Alma Cogan was a real-life British singing star in the 50's, a friend of the Beatles and most of the other stars of the time, she died in 1966 aged only 34. Here Gordon Burn has written a what-if novel where Alma plays out her twilight years living off the generosity of others and remembering the past. She seems happy to remain in the shadows but there are those who haven't forgotten her.

The story recounts Almas rootless life and her showbusiness memories which are particulary evocative of a lost age, but just when you think you are holding the pieces of the plot in Gordon Burns extraordinary book, it moves away from you in a sinewy sinister dance. The effect is unsettling, even disturbing.

The pace of the book is perfect, a slow descent into the darkness where you know something unspeakable awaits and that thing is the final terrible indictment of fame where the edges are blurred between celebrity and murderous evil.

This is a book you will find yourself pondering over long long after you have completed the journey through it.