Simon Maltman Blogs

Here are the first chapters of my new book to hopefully whet your appetite a little bit... You can get your copy   HERE £2.99 ebook £7.99 paperback Free with Kindle Unlimited (Copyright Simon Maltman,  Published by Close 2 The Bone Publishing 2020) The Mark Simon Maltman Prelude Pain – it was everywhere.  Searing, whole. I couldn’t separate the ache from one area of my body to another anymore. The pain swept across me in waves.  The burns, the bruises, the gashes. Breasts. Legs. Face. I was hot; the ground was hot beneath me too. I was sweating. My clothes were ragged and worn, and so were my protruding limbs.  Thirst. I longed for a cool drink of water pouring past my chapped lips. I’d shove a cigarette in between them after too – I’d take a long, rich drag if my battered lungs would allow it.  But I had none of those things, I had nothing. I wasn’t getting away from here. There was nowhere for me to go...

This week’s Crime Legend... Lawrence Block Watch on UTV  HERE The Mark- Out Now on Paperback & Ebook  Order  HERE

This week I’m sharing some of my favourite books from the wider ‘Emerald Noir' scene. Three cracker reads from Liz Nugent , Jo Spain and Alex Barclay Watch on UTV  HERE Order  HERE

This week I have a very special guest-  my wonderful eldest daughter Eve! She will be bringing you some of her favourites from Enid Blyton,  Roald Dahl and C.S Lewis. Play on UTV  HERE Pre-order  HERE

This week on my UTV Bunker Book Review I'm doing a special feature on 'Ulster Noir' classic, Silver's City by Maurice Leitch Watch Here Order Here

I've 3 more terrific local reads for you this week.  This time I'm looking at books from Brian McGilloway, Claire McGowan and Stuart Neville. Watch Video Pre-Order Here

I like to occasionally put up a lighthearted ‘noir’ inspired parenting short story- here’s a bit of flash fiction ...  After The Big Sleep: A Parenting Noir The clock said that it wasn’t quite 8am. The atmosphere was already hostile. The temperature had been dropping rapidly. The three of us sat there in a rare moment of silence, the toast and porridge cooling on the table. Rain beat noisily against the window.  “I don’t like butter,” announced the six year old gruffly.  I didn’t react right away, composing myself.  “You liked it okay yesterday,” I replied evenly.  I picked up my coffee, drinking deeply, keeping my eyes set ahead. She was agitated. Her face contorted as if she was being forced to eat glass.  “Meow!” Screeched the cat from beside the table, demanding his own breakfast. “This is yucky,” broke in the three year old, spitting and spraying her porridge out all over the table.  I set my mug down, my hand ...

NEW RELEASE:  Bongo Fury Novella Collection & Soundtrack My new book is out today! It's a collection of my Bongo Fury novellas, including a new and final installment and an accompanying soundtrack.  You can grab a copy here if you like- cheers!  Amazon #crimefiction #newbook #ulsternoir #newrelease #emeraldnoir

😎🏆🍸    Competition time!     😎🏆🍸      Win a free ebook copy of Bongo Fury 2! Every correct answer a winner! This is for any both music and crime fiction fans! Just PM me your answer.  What does the title of the book and all the new main characters (including Merritt, Timmons and Morgan) have in common?? http://amzn.to/2fm7iME 

Hi all- my new book A KILL FOR THE POET is out now and my first book A CHASER ON THE ROCKS is free until Sunday. If you want to check them out- have a look  HERE Thanks!

Hi, my new novella is out on paperback now and pre-order for e-book. You can order a copy HERE It’s a gritty black comedy set in Northern Ireland and you can view the trailer   HERE If you would like to read a sample, please keep on reading- thank you! (Warning- contains bad language!) To my surprise, I actually had a few customers early on. They all spent less than a tenner, but cash is cash. The morning was uneventful and I closed up for an hour at lunch and went round to ‘The Diner’ café’. They did an amazing Ulster fry and chips. Two fucking plates full! Anyway, when I got back to the shop, I found the door ajar and the shitty lock had been broken off. I couldn’t see anyone inside, as I eased in around the door, my fists ready. Two men then casually sauntered out from my back room. “Hello Jimmy,” leered the first one. He was around my age, thinning on top, a thin face and a thin smile. The second was about twenty, still a little puffy ...