Licence to kill - John Gardner

Official, original James Bond from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

Bond has lost his licence to kill. After he took revenge on the CIA agent who handed his friend over to the master criminal, Sanchez, M revoked his double 0 status and he's considered a rogue agent.

With MI6 trying to bring him in and only the support of Q behind him Bond goes after Sanchez.
Boarding his ship, Bond tricks his way into Sanchez's inner circle and discovers the secret of his wealth. But Bond is walking a tightrope and it is surely only a matter of time before he slips ...