I’m a big fan of good comedy writing. You all know that. It’s a hard thing to write well, so those who can always come top of my list of people I admire most.

Last year I was introduced to Robert Rankin‘s books. This year looks set to be a Tom Holt year. And what surprises me most is why I’ve not read one of his books before. I never see them around our bookshops, and I think that’s something that needs changing. Now.

The Better Mousetrap is a continuation in an ongoing series by the feel of it, each involving a rather lovely item called the “Portable Door.” Whoever possesses this wonderful item can just unroll it against a wall and it opens a door to wherever and whenever its user wishes to go. This is an amazing invention second only to the TARDIS, and I’m hooked. I want one.

Gimme.

Mister Holt has an enviable wit and expresses himself well. There’s a nice easy fluid style to his writing which keeps you chugging along merrily. Mister Holt asks the important questions. Such as, in the cut-throat world of business, who’s going to come out on top? Why, Goblins of course.

Plotwise, it’s boy saves girls life with amazing time-travelling device, but girl is caught in a loop of being murdered by persons unknown while boy tries to stop her getting killed but ends up caught in a dastardly plan involving goblins, sneaky underhanded business deals, an uber dragon, a missing insurance man, and a series of paradoxical mind-bending time-travelling scenarios which would make Doctor Who dizzy. There’s also a dog, so you can see it’s pretty much got everything.

Whilst I had some minor irritation with the ending, the overall feel of the novel was one of charming humour. The kind which snuggles up to you on a cold night and keeps you feeling all warm as though your house has sunddenly morphed into a log cabin complete with wolfskin rugs and an overwhelming fireplace.

My favourite character without doubt was Mr Tanner’s mother. I don’t know yet if she has a book devoted to her, but she should if she doesn’t. She’s one of my favourite characters so far this year. And while that doesn’t sound impressive since it’s only January, it really should be as I don’t often say it with such enthusiasm.

Reading Mister Holt I am always drawn to asking the obvious question – What’s so great about Terry Pratchett, anyway? I’m afraid I never found Mister Pratchett’s books very funny. But here we have Mister Holt, and he just gallops along with the humour and doesn’t seem to have to try very hard at all. I don’t get bored. I don’t put the book down and think about reading something else. In fact, I just plain enjoyed myself. I tried to explain to a customer today as to the joy of upcoming Robert Rankin books, and they just kind of shrugged me off by saying they were looking forward to Pratchett’s next book.

Why?

If I’m going to read humour, I want the author to be jabbing my funny bone with a baseball bat. Not running around me in a funny hat and making weird wakka wakka noises.

And this Tom Holt – well. He could hit a few home runs. Oh, and while on the subject, could the person who caught my elbow please give it back?