Simon Maltman Blogs

So for the craic I released a new album this week!  There’s going to be a tie in short story collection out later in the year too.  Here’s a link to all the streamers-  Listen

This book has been a labour of love and I’ve had a blast putting it together and taking part in some launch events. I’m indebted to all of the brilliant authors who have been part of the collection- Colin Bateman, Stuart Neville, Sharon Dempsey, Kelly Creighton, Gerard Brennan and James Murphy.  Here’s the blurb about it- … Alternative Ulster Noir … The Cops Are Comin’ A collection of seven new NI crime short stories inspired by NI music. Enjoy a diverse anthology of work from some of the best NI thriller writers featuring Colin Bateman, Stuart Neville, Sharon Dempsey, Gerard Brennan, Kelly Creighton and James Murphy. Curated and edited by Simon Maltman, with one of his own new stories included. This collection was inspired by local artists including The Undertones, Van Morrison, Ash, Snow Patrol, Therapy? and more. … We put on a launch event last night in Bangor Carnegie Library- chatting, reading and playing a few songs. We also put on a fundraiser for Ukraine a few weeks ago in ...

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...

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 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

Gotta pass the time somehow! I've been enjoying working on some music in the evenings. I wonder what the inspiration is?! I haven't managed to get in the head space for any writing but this has been fun anyway. Amazon Kindle

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...

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

Here are a few of the tunes/ artists that are mentioned in my new book. I've created a playlist of them in You Tube that you can view all of through the link at the bottom.  Also, here is the book's namesake by the incredible Lee Morgan. I loved the name and the attributes of the snake being deadly and also able to hide in plain sight. I just thought- 'I'm having that title!' Playlist

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...