The Tuxedo Society

This delightful espionage romp from screenwriter and novelist Rudnick (What Is Wrong with You?) combines brisk plotting, quippy humor, and an unexpected dose of patriotism. After aspiring actor and New York City candle shop clerk Andrew Birnbaum accepts his friend Brock’s invitation to an elite gay dinner party, he’s asked to work for the Tuxedo Society, a top secret, all-queer counterespionage team within the U.S. government. Members use unconventional skills like flirting, flower arranging, improv comedy, and online sex work to infiltrate the ranks of powerful global figures and uncover their secrets. Tasked with recovering an ancient, possibly magical artifact from a notorious smuggling ring at the behest of the first lady, the men (and one lesbian couple) of the Tuxedo Society circle the globe, learning along the way that the smugglers are more well-connected than they realized. Readers will forgive the goofy, far-fetched plot on the strength of its feel-good energy and Rudnick’s boldly drawn heroes, who subvert the womanizing image of James Bond and celebrate the unique strengths of LGBTQ+ people without reducing them to hollow symbols of empowerment. By the time the finale rolls around, readers will be convinced this screen-ready adventure deserves a sequel. Agent: Albert Lee and Lisa Grubka, UTA. (May)