I've always maintained that in order to be good writer you have to not only write a lot, but read a lot too. I tend to read non-fiction because that is what I write. However, because I like to read and write what has been referred to as "new jounalism", I have started to read more fiction of late.

I characterise new journalism as non-fiction that makes use of the literary techninques more usually found in fiction. My favourite exponent of this style of writing is Gay Talese. If you do nothing else, read his "Frank Sinatra has a cold".

All of which is leading up to my saying that this week I have been reading a story from the Miss Fortune Series Box Set. The "Fortune" in the title is Fortune Redding, a CIA agent. I've read thrillers before, obviously, but what hooked me right from the start was the opening paragraph. It was impossible to not read more.

So far, there is a lot of humour, none of which is forced. This book provides a good master class in writing humour without shouting "OK, get ready to laugh now!!".

Also, having been written by a woman, the book doesn't mention breasts by the fourth page in. I do find that so tiresome.

So far so good. And it's a welcome light relief from my usual fare.

Please note: the link to the book given above is an Amazon affiliate link.