Published posthumously in 1965, The Man with the Golden Gun is Ian Fleming’s twelfth and final completed James Bond novel. After disappearing at the end of You Only Live Twice, Bond returns to Britain having been captured and psychologically conditioned by Soviet intelligence. He attempts to assassinate M, but survives the episode and undergoes treatment before being given a demanding assignment intended to test his recovery.

Bond travels to Jamaica to find Francisco Scaramanga, an international assassin known for his distinctive golden pistol. He infiltrates Scaramanga’s circle and discovers a meeting involving criminal interests and political intrigue. With assistance from Mary Goodnight and Felix Leiter, Bond works to disrupt the group while maintaining his cover. The novel combines espionage, organised crime and psychological recovery, presenting Bond as an agent attempting to re-establish his judgement, professional identity and usefulness after severe personal and mental disruption.