"Dead Rock Stars" out 14th September

I'm thrilled to share that my first novel since 2016 is being published internationally by Darkstroke / Crooked Cat Books in September;

Emma Imrie was a Plath-obsessed, self-taught teenage musician dreaming of fame, from a remote village on the Isle of Wight. She found it too, briefly becoming a star of the nineties Camden music scene. But then she died in mysterious circumstances.

In the aftermath of Emma’s death, her younger brother, Jeff, is forced by their parents to stay at the opulent home of childhood friends on the island.

During a wild summer of beach parties and music, Jeff faces up to the challenges that come with young love, youthful ambition and unresolved grief. His sister’s prodigious advice from beyond the grave becomes the only weapon he has against an indifferent world. As well as the only place where the answers he craves might exist…

"Dead Rock Stars" took a long time to write and I benefited from the input of lots of readers. On one level the book flowed very easily. On another level there was so much the characters wanted to say that I had to find out what I needed to keep and it took time. The book is heavily influenced by novels like Helen Cross' 'My Summer Of Love',  Emma Forrest's 'Namedropper' and the sensibility of the music weeklies that I so miss from the nineties, like Melody Maker. As flippant as those papers now seem they denote a time when culture had more focus and weight, when there was still a counter-culture, before the naivety of the nineties was exposed. I can't think of a story I've written where every word has meant so much to me. If, like me, you miss the heady days of the nineties, and what music meant to people back then (back when music still had inlay cards and there was such a thing as fanzines) then I think the book may be for you.

It can now be pre-ordered from here

ADVANCED NOTICES

'An excellent summer read. Mankowski entrances with the vivid world of 1990s Camden as he weaves a story full of compelling characters. The tale of an unbreakable sibling bond.' Anna Caltabiano, author of The Seventh Miss Hatfield.

‘Powerfully voices the concerns of a generation…a book with tenderness and sensitivity. Mankowski has written from a female perspective in a way that is touching, heartfelt and convincing. He is a consistently thoughtful, readable and rewarding novelist. His prose moves seamlessly between pensive introspection and meticulous observation, lyricism and drama.’Andrew Crumey, Man Booker Longlisted author of ‘Mr Mee’.  

 
'Exciting, evocative and one of the most emotive pieces I've read. Very powerful. Packs a punch.' Sara Hawys Roberts, author of 'Withdrawn Traces: Searching For The Truth About Richey Manic'.

'A great read. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1990s London music scene, "Dead Rock Stars" is a mesmerising study of grief as well as a coming of age novel. I found myself immersed in the narratives of Jeff and Emma and marvelled at how the author captured both voices with such authenticity, particularly that of the self-destructive young woman.' Ruth Dugdall, author of 'My Sister And Other Liars'.

'In Emma Imrie, Mankowski has created a genuine and heartfelt voice which never veers into cliche even when exploring the many layers of feminine angst, ambition and exploitation.'  Hanna Jameson, author of 'The Last'.

'Mankowski builds a compelling story from the inside out, by holding subtle facets of relationships up to the light and exploring them with lapidarian precision. Even in the midst of its clubs and rock bands, the novel maintains a thoughtful serenity throughout, albeit one with sparkling touches of wit. A cracking read.' John Schoneboom, author of 'Fontoon'.