Introduces James Bond before he has his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, & with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to '00' status. Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, Mollaka. Not everything goes according to plan & Bond decides to investigate, independently of M16, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters Dimitrios & his girlfriend, Solange. He learns the Dimitrios is involved with Le Chiffre, banker to the world's terrorist organizations. Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. M16 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization. 'M' places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together & even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre. In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with Mathis, M16's local field agent, & Felix Leiter, who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon games proceeds with dirty tricks & violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money & reaching a terrifying climax.