If Guy Ritchie directed an episode of Queer Eye, it might look something like this hilarious and action-packed spy thriller by Paul Rudnick, acclaimed screenwriter and author of Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style, that blends espionage and social commentary, with an elite, gay secret society.

They are fierce patriots. They are licensed to kill. And they are really, really gay. Welcome to democracy’s secret weapon, the Tuxedo Society.

When Andrew Birnbaum, a struggling actor making ends meet by working in a candle shop, gets invited to have dinner with the exclusive Tuxedo Society by his best friend, Brock, his life takes an unexpected turn. What seems like a group of wealthy socialites gathering for gossip and cocktails quickly spirals into a world of espionage, danger, and hilarity.

Andrew soon meets Reggie O’Malley, a Navy SEAL with a penchant for black tie, who recruits Andrew to join the society’s covert mission to protect national security. Armed with gadgets like an inflatable life raft backpack, a yoga mat that doubles as an assault rifle, and, of course, an AMEX Black Card, Andrew quickly finds himself tackling spies, thwarting assassinations, and facing a host of unexpected threats in settings from the White House to the Vatican to the Summer Olympic Games.

The stakes escalate when Andrew and his comrades are sent on a jet-setting mission to uncover the truth about an ancient artifact. Along the way, they clash with oligarchs, crooked senators, and a smarmy televangelist with sinister plans for world domination.

Packed with Paul Rudnick’s signature wit, The Tuxedo Society is a wild ride through decadence, danger, and unexpected heroism, as Andrew discovers that saving the world might just be the role he’s been waiting for.

I received an advance copy of this book courtesy of the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Who knew I needed a campy gay spy crew in my life this badly? Apparently I did, because The Tuxedo Society was a blast.

Paul Rudnick has been responsible for a chunk of my personal canon. Sister Act, Sister Act 2, In & Out, Addams Family Values, and the gay classic Jeffrey are all his. So I went into this one expecting to love it, and I absolutely did.

Here’s the deal. Andrew is an out-of-work actor in New York who pays rent by selling candles. His best friend Brock pulls him into a fancy dinner with a group called the Tuxedo Society. At first it looks like a bunch of rich, well-dressed gay men gathered for gossip and martinis. But it doesn’t take long for Andrew to figure out the dinner party isn’t the real point. These guys are spies. Like, full on, deadly, gadget-loaded, black-tie-wearing operatives who save the country between cocktails. A Navy SEAL named Reggie, who looks fantastic in a tux, recruits Andrew on the spot. Suddenly Andrew is jetting around the world with a backpack that turns into a life raft, a yoga mat that turns into an assault rifle, and an AMEX Black Card that opens every door he could ever need. There’s an old relic at the center of the plot, a slimy televangelist with plans to take over the world, a few politicians on the take, and stops at the White House, the Vatican, and the Summer Olympics.

It’s exactly as ridiculous as it sounds, and I loved every second.

What makes the book work is how committed it is. Rudnick is fully committed at showering you with gay camp and trusting you to keep up. The humor is sharp, the setups are absurd, and the whole thing moves like the world’s best caper movie. I laughed out loud more times than I can count. There’s also a real heart underneath the jokes, which is something Rudnick does better than almost anyone. Andrew is sweet, a little lost, and surrounded by people who actually see him for the first time in his life. That part really landed for me.

Don’t come in expecting anything serious. This is not a moody literary spy novel where someone is haunted by their past in a rainy Berlin apartment. This is fluff with bite. It’s a romp. It’s well-written, often touching, frequently hilarious, and just a really good time. There’s a message tucked in there too about chosen family and showing up for each other when the world feels like it’s actively trying to wear you down, but the message never gets in the way of the fun.

I will say this. I’m a Gen X gay, and I felt like this book was speaking my language fluently. The references, the rhythm, the way the camp is layered into every line. I think Millennial gays will get it too. I’m not sure if younger readers will pick up on every wink, because some of this style of humor is very specific to a certain era of gay culture. That isn’t a criticism of younger readers at all. It’s just an observation that this book has a target audience and knows exactly who that audience is.

I firmly believe that this needs to be a series. There’s clearly more to do with this group. I would happily read twenty more of these if they’re just as fun. If you love camp, sharp comedy, a queer cast, and a wild ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously, grab this one and clear your weekend. It’s a good time start to finish. Definitely add this to your pride month TBR.