Moonraker by Ian Fleming book cover with silhouettes in a fiery tunnel, beside a coffee cup. — A vintage hardcover of Moonraker by Ian Fleming sits on a dark surface, its dramatic cover featuring two silhouetted figures in a blazing tunnel. The moody, high-contrast artwork evokes classic James Bond espionage and adventure, complemented by a steaming cup of coffee for a cozy, investigative vibe. Perfect for fans of spy thrillers and iconic 1960s literature.

Man and woman bound to a chair in a dark, industrial noir setting. — A high-contrast black-and-white thriller scene shows a man and a woman tied to a chair with rope in an eerie industrial chamber. The dramatic lighting and oversized metal pipes create a suspenseful, cinematic mood, suggesting captivity and interrogation in a crime drama.

Two investigators in a dim control room work a vintage dial panel with glowing gauges. — A tense film still shows a man and a woman leaning over a retro control console, adjusting old-fashioned dials as warm orange gauges glow. The moody, rain-drenched atmosphere and wet clothing create a gritty, cinematic thriller vibe, suggesting a high-stakes mission or investigation in a sci-fi or action drama setting.

Moonraker by Ian Fleming book cover with silhouettes — AI art by @DavidP

@DavidP · 5/6/2026

Spy Girl - 68/68 - Gala Brand, spy in Moonraker QT: Favourite James Bond book/film --------------------------------------------------------- Moonraker was one of my favourites - the book, not the film. I am a funny guy who sometimes gets a bee in his bonnet. One of those pet peeves is taken a film to trade on a name and then re-working the story so it is no longer really an adaptation of the book. By all means cast Roger Moore as an agent, write a story about space shuttles, have a climactic laser battle in space, but don't position it as Ian Flemning's James Bond in Moonraker. Phew, got that off my chest. --- Moonraker remains one of the most grounded and gripping entries in the original Bond canon. In Ian Fleming’s third novel, James Bond is tasked with investigating Sir Hugo Drax, a multimillionaire industrialist and national hero who is building the 'Moonraker'—a nuclear missile meant to be Britain’s ultimate deterrent against the Soviet Union.In reality, Drax is a former Nazi officer, Graf Hugo von der Drache, who has infiltrated British high society to exact a final, catastrophic revenge for Germany's defeat. His plan is to arm the Moonraker with a Soviet nuclear warhead and strike the heart of London during its "test" flight. Bond is aided by Gala Brand, a Special Branch agent working undercover as Drax's personal secretary. After Brand is captured discovering the plot, Bond is taken during a failed rescue attempt. In a brutal climax, Drax leaves them bound beneath the rocket’s exhaust to be incinerated at liftoff. They narrowly escape, sheltering in ventilation shafts where they survive a lethal blast of high-pressure steam intended to flush them out.While Drax flees via a Soviet submarine to witness the destruction, Bond and Brand use the correct coordinates she salvaged to reprogram the missile. In a final twist of poetic justice, the Moonraker hits its intended North Sea target—obliterating Drax and his crew as they attempt their getaway.

135 likes · 41 comments

Comments

CaylaCatz

I never read Ian Fleming although I've seen the movies up to the first Craig one. Loved all the gadgets. On the Aurora ne, I was second to last so almost got last. I was expecting it. I am hoping to be middle of the pack for the hacker but isn't looking good at the moment.

Troxley

The whole reason they changed the plotline was because of "Star Wars" and to capitalize on the whole space theme. Some of the later Bond movies used the title of a Bond novel/short story but not the plotline.

DavidP

Thanks and Thanks. I am in Spy Giri and will share Auora tomorrow (only share two posts per day to manage my response to conments)

panos

🙂 I understand your anger! It got even worse in the 1990s when all the movies had with Fleming's books were the titles

DavidP

BTW, if I have nothing more to add to a reply in future I will just like to save on notifications

archangeltara

Since you are not joining in on the Spy Girl Challenge you deserve this

DavidP

Yeah, I think it is just lazy film-making with an eye on making easier money

charlypalermo

Great images David! Better than the movie 🤣

dustydepotchamp

Yooooo this is so cool

DavidP

The Bond novels were decent reads, short as fit the time of writing, perhaps a tad formulaic. I think early Bond films like Dr No, Thunderball are my favourite with greater weight on being a thriller and less on all the gadgets, humour etc. I enjoy gadgets and humour, but in its place. I guess we probably have different perspective on this 🤣 I haven't yet looked at Aurora closely. Will say I was suprised to finish in the middle. Will post tomorrow (stick to two posts per day to manage responsing to comments)