‘Skimming the Surface’ is a metaphor for the twelve stories, which rapidly develop pace and end abruptly with a thought-provoking punchline, before getting out of their depth. The author is the main protagonist in each story who meets a principal character and develops a relationship with them as either friend or foe. A few other characters play supporting roles, where necessary. These stories describe the author becoming entangled in interesting, bizarre, poignant, humorous and hazardous situations. They include romance, compassion, camaraderie, mystery, adventure, danger, and justice. They include a mild element of autobiography and some association with real events, including travel in cars, boats, trains and planes. The characters depict both good and bad people but justice always prevails. Twists and turns hover in the background, ready to unleash the unexpected. The intention of this collection is to draw the reader in as a travelling companion, to share these adventures and to be relieved or surprised by the outcomes. The stories hope to harness the concept that ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ by creating fictional events that are strange enough to be a truth, elements of which may resonate with readers. The distinction between illusion and reality is often clouded and may depend on perception.