This is Not a Lie (Paperback)

In 1984, St Kilda is the heart and soul of Melbourne's music scene. Joel Reed, a brilliant young guitarist, had followed his sister Karen to the bohemian beachside suburb to chase his dream of becoming a rock star. On the surface, it seems like Joel has got it all together. In reality, he's a high-functioning heroin addict and closet homosexual. Desperately lonely and dangerously self-destructive, he lives a carefully constructed lie lest he be discovered, outed, and shunned by the city's legion of hard rock fans. When the band is forced to audition for a new frontman, Joel's world is turned upside down. When Harry Engel auditions, Joel falls in love but there's no way he can tell Harry how he feels. He can't do anything to jeopardise the band's success and so he continues living the lie-until tragedy strikes and he realises the lie was never going to save them.