Skyfall

Popular fiction may not be dominated any more by Ian Fleming's novels. After all, for five decades since Fleming went off to the pearly gates, Robert Ludlum, Stephen King and Jeffrey Archer have spilled thrills that are more contemporary. But for sheer high-octane, though archetypal, entertainment, no one quite compares with Britain's espionage icon, who has just completed a run of 50 years and 23 globe-spanning adventures. 007 rocks, but he always has, with his girls, guns, gadgets and martinis, which could be shaken, stirred or both. Happy golden jubilee, Mr Bond. ...