According to Crime author Peter James, while E.L. James' novel "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a really good book, it doesn't work for men.

Crime author Peter James' latest novel "Not Dead Yet" finally managed grab the No 1 slot in the bestseller lists from "Fifty Shades of Grey". The author, having read the book is of the opinion that the book doesn't work for men.

"I read her book, but I don't think it works for men," he tells Mandrake at a festive lunch at The Ivy. "I know it is popular with many women, but I felt nothing. I think it is a different mindset when it comes to what turns a man on."

While the novel received many awards and sold 65 million copies worldwide, not to forget topping the bestseller lists for months on ends, James feels that the book leaves most men wondering what all the fuss is about.   "Men have always had the top shelf at WHSmith and I think this is the equivalent for women," he says. "As a result I don't think it means much to your average man. I wasn't excited by it."

The author also feels that the plot of the novel is not all that great and tends to "fall flat". "There were a few things about it that just weren't right, like the lead man is just Mr Perfect, with the car and all the money - it's not that convincing. I found it hard to believe the girl didn't own a laptop, too. I mean most people own a laptop nowadays."

James also says the success of the erotic novel has not tempted him to add more sex scenes to any of his novels. "I have written racy sex scenes in some of them, but there always comes a point when you have too many words and your publisher wants you to cut down and it's then that they ask you 'is it absolutely necessary?'," he says. "I get letters from fans though asking me to include more sometimes."