Rummaging in his attic one day, Barney finds the little green man, a jade object that's worth a considerable amount of money. Out of work, separated from his wife, though keeping in regular contact with his seven-year-old autistic son, Travis, Barney's sudden coming across of this Chinese figure gives him the idea to contact his old childhood friends, Tony Football, Winkie, Stubbs and Pompous. With the proof that the jade is indeed worth a great deal of money they all agree to play the game of 'dare' just as they did in their youth at school, the winner claiming ownership of the little green man. As youngsters they had taunted each other with petty cruelties but as adults they exploit jealousy rivalry and stark fear to play the blackest game of their lives, testing friendships to its limits in the process. This is a telling novel concerning as it does the vulnerabilities of boys grown into men who though good mates don't hesitate to put the 'boot' in when required to gain possession of the precious little green man of the title. Simon Armitage's characters are excellently portrayed - the minor ones also fully rounded so that their responses to various situations are completely appropriate. The dialogue is totally convincing throughout, never missing the mark as the reader is drawn into Barney's dark world of dare. (Kirkus UK)