Matt Hilton Thrills

Action: Pulse Pounding Tales Vol 1 update

2012-03-17T18:10:00.002Z

http://www.facebook.com/ActionPulsePoundingTales

Action: Pulse Pounding Tales Vol 1 has its own Facebook page. Please nip on over and 'like' it to hear all the up to the minute news on the progress of this exciting project.

I will share cover images (already some draft covers included to look at) and will announce contributors as they are accepted. Some exciting news about some 'names' who have already agreed to come on board to follow.

In the meantime here's one draft cover image for your perusal:

...and here's a link to submission guidelines if you'd like to give it a go.
http://matthiltonbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/submissions-request.html

Lily Childs Unleashes her Cabaret of Dread

2012-03-16T10:58:00.001Z

At last, Lily Childs' CABARET OF DREAD: A HORROR COMPENDIUM, VOL 1 is on Amazon's virtual shelves, all ready to be downloaded, tagged and 'Liked'.

Any help in spreading the word will make Lily a happy, and grateful writer. She would LOVE to know what you think, and would also appreciate any reviews beyond words. Lily thanks you dear friends!

To buy, or download a sample:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KSVXQK for US/Canadian readers and http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007KSVXQK for Brit horror fans.

Product Description:

A terrifying collection of short horror stories by dark fiction author Lily Childs. These forty-three offerings comprise eleven long tales, including the previously unpublished:

- SMILING CYRUS - dancing dolls of death in your attic
- IN ADORATION - demonic rebirth, revenge and new skin
- STARING AT THE PINK - when the dead don't let go

Studded and stitched together by shorter pieces and tiny 100-word drabbles this first volume of Cabaret of Dread ends with:

- THE INFANTA TRIPTYCH - living, dying art - breathing, pulsing... ancient.
"Extreme vampire horror."

Words spill from the babbling mouths of demons and murderers throughout Cabaret of Dread, combining fear and even humour as the reader encounters serial killers and ghosts, historical entities and psychopaths, not to mention a scuttling vampire or two.

Cabaret of Dread is extreme horror FOR ADULTS ONLY. Ethereal and spiritual elements battle with the visceral and the insane; lustful adoration dallies with laboured, lingering death. The Cabaret will shock, it may well offend. But it is beautiful – at least in the author’s mind - and that’s where the darkness lies.

_________________________________

Praise for Cabaret of Dread

"Having read almost every story written by Lily Childs, I can confidently say that Britain has a new Queen of Dark Fiction. The prose crawl off the pages, down your spine, then drag you into the darkness." - Col Bury, Crime Editor at Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers ezine

"Lily Childs is a unique voice in horror fiction, both terrible and unsettling in its power, as darkly poetic as Poe, as gut-wrenching as Clive Barker. I'm a fan." Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter thrillers.

Submissions Request

2012-03-15T12:32:00.000Z

So here’s a project I have in mind, and amopening the door to submissions very soon – see final line of this message.

Does anyone have any familiarity with the1970s ‘action books’ typified by Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan: The Executioner, orWarren Murphy and Richard Sapir’s Remo Williams: The Destroyer? Do you rememberthe UK homegrown westerns by the Piccadilly Cowboys, exemplified by George GGillman’s Edge, Adam Steele, or The Undertaker? Have you any memory ofbarbarian swordsmen like Lin Carter’s Thongor, or Karl Edward Wagner’s Kane? Oreven the Kung Fu boom, where we had books like Marshall Macao’s K’Ing Kung Fu:Son of the Flying Tiger?

Those were the days when heroes were heroesand the action was furious and full-blooded. Often as not, the hero was quitethe opposite: an anti-hero. But he needed to be, to bring the kind of violentjustice to villains worse than him. Political correctness took a back seat,even as the bullets and karate chops were flying. Basically it was good oldharmless fun. It was a case of disengaging your moral compass and getting downwith the hero as they took on all comers, and they did it with balletic graceand uncompromising violence. Gratuitous? Yes. Realistic? No. Great fun? Youbetcha!!!

So here’s what I’m planning on doing:

I want to bring back the good old days…butwith a contemporary twist.

I’m looking to put together an ebookanthology of short fiction ‘based’ on those old style stories. However, whatI’m not looking for is stories set in the 1970s, where men wore big moustachesand women were wallflowers to be rescued. No. I’m looking for a fresh slant onthat style of books, set whenever and wherever you please, but the emphasismust be on ACTION and PACE. Your ‘hero’ can be male or female, or a group ofpeople. You can set your story now, or in the past (no future stories, OK), andcan set it in any genre you please. Go vigilante, go assassin, go cop, gosoldier, go adventurer, go gunslinger, go swordsman, go pirate, go highwayman,go all kung fu if you like. But do the do and make it big and brash andexciting. Make it slightly over the top. Splash your story with gore or withthe tang of cordite, and get pulses racing. Think Hollywood summer blockbuster!

Now here’s the deal.

Submissions should be emailed to matthiltonbooks@live.co.uk withthe word ‘ACTION’ in the subject line.

Attach your story as a Doc. Or Docx. File.

In the body of your email include up to a150 words bio (to appear in the book). Also include the title, word count andvery brief description of your story (i.e. this is a western starring agunslinger called Tombstone)

Your document should be double-line spacedin 14 point Times New Roman or Arial font, left justified, no space between paragraphs. Use a hard return to denote chapter breaks. Yourtitle should be on the first page, along with the name you write under and howyou wish it to appear in any credits.

I will accept reprints where stories haveappeared on blog or webzine sites, but only where you the author retain fullrights to offer the work. Please list where your story has appeared previously,for purposes of crediting. Original, unpublished work is preferred.

I expect a high influx of submissions.Submission does not guarantee publication. I will be looking to include onlythe best of the best for inclusion, and my decision is final. I reserve theright to first time publication, but the author retains all copyright beyondthis edition and can re-issue their story as they wish following publication.

I will include in the anthology a foreword,and short story, and will edit, format and design the ebook, as well as producea professional cover. It will be published under the banner of Sempre VigilePress, under the (working) title ACTION: Pulse Pounding Tales (Volume 1).

So what do you get out of this?

You get to be included in an anthologyalongside both established and aspiring authors. You get to broaden yourreadership, and build on your platform. You get exposure to readers you mightnot have come across otherwise.

But there is more.

Successful submissions will receive a oneoff payment. Yes, you heard it. I intend paying you for your work. It’s not amassive amount, but think of it as an extra little bonus on top of the otherbenefits.

Stories up to 2,000 words (give or take 100words) = £5.00 (or equivalent)

Stories up to 3,000 words (give or take 100words) = £10.00 (or equivalent)

Stories up to 4,000 words (give or take 100words) = £15.00 (or equivalent)

Stories up to 5,000 words = £20.00 (orequivalent)

Sorry, but no stories beyond the 5,000 wordlimit will be accepted.

Submissions are open now until midnight 30^thApril 2012. Acceptance notification willbe made by return email. If you are unsuccessful, please take my decision asfinal as I will not enter into discussion as to why your story was notchosen.

Good luck

Matt

For an idea of just what I'm looking for take a squint at the story below featuring Dirk Ramm. (There's also a handy link from the sidebar)

In addition, this is notice that I will be sending personal invites to certain authors, to raise the 'name' value of the book. You're going to be in good company.

Hard Boiled Collective: Redemption by Jochem Vanderstein

2012-03-12T17:34:00.002Z

REDEMPTION - a Noah Milano novelette
Twenty years ago he tortured and killed a young boy. Now he is out of prison, ready to find redemption confronting the victim's parents.
He hires Noah Milano, security specialist and son of LA's biggest mobster to protect him.
When the unexpected happens it's up to Noah Milano to do what he thinks is right and make sure justice is done.
Praise for Noah Milano and Jochem Vandersteen:

Jeremiah Healy, author of TURNABOUT and THE ONLY GOOD LAWYER: "J. Vandersteen takes us back to the glory days of pulp fiction. And I mean the genre, NOT the movie. His Noah Milano character rings completely true as a tough, lone-wolf private."
Wayne D. Dundee - author of the Joe Hannibal series: The difference is mainly in the character of Noah Milano himself, a man struggling both internally and externally to break free from his "Family" ties and to walk his own path toward what he deems Right and Just. This is good stuff. Read and enjoy."
Les Roberts, author of the Milan Jacovich series: "Noah Milano is all too human, which makes him more appealing."
"Terrific stuff.'' - Lori G. Armstrong, author of Snowblind
'Noah Milano walks in the footsteps of the great P.I,.'s, but leaves his own tracks." - Robert J. Randisi, founder of PWA and The Shamus Award
Jochem's deep and abiding love for classic pulp fiction comes through on every page, and his stories continue the time-honored tradition of the hardboiled American PI." -Sean Chercover, author of Trigger City.
''The writing is fresh and vivid and lively, paying homage to the past while standing squarely in the present." -James W. Hall, author of Silencer.
''Great pop sensibility with a nod to the classic L.A. PIs.'' - David Levien, author 13 Million Dollar Pop

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JFYFTG

Satisfaction Guaranteed: A Dirk Ramm story

2012-03-06T19:40:00.001Z

Occasionally my detractors have made snide remarks about my writing style, saying that it verges on pulp fiction, or is akin to the action men adventure books of the 1970s and early 1980s. hell yeah, I say in reply. I loved reading those books, and they did indeed inspire me somewhat to write the Joe Hunter books. It also got me thinking, and I thought, why not? So I followed my urge to pen my own little homage to heroes like Remo Williams, Mack Bolan and Nick Carter.

So, for your delectation, I present (with tongue firmly in cheek, and innuendoes at full throttle) Dirk - The Battering Ram - Ramm, and his sheath of steel in:

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Dirk Ramm guided the speedboat across a seaas flat and grey as a steel sheet. He’d cut the outboard motor beyond the twinhorns of the bay, using a paddle to bring the boat to shore silently. A broadswathe of sand stretched before him, barely marked by the footprints of thosethat patrolled the grounds further up the incline. The armed guardsconcentrated their time searching the forest either side of the big house,doubting anyone would be stupid enough to be as open in their approach as Ramm.

Rammwasn’t stupid, though he was all for straightforward action. Still, he’d beenthoughtful enough to cut the engine so that he wouldn’t raise the alarm toosoon. Fishermen plied their trade out beyond the rocky promontories thatsheltered the bay from the storms that frequently tore through the islands offLong Island Sound. His engine noise would have been assumed to be that of afishing boat returning home with full nets.

Hebrought the boat to a halt, jamming his paddle into the sand. The boat listedto one side. He jumped from the prow, landing cat-footed. He immediately wentto a crouch, using all his senses to check for observers. In one hand he heldhis trusty firearm – a Makarov he’d taken from a Spetsnaz killer in theBalkans. The gun had proven to be a faithful companion for years and hepreferred the gun to the newer more fashionable models sported by hiscontemporaries. The gun’s holster was nestled on his hip, alongside a sheaththat carried his second weapon of choice – a razor sharp Tanto knife. Thosewere his only items of equipment, and the only items to break the matte blackof the sweatshirt and combat trousers he wore tucked into military issue boots.

Therewas no shout of challenge.

Comingto his full height of six feet and two inches of wiry muscle, Ramm went up thebeach as fleetingly as the shadows cast by clouds scudding past the doleful eyeof the moon. He moved with the grace of a dancer, but never had the choreographof dance carried such menace. The forest was a ragged barrier, but through thefoliage he could make out the lights in the big house. Behind one of thewindows he hoped to find Missy Dolan, and the bastard who’d snatched her. Godhelp anyone who stood between them and Ramm.

Hethought about how he’d promised Missy that he’d protect her, that she need fearno man while with him. At the time she’d been lying with her head on his nakedchest, the two of them slick from the exertion of lovemaking. His thoughtsturned sour when he thought of Brandon Gitchsler, and how the punk mobster hadsnatched Missy from Ramm’s bed. The place where Missy should have felt at hersafest had proven both of them wrong. Damn it, if he hadn’t stolen out early tofetch carryout breakfast and coffee from Jimmy’s Diner, then Missy wouldn’t bein this predicament now. Ramm was a man who didn’t keep his cupboards or fridgestocked: he was never home long enough to build up supplies the way ordinarypeople did. On his return to his apartment, he’d expected to find Missy in theshower, had entertained thoughts of joining her there for another energeticbout of sex, but his ardor and hopes had deflated when seeing that the doorlock had been kicked loose from the frame. He’d immediately set aside theirbreakfast, and under cover of a fold of his leather coat had drawn his Makarov,the unique action of the downward holster draw meaning the slide racked andplaced a round in the breach: ready for action. Anticipating trouble, he’dentered the apartment the way he always faced danger, head-on and with akilling haze buzzing in his skull. He’d found only damp sheets where his lover hadlain so recently before. Missy, for all she was a headstrong dame, and neverone to commit exclusively to any one man, wasn’t the type to run out on himlike this. She certainly wasn’t the type to leave a size ten footprint on hisfront door as a parting kiss. It didn’t take much figuring who was responsiblefor snatching Missy: she’d told Ramm all about Gitschler’s claim that no womanhad ever walked away from him and lived.

Now,Ramm moved for the trees swearing that if he was too late to save her, then Gitchslerwould be sorry he’d ever laid eyes on Missy Dolan, because Ramm’s Makarov wouldtattoo her name on his forehead. The Tanto he’d used to spay the motherfucker.

Thefoliage closed in around him, and Ramm stooped so that he didn’t disturb thelow-hanging leaves. Insect sounds went on unabated as he padded through thewoods, undisturbed by the alien presence of the silent killer in their midst:perhaps the chitinous things were used to armed men prowling through theirdomain.

Aradio crackled nearby.

Hisfirst instinct was to hold his breath but Ramm didn’t. Training overtookinstinct, and instead he continued breathing shallowly, his mouth making ahollow oval allowing the keenness of his hearing to be untroubled by theinternal thrum of his organs.

Aguttural voice whispered a response. Ramm recognised the language if not thewords spoken. Russian. It made sense that Gitchsler should surround himself bythugs from his homeland, because Brandon Gitchsler was an assumed identity forLeonid Dzerzhinsky, once a feared officer of the KGB, and later an even morefearsome name among the post-Glasnost Russian Mafia. Tales concerningDzerzhinsky’s legendary cruelty held no fear for Ramm: he carried a fewlegendary tales of his own, and more than ninety per cent of them were true.

Creepingforward, to hide in the lea of a large tree trunk, Ramm surveyed the areabefore him. The Russian who’d responded to the radio message stood ten feetaway. He was the clichéd Russian bear, a huge man, whose shoulders and cheststretched the leather of his long black coat. His head was square, with asevere buzz cut topping heavy brows in which cold grey eyes twinkled. Rammchecked out the man’s hands. They were calloused, and massive: the favouredweapons of a killer who preferred to stare into the face of those he throttledto death. Slung over the man’s left shoulder was an AK47 assault rifle, but itwas as if the gun was simply an adornment the guard was forced to wear.

Rammwas his equal in height, if not in girth. But where the Russian held the upperhand in raw power Ramm held it in nerve and in righteous fury. Ramm moved onthe guard. The big man was not the ox he first appeared. He pivoted at thesound of Ramm’s boots scuffing earth, and unsurprised at the man chargingtowards him, he opened his arms in greeting. He didn’t strike a wrestler’spose, but made knives of both huge hands, grinning at the prospect of violence.

Theguard’s left hand scythed the air.

Rammducked the solid edge of the hand, felt the wind that was displaced by themassive forearm behind it, and he swung with the barrel of his gun to check thefollow up blow that came at his throat. The big man continued to move forward behindhis blows, and he came chest to chest with Ramm. Taking a lead from his bestialnamesake, Ramm butted his forehead into the man’s face and felt the squish ofbreaking nose cartilage. Such a blow would slow – if not totally disable - mostmen, but the big Russian seemed unfazed. He merely spat the blood out thatstreamed into his mouth, half-blinding Ramm. Then the killer’s knife handsjammed at Ramm’s torso. Ramm managed to knock an arm aside, but one stiffenedset of fingers stabbed him in the gut, and it was almost as if he’d beenspeared by a lance. He exhaled harshly,but only in anger. Then, using the Makarov as a bludgeon he cut an arc throughthe air that ended on the Russian’s skull. The raised sight on the barrel torea furrow through the buzz cut, while the barrel itself landed with brunt forcetrauma. The Russian’s knees lost some of their bounce. Ramm disengaged, took astep to one side and delivered a roundhouse kick to the man’s testicles. As theman folded further over, Ramm holstered his Makarov, then plucked the AK47 offthe brute’s shoulder, reversed the butt and slammed it repeatedly against thenape of his bull neck. The man fell prone in the dirt: he wouldn’t be gettingup again.

Rammcast away the AK, plucked the radio and earpiece from the corpse and then movedon. The Russian was the first to die tonight, he told himself, more wouldfollow. He fed the earpiece into his left ear, listening for clues of where hemight find Missy or Gitchsler. The radio at that time was silent.

Ahead,a trail wound through woodland, and he could see some sort of hut straddlingthe path about fifty yards in front. He padded along the trail. A word wasspoken in his earpiece. It came too quickly to translate, but its tone told himenough to throw himself aside. Tracer rounds burned the air where he’d been asecond before, and screaming projectiles tore the foliage to shreds around him.Ramm tucked and rolled, came to one knee, and in the same motion his hand foundthe Makarov and brought it up. He fired twice, the two rounds coming in suchclose procession that it sounded like a single crack. The shooter in the hutlet out a cry, and his shots went skyward as he fell back into the darkness.Ramm thought the man dead – or severely wounded at least – but made sure. Herushed for the hut, vaulted through the open window and fired two more bulletsinto the prone figure on the floor, all before the man’s cry had stoppedechoing between the trees.

Gitchslerhad many enemies. His normal routine would be to surround himself with armedguards. But it was apparent that the security levels had been raised. WhenGitchsler’s people had come for Missy, it was with prior knowledge of whomshe’d sought protection from. If the Russian mobster had checked him out, then he’dhave learned that Ramm wasn’t the kind who’d let things lie. He’d mounted adefence in full expectation of violent retaliation. Proof of that was the wayin which his men were primed for assault, and by the heavy artillery they’dbrought to the fight. Unlike he had with the first guard’s AK, Ramm picked upthis one’s gun, a Heckler and Koch MP5, a weapon he was more familiar with. Hegrabbed spare clips of ammunition from the dead man’s coat pocket, then was outof the hut and running through the woods before anyone could corner him.

Thebig house loomed large in a clearing in the woods. Manicured lawns, topiary,fountains, the business. Beautiful in their way, but all that Ramm recognisedthe decorations as were barricades he could use as he approached the house. IfGitchsler had any sense he’d have had the woods felled, the grounds laid togravel and given no cover to an invader. Ramm sprinted for a fountain, andcrouched down behind the granite bowl, placing a statue of water-sprayingnymphs between him and the gunman that opened up from a parapet on theroofline. Stinging shards of granite spritzed the air around him, buckled andspent bullets whining off into the topiary hedges nearby. Ramm waited a pause,then shouldered the MP5, and came out shooting. He didn’t go sideways, wherewas the sense in that? He made progress. Ever forward, that was his motto. Hefired as he rushed fearlessly for the front of the house, forcing the man onthe roofline to seek cover. Another man appeared to his right and Ramm cut himdown without remorse. Blood hung in the air like a mist after the man hadfallen.

Thehuge door of the house felt the impact of Ramm’s size twelve’s, and it swunginward and slammed against the supporting wall. Ramm sprayed the interior withthe MP5 on full-auto. Men who’d been kneeling in the hall, in anticipation oflaunching an ambush were cut to shreds. He snapped in a fresh clip of ammo,slapped the bolt to charge the gun and entered as he fired another volley ofrounds. Voices called from the back of the house, and were played in stereo bythe earpiece. He pulled the radio loose and threw it away now it was of no useto him. A man appeared, tall, skinny, pale eyed: Ramm put him down with aselected shot to the throat.

Anothertwo gunmen were partway up a staircase. The stairwell was opulent, looking likesomething out of Gone With The Wind.Ramm frankly didn’t give a damn. He tore the stairs, the oak bannisters and thetwo gunmen to pieces with a sustained burst of gunfire. The MP5 ran dry. Hethrew it aside. Brought out his Makarov. It was apt in his mind that theRussian gun should slay the Russian mobster.

He’dlost count of the number of Russian mobsters he’d killed. Didn’t really matter.So far as he was concerned he’d keep on killing until there was no more Russianmobsters left in the world. It was the Russian Mafia who’d murdered his parentsand younger brother five years earlier, and Ramm had been seeking thoseresponsible ever since. For all he knew any of the men who lay in tatters athis feet could have been among the hitters who’d indiscriminately murdered hisloved ones, as well as the other twenty-three tourists on the coach they’d shotto pieces. Reputedly Moscow was safe for tourists, and it had been sheer misfortunethat saw the tour bus drive into the middle of a gang war having taken a wrongturn for St Peter’s Square. Ramm thought otherwise, and that the coach had beenspecifically targeted when it was learned that his folks were on board. Ramm,five years ago, had gone by another name – Codename Battering Ram – and he’dbeen the most feared guided weapon in the CIAs arsenal. Following the murder ofhis family, and the subsequent Burn Notice handed down by his former masters,Ramm had taken war to the Russian Mafia in his own inimitable way.Notwithstanding her current predicament, he wouldn’t have ignored Missy Dolan’splight even if the Russian Mob hadn’t been involved, but he had to admit thatit made this fight all the more personal.

Fromabove Ramm heard a scream. It wasn’t the shout of another of Gitchsler’s mencoming to the fight. It was female, and a voice he recognised. When Missy hadshared his bed she’d called out similarly, though at the time her voice hadbeen throaty and less tinged with pain.

Hetook the stairs three at a time.

Aburly man appeared from a doorway to his left, holding a large machete. He wasas big as the first thug Ramm had killed tonight, but his skin glistened asdarkly as the first man’s was pale. He was an unusual man to be in cahoots withthe Red Mafia. Perhaps he’s one of those Black Russians he’d heard about, Rammthought whimsically as he placed a round in the black guy’s forehead. He gavethe dead man little notice as he tumbled over the banister and down the stairs.

Atthe head of the staircase was a wide landing, and at its centre a huge doubleset of doors. From beyond the huge portal came the yelp of Missy Dolan oncemore. Also Ramm could hear the bark of Gitchsler, and the corresponding repliesof a gathering of men. He was under no illusions here: he’d been drawn to thisplace, Missy being the bait. But it had always occurred to Ramm that, once hisidentity had been discovered, this was as much about drawing him into a trap asanything else, rather than it was Gitchsler simpler getting his main squeezeback. He wondered who was waiting for him behind those doors. Not nickel anddime punks like those who’d been sacrificed already, he bet.

Ever forward, he told himself.

Butnot by the direct route.

Goingthrough those doors was tantamount to instant death.

Hechecked and saw another door to the extreme left and he went through that wayinstead, finding himself in a narrow stairwell that should take him to theroof. He recalled that there was a gunman up there. So what, he decided, lastplace anyone would expect him was up there. He went up the stairs and pushedout onto a balustrade that ran the length of the side façade of the big house.Crouching near the front corner was the rifleman who’d tried to kill him out bythe fountain. The guy didn’t see or hear death coming for him. Ramm shot him inthe back of the skull. Then he checked for what was a feature of this style ofsteepled roof: an access hatch into the attic space. He discovered it at theback of the house and went inside. Theattic was jet-black darkness and the footing precarious, as he would betraversing beams. Walking along the balustrade from front to back after killingthe shooter, he’d counted his steps. He now stepped out three quarters of thesame number along the central wooden beam. He checked his Makarov, held itclose to his side, even as, with his other hand he eased out his Tanto blade.Then he took a jump to one side, snapped both heels together and plummetedthrough the fragile ceiling of the room where his enemies had gathered.

Hissurprise entrance was both noisy, and disconcerting. While he bent his knees toabsorb the fall of more than fifteen feet, his gun was already on its way upand he capped two shooters with their eyes screwed shut against the fall ofplaster and dust. He pivoted, shot another man, then another. The rubble he’dknocked loose hadn’t even finished clattering to the hardwood floor before fourmen beat it to it. Shouts rang out; Ramm remained silent. His Makarov spoke forhim. It barked once, twice, three times, and another trio of would be killershad the tables turned on them.

Rammmoved.

Theinitial surprise appearance was spent and guns began tracking him.

Rammcounted figures.

Eightstill living: one of them Missy.

Around hit him in the chest.

Rammstaggered, but fired back, and his attempted killer fell with a gaping wound inhis skull.

Twomen to his left, two to the right. They opened up, their handguns belchingdeath. Sadly their target was no longer in their bullets’ trajectories becauseRamm had tucked and rolled again. Crossfire took out a man to each side beforethose still living realised their error. By then it was too late for the man onthe right. Ramm fired on him, took out his left knee, and as the guy crumpledin agony, Ramm put another round in his bean. That only left one of theoriginal four standing, but Ramm was quick to charge in, taking another solidpunch of lead into his chest on the way. The guy should have aimed higher,because his heart shots didn’t stop Ramm, only left him open to a swipe of theTanto across his throat. Blood fanned the air around him. Ramm grabbed thedying man by his gun arm and twisted with him, placing the body between him andthe other bullets seeking his life. Ramm felt the impact of half a dozenbullets in his human shield, even as he sucked in oxygen to shake off thewounds he’d taken.

Duststill billowed in the room.

Moreplaster fell from above, jagged lumps that thudded on the hardwood floor. Inthe moving dust clouds Ramm checked for his remaining three enemies. One suitedand booted guy was crouching behind a plush couch, his silver hair bobbing upand down as he shouted orders. The silver crown belonged to Brandon Gitchslerand Ramm was tempted to put an extra splash of colour in it with a well-placedbullet, but he resisted the temptation: he wanted Gitchsler for last. The finaltwo hitters had concluded that their sharp shooting skills weren’t as good asthey hoped. They’d figured it out that Ramm was wearing a ballistic vest ofsome kind beneath his sweatshirt, and that they were wasting their timeshooting at centre mass. They didn’t know that Ramm was wearing an experimentalIsraeli nanocomposite anti ballistic/stab suit beneath his entire clothing, andthat bullets to his legs wouldn’t stop him either. They wasted a few secondsfiguring that out too.

Rammfired over the corpse’s shoulder, taking out one of the men. Then it happened:the dead man’s click. The slide on his gun locked open as his ammunition ran dry.

Rammthrew aside the now shattered human shield, and re-holstered his Makarov. Thedead man’s gun was on the floor at his feet, but to bend for it would placeRamm’s unguarded skull firmly in the shooter’s sights. He gripped his Tanto andleapt for the man. The mobster wasted what little opportunity he had left infiring his gun at Ramm’s head. But the target was too elusive, the bulletsmissing entirely or whacking off Ramm’s Burly shoulders. By the time the gunmanchanged tactics and kicked out at Ramm, it was too late. Ramm’s blade danced inand out, slicing the tendons at the back of the thug’s knees, then as hecollapsed like a clipped puppet, ended in the juncture of throat andbreastbone. During Ramm’s vicious assault, he’d snatched the gunman’s pistolout of his dying fingers. He turned it on Gitchsler as the mob boss stood up,showing placating palms.

‘Don’tshoot, Ramm. I’m unarmed.’

‘Giveme one good reason why I shouldn’t.’

‘BecauseI’m not your real enemy here.’

‘Whatare you talking about, punk? You kidnapped Missy. Laid this trap for me. Nowyou’re trying to tell me it’s all been some big mistake?’

‘No,’Gitchsler said. ‘None of this was a mistake. It was indeed a plot to draw youhere and kill you. There’s a rather large bounty on your head. But I wasn’t theone who wanted to claim it.’

Rammfrowned at the man’s words. If not Gitchsler, then who?

‘Itwas me,’ Missy Dolan said from behind him as she brought down a heavy vase onRamm’s head.

Stunnedby the blow, Ramm staggered. Missy followed quickly, tripping him with one ofher finely turned ankles. He sprawled on the floor in a billow of dust andplaster particles. Gitchsler bounded at him, stamping down on his gun hand andpinning it to the floor. Missy snatched the Tanto out of the throat of thenearby corpse and placed it against the nape of Ramm’s neck.

‘Fightme,’ she warned, ‘and I’ll do worse than kill you. I will insert this bladebetween your vertebra and leave you a cripple from the neck down.’

‘Damnit,Missy, what’s this all about? You telling me you played me like a fool and setall this in motion? For what…Money?’

‘Themoney means nothing to me, Ramm. I am only interested in satisfaction.’

‘Igave you more satisfaction than this old man could, I bet,’ Ramm growled.

‘Isthat all you think about? Sex?’

‘Withyou, Missy? No. There was more than the great sex, I actually thought I likedyou too.’

‘Likedme, ha! Was that your big dream, Ramm? That we’d fall in love, live happilyever after? Did you really think I could love a man like you?’ Missy sneered.‘You are a fool and an egotist to boot. I was just playing a part.’

‘Sothat wasn’t my name you were whispering during the throes of passion, you werejust giving me instruction?’

‘Yourego is about the most inflated thing about you, Ramm. Now shut up and listen tome. It’s as I said: I want satisfaction.’

Missystood up relaxing the blade from his nape, but it was only a split-secondbefore Gitchsler had the gun out of his hand and aimed at his skull.

‘Turnover on your back, but keep your hands where I can see them,’ Gitchsler warned.

Rammrolled over.

Hefolded his hands over his abdomen. Prone, as he was, it was evident how manybullets had struck him from the number of charred holes in his sweatshirt andthe strands of faux spider silk padding sticking out of them. The super tensilesilk, and the nano-gel inserts beneath, had halted all the bullets. They hadstopped the murderous projectiles if not the pounds per inch impacts and,beneath his suit, Ramm knew he’d be black and blue from neck to navel. The painof his bruises would follow soon, if he was allowed to live that long.

Gitchslergrinned down at him.

‘Tothink that some of the Red Mafia’s best have failed to stop you, and all ittook to bring down the dreaded Battering Ram was to lay a honey trap.’

Rammignored the mob boss’s taunting, looking instead at Missy. She mugged at him,hands at her throat, letting out a pealing scream the likes of which drew himto this room.

‘Thatwas always your weakness, Ramm. Never could turn down a damsel in distress,could you?’ she said.

‘Actually,I don’t see it as a weakness,’ Ramm said. ‘In my book it’s a virtue.’

‘Yes,but when was that book written…the goddamn Victorian era?’

Rammsmiled at her misplaced humour.

‘Youknow something, Missy. You’re even more beautiful like this. A little anger inyour eyes, instead of the tears you used to suck me in to your trap.’

Shesnorted at him.

Rammwasn’t telling lies. He did indeed believe she looked incredibly beautiful. Butthen Ramm always found serpents beautiful too, and he was under no illusionthat she was as deadly as a nest of rattlesnakes.

‘What’syour real name, Missy?’

Missybalanced the hilt of his Tanto in her left palm as she teased the diamond tipwith a well manicured fingernail. ‘So you’re not as dumb as you look. You’vefigured it out, eh?’

‘Yousaid you wanted satisfaction,’ Ramm explained. ‘If you weren’t talking about inthe sack, then that leaves only one other thing: Revenge.’

Sheflipped the blade, caught the hilt in her left hand, tossed it to the right,the blade projecting below her fist. She knew how to handle his weapon, Rammnoted. But that, he now understood, was always a given.

‘MissyDolan. I get it now: You’re Mizinovskaia Dolohova? Daughter of Petrov Dolohov?’

‘Thesame Petrov Dolohov that you murdered, Ramm,’ she reminded him.

Hehad no excuse. He had indeed murdered her father, albeit as payback for themurder of his own parents and brother.

‘Youdid not recognise me when I came to you like this.’ Missy ran a languid handdown her voluptuous body. ‘Not surprisingly, I suppose. I was only fifteenyears old the last time you laid eyes on me. Aah, I see now that you remember.Yes, I was that plain looking child, yet to flourish into full womanhood, whenyou left me crying over the body of my dead father. I swore then that one day Iwould have the satisfaction of seeing you lying dead at my feet.’

‘Andnow that the time has come, does it give you the sense of justice you thought itwould?’ Ramm asked.

Missyeyelids flickered momentarily.

‘Andyet you haven’t got it in you to kill me when you have the chance,’ he said.‘As you did not when I lay asleep in your arms last night. You could have aseasily took my knife then and cut my throat. I don’t think you know exactlywhat you want from me, Missy.’

‘Don’tflatter yourself,’ she said. Her gaze flicked to Gitchsler. ‘Do it, Leonid.Shoot him dead.’

Gitchsler– or Leonid Dzerzhinsky – took a look around at the devastation that Ramm hadwrought upon both his home and his personal army, and he smiled insatisfaction. ‘Gladly,’ he crowed.

Hepointed the gun at Ramm’s head, pulled the trigger and the gun bucked in hishand.

Rammdidn’t die. Not because his skull was bulletproofed, but that he’d jerked toone side at the very last moment and the bullet only punched throughfloorboards. Jerking back again, Ramm’s one hand came away from where he’dunsnapped the buckle on his belt, while the other held a grip on the leather.As he continued to roll to one side, he unfurled the belt, swinging it up andout at Gitchsler. The holster and Makarov wedged into it smacked painfullyagainst Gitchsler’s extended hand, knocking the gun aside, as Ramm smartlybounded to his feet. Before Gitchsler could take another shot, Ramm swung thebelt and its load at his face, smashing teeth and jaw into pulp. Ramm hadpromised himself he would use the Makarov to kill the mobster, and that’sexactly as he intended now. He snatched the gun out of the holster, and drovethe barrel deep between Gitchsler’s sagging jaws, directly through the softpalate and into his brain. The Russian mobster’s eyes crossed, then Rammtwisted the gun in his grip, stirring the grey matter with the extended sightson the tip of the barrel. As Gitchsler slipped dead to the floor, Ramm withdrewthe gore-drenched gun and turned to face Missy.

Hethought her beautiful before.

Nowher face was twisted with the ugly light of murder.

Sheshrieked like a wild cat and came at him, the glinting Tanto stabbing at hisface.

Rammsidestepped her lunge, and as she had with him earlier, he stuck out a foot andtripped her. Instead of going face down on the floor, Missy floundered to keepher balance, but her heels skidded on the hardwood floor and she couldn’t haltherself. She pitched headfirst directly into one of the large floor to ceilingwindows that Ramm had earlier wondered if he’d find her behind. The glassshattered, erupted outwards, and Missy flew into space, screaming. Ramm hadnoted on his way in the mobster’s lack of security arrangements concerning hisgrounds, and he knew now that Gitchsler had also been lacking when it came toshoring up his house. Some bulletproof glass would have stopped her plunge,saving Missy a smashed skull after falling thirty feet to the hard ground.

Rammstood at the shattered window, staring down at the dead woman.

Shame,he thought, because he really had liked her.

Noregrets, he told himself. Missy had been the daughter of a Russian mob boss.Judging by the apparent power she’d held over Gitchsler, she herself had ratedhighly in the hierarchy, and his enemy.

Rammpicked up Gitschler’s discarded weapon.

Therewere still Russian mobsters alive in the house and grounds.

Hewasn’t going to be finished until he’d killed every last one of them.

Nowthat the parameters of this night’s mission had altered, their deaths would beRamm’s only guaranteed form of satisfaction.

End.

Hard Boiled Collective : Timothy Hallinan's The Bone Polisher

2012-03-06T15:21:00.000Z

2011 Edgar and Macavity nominee Timothy Hallinan's sixth and final novel featuring erudite Los Angeles private eye Simeon Grist takes place in the West Hollywood of 1995, where the community is shaken by the brutal killing of an older man who was widely loved for his generosity and kindness. In a time when the police were largely indifferent to crimes against gay people, Simeon is hired to catch the murderer—and finds himself up against the most dangerous adversary of his career, a man who kills his victims not once, but twice: once physically and once in spirit. The story's climax takes place at a memorable Halloween-themed wake, but there's a big plot twist yet to come.

BOOKLIST said, "Do yourself a favor and read it!"

MOSTLY MURDER called it, "Creepy and screamingly funny."

Available now at all on-line stockists.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polisher-Simeon-Grist-Mystery-ebook/dp/B007D857PK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331047425&sr=1-1

The Dead Zone

2012-03-05T15:17:00.001Z

It has been a funny old time for me lately, where life has impeded much more on my writing time than it has in the past couple of years. As a result, writing the latest in the Joe Hunter saga (No 10 working title: The Lawless Kind) felt different than when penning the previous books in the series. Anyone who knows me probably know also that I like to write from the seat of my pants and rip into the book with gusto. However, with life and all its little problems and connotations getting in the way, I wrote JH10 in fits and starts. I was grabbing time here and there, writing half a chapter here, half a chapter there, then a few days would go by, then another half a chapter and so on. It reminded me very much of what it was like when I was holding down a 'proper job' and only got to write during brief periods as and when I could. To be honest, it wasn't a nice feeling. But anyhow, that besides, the book is now finished and delivered to my editor, and initial reports are good indeed.

But now I'm at that shaky place authors sometimes find themselves, where they don't know what to get on with next. In truth, I'm well ahead of the game with my Hunter books, but don't want to wallow and prefer to get on with the next. However I also have some other projects in mind that I'd like to get out of my system.

My editor, with good intentions, suggested i should take a few moths off from writing and enjoy myself for a change. Good advice. Except I get my enjoyment from writing. No: I must write. I'm going to start throwing around a few ideas and see which one grabs me most. Don't know yet what it will be, but at heart I'm a thriller writer, so I bet my leanings go that-away.

Reviewing the Evidence of No Going back

2012-02-21T11:14:00.000Z

Here's a superb review of No Going Back by Linda Wilson at Reviewing The Evidence. A well thought out, constructive and objective look at how Joe Hunter and his female friends have changed over the books. Thank you Linda.

http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/review.html?id=9107

On Writing Joe Hunter

2012-02-21T11:06:00.003Z

I was recently asked to write an article on writing the Joe Hunter thrillers for top class crime fiction/review site SHOTSMAG, and the article is now up here: http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/feature_view.aspx?FEATURE_ID=196

In it I talk about inspirations (some you might guess, some you might not), my writing day and style, and how Joe Hunter was born, and has grown and changed over the past seven books. Hope you enjoyed the read and learn something new.

Shotsmag Does 'No Going Back' proud.

2012-02-04T14:59:00.001Z

Chuffed to bits that another great review has come in for 'No Going Back' - this time from Kirstie Long at Shotsmag. Thanks youse guys.

http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/book_reviews_view.aspx?book_review_id=420

Through the (5) Looking Glasses

2012-02-01T20:16:00.002Z

http://www.crimesquad.com/reviews.asp

I'm pleased to announce that the new Joe Hunter thriller - No Going Back - has received a superb five looking glasses (or five stars if you prefer) review over at Crimesquad.com.

Thanks to reviewer Graham Smith for the superb review and not to mention an eminently quotable line in 'lycra tight prose'; I'm definitely going to steal that one!

While you're there, also check out the review for Graham Smith's very own Harry Charters ebook, which I personally highly recommend for your Kindles.

Dominion gets its dues at Guilty Conscience

2012-01-29T13:10:00.001Z

http://www.lucaveste.com/2012/01/review-dominion-matt-hilton.html?spref=fb

For those of you unaware that I recently decided to self-publish a stand alone horror/thriller, you might want to click over to Luca Veste's site 'Guilty Conscience' to hear what Luca thought of the book. It's NOT Joe Hunter, and it ISN'T published via my usual publishers. It IS called DOMINION and a whole lot of monster fighting FUN.

Long v Short

2012-01-27T15:32:00.002Z

I recently guest blogged at Kindle and talked about the difference (for me) of writing short Joe Hunter stories as opposed to full length novels. Take a shufty here if you';d like to read what i had to say on the subject.
http://www.kindlepost.co.uk/2012/01/the-long-and-the-short-of-it.html

Blizzards Won't Stop Me (only slow me down)

2012-01-25T15:36:00.000Z

I've been on my travels recently, the biggest journey being a trip across the Atlantic to visit various cities in the Mid-west USA to promote CUT and RUN.

Mid-January perhaps isn't the best time to travel to the great lakes area, because of the inclement weather. I'd been watching the weather forecasts and saw that snow was expected. But I didn't let it stop me. More worrying was the thought of five different flights (that makes ten take-offs and landings) in less than a week, plus the prospect of driving on the right hand side, in a left had drive car, automatic instead of gear stick, for the very first time (apart from an aborted attempt in Spain one time when I drove the wrong way into a one way system EEK!). But, hey, am I not a roughty-toughty thriller author, unfazed by such things as these? Supposedly. Anyway, I girded my loins, jacked myself up on Kalms, and set off.

My wife went with me, and good job because she's the only thing that keeps me from blowing a fuse in the airport. The flight to Newark was fine - getting through Immigration wasn't. Is it me or is immigration at Newark the slowest process in the world? Had to run to make my connecting flight to Pittsburgh and only made it by the skin of my teeth. The flight into Pittsburgh was a bit bumpy, but having been on the go for a day and a half by then I managed to sleep most of it. Thank you Kalms.

My first event was at 'Mystery Lovers' book store, Oakmont, Pittsburgh, and it was a real treat. A beautiful bookshop in a beautiful location, with some very welcoming readers and shop staff. Also, a pleasant surprise was meeting 'Donna' a friend I'd made by chance when visiting Baltimore a few years ago. Who knew how small a world the earth had become?

That day blizzards had forced Chicago O'Hare airport to cancel 500 flights and the prospects of making my next engagement was looking grim. But it was off to the airport and with a slight delay - and the need to have our plane de-iced on the runway - we took off and arrived safely in Chicago. This is where good friend, and Bouchercon maestro, Judy Jongsma Bobalik showed up to whisk us around town and show us all the sights. I'd preconceptions - or misconceptions - about Chicago based on watching old mobster movies. It was and is a beautiful city, made all the more magnificent for the snow. The following day I attended a mystery writers' event at Ela District Library, Lake Zurich, alongside Julie Hyzy, Jamie Freveletti, Bryan Gruley and Jason Karlawish. It was again a superb event with some enthusiastic and knowledgeable readers in attendance. Naomi McEneely of Lake Forest bookshop was on hand to supply books, and she proved to be a lovely lady and new friend. As mystery authors are sometimes want to do, we all headed off to a dive bar for beer and popcorn. A real treat and one of my first views of 'real America'. Next round is on me, Mr Gruley.

By now trepidation was growing concerning the impending drive up to Milwaukee, and again Judy Bobalik showed genuine friendship and generosity by offering to drive us there. I accepted thankfully. So the following morning Judy collected me and my wife from O'Hare and took us north, to meet another top guy and friend, Jon Jordan of Crimespree magazine, who shuttled us the remainder of the way to Milwaukee. Knowing my taste in music, Jon had even been thoughtful enough to shove a Robert Gordon rockabilly CD in his player. Sweet. Being the generous host he is, Jon took us to his home where his wife and co-magazine editor, Ruth was waiting for us. Their home is an author's dream, with every wall holding case upon case of books, pop culture and movie memorabilia. Awesome. Their welcome, hospitality and generosity didn't end there: it culminated that evening in a home cooked meal that I could barely put a dent in, and great company alongside Jon, Ruth, Bryan VanMeter and 'Sheriff' Joe Schmidt.

The next day saw Jon and Ruth collecting us again and showing us the sights of Milwaukee, including a trip to the world famous Harley Davidson museum, where we lunched, and I had about the largest cheese/steak burger I've ever seen in my life. It would have been rude to leave even a morsel on my plate wouldn't it?

Then it was off to Mystery One book store in Milwaukee for another well attended event. But that was after meeting at the Comet Coffee Bar with Barbara Vey of Publishers Weekly to conduct an interview and video interview. You can grab links to both these interviews in the preceding post to this one.

The event at Mystery One was cool. Adding to the ambience was the smell of freshly baked cookies - thanks Bryan - and the presence of some top people, old and new friends alike.

The night didn't end there. We all went to a Mexican restaurant where I sampled skirt-steak for the first time. It was good, but didn't come near the steak fed to me by Jon and Ruth Jordan the night before. It was great to see old friends Penny and Denny joining us too.

Back at the hotel I watched the snow growing steadier by the hour, and come the following morning it was once more of blizzard proportions. It didn't stop Ruth Jordan fetching us and taking us to the airport for our flight home. Ruth did a terrific job of negotiating the snowy streets, even when a collision in front of us blocked the route and we had to go off road (actually it was through a housing estate, but doesn't it sound more daring that way?). Again our plane was subjected to de-icing on the runway, but we were off, up and away back to Newark with little time to spare. From there it was back to Manchester UK, and the drive back to Cumbria.

Dropping off my wife at home it was a quick turn around for me, and I returned to the railway station at Carlisle for a trip up to Glasgow, Scotland, for an event at Club 29, where I met and enjoyed a night in the presence of Waterstones staff from all over Scotland, alongside fellow authors Sophie Hannah, Imogen Robertson, Robyn Young, Louise Welsh and Gary Mulgrew. It was a great night, where again I met old and new friends, with a special mention to fellow author Russel McLean who I bump into at events all over the world. By the time I returned to my hotel room I'd been on the go for around forty hours solid, but hey ho. It's part and parcel of the job I guess.

The following morning seen me back on a train to Carlisle, and I marvelled at how beautiful the Clyde looked, garlanded with early morning sunshine. Then it was a short drive home to my house in Cumbria. What a trip, but every minute well worth it.

Can't wait for my return trip to Cleveland, USA for Bouchercon 2012 this year, where again I hope to see Judy, Jon, Ruth and the rest of the gang. And, yeah, another trip to Scotland is most likely on the cards.

Slash and Burn the Movie?

2012-01-20T15:27:00.002Z

I will do a full report of my recent trip to the USA to publicise Cut and Run soon, but in the meantime here are links to two interviews I did while in the US, both with Barbara Vey of Publishers Weekly and BeyondHerBook.com.

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=5520

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgjbOHP-Akk

Do you agree with my dream cast list for a movie version of SLASH and BURN?

Happy New Year! What's Occurring in 2012?

2012-01-02T13:56:00.001Z

Hi all, and may I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

There has been much happening in the world of Joe Hunter of late, and I'm pleased to announce that Dead Men's Harvest - Joe Hunter 6 - has been met with favourable reviews in the UK. The paperback edition of Dead Men's Harvest will go on general sale within a few days, on 5th January to be precise.

Those of you who prefer electronic books to paper these days will probably be pleased to hear that my UK publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, are due to release an anthology of six Joe Hunter short stories direct to Amazon Kindle. "Six of the Best" is now available for pre-order, but goes on general sale on 19th January 2012, so not long to wait. You can take a look here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joe-Hunter-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B006HAMCPI/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2

The next big event in the Joe Hunter calendar is the release of the seventh action-packed book in the series called "No Going Back" on 16th February. Matt will be holding a book launch on or around that date, but details have yet to be finalised.

Here's the blurb from No Going Back:

'Jameson Walker approaches Joe Hunter when his daughter Jay and her friend Nicole go missing at a gas station in the Arizona desert while on a cross-country trek across the North American interior. He mentions that a robbery/homicide at the gas station as worrying as the girls were due to be in the vicinity at that time. Joe accepts the job of locating the girls, though not at first convinced there's much to worry about. As Joe picks up the girls' trail he discovers that other young women have also disappeared in the area, and comes across the brutish Logan family.'

'No Going Back' will be available from all major booksellers, and can also be purchased from various on-line sites.

In the USA, two Joe Hunter books hit the stands this winter. Both 'Slash and Burn' and 'Cut and Run' were released as mass market paperback originals, and are available from all places books are sold. Because of the popularity of the books, Matt has been asked to do a mini-tour of the US and on 12th January will be in Pittsburgh, on the 14th he'll be in Chicago, and lastly on the 16th in Milwaukee.

Visit Matt's blog here http://matthiltonbooks.blogspot.com for updates on times and locations of each appearance.

Matt will also be appearing at venues in the UK during the first two months of this year, including Wigan library on Thursday 26th January, and Bishop Aukland Townhall, County Durham, on Thursday 28th February. Again check on Matt's blog for full details.

To ensure you keep up to date with all Joe Hunter and Matt Hilton news, please join them online.

http://www.matthiltonbooks.com is Matt's official website

http://www.facebook.com/MattHiltonAuthor for all Matt Hilton news on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Hunter-Crime-Thrillers/153735557978125 for Joe Hunter specific news on Facebook.

@MHiltonauthor to follow Matt on Twitter.

Keep on keeping on

Matt

What's Matt Up To? Lots.

2011-12-23T18:42:00.000Z

There are quite a lot of Matt Hilton books hitting the shelves of late, or are imminent, and I thought a quick review of all that's on the go may be helpful to those of you interested in my output.

First up is the paperback edition of Dead Men's Harvest which goes on sale in the UK on 5th January 2012 but is already available from Amazon here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Mens-Harvest-Joe-Hunter/dp/1444712667/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1291725685&sr=1-2

And on the 19th January 2012 Joe Hunter: Six of the Best an eBook anthology of Joe Hunter short stories will be available on Kindle (but can be ordered now): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joe-Hunter-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B006HAMCPI/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_4

Joe Hunter's next adventure - No Going Back - will then go on sale in hardback in the UK from 16th February 2012, and can be pre-ordered now here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Going-Back-Joe-Hunter/dp/1444712683/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324661645&sr=1-1

Away from Joe Hunter for a moment, there are also three new eBooks available from Matt Hilton and all are available on all Amazon platforms.

Dominion is an apocalyptic thriller reminiscent of the movies '28 Days Later' meets 'Aliens' and can be downloaded here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dominion-ebook/dp/B006GT3NPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324664758&sr=1-1

Darkest Hour is an historical horror thriller set against the Fall of France in WW2 and is reminscent of the movies 'Saving Private Ryan' meets 'Van Helsing'. This is Matt's latest standalone horror book and can be downloaded here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkest-Hour-ebook/dp/B006P2BHAE/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3

Also from Matt Hilton but under the pen name J A Norton, there's a YA horror adventure called Deliver Us From Evil and it can be downloaded here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deliver-Us-From-Evil-ebook/dp/B006C752U8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324664985&sr=1-1

Also, a short story, 'The Skin We're In' is included in The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mammoth-Book-British-Crime-Books/dp/1780330944/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324665106&sr=1-1

Another Matt Hilton short story 'Apocalypse Noo' appears in Wild Wold Publishing's 'Holiday of the Dead' under the pen name Vallon Jackson: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holiday-Dead-John-Russo/dp/1907954058/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324665214&sr=1-2

While in the USA, both Slash and Burn (Joe Hunter 3) and Cut and Run (Joe Hunter 4) have just gone on sale too: http://www.amazon.com/Slash-Burn-Matt-Hilton/dp/0061718475/ref=pd_sim_b_5 and http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Run-Hunter-Matt-Hilton/dp/0062079948/ref=pd_sim_b_1 respectively.

Six of the Best for Christmas

2011-12-22T10:07:00.000Z

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006HAMCPI/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_8z37ob0S510RS

Joe Hunter: Six of the Best can now be pre-ordered for your Kindle to be delivered to your device on 19th January. Why not treat yourself?

Six of the Best Joe Hunter has always hated bullies. And Tony Largo is a bully who has picked the wrong target when he assaults a war veteran.
Homecoming Joe promises a grieving mother he'll bring her son home, whatever it takes.
Sand Dance When a hot-dog seller gets mugged, Joe finds a sneaky way of getting revenge.
UV Ray Joe and his best buddy RInk don't play by the rules when they take on a child abuser at a bowling alley.
Instant Justice Carl Riley didn't sound like the name of a beast. But he was a man who preyed on the faceless young who worked the neon strip. Until he came face to face with Joe.
The Other Side of the Street Joe plays the Good Samaritan.

Wear your Best Boots

2011-12-19T18:51:00.000Z

Really pleased to announce that my younger brother, and fellow scribe, James Oliver Hilton, has made available his first collection of crime/action stories as an eBook on Amazon. 'When Dancing With Death' collects three of Jim's 'McMurder' stories, plus two standalone stories, one an urban crime thriller, the other a conspiracy theory thriller...all five of them gems filled with humour, pathos and kick-arse action.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006MK4Y0E/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_alp_eZD7ob1W43KZM

DOMINION paperback

2011-12-14T13:09:00.000Z

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/dominion/18742971

I mentioned previously about my horror thriller 'Dominion' and how I chose to self-publish it as an eBook to avoid reader confusion etc regarding my usual Joe Hunter thrillers, and how I wished to keep the books as separate entities. This hasn't changed, and the book is available to download via all the Amazon platforms, .com, .co.uk, .de, .it, etc. However, what did become apparent was that many of my readers still prefer a paper book over an electronic one, and various people asked that I make 'Dominion' available as such. I've done so, making the book a POD product via Lulu.com (see the link above).

One reason why I resisted at first, was because with POD there's always a slight hike in price. This is because the publisher charges per page and 'Dominion' is a hefty read of over 175,000 words (500 pages), and then also expects a take from the 'profit' margin, not to mention adding postage costs. Any way, because people did ask, I decided to make it available and allow my readers to decide if they wished to pay the price for the product they demanded. To help out, I've cut my part of the profit, reducing the overall cost by 10%, and bringing down the cost to what you'd expect to pay for a similarly sized trade paperback in bookstores.

Other reasons why I decided to publish Dominion are as follows:

Regular publisher feedback was generally very good, though none were in position to offer publication. I knew I had a good book, but it didn't sit with these publishers' styles or catalogues and may prove awkward for them to market to the general public. However, the book was good enough in my opinion to find its own market.

I had sent portions of the book to a selection of readers both from the horror and thriller communities and the feedback was that it worked for both markets, yet didn't fully sit in either. Therefore I was happy that I'd developed my own sub-genre from both angles. Is it a thriller with horror, or a horror with thrills? I'll allow my readers to decide that, I thought, and the only way to do that was to make it available to them.

I spent many, many hours working on, and then revising and editing Dominion, and did not wish to see it left to languish on my hard drive. Even if one person reads and enjoys the book in any of its forms, the writer in me will be satisfied. It will mean all of those many hours won't have been wasted.

Plus, I'm greedy. No. I don't mean I expect to make much money from Dominion. I am greedy for readership, like all authors. We want people to read our words otherwise why would we write them down? So, yeah, greed and selfishness also prompted me to publish the book. Paradoxically I hope some readers are equally greedy to read my words. It will mean that I've done something worthwhile for us all.

A trade paperback copy can be found here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/dominion/18742971

But if you prefer an eBook you can get it at Amazon.co.uk here and Amazon.com here .

No Going Back for Joe Hunter

2011-12-13T12:02:00.000Z

Loving the cover for Joe Hunter seven 'No Going Back' which will be published February 16th 2012.

The Osseus Box Rises Again!

2011-12-11T15:48:00.001Z

The incredibly talented horror and crime writer Lee Hughes is finally making his

superb horror novel "The Osseus Box" available as an on-going serial over at

http://theosseousbox.blogspot.com/p/chapter-1-jesus-people.html and you can

catch the first instalment here. This was a favourite of mine (and still is) over at

Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers where it first appeared in a shorter form.

More 'What's Occurring'...

2011-12-05T11:36:00.001Z

I know I'm throwing lots at you at the minute, but here's a brief resume of all the

stuff that's coming out/is out at the moment, just so you don't miss anything (see

first comment):

Out now:

Slash and Burn - paperback (USA) Joe Hunter

Cut and Run - paperback (USA) Joe Hunter

Blood and Ashes - paperback (UK) and eBook (worldwide) Joe Hunter

Dead Men's Harvest - hardback (UK) and eBook (worldwide) Joe Hunter

Holiday of the Dead - short story anthology featuring zombies containing a short story from me under pen name Vallon Jackson paperback and eBook (worldwide)

Off The Record - charity anthology with foreword by me in paperback and eBook.

Deliver Us from Evil - YA horror novella eBook (worldwide) under pen name J A Norton

Dominion - Horror/thriller eBook (worldwide)

Coming soon:

Early January (5th) - paperback of Dead Men's Harvest (UK) Joe Hunter

Early January (5th) - paperback Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9 includes a short story from me.

Mid-January (19th) - eBook Six of the Best (worldwide) Joe Hunter

Mid February (16th) - hardback of No Going Back (UK) Joe Hunter

Darkest Hour - horror eBook (worldwide)

If anyone wants further info about any of these projects just say...

Six of the Best: available to pre-order now.

2011-12-03T16:00:00.001Z

Joe Hunter: Six of the Best is an eBook collection of action-packed Joe Hunter tales with twists in the tail, and is now available for pre-order via Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006HAMCPI/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_alp_1mK2ob1P3W0DP

SEMPRE VIGILE PRESS - a new venture for Me.

2011-12-02T17:04:00.001Z

Here's some news on a few projects I've been working on for quite some time. Most of you here know me as the author of the Joe Hunter thriller series. Others also know that I write other stories in different genres - primarily that of horror under various pen names (Vallon Jackson, Jack Norton, J A Norton). I'm one of those authors who can't bear NOT to have a book on the go. Therefore when I'm not writing the latest Hunter thriller, I will work on other standalone books.

Now, then, when I've offered these books to publishers, there has been a little problem that gets in the way. The 'Matt Hilton" brand is infinitely connected to Joe Hunter, and there is no desire to cause confusion either for the buyers or readers of Joe Hunter's adventures, so my publishers have politely declined to bring out the stand alone books, though I've received their blessing to bring them out elsewhere.

So here's what I'm doing instead:

I'm going to bring out my books as eBook originals, through my own self-publishing efforts called SEMPRE VIGILE PRESS. If demand is large enough I may look into the possibility of bringing out hardcopy editions - unless some nice horror publisher is reading this and makes me an offer.

A few weeks ago I published a young adult horror novella under the pen name J A Norton called 'Deliver us from Evil', primarily as an exercise into the hows, why, and wherefores of self publishing an eBook, while also working to get ready my first full length adult novel.

My first stand alone horror/thriller is called DOMINION, and it is now available through Smashwords.com to the US market, as well as all Amazon platforms.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006GT3NPI

Spec-Opssoldier, First Sergeant Ellis Kirby leads a JSOC unit into the Tora Ghar cavesystem in Afghanistan in search of WMDs, but finds something much worse.Infected by an ancient power summoned by an evil cleric Kirby and hiscompanions are whisked back to secret military laboratories in the US. Theplague of creatures - known as rakes - that is subsequently unleashed threatensto wipe out the entire population of the United States and perhaps the world.

Kirbywakens in his room to discover that everyone in the lab has been slaughtered,and the monstrous flesh-eating creatures are loose and rampaging throughout theland, killing and propagating their species with abandon.

Througha country rapidly overwhelmed by the ravenous creatures, Kirby aims to returnhome to his parents’ farm in Iowa, but on his return – following a perilouscross country journey through rake-infested lands - he discovers that they aredead, so chooses instead to take the fight back to the monsters and theirmaster.

Acrossthe same devastated landscape travel Bree and Jill Adams, sisters at odds, whomust face their past to survive the future, and three misfits collectivelyknown as the Ruby gang. Each must endure their travails before all of them arethrown together, and then with Kirby, in a race to the eastern seaboard wherethe final conflict between man and beast is destined to play out in a battleencompassing modern warfare and ancient magic.

Thebook isn’t a techno-thriller; it focuses on the human stories, and the terrorof the plague seen through the eyes of the central characters, and is one offear, horror, hatred and violence, but also of adventure, humour, courage, loyaltyand hope. It runs at over 175 K words, so is quite a hefty read.

One industry insider has described DOMINION as being like "28 Days later" meets "Aliens", an accolade I'll gladly take.

Hope you enjoy my first venture into self-publishing.

CUT and RUN - USA

2011-11-30T16:05:00.001Z

Cut and Run, the fourth of Joe Hunter's high-octane thrillers in now available in paperback in the USA, and on sale from most major booksellers.

If I had Written a YA Horror Novella...

2011-11-25T17:11:00.001Z

If I had written a YA horror novella it probably would have been very much like J A Norton's 'Deliver us from Evil', and I highly recommend it to any of your younger siblings (or indeed you if you enjoy high-adventure, horror, fantasy and action). Norton has made the novella (about 40K words) available as an eBook on Amazon, Smashwords etc. Take a look if you're looking to purchase a gift for kids over 13+

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deliver-Us-From-Evil-ebook/dp/B006C752U8/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_2

New Look Cover for DMH

2011-11-23T14:45:00.001Z

I'm chuffed with the design team at Hodder and Stoughton who have re-imagined the cover of Dead Men's Harvest for the UK paperback market (out in early January 2012). Hope you like it too.

What's Occurring?

2011-11-14T10:45:00.000Z

These are the current editions of Joe Hunter adventures on sale at this current time (although Cut and Run doesn't officially hit the bookshelves for another fortnight but you might see it cropping up). Dead Men's Harvest - the sixth Joe Hunter thriller - is the latest to be published in the UK in hardback, while Blood and Ashes (JH 5) graces the shelves in paperback. Slash and Burn and Cut and Run (JH 3 and JH 4 respectively) are the current paperback books available in the USA.

Coming soon...

Dead Men's Harvest (JH 6) will be released in the UK in January 2012
No Going Back (JH 7) hits the shelves in February 2012.
Six of the Best - a Joe Hunter eBook short story collection will be available to download from early January 2012.
My short story 'The Skin We're In' originally published in 'Even More Tonto Short Stories' will feature in The mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9 (2012) in February 2012.

A paperback edition should be released in the USA in Spring 2012 - further news on this as it comes to me.

Nowhere Man

2011-11-13T16:01:00.000Z

A group of families who rule the world. A group of women no one would suspect. A diabetic girl on the run. A detective in turmoil. DI Mike Yorke never mixes work and play- but his latest case on Holy Island has come a little too close to home. Aunt May is in a coma. Street kid Smiler is seeing doom at every turn. Childhood friend Dave is obsessively praying.
The Drugs factory has been broken up, the enslaved children rescued and the monastery returned to the monks. Mike should be moving onto the next case, but the horror of that night won't leave him alone.
He thinks he's seen the worst, he has no idea of what's still to come

Nowhere Man - the new Mike Yorke book from Sheila Quigley is on sale from this Thursday 17th November

Ding! Ding! Round One...

2011-11-13T11:52:00.001Z

I'm a big fan of the old pulp masters, primarily Robert E Howard. Howard is remembered for creating Conan the Cimmerian, King Kull, Solomon Kane, Red Sonja, and other characters you might have subsequently come across in movies and comic book adaptations. However he also wrote a whole raft of other characters not immediately recognised, but who were always larger than life heroic figures. Howard wrote prolifically, selling stories to the pulp magazines of the time, and other than heroic fantasy, was known for writing humorous westerns, treasure hunting adventures, and boxing or fight tales. It's through my appreciation of these lesser known Howard tales that I was excited to hear about this new series 'Fight Card' as it harks back to those good old days.

Paul Bishop's new novel, Felony Fists, has gone live on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as has the second book in the series (The Cutman by series co-creator Mel Odom). The Fight Card books are being written under the unifying pseudonym Jack Tunny, but the actual authors of each book are not a secret. They have the next two books in the series, Split Decision by Eric Beetner and The Knockout by Robert Randisi ready to come out over the next two months.

The Fight Card series is inspired by the boxing/fight stories in the sports pulps from the '30s and '40s, such as Fight Stories Magazine and Knockout Magazine as well as the Sailor Steve Costigan tales from Robert E. Howard.

FELONY FISTS

Los Angeles 1954

Patrick “Felony” Flynn has been fighting all his life. Learning the “sweet science” from Father Tim the fighting priest at St. Vincent’s, the Chicago orphanage where Pat and his older brother Mickey were raised, Pat has battled his way around the world – first with the Navy and now with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Legendary LAPD chief William Parker is on a rampage to clean up both the department and the city. His elite crew of detectives known as The Hat Squad is his blunt instrument – dedicated, honest, and fearless. Promotion from patrol to detective is Pat’s goal, but he also yearns to be one of the elite.

And his fists are going to give him the chance.

Gangster Mickey Cohen runs LA’s rackets, and murderous heavyweight Solomon King is Cohen’s key to taking over the fight game. Chief Parker wants wants Patrick “Felony” Flynn to stop him – a tall order for middleweight ship’s champion with no professional record.

Leading with his chin, and with his partner, LA’s first black detective Tombstone Jones, covering his back, Patrick Flynn and his Felony Fists are about to fight for his future, the future of the department, and the future of Los Angeles.

Inspirational Stuff

2011-11-12T12:27:00.000Z

http://www.inspirationforum.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=1413

Here I'm interviewed by Fiona McVie at Inspiration Forum and talk about my writing, my influences and inspiration and also upcoming projects. If you think you know everything you need to know about me as an author, fair enough, but if you aren't tired of hearing my dulcet tones you might want to check it out. Who knows? There could very well be something new to learn ;-)

FINALLY!

2011-11-03T18:52:00.002Z

Finally after eighteen months or so since Judgment and Wrath graced the shelves of US bookshops, book three in the Joe Hunter thriller series has been published as a mass market paperback. Yes, SLASH and BURN is finally available from William Morrow and Company (Harper Collins) and is earning good reviews. The book has been released in much higher numbers than Joe's previous outings, and I'm hopeful of him winning the audience he deserves across the pond. Because some readers will be coming on to Joe Hunter for the first time, I wrote an extra introductory chapter to this edition, giving new readers a taste of Joe not seen in the UK edition (Hodder and Stoughton).

Here's the best news though. In little more than three weeks, book four, CUT and RUN, will also go on sale, hopefully adding to the buzz as both Joe Hunter and Matt Hilton's names begin to appear in heretofore unknown corners. I'm stoked about the possibilities, but also trying to remain cool, calm and collected as I also keep my fingers firmly crossed in hope that the books are a success.

It's my understanding that the paperback of Judgment and Wrath (still as yet unpublished) will be out early next spring - but I guess this is down to the relative successes of SAB and CAR. Here's hoping.

Six of the Best - Joe Hunter short stories

2011-10-21T13:53:00.000+01:00

Coming in January next year is a collection of brand new never-seen-before Joe Hunter short stories that will be released by Hodder and Stoughton as an ebook via Amazon Kindle. Before anyone asks, no I'm not getting on the bandwagon of authors who are now releasing short stories onto Kindle as a way of making an extra buck (though admittedly it's not bad recompense) but that I wanted to share these stories with Joe's fans - old and new - in a wider format.

Regular followers of my books and blogs etc know that I'm a voracious writer, and that when I'm not penning the latest Joe Hunter book I can't allow my writing fingers to settle and often come up with short stories or flash fiction. I share some of these stories here at the blog, or put them out into the world under pen names, but there are some I've held on to for some time - plus some brand new stories scripted for this collection - that deserve a wider audience. The collection will go out under the title "SIX OF THE BEST".

No, it's not a spanking book, though there might be a few sore butts after Joe's done kicking them.

The title comes from the lead story, and yes, there are six stories in total, so it's a double-header really.

Included in the collection are:

1. Six of the Best
2. Homecoming
3. Sand Dance
4. UV Ray
5. Instant Justice
6. The Other Side of the Street

plus there will be sample chapters from the upcoming Joe Hunter 7 - No Going Back - to whet your appetite.

Some may wonder about the process of writing short stories versus novels, so here's my take on it:

The long and the short of it is this:

I’m one of those authors that simply love to write and the medium isn’t as important as putting words on paper. Therefore I’ll write in any style that suits the story I’m attempting to narrate. Often it will be suited to a full novel, but as regularly a story can be told in much fewer words, and its as likely for me to come up with a Joe Hunter story as a flash piece or short story as it is a full novel. Writing a novel takes many hours of slogging away at the keyboard, but that doesn’t mean that a short piece is any less a feat of endurance. With a short the rules of structure still apply, but in this case there is less room for error, so it has to be that more concise. Words cannot be wasted yet characterisation, setting, plot and – for a Joe Hunter story – pace are still essential to the telling of the tale. In other words, penning an effective short isn’t an easy get out, in fact they can be more troublesome than writing a full novel where you have more ground to establish the finer details.

So why do it?

The reason I write short stories is because they challenge me. I’ve written more than a dozen novels so I know I’ve got what it takes to deliver a full book. The novels are my bread and butter, my “must do’s”. However, with the short stories it’s different. I tend to write these as a form of enjoyment, and have fun with them along the way. It’s not unknown for me to pen shorts in different genres that include noir, crime, thriller, horror and sci-fi, but one thing that binds them all is that there’s a hefty dose of humour running throughout. That doesn’t mean to say that they’re laugh out loud funny, but that they have a quirk or turn of phrase, and I have fun coming up with a particular emphasis on a sting or twist in the tale. Often the story begins with a single word or phrase. Take the lead story from my collection “Six of the Best”: It’s an old English term that describes a form of corporal punishment. I couldn’t resist the idea of someone receiving their just desserts, I just had to find a way of incorporating the phrase into the narrative, without it becoming obvious from the get go. My Joe Hunter books are known for their fast-paced action, and with the Hunter short stories this remains true, where the phrases that influenced them help determine the forms of action. With this collection of stories I believe I’ve achieved what I set out to do. That is to deliver the same fast-paced action Joe Hunter’s readers have come to expect, while also being true to myself and having fun along the way. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did writing them.

The collection - Six of the Best - will be available from January 5th 2012 (and for pre-order soon) and will be very competitively priced, and initially will go out in the Amazon Kindle format. Further news about other formats will be made available as I receive it.

Rogue Island

2011-10-06T18:59:00.003+01:00

“Rogue Island,” by Bruce DeSilva is one of the most honored crime novels of the year – winner of the prestigious Edgar and Macavity Awards for best debut novel and a finalist for the Anthony, Barry and Shamus awards.

The main character, Liam Mulligan is as old school as a newspaper man gets. His beat is Providence, Rhode Island, and he knows every street and alley. He knows the priests and the prostitutes, the cops and the street thugs. He knows the mobsters and the politicians – who are pretty much one and the same. Now, someone is systematically burning down the working class neighborhood he grew up in, and people he knows and loves are perishing in the flames. With the cops looking for answers in all the wrong places, it’s up to Mulligan to find the hand that strikes the match.

Rogue Island has received rave reviews, with The Dallas Morning News declaring that it “raises the bar for all books of its kind.” And it has drawn praise from a who’s who of best-selling crime novelists including Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly. For example, Joseph Finder says: “With “Rogue Island,” Bruce DeSilva accomplishes something remarkable: he takes everything we love about the classic hardboiled detective novel and turns it into a story that’s fresh, contemporary, yet timeless.”

The book is available in trade paperback and Kindle editions here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_13?field-keywords=bruce+desilva&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&x=19&y=14&sprefix=bruce+desilva
and in the UK here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rogue-Island-Bruce-DeSilva/dp/0765329816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317924054&sr=8-1

Find Her

2011-09-27T10:08:00.001+01:00

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I have become a member of the Hardboiled Collective and brought a review of Zoe Sharp's latest eBook to your attention. I will be regularly bringing you recommendations from authors writing in the hardboiled tradition and today it is the turn of FIND HER by Jochem Vandersteen.

A Trestle Press original digital short story series by Jochem Vandersteen:
“ Husband, father, vigilante... Mike Dalmas left Special Forces to become a dedicated family man, but when his daughter gets molested he had his revenge, killing the pervert who committed the crime.
Now the Bay City cops keep him out of jail if he takes care of their dirty work. The things their badge won't allow them to do but for which Dalmas has the right skill set.
Mike Dalmas is blackmailed in saving a young girl from a known sex offender. The cops want him to find her before she dies or loses the will to live. The clock is ticking... Will Dalmas be prepared what is needed to find her in time?”

This is a new action / adventure / crime series by Jochem Vandersteen, founder of the Hardboiled Collective and blogger of Sons of Spade, author of the Noah Milano series. It's his first story to come out from publisher Trestle Press.

FIND HER can be found here at amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Find-Mike-Dalmas-Story-ebook/dp/B005P9FSQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1316944615&sr=1-1

What a Blast!

2011-09-26T19:31:00.002+01:00

I've had a few adrenalin-charged escapades of late - some good, some bad - but all have helped me as a writer. They say that you should write what you know. Well, I can now speak with experience when it comes to firing live rounds and what it feels to be seconds from death, both of which often feature heavily in my writing.

First thing first. Recently I took a trip to Jamaica to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary (I know I look way too young, but I did marry at the tender age of three years old) and everything was great. Hurricane Irene swept by the island during our stay but left its calling card by way of high winds, pelting rain and a lightning storm to end all storms...just as we were taking off in our airplane. Anyway, we were tearing down the runway when a lightning bolt struck the plane and blew up the left engine. Flames, sparks and smoke gouted across the runway. Doing around eighty miles an hour and losing one engine meant only one thing: the plane swung crazily to the left and was heading off the runway. Then it swung to the right and it felt like we were going to roll over, before the quick thinking pilot hit the brakes to abort take off. We were of course then thrown forward in our seats. Was there a lot of screaming and praying? No. It all happened so quickly that all that went through my mind was "Oh. This is it then?" It was only afterwards when the plane rocked to a standstill and the truth set in that a chorus of surprise set in, followed by shock and the wailing began. The firetrucks turned out to douse the engine and then we were towed back to the gate and all the passengers spilled into the disembarkation lounge. It was only then that I began thinking about how much it would be to charter a boat home. I was determined that I was never going to get back on an airplane in my life, but at the back of my head knew that I just had to. I had to get home, and then had to take another four flights to reach St Louis for Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in a little over a week's time. So, I thought WWJHD? I girded my loins and got back on the replacement plane brought in a day later.

By the time I flew to St Louis I'd put the incident down to experience and told myself that things could have been much worse. Apparently another five seconds later and we'd have been at optimum speed for take off (170 mph) and things would have ended up very differently indeed. The new engine that was required for the plane had a price tag of £15 million pounds, plus the bill for putting up more than 300 passengers in a 5* hotel all inclusive amounted to £158,000 - so maybe I had nothing to complain about.

I got my second major adrenalin buzz while in St Louis. I had the pleasure of accompanying fellow Brit thriller author Zoe Sharp and her husband Andy, and a couple other readers, to the Top Gun shooting range where I had a literal blast shooting some of the guns I feature in the Joe Hunter series. My favourite remains the SIG Sauer P226 but have to admit that shooting a MP5 submachine gun does leave you with a sense of awe. Earlier during the convention I'd had great fun at a shooting range simulator at the hotel where real guns had been attached to gas bottles to simulate 'real fire' sensation, and I really enjoyed that, however when compared to the genuine thing there was something missing. When handling a real gun, with live rounds, there's always that sense of cold fear and absolute respect lurking in your mind. This was brought home to me while shooting the MP5. I was goggled and earphoned-up, and merrily gave rip with burst after burst of ammo at the targets. Then one of the scalding hot spent brass shells dropped inside my right goggle and burned my eyelids, followed seconds later by another that dropped neatly in my left goggle and burned my eyelids on that side too. It served to remind me that BULLETS ARE DANGEROUS. But my little burns also gave me a little ego trip, thinking "Well, that's my warrior stripes earned." It was a superb experience, and one that left me adrenalized but also with a sense of great responsibility. What a blast. A hearty thank you goes to Zoe and Andy for allowing me the opportunity to satisfy my shooting jones.

Plus a second hearty thanks go out to all the Bouchercon gang, and in particular Jon Jordan and Ruth Jordan of Crimespree Magazine, Judy Bobalik and Beth and Jeff Tindall.

N.B Apparently flying is still the safest form of travel and it was a million to one chance that a similar incident should happen to me, and about ten million to one that it should ever happen again. For one hot shell to go inside my goggles was about a million to one. For a second hot shell to go in the opposite side about two million to one. Then again it's about a million to one that I will win decent money on the National Lottery so I've just gone out and bought a ticket.

Musings From the Fluffy Navel Rides Again!

2011-09-11T16:52:00.001+01:00

This past month has been a very busy one, what with two books coming out (Blood and Ashes in paperback and Dead Men's Harvest in hardback) and all the associated publicity work that I've been up to alongside them. I've barely had time to update my blog, and I apologise for only hitting you with my latest reviews and such. My writing seems not to have moved on much since last I updated you all, but I have been working hard on a few separate projects to get them ready for publication in one way or another.

Joe Hunter Eight (Current title RULES OF HONOUR) is now in the bag - discounting line edits, full edits, page proofing etc - and is now with my editor. I've also been working hard on writing six brand new Joe Hunter short stories to be released exclusively as an eBook in the early months of next year. It's called SIX OF THE BEST and I really hope you all enjoy this collection. I've also been working on a totally different project that must - for now - remain a secret. It's not Joe Hunter, but it is an action-packed, high-octane thriller, with a genre twist you might not have expected from my pen. More news on that soon...which I hope will be GOOD news.

Good friend of mine, Vallon Jackson, has also been doing some work of his own, and his GOOD news is that independent film makers "Third Act Montage" have picked up his short apocalyptical story THE DAY to adapt in to a short movie. I can't wait to see what they come up with. They did an amazing job on the Joe Hunter movie-promo I shared with you all a few months ago. The Day is now in production and I'll update you all once I know more details or have some sample shots to share.

In a few days time I'll be hopping over the Pond to the USA to attend Bouchercon in St Louis, where I'm taking part in a couple of panels, doing a couple of signings and also giving away 50 copies of Slash and Burn to some lucky recipients. SAB is being released at the end of October by William Morrow and Co as a paperback original, and because some readers might be coming across Joe Hunter for the first time, I've written a brand new chapter that was not included in the original UK edition. Less than a month later, Cut and Run will also be available in the US. Publication of the paperback edition of Judgment and Wrath has been put back in the US until sometime late Spring next year (just in case you were wondering). While I'm in the US I hope to attend a gun range to familiarise myself with the proper handling of handguns again (all for research purposes I assure you) and am also visiting a wolf sanctuary. Can't wait. Though I'm planning on an eventful journey, I hope it doesn't end the way my recent vacation to Jamaica did. While picking up velocity on the runway during take off, my plane was struck by lighting, the engine exploded, and the plane veered wildly out of control before the quick thinking pilot saved all our lives with an emergency stop before we went completely off the runway. Scary stuff, but all fodder for an active fiction author's imagination.

Once I'm back from the next trip, I'll be getting on with Joe Hunter nine. At this time I haven't a clue where the story will take me or Joe, but rest assured, you can count on Joe doing the do as per the norm.

On the publicity front, things are coming to an end for the year. I do have a trip planned to East Boldon Library in N.E England 7.30 on Thursday 29th September, so if you're in the region please pop along. Then I've got my calendar cleared until the new year to get down to some serious writing. Those of you aspiring authors longing for publication, take note: Publicity now takes up more of my time than the actual writing of the books. But it's an extremely important facet of my career (and yours), particularly now that there are less bookshops and retailers pushing your books for you, few newspapers giving up column inches to new books, and less money in the publishers' pot to spend on promotion.

On the promotion front. If you've purchased a Joe Hunter book and liked it, perhaps you can kindly go on Amazon or any other review sites and put up an honest review of the book. It seems only my detractors - or those with an axe to grind - currently post reviews, and my rankings and sales are possibly suffering for it. Now you might care less that it could hurt my pocket, but it also might mean that in the future there could be no more Joe Hunter books released, if the publishers don't think they're viable. I'm sure you don't want that?

To finish....I just wanted to mention a quick "Congratulations" to Dean Crawford, whose debut book Covenant is due for publication. It's one to keep an eye out for, trust me.

Another goodie...

2011-09-08T14:21:00.001+01:00

http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/review.html?id=8931

Another good review for Dead Men's Harvest has come in, this time from Linda Wilson at Reviewing the Evidence.

Crimesquad.com's September Author of the Month is...

2011-09-06T20:27:00.000+01:00

...Little ol' me.

I was thrilled and honoured to hear that Chris Simms, editor at Crimeqsuad.com chose me as Crimesquad's author of the month for September. Here's a brilliant review of Dead Men's Harvest along with a special Q and A I completed for the site. I know you've possibly read other interviews by me lately, but I assure you there'll be something new here you haven't heard from me before.

http://www.crimesquad.com/author-month.asp

Blistering reviews are coming in for the latest Joe Hunter book

2011-09-06T20:23:00.000+01:00

Brill review of Dead Men's Harvest from Shotsmag. Excellent stuff. http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/book_reviews_view.aspx?BOOK_REVIEW_ID=324

Huge thanks to Adrian Magson and the Shots crew.

Talking to Myself.

2011-08-19T17:32:00.001+01:00

When you're asked to interview yourself, you can answer some of the burning questions that readers often ask but don't go into the usual interviews. Well, at SEA MINOR I do just that...answer those frequently asked questions you'd all like the answers to.

http://nigelpbird.blogspot.com/2011/08/dancing-with-myself-matt-hilton.html

Thanks to Nigel Bird for the opportunity.

The Wait is Over

2011-08-18T17:22:00.000+01:00

The Harvestman is back! And determined to wreak revenge on Joe Hunter. When Rink is ambushed by a team of highly skilled killers, Joe is pretty sure his friend is being used as bait. And the intended prey is Hunter himself. Joe has to go 'off radar' to rescue his friend. Their deadly game of cat and mouse reaches its climax on the rusty hulk of The Queen Sofia - a container ship used by human traffickers - moored off the North Carolina coast where Joe's ex-sister-in-law is being held hostage. Against overwhelming odds, and amid a ferocious storm, Joe comes face to face with his old enemy Tubal Cain.

AVailable from today from Hodder and Stoughton in hardback and eBook formats.

...and while I'm talking books.

2011-08-17T12:40:00.000+01:00

Other books, better described as straight crime that you will also enjoy are as follows....

Simon Kernick's latest bestselling paperback

A 'smashing, gritty debut' from Howard Linskey

The first in a new Mike Yorke series from Sheila Quigley

The Hardboiled Collective

2011-08-17T12:20:00.003+01:00

As a writer of hardboiled crime - yeah, that's another name for crime thrillers if you hadn't heard - I was pleased when approached by book reviewer and author JV Steen of Sons Of Spade to join a group of likeminded authors to help promote and support others in our field. I was delighted to do so and have joined the Hardboiled Collective. Over the coming months I will be bringing you news of each author and their current book but for a quick overview you might want to take a quick look at this Listmania entry over at Amazon:

Basically, if you like Joe Hunter, or you like Jack Reacher, then you're more than likely going to like the writing of these fine individuals.

First up is news about a brand new e-antholgy of short stories from fellow Brit - and Cumbrian - Zoe Sharp whose Charlie Fox collection FOX FIVE has just come available on Kindle.

FOX FIVE is a collection of stories by the highly acclaimed crime thriller writer, Zoë Sharp. All feature her ex-Special Forces soldier turned self-defence expert and bodyguard, Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Fox.

In A Bridge Too Far, we meet Charlie before she’s become a professional in the world of close protection. When she agrees to hang out with the local Dangerous Sports Club, she has no idea it will soon live up to its name.

Postcards From Another Country has Charlie guarding the ultra-rich Dempsey family against attempted assassination – no matter where the danger lies.

A finalist for the CWA Short Story Dagger, Served Cold puts another tough woman centre stage – the mysterious Layla, with betrayal in her past and murder in her heart.

Off Duty finds Charlie taking time away from close protection after injury. She still finds trouble, even in an out-of-season health spa in the Catskill Mountains.

And finally, Truth And Lies puts all Charlie’s skills and ingenuity to the test as she has to single-handedly extract a news team from a rapidly escalating war zone.

Also included: Excerpt from KILLER INSTINCT: Charlie Fox book one, Meet Charlie Fox, Meet Zoë Sharp, info on the other books in the Charlie Fox series.

Praise for Zoë Sharp and Charlie Fox:

‘Ill-tempered, aggressive and borderline psychotic, Fox is also compassionate, introspective and highly principled: arguably one of the most enigmatic − and coolest − heroines in contemporary genre fiction.’ Paul Goat Allen, Chicago Tribune

'If you don't like Zoë Sharp there's something wrong with you. Go and live in a cave and get the hell out of my gene pool! There are few writers who go right to the top of my TBR pile − Zoë Sharp is one of them.' Stuart MacBride

'Anyone with a brain wants Charlie Fox for the girl next door. Funny, compassionate, and with moves that can − and do − kill, Charlie is the indelible creation of the remarkable Zoë Sharp.’ Gayle Lynds

P.S. I left Zoe Sharp's book off my previous entry in anticipation of doing this one. Charlie Fox could easily sit alongside any of the tough guys mentioned in my 'If you like Joe Hunter piece...' below...

If you like Joe Hunter then you'll like...

2011-08-13T12:10:00.002+01:00

The sixth Joe Hunter thriller from Matt Hilton

The second Harry Tate spy thriller from Adrian Magson

The second Ryan Lock thriller from Sean Black

The second Paul Dark spy thriller from Jeremy Duns (aka Free Country)

The first in a new spy thriller series featuring Will Cochran from Matthew Dunn

The first 'Victor' spy thriller from Tom Wood

The second to latest Dan Shepherd thriller from Stephen Leather

My Inspiration

2011-08-10T13:01:00.000+01:00

OK, there are many of you who will read the heading above and think that I'm going to start naming names of all the authors who have inspired me to date. I think I've already done that on a number of occasions and you're probably sick of hearing me going on about the same people. No, all I'm going to do here is mention one name in particular. That name is ADRIAN MAGSON.

Now I'll probably embarrass Adrian in saying so - he's such a humble guy - but of all the author's I've read and admired, Adrian probably gave me more of an inspirational boost than any. Now it could be quite simply that Adrian was the first 'real' author I ever corresponded with, but his words of encouragement gave me the proverbial kick up the butt that my writing aspirations required way back when I was still aspiring to be published. Adrian might not even remember our short email conversation, back when I bit the bullet to congratulate him on hearing of his publishing deal with Creme De La Crime for the first in his Gavin and Palmer series. On Adrian's urging I submitted my latest novel to his publisher - and it was rejected. But, hey. Not such a bad thing. Because I also gained some great feedback and advice from both CDLC and Adrian. As a result of that I continued writing. Believe it or not, but prior to that I was on the cusp of giving up on my writing dream. The advice was just the push I required, and glad I am that I spoke with Adrian that time.

Since then I've followed Adrian's writing, through the Gavin and Palmer books, and more recently through Red Station, and Tracers (Harry Tate series), and Death on The Marais, and Death on the Rive Nord (tbr) (Lucas Rocco series). But also, I have also avidly followed Adrian's 'beginners' column in WRITING MAGAZINE. I was chuffed to hear from Adrian recently that he had plans to pull all his columns together in one volume, and here it is. WRITE ON! The Writer's handbook.

For any aspiring author there's good advice on writing, and there's great advice, and from Adrian you only get the latter. This book is a superb addition to any author's shelves - beginner or advanced - and - written in Adrian's engaging, anecdotal and witty style - is actually an enjoyable read (unlike many text books). An interviewer asked me recently which book on writing I'd recommend, and without pause I said Stephen King's ON WRITING. I wish I'd had Adrian's book on hand at the time because my answer would assuredly be different. I'd have said Adrian Magson's WRITE ON and Stephen King's On WRITING. Yeah, it really is that good in my opinion.

You can grab yourself a copy here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Write-Writers-Help-Adrian-Magson/dp/1908006773/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312976486&sr=1-13

Dead Men's Harvest - Joe Hunter 6

2011-08-08T14:37:00.001+01:00

Dead Men's Harvest - Joe Hunter 6 - is only a little over a week from hard back publication on 18th August 2011 by Hodder and Stoughton. I will be officially launching the book on Saturday 20th August at Waterstone's Carlisle branch, Scotch Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK at 11:00 am if anyone can make it along (I'll be in store for five hours so plenty time). This is your opportunity to have your books personalised.

Joe Hunter VS Prisoner 1854
The Harvestman is back, and he's got a bone to pick...

Me Interviewed!

2011-08-06T12:09:00.000+01:00

http://wp.me/p18Ztn-uZ

Morgen Bailey interviewed me for her blog on writing and teased from me some little known facts. Why not skip on over and see what we've got to say. Morgen blogs and interviews different authors twice a day and her site is a great asset for any writer - aspiring or otherwise.

On the Go...

2011-07-29T18:20:00.002+01:00

I've had a crazy busy time of late on the publicity trail for the paperback of Blood and Ashes, and the upcoming sixth Joe Hunter thriller, Dead Men's Harvest, and have had the pleasure of seeing/meeting/chatting with old and new friends in many corners of the UK and also in New York while at Thrillerfest at the beginning of July. I just wanted to give a quick hello shout out to everyone that I've met along the way and to say thanks for the ongoing support.

So...to everyone at Whitburn library, Middlesbrough Central Library, Carlisle Waterstone's, Kendal Library, Outerwest Library (Newcastle), Nottingham library, Goldsboro Books, Carlisle Library, Thrillerfest (New York), Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (Harrogate), York, Stockton-on-Tees, and all places in between...thank you.

Oh, and if you can get along to Waterstone's Emerson Chambers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, tomorrow, Saturday 3oth July between 11:30 and 16:OO...hello and thank you in advance.

Out Now! Blood and Ashes in Paperback

2011-07-21T09:37:00.000+01:00

Today is the official release date for Blood and Ashes - the fifth Joe Hunter thriller - in the UK. If you've been hanging on to grab a copy, now's your chance. It's available through all the usual outlets.

Off The Rails

2011-07-15T19:19:00.001+01:00

Watch out for these amazing posters appearing up and down the UK rail network over the next week or two. If anyone sees one and has a camera handy. Please snap it, maybe with you in the picture and send it to me and I'll show the pictures here at Matt Hilton Thrills.

Blood and Ashes is published in paperback by Hodder and Stoughton on 21st July in the UK

On The Mean Streets

2011-07-14T20:52:00.000+01:00

http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/crimefiction/2011/07/matt-hilton-interview-by-barb-ettridge/

I recently had the pleasure of talking to Barb Ettridge at MEAN STREETS a fresh new crime fiction site, where I spoke about my writing style, my previous work and the influences of martial arts on my writing. Why not pop over and take a look? Some of the questions aren't the type you'd normally expect.

The Full Moon is about to grow Brighter

2011-07-12T13:23:00.000+01:00

When a full moon fills the night sky, P I Roman Dalton becomes a werewolf and prowls the dark streets of the city battling creatures of evil. Paul D Brazill's Drunk On The Moon is an intense and hard-boiled noir / horror series, brought to you by some of the finest dark fiction writers around, including Vincent Zandri, Julia Madeleine, Benjamin Sobieck, Richard Godwin, Katherine Tomlinson, Frank Duffy, B R Stateham, Jason Michel, John Donald Carlucci and Cormac Brown....and not to mention PDB himself.

For those of you unfamiliar with PDB's writing...where have you been?

Spinetingler Award nominee Paul D. Brazill was born in England and lives in Poland.His stuff has appeared in loads of classy print and electronic magazines and anthologies, including the 2011 Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime. His short story collection '13 Shots Of Noir' will be published in 2011. He writes a column for Pulp Metal Magazine and contributes to Mean Streets Magazine and has won a legion of readers at his blog 'You Would Say That, Wouldn't You?'.

Paul is the kind of noir/crime fiction/hard boiled/mystery/horror/humour writer who makes others jealous of his inimitable style (yep, and that includes me). Some have even dubbed him the 'Noir Bukowski'. Add to that he's also a great guy who selflessly promotes and supports other authors' work. Drunk on the Moon is Paul's brainchild - a series of ebooks from Trestle Press - that follows his main character Roman Dalton - Ex-Detective, Current Werewolf - through the Sin City-ish landscape of 'The City', and it is a great, rollicking fun read, full to the brim of Paul's usual gritty noir, northern humour and fiendish horror. But PDB being PDB, he didn't want to keep all the fun to himself. he opened the floodgates to other top authors in the field, and future editions of the ongoing series will be penned by those illustrious names above. More will likely join the ranks. I intend being along for the ride (reading the editions as they come out at the very least).

You can get the first part of the series here at Amazon UK for only £0.86. or at Amazon USA for only $1.38.

"A crackling fun read that puts werewolves in a Sin City/hardboiled world" --Dave Zeltserman

"A great, rollicking fun read, full to the brim of Paul's usual gritty noir, northern humour and fiendish horror." - Matt Hilton

Me and technology doesn't mix...

2011-07-03T20:05:00.000+01:00

So I sold out...

I went and got myself one of those Kindle e-reader thingamajigs, despite my inner protestations. I've held out for a long time (hell, I'm the type who only recently changed from a VHS recorder to SKY+, and still play CDs as opposed to MP3s) in the hope that people would see sense and go back to buying 'real' books.

But I got to thinking. I'm currently doing re-reads of some of my own books, before forging ahead with edits, and with a few long flights ahead of me shortly, thought it would be much easier with them on a Kindle device than carting 600 + pages of one book, and 300 + pages of another, in my hand luggage.

Oh, yes, it's easy to download your own documents. All you do is plug in teh USB lead provided and then drop your files into the Kindle icon. So said the salesman.

Yeah, right.

So how come it didn't work for me? OK, they appeared in the doc folder in the Kindle icon on my computer screen, but they didn't appear on my Kindle.

A google search ensued.

Try compressing the file to a zip. Yep, Zip's the word, because although the title then appeared on my Kindle, the damn thing wouldn't open. Is it me or what?

Now then, the story continues.

Oh, you can email them to Amazon to convert and then they'll send them to your Kindle. Woohoo!

Oops, you need wireless technology to do that.

D'oh! I have my internet hardwired to the router cause I don't get any damn wireless coverage from my network (did I mention I live out in the sticks?)

Then you'll have to up-grade and pay and extra £41 pounds to get 3G technology.

OK, I can do that. Simple swap then and I'll pay the extra?

Yes, but we close in 45 minutes.

78 mile round trip to my supplier (for the second time today).

Oh, didn't I say you needed wireless for this model? says the salesman.

No. You told me I could USB it to my hard-wired router.

OH! Sorry. You need wireless.

So give me the 3G one.

Can you wait? I can't do a refund because our computers and tills are down.

(Back to good old paper and pens, and we get things sorted).

By the way, I'm not sure if you'll get 3G coverage out your way. You might still have to drive to somewhere with more coverage to download stuff. (The salesman is now taking a couple surreptitious steps away and placing a counter between us).

I just scowl.

Back home, I try again.

The email works. Yeehaa! But I can't have a free download, I have to pay, because I'm not using Amazon's free service and the 3G is more expensive.

Why you little.....

So...is it me or what?

Can't see me ever loving these things.

But watch this space.

New Direction, New Covers, New Chapter

2011-06-23T18:44:00.000+01:00

On sale in the USA 29th Nov 2011

I'm excited to announce that Joe Hunter has been given a bold new look from my US publishers (Harper Collins) and because i now know that advanced reader's editions of the books are now going out I am happy to share the new look covers for the books. I'm over the moon with them and think the design team have did a splendid job. More excitingly, both books come out almost back to back with Slash and Burn coming in October, while Cut and Run follows only a short month later. Add to this that Slash and Burn includes a brand new chapter never read before, and there's something for Joe's fans to look forward to. Hope you are as happy as I am?

On sale in the USA 25th Oct 2011

The Harvestman is Back!

2011-06-19T13:09:00.000+01:00

On sale 18th August 2011

In a little over eight weeks Joe Hunter's sixth adrenalin-fuelled outing will hit the shelves in the UK and Commonwealth.

For those who haven't yet figured it out, The Harvestman is back....because you asked for it. The book is a loose sequel to Dead Men's Dust, though it does happen in the current story arch and timescale (following the events described in Blood and Ashes).

Hope you are looking forward to this one? I had a blast writing it.

Mammoth Book of Best British Crime Vol 9

2011-06-14T14:46:00.001+01:00

I'm a little slow in announcing this here, but it has been a busy old time of late, but I'm thrilled to say that a short story of mine called THE SKIN WE'RE IN first published last year in 'Even More Tonto Short Stories' from Tonto Books, has been picked up by editor extraordinaire Maxim Jakubowski for inclusion in the 2012 (spring) edition of his on-going must-have crime anthology series The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime (Volume 9).

It's a real honour to be included alongside some of the biggest name in Brit crime writing, as well as some close friends and fellow scribes such as Adrian Magson, Paul D Brazill, Col Bury, Nick Quantrill and other fine people. I have it on good authority that there will be 38 stories featured from across the gamut of crime writing styles, and think it's going to be a real biggee.

Survey of British Murder (fiction)

2011-06-14T09:39:00.000+01:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/13/survey-british-murder

It was nice to get a mention in the Guardian newspaper as part of the CWA's survey on murders in crime writers' books. Apparently one author killed off 150 victims in his last book. I wonder who that could be? I'm pretty sure I only managed 149.

How's this for an odd occurrence?

2011-06-08T17:03:00.001+01:00

Today my writing finger was blessed!

So You Want My Advice, Huh?

2011-06-08T16:56:00.000+01:00

I often get asked by aspiring authors for advice on getting published. I've recently penned this letter and thought it might be helpful to others:
There's a process for most fiction authors and it generally runs the same course. Some people are lucky in that they get a contract on an idea and a few chapters, but it's not usually the norm. It's best to get your full book written before you even start to look for an agent or publisher, as being 'untested' they will want to check that you have the stamina to write a full novel and can carry your idea through to the end. A book these days usually runs anywhere from 80,000 to 130,000 words, and you maybe want to get the book to those kinds of proportions before you begin seeking representation or publishing.
There's no right or wrong way to write. Some meticulously plan and plot the book out before writing it, others, like me, write from the seat of the pants. I just have an idea and go with it and see where I'm going to end up. BTW, my books tend to run at about 90,000 words (for comparison).
When your book is ready to start sending out, my advice is to seek representation from an agent. Now this is the difficult bit. Agents act as middle men and clearing houses for publishers these days, and to be taken on by an agent is a massive step, almost as difficult as getting a contracted deal from a publisher. Very few publishers accept submissions directly, and use the agent to send them only the best. When your book is written, go back over it with a fine tooth-comb and edit it and sort out any typos or inconsistencies. Get someone else that you trust to also read it, but also someone who will tell you the truth if you have any weaknesses or hanging plot lines (your family and best friends tend to tell you only good things which doesn't really help).
When that is done and you've made it the best you can, start checking out agents who might be interested in your style of book. The bible for this is the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook which lists all the reputable agencies and contact details. Also check on the internet and look at authors you admire and find out who their agent is. It is always better to have a name to send your book to rather than just sending it to the agency itself, as it shows you've taken time to do your research.
When you have an idea of who might be interested check their submission guidelines (often they're on their websites or in the fore mentioned WAA yearbook). The industry standard tends to be that you must mail them an intro pack. This comes with an introductory letter, in which you briefly describe your book, and any plans you have for follow ups (they're looking for writers who have more than one book in them) as well as the approximate word count, followed by a brief bio of yourself. Say for example that you're an ex soldier. Mention that in your intro letter as it is your USP (unique selling point) particularly if your book involves soldiers/military etc as it shows you have the know how. Also mention other writers you think your book may be targeted towards to attract some of their readers. e.g. "I believe my book is in a similar style to that of Lee Child and Matt Hilton etc" as it then helps them think of their target audience and marketing strategies very early on. Also you will need to include a short synopsis of your book - usually a one side A4 sheet - with all the salient points and characters from your book included. Lastly you send the first 3 chapters or approximately 30,000 words of the beginning of your book. Again there's a standard in that it must be on A4 paper, double spaced with a clear margin, and on only one side of the paper (black ink). This is to allow editing and notes as early on as this. If you don't stick to that format they'll probably just bin your submission without looking at it. It's always a good idea to include your contact details in your intro letter, but also put them on the first page of your book incase the letter and book get separated. Also include a SAE for return of your pack if they don't want it (courtesy is everything).
Usually you can expect to wait a few weeks before you hear anything. Don't be disheartened if you are rejected, just move on to the next agent on your list. Rejection is par for the course, but who knows, you might strike it lucky early on. If there's any feedback take it on board. If an agent requests to see your full book you've achieved a massive first step. Be prepared to work hard. They'll probably ask for changes - but they're the experts and know what the publishers want so go with it. If you become precious about your book they might find you awkward to work with and not take you on. There's usually a test period of a month or two before they will agree to represent you and in this time they can still turn you down.

A few pointers:
Avoid anyone who asks you for money. Some agents do charge a reading fee, but most don't. They make their money (commission at about 10 -15 percent) when they sell your book. Anyone raving about your book who then asks for money are cowboys. Sadly there's a lot of them out there. Don't be caught out by flashy websites and graphics, and big promises. If in doubt, Google them and see what others are saying about them. Usually frauds are exposed this way, and yet still some aspiring/desperate authors end up handing over piles of money to them with no book deal at the end of it.
Avoid vanity publishers. These are the companies who rave about your book (without an agent) and say they'll print it for a fee - usually £thousands - and all you get is a few poorly printed books with no marketing or anything. You often see them advertising in the backs of newspapers or popping up on the website with such claims as 'We want your book' or 'We'll print Your book' and such like. Criminals, that's what they are.
Ebooks or print on demand is a new way of publishing yourself, but it's always best to go the traditional route first.
I think that's all for now. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your book on the stands.
Matt Hilton

Dodgy Dealings

2011-06-03T18:44:00.000+01:00

http://deancrawfordbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/dodgy-literary-agents.html

Wise words from thriller author Dean Crawford on the subject of dodgy literary agents. Well worth a look if you are an aspiring author currently seeking representation.

An Author's Lot

2011-05-14T19:52:00.000+01:00

So what's happening in my world?

The short answer is loads.

But I guess you want the long answer.

Well, I'm about to kick off on the publicity trail and anyone who has been following this blog knows that there's actually more to an author's life than just sitting at a computer writing the latest draft. It's one thing writing the book, getting it through the editing process to a satisfactory position where the editor is happy with it, but then you must do your damnedest to get the word out to potential readers.

So here, briefly, is what is on the cards in the next few months.

Radio interview with Siren FM. Check. It's in the bag and should be airing some time this coming week around the Lincoln area, as well as a podcast from South-side Broadcasting. I will post a link when it comes available.

Next week from 19th - 22nd may I'll be at bristol for Crimefest. This year I'm on a panel called 'The Grass is Greener': USA Vs UK, and for the first time will be moderating a panel called Without reservations: No Holds Barred. I'm thoroughly looking forward to Crimefest, which is rapidly becoming the best crime fiction convention in the UK.

After a very short break - where to be honest I'll be working on my next draft so it's no break at all - I'm off to Whitburn Library, South Tyneside on Friday 10th June. If anyone's in the area please come along and support your local library.

On 13th June I'm then attending the Middlesbrough Literary festival alongside Stephen Booth and Graham pears, and forensic specialists from the nearby university for a night of crime fact and fiction.

On Wednesday 15th June I'm joining Zoe Sharpe, Diane Janes and other authors at Kendal Library, Cumbria for a night of crime.

Rounding off that week, I'll be at Nottingham Crime readers day at Nottingham Library on saturday 18th June.

A few days later, Tuesday 21st June, its off to London for the inaugural Crime in the Court: Goldsboro Books's new crime spectacular in Cecil Court, London.

Couple weeks writing are then on the cards, but then it's off to New York for Thrillerfest 7th - 10th July, where I'll be taking part on a panel talking about balancing real life and fiction.

Then it's the Theakstone Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate, Yorkshire from Thursday 21st- Sunday 24th July.

But that's not all that's happening that week. Blood and Ashes is released on 21st July, and running alongside it will be a week long campaign on Talk radio where I'll also be taking part in live interviews. With an audience of over 2.5 million, I'm looking forward to this one.

All that done and dusted, I then start looking forward to the launch of the next book - Dead Men's Harvest - in mid-August, at the same time as publicising the impending release of both Slash and Burn and Cut and Run in the USA, this coming winter. For this I will be heading off to Bouchercon, St Louis, Missouri between 14th and 18th August.

Who said an author only sits at a computer writing? This is just the tip of the iceberg and doesn't take into consideration all the social networking, blogging, guest blogging etc that must be undertaken.

At the same time I'll be putting the finishing touches to JH 8, Starting JH 9, line editing and proofing JH 7, and Line editing and Proofing JH 4 for the US market. Plus other little projects I've got on the boil.

Mind you, it's still the best job in the world and I wouldn't change it one bit.

Speaking of Vallon Jackson...

2011-05-07T22:43:00.002+01:00

The zombie anthology containing Vallon Jackson's story APOCALYPSE NOO entitled Holiday of the Dead is now available for pre-order at Amazon and will be out 18th May 2011. With over 500 pages, 38 stories from some of the top names in horror fiction it's getting some fabulous reviews. The book is also available on Kindle and Smashwords.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holiday-of-the-Dead/dp/1907954058/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304802205&sr=1-2

Published by Wild Wolf Publishers

The Weird Vault of Vallon Jackson

2011-05-07T22:00:00.000+01:00

Some of you here know I have an alter-ego called Vallon Jackson, and that when whim takes him he will shanghai my typing fingers and pen something from his crazy-weird imagination. Well, I've kind of exorcised him and banished him to his own vault where you can read all of his horror, ghost, crime, noir and weird stories. There's some over there that you have not read yet. Why not pay him a visit here: The Weird Vault of Vallon Jackson

New Joe Hunter Site

2011-05-02T20:03:00.000+01:00

http://joehunterbooks.wordpress.com/

Folks, I have taken the decision to close down my sister blog Joe Hunter's Fixers as it was not being used as I would have wished. But all is not lost, it has been reborn Phoenix-like as a new Wordpress site aptly named JOE HUNTER BOOKS.

I will be transferring some of the better posts from the defunct Fixers site across there, and adding lots of new Joe Hunter stuff.

This is to separate Joe-centric news from all the general writing and rigmarole that goes on here. I hope you'll visit and make it a regular stopping off point along during your browsing.

See all you Fixers across there, OK?

No Ordinary Joe the Movie

2011-04-30T23:42:00.002+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLOnc-OGTCs

I've been teasing with some production shots from a mini-movie book trailer produced by those wonderful people at Third Act Montage and am proud to now share it with you. Click the link for your first look and let me know what you think in the comments.

Enjoy!

Blood and Ashes down under.

2011-04-27T11:07:00.001+01:00

Here's a review of Blood and Ashes from the 'Sydney Morning Herald' I was made aware of this morning that I'm particularly proud of and would like to share with my readers. I'm assuming most of you DO NOT dislike violence in your action thrillers.

Your first look at Dead Men's Harvest

2011-04-25T15:33:00.001+01:00

The Harvestman is back! And determined to wreak revenge on Joe Hunter.
When Rink is ambushed by a team of highly skilled killers, Joe is pretty sure his friend is being used as bait. And the intended prey is Hunter himself. Joe has to go 'off radar' to rescue his friend.
Their deadly game of cat and mouse reaches its climax on the rusty hulk of The Queen Sofia, a slave ship moored off the North Carolina coast where Joe's ex-sister-in-law is being held hostage.
Against overwhelming odds, and amid a ferocious storm, Joe comes face to face with his old enemy Tubal Cain.

Published 18th August 2011 by Hodder and Stoughton and available for pre-order now at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Mens-Harvest-Matt-Hilton/dp/1444712632/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291725685&sr=1-2

It's Alive!

2011-04-23T15:43:00.000+01:00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Holiday-of-the-Dead/dp/B004XJ7HZK/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303470073&sr=1-5

For those of you interested, and who have one of those kindle-reader type thingamajigs, you might like to know that you can now purchase the Kindle edition of the zombie anthology Holiday of the Dead via Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

Alternatively you can order a copy direct from the publisher http://www.wildwolfpublishing.com

'Big Bopper' or 'Matt the Knife'?

2011-04-10T20:33:00.001+01:00

http://at-the-bijou.blogspot.com/2011/04/rat-pack-revue-you-know-what-i-like.html

Over at the fabulous Absolutely*Kate's amazing site AT THE BIJOU her Rat Pack Review is in full swing and I couldn't resist. Have you ever guessed what author intrusion I'm guilty of: if not take a peek over and find out. You might be surprised...you definitely won't let me near a karaoke mic again.

H is for Hilton Honoured

2011-04-09T10:51:00.001+01:00

Over at author and blogger Sue Harding's I REFUSE TO GO QUIETLY she has been conducting an alphabet of writing and I am honoured to have been chosen to represent the letter H. Thank you, Sue, I'm well-chuffed.

You can read what Sue says here: http://irefusetogoquietly.blogspot.com/2011/04/h-is-for-hilton.html

The sun is shining...bring out yer dead.

2011-04-09T10:43:00.001+01:00

The sun is shining outside as I write this, so it's probably a good time to bring your notice to the holiday-themed zombie anthology I'm part of under my darkside's pen name of Vallon Jackson. The Book is called HOLIDAY OF THE DEAD and comes from Wild Wolf Publishers. It will be on sale in shops and online from mid-May, but if you'd like to pre-order a copy direct from the publisher you can do so here:
http://wildwolfpublishing.com/ZombieAnthology.aspx

The zombie apocalypse can really put a downer on your holiday…

38 holiday-themed zombie stories from new and established authors including Night of the Living Dead co-writer, John Russo, Tony Burgess, Shaun Jeffrey, Rod Glenn, Iain McKinnon, Matt Hilton, David Dunwoody, Wayne Simmons,Bowie V Ibarra, Joe McKinney, Remy Porter, A P Fuchs, Thomas Emson and Eric S Brown.

Over 500 pages crammed full of flesh-eating horror and dark humour from the cream of UK, US and Canadian talent. Theme parks, serial killers, seaside resorts, Christmas, Thanksgiving and fishing trips. You’ll scream, you’ll laugh and you might even shed a tear…

Holiday zombie horror has never been so entertaining.

Dark Inside By Shaun Jeffrey

Squawk By Remy Porter

Jennifer By Iain McKinnon

Cherry By Tony Wright

A Side of Cranberry Sauce By Clyde Wolfe

Dig By Lee Kelly

Apocalypse Noo By Vallon Jackson

Thanksgiving Feast By A.M. Boyle

Oatmeal Cookies By Eric Dimbleby

In The End By R. M. Cochran

Naked Fear By Tonia Brown

Undead Side of the Moon By Lyle Perez-Tinics

A Change is as Good as a Rest By Tom Johnstone

Storm Coming Down By Iain S Paton

Rockets’ Red Glare By Bowie V Ibarra

Zombie World Death Perception By Calvin A. L. Miller II

School’s Out By Derek Gunn

Guises By S. Michael Nash

Ladykiller By Ricki Thomas

Daddy Dearest By Dave Jeffery

Sleep Comes Does Never By A. P. Fuchs

Roman Holiday By David Dunwoody

Larry and Hank’s Big Dead Fishing Adventure By Eric S Brown

Home Is The Sailor, Home From The Sea By William Meikle

Burj By Nigel Hall

A Dark Moon Honeymoon By Rob Smith

The Last Trip Together By John McCuaig

The Day The Music Died By Joe McKinney

Wabigoon By James Cheetham

The Four Of July By Shawn M Riddle

Where Moth and Rust Destroy By Thomas Emson

The Zombie Whisperer By Bob Lock

The Day I Discovered The Truth About The Man In The Red Suit By R. Phillip Roberts

December In Florida By Asher Wismer

One Dead Whore By Wayne Simmons

Seahouses Slaughterhouse By Rod Glenn

Bonus Material

A special short story by Night of the Living Dead co-writer, John Russo ‘The Walk-In’
An exclusive excerpt from the screenplay for the forthcoming film sequel to Pontypool written by Tony Burgess

USA covers

2011-04-08T17:50:00.000+01:00

Coming December 2011

Coming November 2011

These are mock ups for the paperback editions of Slash and Burn (JH3) and Cut and Run (JH4) due for mass market paperback release in the USA this coming November and December. The type will be in flashy embossed foil, but this gives you some idea of what to look out for on the bookshop shelves. I like these covers: very evocative looking, and I hope you do to.

Apocalypse Noo - the back story.

2011-04-06T16:35:00.000+01:00

Regular visitors to my blog will already know that apart from the Joe Hunter books, I occasionally enjoy dipping into the medium of the short story. Usually when doing so, I tend to also dip into genres not necessarily associated with a thriller author. You can read samples of my out put via the sidebar where there are links to some of the shorts I've posted on the web. They range from gritty crime, to humorous crime, to horror, to ghost or weird tales. Some are even thrillers.

One of the worst kept secrets associated with me is that I occasionally write under the pseudonym of Vallon Jackson. My reason for doing that is to keep my other writing distinct from my Joe Hunter books so that there is no reader confusion. Well...in my guise of Vallon Jackson I was approached by an old friend of mine - under his pseudonym of Remy Porter - to submit a short story to an anthology. The catch was the story was to be written to a specific brief, that of a zombie story set against the backdrop of a holiday destination or theme. I'm not known for writing about the Risen Dead, but had recently read another anthology (The New Dead aka Zombie) on just such a subject and found it to be good fun. Coupled with that I'd just watched a few movies - Carriers, The Crazies, The Andromeda Strain - dealing with apocalyptical plagues, as well as the TV series The Walking Dead, and thought: "Why the hell not?"

My story might be different than others in the upcoming anthology, with a different feel - I'm not that well read in the genre (although Dead Beat by Remy Porter did make its way in to my hands last year and proved to be a great read) - but I hope you will enjoy it. It's called APOCALYPSE NOO.

The anthology is huge, with around 600 pages and 38 short stories from new and established authors and is set to light a huge flame under horror readers this May. It will be available from all the usual outlets or direct from the publisher's website at http://wildwolfpublishing.com

Some people have been wondering about my pen name, and why it came about. Here's a clue: my parents are Val and Jack, and I'm their son. Easy when you think about it.

Joe given voice

2011-04-06T13:56:00.000+01:00

This is a podcast from South Side Broadcasting where Slash and Burn was given the treatment as Book of the Month (March 2011). Some highly energetic readings from the book for your enjoyment, as well as expert reviews at the end. (there's a couple minutes of advertisements you can zip over in the middle). Enjoy!

http://southsidebroadcasting.podbean.com/2011/04/05/slash-and-burn-march-2011-book-of-the-month/

On the bookshelves

2011-03-29T11:35:00.000+01:00

The first in Sheila Quigley's new series

The first Harry Tate thriller

A quick head's up to let my readers know about two new editions on the bookshop shelves. I've mentioned both these books before from two of my writing friends, but thought it pertinent to remind you that both books are now out in paperback.

Where to meet authors - you might be surprised.

2011-03-23T09:59:00.001Z

On Thursday 17th March - coincidentally St Patrick's Day - I was in London to attend my publisher's annual sales conference bash, which was at the remarkable setting of Cafe de Paris in Leicester Square. It was a great night, with everyone dressed in amazing fantasy costumes for a masque ball, complete with a devil and angel on hand to usher the speakers on and off stage. I was in great company - not only from my friends and supporters from Hodder but with some great authors, including John Connolly, Gervase Phinn, Laini Taylor, Robyn Young, Ciara Geraghty, plus guest celebrity, Kirstie Allsopp.

Coming out of the venue, Leicester Square was in full party spirits, with droves of revellers dressed for the occasion in green hats and shamrocks, and all that business. Trying to flag a taxi was impossible, so I set off shanks pony style and hoofed it back to my hotel a couple miles away.

An early rise the following morning found me on a three and a half hour train journey back to Carlisle, Cumbria, followed by half and hour in the car to my house to pick up my wife, for a real quick turn around for a trip I'd booked up to my favourite getaway on the remote banks of Loch Tay in Scotland. So back in the car I went to take my dog to the kennels, then on the road for another four or five hours as I wended my way up north (with a few sight-seeing stops en route) to the log cabin I'd rented for a few days.

Talk about opposites.

Glitzy London one day, a remote hillside the next.

Here's the strange thing, though. I expected to meet authors while in London, but not on the banks of Loch Tay. As it was, on the Monday morning when preparing to head home, I bumped into writing buddy David Barber (Flash Fiction Offensive and David Barber's Fiction World) who just happened to be passing on his way to his day job. We had a good chinwag - which never is long enough to catch up on everything - before a bacon sandwich and a coffee (not to mention an insistent waitress who called me into the cafe) beckoned. It was great to see David, and in such an unlikely setting. What were the chances, eh?

Val McDermid, THE famous crime writer, told me that she was once 14,000 feet up in the Rockies only to be hailed by a passing climber...who she knew quite well. Odd, isn't it?

More Coming Soon Stuff.

2011-03-15T14:46:00.000Z

Here are a couple more images taken from the project I'm working on with Third Act Montage. Hope you are all enjoying the sneaky peek. All will be revealed soon.

The calloused fingertip burns bright.

2011-03-08T20:24:00.001Z

I've been a little quiet on the blog front lately, but rest assured it isn't that I haven't got anything to say, only that the words are going down fast and furious at another location. No, I haven't absconded to another site or anything, I'm talking about my latest Joe Hunter thriller. I'm currently working hard to bring you all the 8th book in the series, and when I get the writing bit between my teeth I'm at full gallop. Not that this one is an easy book to write - it's anything but.

With this one I'm trying a little experiment and going for a mystery as well as the hard actioner that Joe's readers have come to expect. Feedback from BLOOD AND ASHES has been very good indeed, but some have had mixed feelings that I concentrated on Joe's character this time round. Some felt that it made the book deeper and much better, while others found that the characterisation slowed the pace a tad. I'm infinitely aware that introspection can place stumbling blocks in the way of hard action, and the process of solving a mystery can also have the same detrimental result. I'm trying therefore to produce a book that has a mystery to solve but without losing any of the balls to the wall pace that the previous Joe Hunter books have all had. I'm thinking hard, writing hard, and probably doing about twice as much back tracking through the text as I normally do. But I'm enjoying the process (though it's taking more time and energy this time, hence the lack of posts here). I hope that you all enjoy the end result when I finally get it done.

Coming soon...again...

2011-03-01T11:07:00.002Z

Copyrighted image THIRDACTMONTAGE

Coming soon...

Lesson Learned (a writing tip)

2011-02-28T12:00:00.000Z

I don't consider myself a political beast, in fact I'm one of those that has mixed emotions about most political agendas (sometimes known as apathy). One thing I'm not, and never have been is right wing - despite what people might think from Joe's sometimes uncompromising attitude. Like Joe though, I hate injustice, I hate bullies, and I hate racism. I think this does come out in my writing.

When leakage occurs it is inevitable that you will make a statement of sorts - deliberately or not.

When writing Blood and Ashes, I wanted the villains - a group of Neo-Nazi White Supremacists - to come over as truly deplorable and had to look to their targets in real life to make them a plausible enemy. Something I didn't consider was that the fictional elements of the book would have an impact on any of the ethnic groups I chose to use in the book. Therefore I was very surprised to see the accompanying story reported in The Jewish Telegraph, on Friday 25th February 2011.

I'm thoroughly pleased to see that Joe (and his actions) was taken in the context that I intended, and that he has been hailed as a defender of the Jews of Manhattan, as much as he is of every other race. Like I do, Joe judges people by what is in their hearts and souls, and not by race, creed or colour. His best friends Rink and Harvey proves that point.

When writing, do you consider the reaction your writing engenders in your readers? Personally I did not give it much thought before, but the lesson is learned.

A Couple of Top Reads

2011-02-27T12:08:00.002Z

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver/dp/B004P1J2TA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1298631280&sr=1-8

Steven Savile is an awesome writer who has penned dozens of books in various genres - all of them thrilling - and his novel SILVER was one of my reading highlights of last year. Well, if you've got one of those E-reader thingamybobs and want a great read for a very low price, then hit the link above.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tracers-Harry-Thriller-Adrian-Magson/dp/0727880136/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298808510&sr=1-1
Also, anyone who knows me, knows I'm an admirer of Adrian Magson's work, and I'm pleased to say that his latest Harry Tate thriller is now available, called TRACERS. I haven't read it yet, but it's winging its way to me now and I can't wait. The previous Harry Tate thriller RED STATION was a great read, and another of last year's reading highlights for me.

US Crime Drama's Master Craftsman

2011-02-27T11:27:00.001Z

In this week's Cumberland News, there was a great review of BLOOD and ASHES by Steve Matthews at www.bookscumbria.com that I felt needed sharing. I'm indebted to Steve and Gwendolyn for all their support.

Review by Steve Matthews of Books Cumbria

“Brook Reynolds woke up screaming without knowing why.” A car had tail-gated her on a mountain road, then screeched past and blocked the road. She had swerved off, the car rolling through the forest. “’Help me,’ she said again more loudly . . . ‘I’m covered in gasoline. Please . . . somebody help me.’” She could hear voices. “Then the first one said, ‘Yeah. Take these matches. You’d better finish her off.’”Brook Reynold’s vicious murder – the local cops record it as a tragic auto accident – is the reason that ex-counter-terrorism agent Joe Hunter finds himself driving north to Pennsylvania. Her father, Don Griffiths, has called for his assistance. He knows that someone is out to get him and his family. His past life has made him a target for some of the most dangerous men in America.
Joe calls at the house in Bedford Wells. He senses he is being followed. He is shown into the darkened house by a resentful Millie. “I hear you’re supposed to be some sort of knight errant these days,” she says. Joe doesn’t want to hear when Don sees it as murder, tells him about the threatening e-mail from Carswell Hicks. Hicks is supposedly dead, burnt in a helicopter accident escaping from prison. Joe walks away.
Two men are waiting, threateningly, sitting on the bonnet of his car. “Just make sure you head outa here and know what it means if you come back.” Joe had been twiddling the keys in his hand. “The sharp point rammed directly into the stocky man’s neck an inch below the lobe of his ear.” The other man was a tougher case. He was coming towards Joe “fingers tightened to spear into my exposed throat.” There was a wet sound from where Joe’s elbow hit, and the man staggered backwards, spitting out loose teeth.
Within minutes, both men are dead, in the boot of their SUV and left on a lonely trail in the forest.
Joe Hunter has been trained to the point where killing is almost an instinct. His wife left him. He’s five feet eleven, greying hair, thirteen stone and of an athletic build, ex Parachute Regiment, living in Florida and operating as a “freelance security consultant”. He is in fact a vigilante, ready to carry his SIG SAUER P226 wherever it is needed and use it to deadly effect.
And throughout “Blood and Ashes” Joe needs that gun and all his resources and training as he finds himself defending a desperate and terrified family from a vengeful master criminal. But far more is at stake. Carswell Hicks is at the heart of a fascist plot to regain white supremacy in an America ruled by Barack Obama. The Koreans are supplying plutonium isotopes and the Statue of Liberty, New York and the free world are under threat from these racist thugs.
Matt Hilton, who leads a quiet life, writing books in Abbeytown, knows what he is talking about. The violence is graphic and choreographed with all the precision of a classic ballet. Alternating chapters let Joe tells his own story, each move, each desperate blow, each telling shot, and show us the thugs, their machinations and their hot pursuit.
The novel is closely crafted, sparing in character, crowded with action. The plot builds from the threat to one family until we see how the threat involves everyone. Yet Joe Hunter is the key. It is his actions, his skill and training and his courage that will keep the world safe.
This is Matt Hilton’s fifth book. He is a master craftsmen, shaping and building his story to a dramatic and exciting climax.

Signed copies of Matt Hilton’s “Blood and Ashes” are available from Bookends, 56 Castle Street, Carlisle, and 66 Main Street, Keswick, and from www.bookscumbria.com.

Book Launch 17th Feb 2011

2011-02-21T13:00:00.000Z

Shots Says: "A High-Octane Addition"

2011-02-18T20:24:00.001Z

I'm over the moon at the reception that Blood and Ashes is garnering, and already there have been a number of superb reviews that I've posted here on the blog. The latest comes from Mike Stotter at Shots Magazine, probably the best known crime fiction site in the UK. I was chuffed to bits to read Mike's take on the latest Joe Hunter thriller. You can see it here: http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/book_reviews_view.aspx?BOOK_REVIEW_ID=181

Thanks to Mike and all the Shots crew.

Blood and Ashes - the latest

2011-02-16T15:08:00.000Z

So there's been a little confusion over the publication of Blood and Ashes in the UK. As most of you probably know by now the book was originally coming out tomorrow on the 17th February, but for some reason (missed even by me) it came out a fortnight ago on the 3rd.

It makes having a launch event a little bit academic, but nevertheless I'm looking forward to meeting friends, family and supporters for a good get together tomorrow evening. I would like to thank Gwenda and her team at Bookends in Carlisle for their support (and patience), and also John and his team at The Merienda in advance. Likely I'll be so busy tomorrow I won't get chance to do so.

While I'm on, I just thought I'd share the proposed cover for Blood and Ashes for when it is released in paperback later this summer. I love the colours and the direction the design team have taken with this one.

Blood and Ashes paperback cover

Coming soon...

2011-02-15T23:09:00.001Z

Coming soon...