Guest Review of The Game

We very kindly recieved an advanced copy of The Game by Martin Kemp, from Harper Collins, a gripping and gritty page-turner, the British thriller you want to read in 2023. One of our regular customers, Carina, has read it and written her thoughts on the book below for you all.

Book Review

The Game by Martin Kemp

By Carina

Johnny Klien is a washed up ‘has been’. He is just about to lose the last part of his previous lifestyle.

He isn’t in a good place. After a friend helps him, he goes looking for the fame and fortune he once

had. He must have some friends that can help him out. As it turns out, he is given a ‘job’ by an old

mate, but in taking this job, Johnny gets caught up in a lot more than he bargained for. With a story

of love, friendship and regret, Johnny meanders through the situations culminating in a full circle

back to where it started. Will he get back into The Game, or will he sink even deeper?

What I liked about this book was that it was set in an area of London a lot of people will have heard

of if not been to. The visualisation created helps you picture what is going on and where. Kemp is

able to bring the characters in the story to life and give them a personality. You definitely feel the

sympathy for some, the love for others and the dislike to the characters causing problems. It is a

story that draws you in.

However, what I disliked about this book was the first part. ‘Who is Johnny Klien?’ Kemp explains

who Johnny was when he was in the music industry, what a personal connection he had with the

character which if im honest, is something that needs to go at the end of the book. As it was, I got

the impression that the story to follow would be a fictionalised biography of Kemp’s life. Through

the book I was wondering how real some of the events and people were and pictured Kemp as

Johnny. If this had been at the end of the book, it would have made the story feel different and more

immersive. All of the brand name drops too, it was a bit too much. Some people wont know what is

special about Marshall speakers or what a Bunraku Puppet is.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I took it at face value and imagined a lot of it reflected Kemps life in the

limelight. I don’t think I would read another of his novels though. Unless it was a completely

different set of characters and industry. I would give this book a six out of ten.

Thank you very much Carina for taking the time to read the book for us and letting us know your thoughts on the book!

The Game is out on the 9th of November in hardback. Published by Harper Collins, it’s £20.00. Please let us know if you would like us to order you a copy.