by his spymasters.

This was Fleming's first Bond novel in which he created a world which in those days was set against the tensions of the Cold War.

He captured the imagination with the introduction of a suave and ruthless hero.

The rest is history.