Three Wise Men by Martina Devlin (HarperCollins, £5.99)

MARTINA Devlin dismisses her brilliant debut novel, somewhat modestly, as "chick lit". It's actually much better than that - more aptly described as a thinking woman's fable for the post-Bridget Jones generation.

Gloria, Eimear and Kate have been friends since they were a trio of six- year-olds who were cast as the three wise men in their nativity play. Twenty-five years on, and they have moved from Omagh to Dublin, transforming themselves into three unwise women in the process.

Eimear's beauty captivates men, but robs her of her independence; Kate's dazzling wit blinds her to the consequences of betraying a friend; and Gloria's urge to nurture, thwarted by infertility, threatens to destroy everything she holds dear. It's a dangerous combination, which puts their lifelong friendship to the severest test.

Martina Devlin, staff reporter and columnist with the Irish Independent, writes like a dream as she draws the reader into a beguiling world of angst, betrayal, love and lust - all underpinned with Irish wit and charm.

Best-selling novelist Marian Keyes, believes that Three Wise Men is superb, commenting: "It's a real, believable and compelling read. This is my Ireland and these are the women I know. Martina draws friendship and love, with its attendant comforts and pains, with unflinching honesty. And, into the bargain, it's funny."

Well, I couldn't have put it better myself.

Robert Beaumont