The ’86 Fix

Synopsis

On the way home from school in 1986, Craig Pelling decided to buy a can of Coke. He wasn’t to know a seemingly innocuous visit to the local newsagent would dramatically change the course of his life.

Fast forward to his forties, Craig finds himself trapped in a loveless marriage, earning a living in a dead-end job as the manager of an electrical store. He could have been so much more, achieved so much more.

However, fate hasn’t finished with Craig Pelling yet.

A school reunion proves to be the catalyst for chaos, and decades on from his visit to that newsagent, Craig’s mundane life is turned upside down as his past comes back to haunt him.

As he plummets towards rock bottom, all seems lost for Craig until he’s thrown a lifeline — the miraculous lifeline of a brief trip back in time to 1986.

Will he be able to fix his life? Is it as simple as just reverting one decision he made over thirty years ago?

Craig is about to find out.

About This Book

The ’86 Fix is a British time travel novel set in suburban England. It’s a story about nostalgia, regret, second chances, and the question we’ve all asked ourselves — what would you do differently if you could go back?

The book blends humour with poignancy, and it’s written for people who don’t necessarily read sci-fi. There are no flux capacitors or paradox equations. Instead, there’s a bloke called Craig who’s made a mess of his life and gets an unlikely shot at fixing it.

If you grew up in the 1980s, expect a heavy dose of nostalgia — from Texan Bars and Space Invaders to Pet Shop Boys and Grange Hill. If you didn’t, you’ll still find a story about the universal desire to rewrite your own history.

Who Is This Book For?

The ’86 Fix appeals to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with heart, humour, and a twist. It’s particularly popular with readers who grew up in 1980s Britain, fans of time travel fiction that focuses on emotion rather than hard science, and anyone who’s ever looked back on their life and thought “what if?”

Readers often compare it to books by Mike Gayle, Nick Hornby, and Matt Haig, as well as films like About Time and It’s a Wonderful Life. If you enjoy nostalgic fiction, second-chance stories, or midlife-crisis comedy with a speculative twist, this is very much your sort of book.

The ’86 Fix Series

The ’86 Fix is the first book in a two-part story. The sequel, Beyond Broadhall, continues Craig’s journey and concludes the story. A standalone companion novel, Tuned Out, is set in the same universe but follows a different character who is transported back to 1969.

The recommended reading order is: The ’86 Fix, then Beyond Broadhall. Tuned Out can be read independently.

Behind the Book

Keith wrote The ’86 Fix in 2016 after years of reading time travel novels that were always set in periods before he was born. He wanted to write the book he wanted to read — a time travel story steeped in the era he actually grew up in. The original working title was Juveniled, and the book was self-published on Amazon in October 2016. It went on to become a bestseller, launching Keith’s career as a full-time author. He has since sold close to one million books.

The fictional Heathland Secondary School is named after Keith’s own school, Heath End in Farnham, Surrey. The character name Lance Gilgrip is an anagram of Craig Pelling. And RolpheTech, where Craig works, was inspired by Keith’s own Saturday job at Dixons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to like science fiction to enjoy The ’86 Fix?
Not at all. The time travel element is a plot device rather than the focus. At its core, this is a story about a man trying to fix his life. Many readers who wouldn’t normally pick up a sci-fi novel have loved it.

Is The ’86 Fix part of a series?
Yes. It’s the first of two books — the story continues and concludes in Beyond Broadhall. You should read The ’86 Fix first. There’s also a standalone companion novel called Tuned Out.

Where is the book set?
Suburban England, in the 1980s and the present day. The setting is very British — expect newsagents, comprehensive schools, and questionable fashion choices.

Is The ’86 Fix available as an audiobook?
Yes. The audiobook is narrated by Andy Cresswell and is available on Audible and other audiobook platforms.

Is this book suitable for younger readers?
It’s aimed at adult readers. There’s no graphic content, but the themes of marital breakdown, regret, and midlife disillusionment are best appreciated by a grown-up audience.