Adam Diment is a British spy novelist best known for his four Philip McAlpine novels published between 1967 and 1971. His debut, "The Dolly Dolly Spy," introduced readers to McAlpine, a unconventional secret agent who became a cult favorite for his hashish-smoking, slang-using, and vividly depicted escapades. The series continued with "The Bang Bang Birds," "The Great Spy Race," and "Think Inc.," cementing Diment's reputation as a distinctive voice in 1960s spy fiction. A film adaptation of "The Dolly Dolly Spy" starring David Hemmings was planned but never materialized.
Critics praised Diment's witty, irreverent style and his protagonist's departure from traditional spy novel tropes. Anthony Boucher notably described McAlpine as "a perfectly real (and even oddly likeable) young man" despite his hedonistic tendencies. Diment abruptly withdrew from public life after his final novel, relocating to Zurich and shunning publicity. His mysterious disappearance only enhanced his status as a cult figure among fans of the genre. Recent efforts have emerged to republish his works through crowdfunding initiatives, reintroducing his unique contributions to spy fiction to new audiences.