Dug this out of the old paperback collection to read again when past commuting to London.
The author is co-writer of the screenplay with Richard Maibaum, so if you go by the cover you'll be expecting another Book of the Film - WRONG ! Wood decides to set the story in the Fleming world of Bond with "the cruel smile" not the fantasy world of Moore with the witty one-liners. It's a pity the film's poster wasn't used for the cover, as at least then there would be some similarities.
The title is changed as not to clash with Fleming's story but follows the film's main narrative but without some of the over-the-top fantasy efforts. The characters are better developed with more background e.g. in one ending chapter, not in the film, the Russian agent Anya prays "do not let him kiss me again" - no not 007 but Jaws ! Poor James bleeds in this story and doesn't even get a jet-ski to rescue lovely Anya for the finale - think Japan arrival in YOLT.
It's not often that the book proves to be more enjoyable than the movie ( which was the sum of past parts ) but that's down to Wood's writing style. Alas the book may not be around to buy now but look out for it in libraries & book sales as well worth a read despite being 30 years old !

This time the publishers use one of the movie's posters for the cover to tell us that this is The Book of the Film! and despite being also the screenplay writer, Wood decides to keep the story in the Fleming world of Bond not the fantasy world of Moore with one-liners like "Play it again Sam" after the Venice fight.
As before, the title is changed as not to clash with Fleming's story but follows the film's main narrative but without some of the over-the-top fantasy efforts. There is no silly gondola hovercraft or romance for Jaws. Remember the slo-mo dog chase & death of chopper pilot, Corrine Clery ( in the book she's called Trudi Parker ), that's only briefly recalled by Goodhead. When James gets sent up the Amazoco in his little boat, the Q-craft, it doesn't take 5 minutes as in the movie but a few days with some interesting happenings.
The author yet again gives us a book which proves to be more enjoyable than the movie. It's a shame the Bond producers didn't keep closer to his narrative, it would have been a better movie and less costly. This book may not be around now but look out for it in libraries & book sales as a really good read despite being 28 years old ! My copy is showing signs of age and is falling apart in places.

First what is this "Writing as Ian Fleming", has the spirit of the legendary writer taken over the author ? After much publicity to celebrate the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth on 28 May, 1908 we have this adventure which picks up after his last effort. Forget what followed, Gardner, Benson etc it was a dream !
So set in the 60s, we have old friend René Mathis who opens proceedings with a Paris murder. Meanwhile Bond travels around recovering from the last mission until summoned by boss M. So as expected we have elements & characters from past Fleming which are integrated like May, Bond's Scottish 'treasure' house-keeper, old pal Felix Leiter re-surfaces to help new aide Darius in Tehran and 007 arrives as David Somerset ( remember from FRWL ). In Persia he is helped by resourceful driver Hamid.
After a slow start, Bond is now a tennis ace ( yes at his age ! ) in order to encounter the villain of the story Julius Gorner - the man with The Monkey's Hand - shades of Dr No and first meeting with Goldfinger on the golf course. His side-kicks are "trusted lieutenant" Chagrin & the earlier Paris killer Mr Haslin. So who is the mysterious & beautiful Scarlett Papova, love interest, twin sister or more ? More excitement in the second half with a VC10 plane crash and an escape form Russia.
Spread over 20 right starting[?] chapters, this one just makes 295 pages and not sure if author is influenced by screen 007 as it contains elements from the movies, like drugs ( LALD/LTK ), Casper Sea ( TWINE ), vulcan planes ( TB ) and Afghanistan ( TLD ) - where hasn't Bond been ? Added pages are about the author & Fleming followed by Penguin's short descriptions of Fleming's books starting/numbered with 001 - Casino Royale to 0014 - Octopussy/The Living Daylights. Then the same treatment for Higson's Young Bond books. With a colorful lady front cover we have a simple black back cover with quoted words of 'Come in, 007' said M 'It good to see you back.' He sounds like Argy/Q in Connery's NSNA.
Overall not a bad effort but a struggle to get into ( did I miss where the title fits in ? ) for this reader and not worth a price tag of £18.99 - not surprised to see it discounted later. So if still not read, head for the local library or a book sale.