Despite the snickering title, Julian Clary's latest novel is more than a parade of bawdy innuendoes. Set in the 1920s and the present day, it presents an intriguing dual narrative based around Richard Stent, a fading matinee idol, and Noël Coward. The two are linked by numerous things, not least Coward's former home, which Stent  a Coward aficionado  purchases from "Julian Clary". Both Coward and Stent find that there's more to the house's history than meets the eye, including mysterious nocturnal goings-on.

As this synopsis suggests, there's a postmodern element to the novel that only works fitfully. Clary's self-caricature as an "annoying camp comic and renowned homosexual" is amusing, if self-indulgent, but his portrayal of Noël Coward, filtered through Clary's own sensibility, never quite convinces.

The contemporary story  about Stent, his boyfriend Fran and his formidable PA Jes  is much stronger, and as the narrative deepens and darkens Clary even manages to incorporate a few chills and creepy moments alongside the jokes about blow jobs and actors' egos.