Digital Leatherette is a piece of 'ambient hyperfiction' comprising fragmentary pieces of imaginary journalism, film scripts and web pages, connected only by the author's desire to be as hip as possible in the obscurity and eclecticism of his references. There is occasional humour when Beard lampoons pop personalities such as Morrissey and Dr John. But there would be far more humour if Beard accepted that lightweight satire was the limit of his ambition. Some of the material in this book would make for an entertaining website: whether it works as a book is another matter.