Simon Maltman Blogs

Here's a reading and a bit of chat about my new book... You can order THE MARK  HERE Paperback £7.99 Ebook £2.99

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'

The next few episodes I’m going to focus on the greats of American Crime Fiction- this week one of my all time favourites,  Richard Stark (Donald E Westlake) Watch on UTV  HERE 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 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...

Isolation Song 2! I enjoyed quickly writing and recording this over the last day- inbetween parenting and housework!- bit of a rockier one... Order Here

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...

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...

😎🏆🍸    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!

My Bestseller Bongo Fury is free on Amazon until Sunday! Book 2 is launched today and is only £1.99! (Both also available in paperback)   Get Here

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 ...