I've always liked Julian Clary as a comedian and personality, considered him catty but very clever. Television stars turned writers have mixed success. Generally the comedians fair better than the famous for being famous types. Looking at the cover of Mr. Clary's debut novel, it screamed trashy. 'Murder Most Fab' is presented in a pink and yellow cover that certainly demands attention on the bookshelf in my local library. Never judge a book by it's cover though, so I judged it on my knowledge of the author a 'fabulous' title. This was one I was intrigued to try.

'Murder Most Fab' tells the story of Johnny Debonair, a fictional TV star. Johnny tells us about his childhood, rise to fame and inevitable downfall. Aided by his best friend Catherine, Johnny rises from a nobody with a sordid past to one of the hottest names in television and shows just how ruthless you have to be to stay at the top.

The characters created by Clary are brilliant. Although Johnny is arrogant, greedy and evil at times, he is also a naïve and vunerable character at the same time and as a reader I sympathised with him and wanted him to succeed and be happy in the end. It's crucial, I feel, with any book to be with the central character every step of the way, there's just no point if you don't care. Reading 'Murder Most Fab' I found myself wanted in jump into the book and scream at him not to do things, bit like shouting at the screen when watching a good film. I know they can't hear me, but it's that engaging. Although Johnny is fictional, knowing this was written by Clary, I couldn't help seeing him as this character. He writes with the same wit and mannerisms as when he doing stand up and there's no doubting who has written this, whether intentional or not I think everyone who reads this book can't help but see a little Julian Clary in Johnny Debonair.

The other characters in this novel are equally strong, if perhaps the reader doesn't warm to them quite as much. Johnny's mother is a happy bubbly character, away with the fairies and infuriatingly unflappable, but provides some giggles and great lines. The object of Johnny's affections, toff Timothy Thornchurch is stuffy, well spoken and tied to tradition in a contrast to Johnny's outrageous London lifestyle. His best friend Catherine confused me. Harsh in her manner, playing the bitch with a heart role, I was unsure whether as a reader, I was supposed to like her or not. Johnny did, are we supposed to agree with him?.. because she was a character I hated the whole way through. I won't tell you whether I justified in my thoughts or not, but it would interesting to hear other readers feelings towards this character when reading this.

I must admit, though I wanted to read this book and enjoy it my expectations were low. I expected it to be risque (which it is), funny in places but ultimately lacking in substance. I'm not a snob when it comes to reading, but a like a great plot with a twist. I don't like a book which concentrates so much on detail and setting the scene I'm bored by the time something happens, nor do I like flowery writing, but I do like a challenge. This is an easy read in as far as the language goes which allows you to concentrate your mind on the plot, which by the end has more twists and turns than a game of snakes and ladders. For me, this book is just the right mix.

The novel is really a comment on celebrity, how a lucky break can propel someone to stardom and how their dream can eventually ruin them. It's typical star on a road to self destruction stuff, we know how is goes, it could be an autobiography of a once celebrity. The great thing about this book is though, while I'm sure there's elements of celebrities lives that may have influenced some of it, it's essentially still a fantasy which allows for some more far fetched things to happen. I do like a twist in a story and there are some along the way here, so many in fact that make this book such a scream, but utterly unbelievable.

I have to mention while I enjoyed this book immensely, and recommend it as a 'fab' read, it's not for the faint hearted. If you are easily offended I wouldn't go here. It's sex and drugs and bitching from beginning to end.
I am pleasantly surprised and happy that I found this book such a good read. Julian Clary can count himself as a talented writer as well as a top comedian. I shall look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

This book is available to buy for around £6 online and it bookshops, but much as I liked it, It's not a keeper. If you want to save the pennies see if your library has a copy.