Simon Maltman Blogs

When I was writing my latest novel, Hunted, it was the first time I had really dealt with ‘The Troubles’ in one of my books. I had always avoided it as much as possible. Coming from here, there are many reasons why that is. But it's the elephant in the room. I’m not a fan of books that are directly ‘Troubles Books’ and many are perhaps unkindly known as ‘Troubles Trash.’ I am a fan of books that reference it and offer a particular and specific perspective, and that is what I have tried to do with my new series too. Here are 10 books that deal in some way with ‘The Troubles.’ There are many other great writers from this part of the world, but this list is specifically relating to the sectarian divide that has plagued Northern Ireland and my personal favourite novels relating to it. To name a few other brilliant writers from here that aren’t on this list would include Steve Cavanagh, Claire McGowan, James Murphy, Jan Carson, Paul Waters etc. etc. etc. There are so many great writers...

  Hello all! HUNTED is 99p on Kindle for 1 week. I have a new competition starting today. Just share one of my social media posts about it, download the book for 99p & screen-grab a pic. You can win a signed bundle of Hunted & 4 other books sent to your door.  Amazon

‘A  Docu -drama about a murder.  And the killer’s in the cast.’   Like thriller books?? Like true crime docs??  My new book is out now on ebook and paperback! Santa asked us to get it out before Christmas. I’m really pleased with the novel and what Red Dragon have done with it. You can get your copy here-  Amazon Here’s a little bit about it- ‘A  Docu -drama about a murder. And the killer’s in the cast.’   Jessica, an  up and coming  young director is helming her first full documentary. It focuses on the story of a young girl, murdered fifteen years before in New York. The girl’s father was convicted and has been in prison ever since. But he’s innocent. Joe killed her. Joe’s  killed a lot of people. When Joe sees the call for amateur actors to join the cast, he has an idea. Joe gets lots of ideas. That’s how he’s survived this long. But this time, has he gone too far? As always, I appreciate the support. Happy New Year eve...

  As we're in a kind of semi-lock-down again,  I’m back with some new book recommendations- click below to watch the UTV video...   Watch  HERE Buy The Mark  HERE

This week in the bunker- a chat about the awesome Scandi-Noir author - Jo Nesbo Watch on UTV  HERE Buy The Mark  HERE

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

This week- the governor! ... Raymond Chandler Watch on UTV  HERE Order The Mark  HERE

Playlist for THE MARK I thought I'd put together a playlist of some of the songs mentioned in the novel. Music always ends up being a big part of my books- I can't really help myself. There's quite a mix on here. Anyway- here are some cracker tunes to enjoy- YOUTUBE PLAYLIST ORDER 'THE MARK'

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

This week we have local authors including Colin Bateman  and Catriona King.  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’ve got three more cracking reads for you this week by another 3 great local writers. There are longer and more detailed written reviews down below. You Can Order My New Book Here The Chain Adrian McKinty It would be hard to have missed the buzz surrounding this book. It's taken the book world by storm, very justifiably. The concept of the only way of saving your kidnapped child is to kidnap another one is brilliant. It sets up a really pacy read by one of our top authors. The Terror Trilogy James Murphy James Murphy's debut is a confident stride into the world of 'Ulster Noir.' It is a complex mystery, with a nicely conceived assembly of interesting characters. The hook of a serial killer at large named Terror, using social media as his greatest weapon works well. There's lots to enjoy here and I look forward to the recently released sequel. Little Bird Sharon Dempsey This is an excellent serial killer...

I was approached by UTV (ITV) to provide some book content for these strange, isolated times. Watch on ITV   HERE I thought it would give me a great opportunity to promote the amazing NI Crime writing scene. Here's the first episode- they're all going to be super short- about 2 mins. I've copied in below the reviews that I had previously written for the featured books. I hope you find these little videos introduce you to some cool new books to keep you company, Take Care! Simon. For Info on my own books click   Here Kelly Creighton The Sleeping Season Someone going missing is not an event in their life but an indicator of a problem. Detective Inspector Harriet Sloane is plagued by nightmares while someone from her past watches from a distance. In East Belfast, local four-year-old River, vanishes from his room. Sloane must put her own demons to bed and find the boy. Before it’s too late. Steve Cavanagh Fifty Fifty  Just finished an early copy...

Here are just a few of my favourite books, TV, music and movies from this year.     What were your faves from 2019? Books What You Did- Claire McGowan A  compelling family mystery with plenty of dark secrets and twists The Chain- Adrian McKinty The behemoth that relaunched McKinty's career charting a terrifying child kidnapping network  An Eye for a Eye- Paul Heatley A funny and dark novella set in a seedy underworld in North England     (As usual I also read a load of books that weren't out this year. I read Misery for the first time- def my best read of the year! I also really enjoyed Mr Mercedes by King. I delved deeper into Lawrence Block's Scudder books- they have quickly become one of my top crime series) Movies Once Upon a Time in Hollywood My film of the year- he absolutely nailed it- nostalgic, atmospheric, thrilling and great fun The Irishman Perhaps best watched in a few sittings due to i...

BEL 1 EVE the HYP 3 ! As soon as the title and hook were first dropped, this novel was eagerly anticipated by many: "The serial killer isn't on trial. He's on the jury." It certainly doesn't disappoint and fully deserves the various high profile plaudits and the terrific sales in Ireland. Hopefully this will be repeated when it's released in other countries. Lawyer Eddie Flynn returns for a thriller that is much more than a courtrooms drama, though there is much tension to be found in the carefully crafted court scenes. Flynn soon becomes neck deep in the biggest case since OJ, while also on the hunt for a highly intelligent serial killer, who is... well- you know where he is! Steve Cavanagh effortlessly takes us on a breakneck run around New York with a twisty, turny plot that entertains with no lag. It is the definition of a page turner and I highly recommend it. You really won't want to put it down and I'm kind of disappointed that I...

The first release on the new No Alibis Press and it's a cracker! I've just finished Gerard Brennan's new novel and it's a really great read. The rise and rise of NI Crime Fiction just keeps getting better and the start to this year with the likes of Disorder and Thirteen (Steve Cavanagh) is very exciting. Disorder uses so called recreational rioting in Belfast as a backdrop to interweaving story strands that are created and manoeuvred skilfully. There is a great set of characters, with no out and out main protagonist; including a damaged and amoral cop, a stoner student in the wrong place, a sleekid American investor and a conflicted journalist. The prose packs a punch with lots of humourous local lingo set alongside tightly written scenes and some pretty hardboiled violence. There is a mystery element also involved, along with the feeling of dread approaching. The plot is tied up in a satisfying and somewhat unexpected way, with plenty of thrills and an emot...

Rain Dogs This was the second McKinty I had read and both are part of the Sean Duffy series. First thing to say is- I'm hooked! Sean Duffy is a Northern Irish detective, working during The Troubles in the 1980's. There are of course a gazillion modern police procedurals out there to choose from. I generally prefer other forms of crime fiction or even a PI opposed to an actual police officer story as a personal preference. I only enjoy the ones that really grab me and the Sean Duffy series certainly has! The last series to do so was Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole. This installment includes a locked room murder, conspiracy, lots of music references, Northern Irish settings and international intrigue. My recent novel included a locked room mystery, conspiracy, lots of music references, Northern Irish settings and international intrigue. I honestly hadn't read any McKinty before that and mine is nowhere near as good! Northern Irish crime fiction has so much great stuff go...