For some reason I've never read any of the Bond books - think I tried Casino Royale when I was a teenager and didn't like it. Well, it's certainly my cup of tea now (or should I say 'cup of mud'? ). Fleming's writing just flows along, and although you know some of the situations Bond gets himself into are faintly ridiculous, the flow of the story carries you with it, without need for great suspension of disbelief. Will certainly track down all the other novels. ( )