Simon Maltman Blogs

I’m really pleased for book number 5 to now be ‘out there!’  Buy Here  Here is a short reading from the first chapter and me telling you a little about the set up for the novel-  I also took the opportunity to record a wee promo tune- Lastly, here is a new interview I took part in about the new book-  Interview Take care everyone! 

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

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

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...

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 ...