Simon Maltman Blogs

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 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 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 ...

I'm fortunate to be a part of some great upcoming events.  I thought I'd share them altogether here, for anyone interested in any of them.  The line up for the terrific Aspects Festival was announced last week. I'm very chuffed to be doing an event called Crime in the Castle , with the brilliant authors Brian McGilloway and Gerard Brennan  (22/09/18). You can check out the whole of the festival listings and can buy tickets on their website. I went to see Eric Bell as part of the awesome  Open House Festival last week and he was absolutely belting! I'm pleased to be reading at the launch of the excellent Bangor Literary Journal as part of the festival (25/08/18). They also have a feature on my writing in the August issue- it's a super magazine (From poets Amy and Paul Rafferty) and it's free to download. The event is also free- so if you're about Bangor- drop by! I'm going to be doing mini Belfast Noir tours as part of Culture Night ...