"Marionette Play" by Kurt Lehmkuhl is a gripping crime novel set in the world of football. The story unfolds before the Football World Cup in Russia and sheds light on the darker sides of the sport. A German football talent suffers a tragic accident that changes his life forever, while another player becomes embroiled in a murder case. Retired Commissioner Rudolf-Günther Böhnke is drawn into the investigation when a journalist asks for his help. Böhnke faces the challenge of solving three cases simultaneously while dealing with threats from unknown individuals that jeopardize his plans for a new football club in Aachen. The novel not only offers thrilling twists but also prompts reflection on the true nature of football.