The action starts the moment you open the book to read. Air traffic controller Frank Kennen finds himself in a crisis - the radar displays three red zeros, the signal for a hijack. After 95 tense seconds without any response from the plane, Kennen finally receives the all clear from the captain.
The emergency has been resolved, thanks to Britain’s top spy, James Bond who’s on board. Advanced intelligence reveals that Flight BA12 will be infiltrated by hijackers and Bond, together with a number of the SAS members, are assigned to incapacitate them.
Meanwhile, in the swamps of Mississippi, stands a derelict house but its interiors are a big contrast. Here, a meeting is held by Bond’s nemesis, Blofeld, with members of the newly revived SPECTRE.
After punishing the man responsible for the foiled hijacking by having him crushed and then devoured by a giant python, SPECTRE rolls out its new mission - Operation Hound - to gain control of the US satellite network. A directive is also issued to have Bond terminated.
Back in London, Bond is briefed by M and meets Felix Leiter’s daughter, Cedar who is with the CIA, on the activities of a rare print collector named Markus Bismarquer and SPECTRE. The plan is for Bond to pose as an art expert with Cedar as his wife to approach Bismarquer in the United States.
Upon their arrival, Bond and Cedar are ambushed at their hotel but manage to escape. They then head to the Bismarquer estate. Here a number of new characters are introduced, such as Bismarquer’s assistant, Walter Luxor. Despite his off-putting appearance, the author leads Bond and the reader to suspect Luxor as Blofeld in disguise. Whilst touring the ranch, Bismarquer’s wife, Nena, seeks Bond’s help.
Eventually, Bond and Cedar discover Bismarquer’s plan – which is hypnotic control via the satellite network.
John Gardner also introduces various challenges for Bond and Cedar during their mission before they succeed in foiling SPECTRE’s plan and also reveal the real identity of Blofeld.