The Game: A hard-hitting thriller that will have you hooked

Description

A gritty tale of friendship, addiction and murder for fans of Martina Cole. Mary James is a bright, confident, rebellious teenager who never sticks to the rules. Thrown out of the family home on the notorious Crescents estate, she soon learns how tough life can really be. With her new job at Henshall's factory under threat, she is relieved when older, more sophisticated Lynne offers her a room in her flat. Gossip from the factory floor hints that Lynne has a seedier alternative profession. While Mary sticks to a straighter path, her flatmate walks the streets for extra cash. Then, one night, Lynne brings Ali and Raiz back to the flat, both desperate for alibis for murder, and Mary finds herself involved in a far more dangerous game. Jane Bates, Mary's long-lost childhood friend, is shocked by the change in her one-time protector when they are reunited years later. Bad men and hard drugs have taken their toll. Is Mary's fate already sealed or can Jane's risky scheme save her?

Mandasue was born in Cheshire and moved to Manchester in 1982. She spent ten years living in the notorious Hulme Crescents which have since become the background to her novels. Not only is she a talented writer, but she has also sung in cabaret and rock groups, seventies soul cover bands and blues jam bands. Previous Books: THE FRONT, FORGET ME NOT (PB edition 0 340 82026 8, June 2003), TAINTED LIVES (PB edition 0 340 735058, August 2004)

'Mandasue has played a real blinder with this fantastic novel.' Martina Cole on FORGET ME NOT -- Martina Cole on Forget Me Not 'Cracking page-turner ... a gritty compassionate account of life on the margins.' -- Manchester Evening News on FORGET ME NOT 'Gripping ... powerful writing.' -- Scotland on Sunday on FORGET ME NOT 'Alarming and beguiling ... curiously exhilarating.' -- Scotsman on THE FRONT