Review - the Game by Martin Kemp

The Game by Martin Kemp

Publisher: Harper Collins UK

Release date: 9 November 2023

Back cover blurb: Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose ... Johnny Klein is a rock casualty, a fallen 1980s popstar who has lost everything — his family, his money and his fame. Thrown a lifeline by an old contact in the music business, Johnny doesn’t care what he is getting himself into. Dragged down into East London’s dark underbelly, Johnny discovers there is more at stake than his own shattered ego. Johnny hates being yesterday’s man but now he’s wishing he could disappear altogether. The party might be over, but there’s no escape from the past…  

Johnny Klein is a fictional character, but could resemble any one of a number of washed up 1980s pop stars who have chosen not to make money out of the reunion circuit.

Johnny is what one might call a loveable rogue. 

Once the most charming (and fancied) man in the business, now he's down on his luck, and almost out on the streets. He has broken relationships with those he loves through decades of heavy drinking and drug taking.

But he is trying his best to get back on his feet.

So desperate is he to do the right thing, and mend some of those broken relationships, that he will do almost anything to survive and start brining in some cash.

When an old contact says he wants to see him, Johnny is excited at the possibility of a gig. Maybe playing a stint in a band, or recording something as a session musician. 

Unfortunately this person has other ideas. He needs Johnny's help with something that isn't strictly legal. Despite his reservations Johnny isn't exactly in a position to refuse, and he used to dealing with some unsavoury characters. 

After all showbiz is full of them.

It isn't until he  that he starts to wonder what he's gotten himself in to, and if he can make it out alive. 

The Game is a brilliant debut, and I look forward to reading the next in the series. 

The Game is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.