Big Match Manager 2

First off, the book is in the 'choose your own adventure' style, which Ali hadn't seen before (although I remember them from my 'youth'). But it was easy enough to get started. The reader plays the manager of a (made up?) professional football team, and the aim is to win the league. Woven through this is a mystery plot to solve, so there is a mixture of tensions from both the football and thriller elements as we picked our way from page to page, making decisions on which players to buy and sell and finding clues to the mystery. The book is also a game: each time 'Saturday' comes around, there is a match to play against a rival team, each with their different strengths (and eccentric managers!). On top of all this is a healthy dollop of footballing irreverence, which will be familiar to anyone who has watched Match of the Day or listened to commentary on Five Live!

Having only intended to get Ali started on the book, before I knew it we were both getting stuck into playing the matches, tracking our team's position in the league table, making decisions on team strategy and squad training and piecing together the clues to the 'whodunit'. And I'm 41. The matches are fun to play without being too complicated, and there was a real feeling of 'time running out' as the end of the season approaches and the plot becomes deeper and darker. The pursuit at the end is especially thrilling - but I won't spoil it!

This book is seriously addictive. Based on Alistair's reluctance to give it up, and my own enthusiasm, I would recommend it to anyone who likes their footie intense, funny, and exciting!