"Truth in Advertising" (Touchstone), by John Kenney

A hilarious op-ed column on politics appeared in The New York Times as the 2012 presidential election was winding down — in other words, just when we desperately needed comic relief. The off-the-wall columnist was identified as John Kenney, "author of the forthcoming novel, 'Truth in Advertising.'" Better keep an eye out for that book, I figured.

As expected, this debut novel reads at times like a laugh-out-loud standup routine. What sustains it, though, is much more substantial: an engaging, believable plot, a fascinating if jaundiced view inside the contemporary world of New York advertising, and most of all, a lead character you're glad you get to know, even if doing so becomes infuriating at times.