Devil in Disguise

by Julian Clary

How far would you go for fame and fortune?

Would you change your name?

Change your personality?

Reveal your inner drag queen?

Betray your friends?

Would you kill?

Fab, filthy and funny, Julian Clary's Devil in Disguise is a tale of friendship, celebrity and the lengths people will go to for both...

Genres: Fiction, Humor, British Literature

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2009

About the author

Julian Clary is an English comedian and novelist. Clary began appearing on television in the mid-1980s and became known for his deliberately stereotypical camp style. Since then he has also acted in films, television and stage productions, and was the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 10 in 2012.

Clary has released two large format comedy books: My Life With Fanny The Wonder Dog (1989) and How To Be A Man (1992).

Between 2005 and 2008, Clary wrote a fortnightly column for the New Statesman magazine. He has also published an autobiography, A Young Man's Passage, which covers his life and career up to the 1993 "Norman Lamont incident" at the British Comedy Awards. In 2007, Clary released his first novel, Murder Most Fab, published by Ebury Press. His second novel, Devil in Disguise, was published in 2009. His first book for children, The Bolds, was published by Andersen Press in 2015.

Adapted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Antonomasia]

[3.5] More camp, showbizzy, trashy fun with a dark edge and a bit of tongue in its cheek... i.e. enough similarities to Murder Most Fab that it should satisfy most readers who liked Clary's first novel. The main characters are also a gay man and his fag hag best friend. However, it does have a stronger chicklit element than his earlier book, and I felt it was told in a more unsettling way, both meaning that I personally didn't enjoy it quite as much as the main story got going; it wasn't such optimal comfort reading for me, though I still raced through it, and it would surely be fine for many.

These two novels of Julian Clary's are the sort of genre mashup that publishers might say didn't fit their popular fiction marketing categories, if they were by an unknown author without a ready made fan base, (they're the sort of thing that doesn't get published too often) and I find them quite refreshing in the way they mess around with certain formulae whilst sticking to others. I particularly like the way they leave in the more explicit and dark details of gay male life - grubby casual sex, substance abuse, bitter loneliness - whilst maintaining the flippant tone (although as a lot of Devil in Disguise concentrates on Molly's story, there's less of this stuff than in Murder Most Fab). It's a shame there aren't more novels like these, as they would be a go-to subgenre of pop fiction for me.

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

name dropping yourself in your own novel just to call yourself a dirty queen is exactly the kind of camp genius I expected from julian clary. This is like misery if Annie Wilkes was an 80 year old former showgirl trying to initiate a toxic age gap lesbian situationship. 5 stars.

[Mark Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! A great author with a really interesting topic making it a great read

[Matt Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review of Devil in Disguise by Julian Clary

Julian Clary’s Devil in Disguise is a sharp, engaging tale that dives into the murky waters of fame, ambition, and self-reinvention. Equal parts dark comedy and biting satire, the story takes readers on a gripping journey through the lengths one man will go to achieve success.

The protagonist, Simon, is both compelling and deeply flawed, making for a protagonist you can’t help but root for, even as he makes increasingly questionable choices. From altering his identity to betraying those closest to him, Simon’s transformation is as fascinating as it is unsettling.

Clary’s writing is smart, polished, and unapologetically bold. He captures the absurdities of celebrity culture with precision, layering the glitz and glamour with biting commentary on the cost of chasing the spotlight. The humor, while cutting, never overshadows the more serious undertones of the story, which explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-worth.

What makes Devil in Disguise stand out is its ability to entertain while also prompting reflection. It’s a story about ambition and the price of authenticity in a world that rewards reinvention and spectacle. Clary strikes a careful balance, delivering a narrative that is both fabulously funny and emotionally resonant.

Whether you’re a fan of satirical fiction or simply enjoy a well-told story with a touch of irreverence, Devil in Disguise is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

[Miss Ruth McQuinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start, but then...

I feel I'm probably reading Mr Clary's books in the wrong order! Anyway, this is the third book of his I've read. It's different!

As I said above, it's much more of a slow start than I expected. But there was clearly enough of a hook to keep me reading about these characters. Once in, I was completely invested. The dynamics were, ultimately, extremely good, tho I wish we'd learned a bit more about Maureen.

I love how he inserted himself (!!) into the story, albeit as a bit part. Good fun! Right then, next one, please!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3* because it’s a fun, absorbing and rollicking read, while at the same time being predictable throughout.

For me the clever parts are where Clary moves from satire and outright camp tom(!)foolery into something much more sinister and dark. The clues are there from the start, and sometimes their obvious while others only become evident on reflection.

Perfect reading choice for a long weekend with a nasty infection. Sounds like the name of his next book!

[Terry Geo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I did feel it dragged somewhat in the middle and I wished for the twist ending to be longer. It's a big read and then the ending just comes and goes so fast you almost miss it. The story is rather twisted in places, but I love the characterisations and the not-knowing where the story is going to take the reader. It is well worth picking up a copy, especially if you've read and liked Julian's other books.

[Mr Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable if a bit far fetched. However having also read A Young Man's Passage I still wasn't sufficiently inspired to make the effort to read any of JC's other novels unless found in hotels or charity shops. Maybe my loss?

[Simon Burdus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Camp and ridiculous but equally dark in parts.

[Chessy Mazzei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty , rude and very funny. With a twist.

[Larelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawn a lot from Julian's own life in the entertainment industry, I'm sure it was a fairly easy novel for him to write. Having said that (and it sounding like a criticism), it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

There is a sensitivity that comes across in his writing that I always find amazing, given his public persona.

I found the character of Lilia Delvard a fabulously drawn one. Never so much have you wanted to see the demise of an old biddy who pawns herself off as a defenceless, harmless old lady.

I found myself cheering inside at her downfall, albeit it coming at the price of the demise of the lovely but fax pas ridden Simon. To bring "Genita" back to life for this final deed was both vengeful yet heart-breaking.

I really enjoyed reading every page. Even Luton got a mention :-)

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this review system allowed half stars as I would then give this book 4.5. I cannot give it five simply because although it is witty, the characters are excellent, the story is exciting if a little far-fetched, there are many huge laugh-out-loud moments, it is camp but has mass appeal, it is Clary through and through, it cannot be a five just because it is missing that, for want of a better word, X-factor.

I love the story and the whole premise, as well as the glimpse into the showbiz (or not so showbiz) lifestyle. I love the characters and their foibles as well as the hilarious things they think and say. I love how the story is a very slow burn and then builds to a sudden climax. I love how I couldn't predict the end until only a few pages away.

Sod it, having written all that I'm going to change it to a five even though it is missing the classic x-factor!

[Maya Panika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gothic, grotesque and extremely funny, but it’s the excellent characterisation lifts this novel above the average. Lila in particular is a comic horror-bag of constant delight. Molly too, was tangible and believable. Simon is clearly the author and there’s more than a touch of Lily Savage about Genita.

But it’s not a laugh a minute, there is some deeply dark stuff here and the tragic moments are as well-drawn as the laughs - touchingly human and real.

[Lisa Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD this is like the BEST BOOK I have EVER READ! You emotions go from happy, to concerned, to worried, to angry and furious, to screaming at the main charaacter for being so bloody downright stupid, and so on, it's an amazing book, and I love it soooooo much. It's fair to say, this is definitely the best book I have ever read, and far outweighs Julian's previous fantastic book 'Murder Most Fab'. You HAVE to read this book!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. A darkly funny, camp and naughty read which is just as you would expect from Julian Clary ! However, it was also well written with some cleverly thought out characters, unexpected depth in places and had some mystery as well. Really made me think about the cult of celebrity too ! I had trouble putting it down and even laughed out loud.

[Haldoor42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julian has a real way with building up the story - I love how he leaves vast clues for the reader but his heroine is clueless (or has ways to explain the weirdness away in her own mind, much like real people do) about the way things are heading.

Nicely executed, and a not-quite-expected ending made it all the better.

[Becc · Rating 2 out of 5]

All a bit silly, but a quick enough read, though it took me 100 pages or so before it wasn't an effort. Wouldn't worry (or look forward) too much to the cover's promise that it's "filthy"; plenty of sex but there's nothing graphic here.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. Believable characters. You get the feeling there's a bit of Julian Clary in the Simon character. My only complaint was that I wanted Molly, our main character, to figure out the devil in disguise sooner (how could she not?).
Warning: unethical sex.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, camp and laugh-out-loud funny. Loved it.

[Windy · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't enjoy this as much as his first book. I felt it was too slow to get to the point, I can see he was trying to build intrigue but because of the humour it lost something in the thrill.

[Freda]

Quite surprised to read a book where a significant plot line is inspired by a version of Thelma and Louise.

[MacarthursMutterings · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok maybe i was not in the mood for this, i appropriated that the writing was witty and light, an easy read is what I was after and it did that. However, the plot was way to predictable for me.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very black humour and as usual Julian doesn't hold back. I loved the scathing references to celebrities.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing and dark.

[Ayten · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 because sometimes I really felt like skipping even though it's such a good book.

[Wayne Mellor-whiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

so Funny and LOVED the character of Simon brilliant book

[Tania Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book.
I found this book by mistake ..I could read this book in one sitting.
was excellent read.. a wonderful story.
with few twist.
and funny as well.
would read this again.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really good read much better than his first book murder most fab couldnt put it down

[Roy McDine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed his earlier comedy novels - this was so dreary - utter drivel...