Parlour Games

Celia - housewife, mother and wonderful cook - lives in Bedford Park, London, where the major worries are dailies, private schooling and the misplaced zeal of Neighbourhood Watch vigilantes, and is celebrating her fortieth birthday. The comfy armpit of the English bourgeoisie never felt snuggler. But the cosy house of cards flops rapidly, as friends and a sister turn edgy and fickle, a long-term admirer turns into a crude jester, and Celia spies her husband embracing a ghastly woman in a 'Come Dancing' frock.

Review: 'A very funny book - one of those rare books that make you laugh out loud. Imagine the wicked social observation of Jilly Cooper mixed with the needle wit of Fay Weldon and you'll get the picture.' New Woman 'Cheek's writing is infused with terrific comic energy and she possesses the wickedly sharp eye of a born satirist.' Mail on Sunday