The Tuxedo Society by Paul Rudnick ~ a Review

by MK French

Andrew Birnbaum is a struggling actor working in a candle shop when he's invited to dinner with the exclusive Tuxedo Society. The wealthy socialites are actually involved in espionage, and Andrew is invited to join a covert mission to protect national security. Working with Navy SEAL Reggie O’Malley, Andrew gets amazing gear and gadgets to track spies, thwart assassinations, and address threats. It becomes even more dangerous when Andrew and his comrades are sent on a mission to uncover the truth about an ancient artifact. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

May 2026; Atria Books; 978-1668212615
audio, ebook, print (288 pages); humorous thriller

Andrew's ability as an improv actor and singer gets him invited into the Tuxedo Society by a friend. All members are queer in some way; the Society was founded when decorated military men were dishonorably discharged from the military for being gay. They have connections all over the world, from the fashion industry to flowers to real estate, with scientists and medics to create the gadgets and look over members when injured. The First Lady is nearly assassinated, and there are groups looking for the fabled jewels from a crown that are rumored to have mystical power and have played a role in history. 

There are a lot of cultural references and some sideways references that are fun to pick up, like a hookup app that functions like Grindr and a member who is known for his OnlyFans account. The book moves quickly as Andrew gets involved in the spy business and basically speed runs every trope involved with spies. Picture the sassy gay best friend trope playing James Bond, and he cracked those jokes, too. He has a lot of adventures in the hunt for the gems, and it gets campy and serious in turns, with fun characters appearing to lend their expertise to the mission. There are cinematic sequences that are fun to imagine as the team moves all over the world. If this ever becomes a movie, it's going to be a riot. The ending leaves an opening for further adventures for the Tuxedo Society, and I'm sure they'll be just as much fun.

Buy The Tuxedo Society at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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