The Twenty Seven Club: A humorous tale of music myths, mental health and friendship

“Perfectly evoking small-town 90s culture, this is a moving exploration of mental health, enduring music myths and why love can help us through.” Stylist

It’s 1994. The music industry is mourning Kurt Cobain, Right Said Fred have re-emerged as an ‘ironic’ pop act and John Major is the country’s prime minister. Nothing is as it should be.

Emma is hurtling towards her 27th birthday, riddled with anxiety that her idols Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison all died aged 27, and now Kurt Cobain has gone too. Will Emma be next to join The Twenty Seven Club?

Emma, a working-class rock music fan from Hull, with a penchant for a flaming Drambuie and a line of coke with her best mate Dave down The Angel, is troubled. Trev, her whippet, has IBS, and her job ordering bathroom supplies at the local caravan company is far from challenging. So when her dad, Tel, informs her that her music idol, Kurt Cobain has killed himself aged 27, Emma is consumed with anxiety.

Why have so many legendary musicians gone aged 27? Is there a link between the members of the so-called Twenty Seven Club? Is this why her mum had an affair and left them? And could Emma be about to join The Twenty Seven Club too?

The 27 Club is a nostalgic, often humorous, drug and booze-infused tale of friendship, discovery and anxiety as Emma tries, for once, to focus on life, rather than death.

“Dazzlingly funny, dark and insightful. A brilliantly nostalgic blast from an era where shoe choice was everything, ‘townies’ were a thing, and the bands you followed told the world who you were about to become. Lucy Nichol is a stunning new voice in fiction.” Dr Guy Mankowski, author of Dead Rock Stars

“An honest and raw depiction of someone battling anxiety and deep-rooted fear. It also screams delicious 90s porn with a realworking-class heroes vibe.” Claire Eastham, author of F**K I think I’m dying.

“Warm, joyous and thought-provoking. Music lovers will adore it!” Stephie Chapman, author of Swipe Right