I played and liked first game, and I played this and liked it! the developer of the game really knows his job!

Best horror game ever made. I LOVE LUCAS AND THE FEELING I CAN BE KILLED EVERYTIME BY EVERYONE

Welcome to the game but second time. Take cupheads hard gameplay and transform it to horror game.

Mega dobrá hra pobavil jsem se jako nikdy předtím. Ne každá hra je taková sice těžká ale každý ji má rád

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing an arc of the book. This book was released on 15th November 2022.

Story of the book-

This action-packed debut from Craig Henderson, featuring former rally racer Spencer Burnham, bursts onto the scene. Spencer’s life was turned upside down by the passing of his cherished wife after he had relocated his family from England to Detroit and established a foreign auto dealership. He is now estranged from his little daughter and struggling to control the combination of drugs and booze that gets him through the day. He barely manages to stave off Child Protective Services while his company teeters on the brink of failure.

Then he seemingly by accident meets Dominic McGrath, a charming but deadly mobster. McGrath has been planning the last heist that would enable a comfortable retirement, provided he can find a very special kind of driver—one who is competent, trustworthy, and naive. McGrath has been feeling the squeeze from informants, the rise of tech surveillance, and a hotshot detective who has made busting him a personal crusade.

Spencer immediately establishes himself as a capable driver because of his keen timing and deft, high-speed moves. McGrath also makes large monetary payments. But it has a cost; Spencer is forced to play in a situation where newcomers don’t fare well. He tries to escape after seeing the cruelty hidden under McGrath’s endearing facade, but McGrath is too invested to let him go. The two men use their enormous abilities to outperform one another as the city swelters under a heat wave, believing they are the only competitors.

My review-

I thought Henderson’s writing was well-balanced for a narrative like this and I enjoyed the story. The tale zigzags and zags a lot in the last dozen or so pages, like a very fast pursuit. At points, this left me feeling a little lost as well. This novel has a lot of violence; some of it is a little graphic, but it is not overdone; these are all individuals who resort to violence to resolve conflicts. The story moves at a rate to match the horrific vehicle journey with the reader restrained in the passenger seat, and the writing is quick-paced with dialogue that jumps off the page.

I was more interested in certain personalities than others. I was aback by how engrossed I became in the main characters’ stories. Even before I warmed up to the damaged hero of this tale, Spencer, I found myself feeling afraid of and sympathetic toward him. The uncertainty of the individual’s destiny adds friction to an already difficult voyage. The guys function like slack gears in an overworked machine when faced with the threat of casual, agonizing violence. The outcome is rather exciting. Only as Spencer’s optimism, wanes do the dismal circumstances—which in no way are restricted to murder and suicide—become more serious. But this doesn’t happen until the very last second.

The suspense that builds throughout the narrative is frequently overshadowed by utter uncertainty. Naturally, the conclusion, when Spencer’s sobriety reveals the full shape and weight of dread, topples this reality, making for an even more thrilling reading experience. The core plot points of this novel are beautifully written, and Spencer is a completely realized character. Despite my request for a little more detective backstory, I would recommend reading it.

693 reviews11 followers

September 25, 2022

Welcome to the Game, the debut novel of Craig Henderson, comes out on November 15, 2022. Grove Atlantic provided an early galley for review.

As a Michigan resident since 2014, I am always eager to check out novels set in my new home state and in Detroit in particular. That was the initial draw for me to check this one out. For folks who are into cars, racing, and The Fast and the Furious types of films (I am not any of these), that is another entry level draw to this story.

Henderson is Scottish by birth and has been a presenter on the BBC's "Books That Made Britain" series. He has Master's degrees from the University of Edinburgh. So, he has the credentials. But does he know Detroit? Turns out, he has done his research. Not only does he get locations right, he also has mastered the many streets of downtown Motown (very important for a book that involves fast driving). This is fiction though, and I have to say he gives much more credit to the Detroit Lions capabilities than what we residents see week in and week out. For that optimism, I have to appreciate him.

I found the story to be very engaging, and Henderson's writing to be just the right balance for a story such as this. Some characters garnered more of my interest than others. Many walk the very gray area as far as professionalism and morality are concerned. Like a very high-speed chase, the story zigs and zags quite a bit in the last half dozen chapters or so - at times to the point where I found myself a bit disoriented as well. The violence is appropriate for a story dealing with seamy criminal elements.

detroit fiction netgalley

2 reviews

June 8, 2022

I really enjoyed this. I began reading hoping for something slick and pacey and fun. And it delivered on all those counts. The writing is smart and sometimes humorous and the bits about rally driving vividly convey the exhilaration of the art of driving stick (or manual as we Brits call it). But I was surprised to be so drawn into the lives of the central characters. I found myself fearing and feeling for the flawed hero of this story, Spencer, even before I started liking him much. He’s a grieving addict-alcoholic and can come across as something of an A-hole at first – actually make that for a little while. Pain isn’t always pretty. But you get these snippets of insight into his thoughts and memories that give you something to hang onto empathy-wise while you watch him coming increasingly unstuck. Meanwhile, his adversaries are downright nasty and seem sinisterly to have the Game all sewn up, so disliking them is satisfyingly straightforward. Then Spencer’s arc develops, he discovers something worth fighting for (of the ‘something-that’s-been-right-in-front-of-his-eyes-all-along’ variety) and by the time he’s got buried deep in the sh**, you care – you really want his fight to pay off. Once this shift had happened, I read the rest of the book in one sitting. And trust me, you’re going to want to stick around for the end…

77 reviews

May 26, 2023

This book isn't my typical genre, but since it is based in my hometown I had to read it. It was really cool to hear about the characters driving around the same streets I've driven down myself, but I hated most of the characters and didn't care about them much by the end of the book.

20 reviews

February 9, 2023

A little all over the place at times and almost all of the characters are really unlikeable (besides Chris), but not bad!

June 27, 2022

Loved this. Got really caught up in it. It was fast and at times shocking, but not relentlessly so. This writer's voice really worked for me: style and substance!

57 reviews11 followers

May 10, 2022

Welcome to the Game presents one man’s scramble to stay afloat following the gruesome death of his wife. Conquered by costly addictions, CPS’ threat to unburden him of his daughter, and the collapse of his business, Spencer — a former rally driver — is seduced by the promise of fast, plentiful cash.

Unfortunately, it’s proffered by a pitiless criminal named Dominic McGrath. Witnessing the man’s crew at work, Spencer quickly learns that any attempt at distancing himself from their operations may prove agonizing, if not outright fatal.

Henderson’s prose has a personality of its own, and it’s as dynamic and captivating as the cars it harbors. From his piercing words, a myriad of characters spills forth, tracing overlapping circuits. Along their length, the cruelty of deeds is contrasted against jovial depictions of wickedness, producing unequivocal humor at every turn.

When dissected, the text reveals an astute use of action verbs. Thanks to them, the piece comes alive, wheezing and snarling at Spencer and the reader alike. The speed with which the plot makes headway is a crucial detail, as it embodies the novel’s unique ambiance.

As a result, we’re treated to fast cars, fast transitions, and fast derailments. What adds friction to an already bumpy passage is the unpredictability of the characters’ fates. Faced with the menace of casual, bone-scratching violence, the men operate like loose cogs in an overtaxed machine. The result is rather thrilling.

What keeps the gears shifting is the way the narrative alienates us from Spencer at times, allowing us to stay informed while he flounders. And with various characters stepping up to claim the spotlight, a game of ping-pong commences; one between false confidence and foreboding omnipotence.

What follows is a meaty — gory, even — presentation of rationalized violence. Aside from succeeding at horrifying the protagonist, it exposes the missing vein of sympathy in the men he keeps needling. The abundance of moving pieces they direct keeps us on our toes, forcing us to dodge the implications of the raunchy and unflinching scenes tossed our way.

To counterbalance this debauchery, the narrative begins to constrict possessively around Spencer, his daughter, and his best friend. It’s the thought of their survival, not his, that allows him to endure the unspeakable.

Spencer’s tightened grasp of mortality — and the connivance it demands of him — also acts as a catalyst for the emotional growth he’d been vetoing for years.

Throughout the story, there’s a sense of mounting tension, often superseded by plain confusion. We’re conscious of McGrath’s plan, the fragments of which are left intentionally murky, but his designs prove too vague to lure us into a state of anticipation.

Instead, we persevere through the swerves, pit stops, and savagery because of the delightfully despicable natures of the characters we bump into along the way. And so, for the vast majority of the story, we indulge in a gritty comedy of errors.

And yet, the portrayal of Spencer’s world, full of folly and false bravado, proves too upbeat to form the foundation of a convincing thriller. The grim circumstances that arise, in no way limited to murder and suicide, only gain gravity when Spencer’s optimism flags. But this doesn’t occur until the last possible moment.

And, while undeniably well-written, the somewhat disoriented progress of the story fails to inspire true devotion in the reader. The ultimate purpose of every effort is too imprecise, ambition’s drive proves too weak. This, perhaps, comes down to the circuitous nature of the narrative.

Spencer’s entanglement with McGrath’s group is inevitable, his inner monologue glides over the same notions time after time, and his habits stick to him like a second skin.

Of course, this reality is toppled by the climax, when Spencer’s sobriety unveils the true build and poundage of dread; coincidentally leading to a more exhilarating reading experience. And it comes with its own heady aura; one that pastures the reader in coatings of intrigue.

First published on Delphic Reviews

June 7, 2022

This was a good book, though some of the characters, the detectives in particular, felt a little under developed. Spencer Burnham, an former rally car driver from Britain, runs a used car dealership in Detroit, which is on the brink of going under. In walks Dominic McGrath a gangster who is looking for a guy that can drive really well. After Spencer's business fails, he agrees to work for Dominic, mostly picking up dirty money from one person and handing it off to another to make 'clean'. It's a dangerous job since he's dealing mostly with people in the drug trade. A police detective has made it his mission in life to put Dominic and his gang away, blaming them for the majority of gang violence in the city, Dominic manages to stay one step ahead of the police. There is a lot of violence in this book, some of it is a tad on the graphic side but it did not go overboard, these are all people that use violence to solve problems. Dominic decides that one job will be his last, he's planned the robbery of a bank with the help of an inside source and Spencer is the man tagged to do the driving. Spencer had tried to leave the job taking his young daughter and moving out to take a job in another city, Dominic tracks him down and kidnaps his daughter to force him to do the last job. The driving parts of this book are well described and Spencer is a fully fleshed out character, I just wish there was a bit more backstory on the detectives, I would still say it's worth the read. Thanks to

Netgalley and

Atlantic Monthly Press for the ARC.

409 reviews1 follower

January 7, 2023

What a bloody moron is Spencer.. I had to quit halfway through (though i checked the end ..still a moron) Not one redeemable quality and hideous personality. After four years to still be such a disaster no excuses especially his indifference to his kid and not try to fix his act up

As for the writing its gobbly gook..as if someone on a coke bender is babbling . I think he uses every gang slang from different nationalities smashed together on one page so its incomprehensible and horrible.

Its one confusing jumble with the barest fragment of a plot.. Oh and having a different character act/think every other page in fragmented bits makes trying to read without my brain bleeding eve worse .

Its not witty its not a "gripping thriller"and its not exciting but more tiring ..and def. not an "exciting new voice".

PS "thriller writers" really need to quit with the hideous attempts at detailing sex scenes .. its horrible and useless to the plot...and he does it even worse than others.

So not deserving of a second book though my brain hurts knowing it might be based on the disjointed ending

I for one never want to know or read about Spencer fhe ijiot again .

November 19, 2022

This is a fantastic thriller that storms out the gates with an epic story arc and a cast of richly layered characters that you quickly find yourself knowing well and still thinking about long after you've read the last page. The hero, a former British rally car driver, is wonderfully desperate and flawed and utterly believable in his scrabble to survive the straights he finds himself in with a bunch of villains who all approach their craft differently but are all at times shockingly violent and ruthless. The author has a great, engaging writing style that is both crisp and precise but also lyrical. Scenes are so well written, strongly visual with sharply observed moments and a sly dark wit, woven in with elevated and classical references. An absolute banger of a story that builds to a perfect crescendo of plot twists and turns and an ending that I didn't see coming. Loved it. Looking forward to reading many more from this exciting new author.

101 reviews

December 10, 2022

An interesting book, especially for those who like stories in which cars (and car chases) are an important plot element. Spencer Burnham, the protagonist, is British and a former rally driver who gave up the sport and moved to Detroit after marrying a woman from that city. Her death in an accident upends his life there, and the subsequent failure of the car dealership he started leaves him in an even worse situation. So, he is sorely tempted when a local gang leader tries to recruit him to use his rally skills in a daring (and extremely lucrative) criminal enterprise. This is a crime novel, so we know he is going to say "Yes" to this offer. And we also know that not everything will go according to plan, presenting Spencer with some hair-raising moments.

The car chases are very well done. The rest of the story isn't bad but lacks the same excitement. Certainly a fun book for "gearheads."

mystery

531 reviews1 follower

February 21, 2023

'Welcome to the Game' is a seriously good debut crime thriller from author Craig Henderson. It's the story of down-on-his-luck former Rally race car driver Spencer Burnham. His wife has recently passed, he's lost his high-end auto dealership, and he's rapidly losing touch with his young daughter.

Enter Detroit mobster Dominic McGrath. He's charismatic, a bit dangerous, and offers Spencer a chance to fix everything. It's an offer that's too good to be true and, turns out, it is. Now he's caught up in a fast-moving plan that could get him killed and he's only got one chance of getting out alive.

'Welcome to the Game' zips along with cinematic pace. Henderson excels at character and dialogue and his unique voice drives the narrative along. Once you start this book you won't want to stop. It's a fantastic debut and I'm looking forward to what he's going to do next.

June 25, 2022

I’m not usually a fan of violent thrillers but this book really engaged me. The hero, an ex-rally driver whose car dealership is going under, desperately needs cash. Grieving for his dead wife and needing to provide for their young daughter, he becomes ensnared by a gang of ruthless criminals who use his phenomenal driving skills to carry out a series of vicious raids. Sickened by the casual savagery he tries to bail out, but by then not only is his own life threatened, his little daughter also becomes a target. The writing is fast-paced, dialogue crackles, while the plot is driven forward at a speed to match the terrifying car rides with the reader tightly strapped into the passenger seat. At times I wanted to put the book down but I honestly couldn’t. Thoroughly recommend.

November 15, 2022

This was an excellent debut from Craig Henderson. Former rally driver Spencer Burnham moves to Detroit from his home in England, but the unexpected death of his wife has devastated his life which then had disastrous ramifications for his daughter. As his life has been tipped upside down he meets up with a gangster named Dominic who recruits him to do one more job. Spencer thinks it will be easy... but he does not understand what he has gotten himself into.

I enjoyed this debut. Craig keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps the pedal to the metal until the thrilling conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1,248 reviews11 followers

November 13, 2022

This was a great, fun read! Ex-rally driver Spencer Burnham moves to Detroit from his home in England, but the unexpected death of his wife has him unable to function, and he is not there for their daughter, bringing Child Protective Services into his life. Then he meets gangster Dominic McGrath who is looking to make one last big score so he can retire comfortably, but he needs an outstanding driver to pull off the job, and the promise of big money is too tempting to resist for Spencer. But he doesn't really know what he has signed up for. Fast-paced with great characters! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this novel.

netgalley

244 reviews20 followers

January 11, 2023

This is an action packed, debut that does not disappoint. Spencer Burnham, a rally driver, moved his family from the US to Detroit. His life is destroyed by the passing of his wife. We find him estranged from his daughter, and drinking his life away as his life falls apart all around him. I was drawn in by the racing aspect. I was pleasantly surprised by the character development and the story telling. A flawed hero with personal growth and development is always a recipe for success. I enjoyed this read, and look forward to more from Henderson.

first-reads

November 29, 2022

Wow what a disappointment. This novel has everything I might want - cars, rally driving, Detroit, crime. It could have been a winner but Crag Henderson has made rally driver Spencer Burnham such an unlikable jerk. If they make a movie out of this book they will have to rewrite him. Yuck.

I received a review copy of "Welcome to the Game" by Craig Henderson from Grove Atlantic through NetGalley.com

Author 9 books17 followers

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February 1, 2023

This book is a little out of my normal genre reads but I am glad I dove in. I think there's a bit more needed to develop this book with the characters that would really bring the reader into the plot. Craig Henderson's writing style though is really quite wonderful and it made me want to continue reading despite some lack of development.

Would definitely read the author's next novel!

3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC!

April 8, 2023

It was so obvious that this was not written by a Detroit native. Possibly by someone who hasn’t even spent much time in Detroit. Henderson talks about having trouble getting DPD to talk to him while writing the book, but he could have asked a local to edit it for him. All the things that were just a bit off distracted me from the story. It could have been a good novel, too, even though too gory for my tastes.

386 reviews25 followers

November 23, 2022

I just couldn't get into this one. The pacing was off with bursts of excitement followed by long convoluted sections where the main character ruminates about his self inflicted situation. The point of views changed so often and abruptly that I thought I might get whiplash. Very violent and not quite believable. Not recommended

613 reviews20 followers

December 2, 2022

Henderson is a British crime novelist who is, here, trying to write an Elmore Leonard type Detroit crime novel. And in this reader’s opinion , it just doesn’t work. The book is not bad-there are the requisite thrills and fun racing./getaway scenes. But nothing original or unique. It’s. A quick read and you could give it a try but go for Leonard instead.

848 reviews13 followers

March 16, 2023

I picked this up based on the many positive reviews I read. I thought I was getting a caper about a former rally driver turned wheel man. That would have been great. This novel is about a weenie who can't take care of his daughter, can't make good decisions and gets in over his head. It's more a soap opera than a crime story. Major disappointment for me.

crime fiction

Author 47 books172 followers

November 15, 2022

An excellent thriller driven by a flawed yet interesting protagonist who finds himself in dire straits so he must hook up with a criminal gang. Very well written and original. Held my interest throughout.

November 30, 2022

I bought this for my Dad, he loved it! So I read it on his recommendation and I really enjoyed it. Considering I’m not usually a crime reader however this says quite a lot. Particularly liked the author’s writing style which is distinctive and fun.

1 review

January 14, 2023

Absolutely great thriller...especially from a new author. Couldn't put it down till I turned the very last page. Not giving away any spoilers but really hoping he'll be writing another book soon as my Summer reading list is looking a bit bare at the moment!

February 20, 2023

I loved this book for the fast paced plot and flawed but likeable main character. I began to really care about his predicament and want to know what the next page was going to show me. Highly recommend.

April 12, 2023

So man twists and turns it is almost like driving a rally car. Seriously, Spencer is a retired rally driver in Detroit. I enjoyed the book but there were so many characters with whom I couldn't connect.

June 2, 2023

This book confused me. Why were some chapters so out of nowhere? Why did some have epigraphs but others didn’t? What was the point of this whole escapade? This book is a wild engaging romp , but dig a little deeper and I’m sure you’ll have questions too.