I found Ian Fleming to be an unexpectedly good writer; his short stories are tight and the descriptions are beautifully detailed, especially when it comes to setting and location. Even though these stories were written almost fifty years ago, they're still great classic spy thrillers. However, if you're expecting the James Bond of the movies, you'll be disappointed. There are no high-tech gadgets and no superheroics, just pretty straightforward action and espionage (and usually more of the latter than the former). Fleming's Bond is even worse than the movie Bond in his treatment of women, though, so be aware that the books are steeped in unabashed sexism.