Thursday 23 December 2010

Twas Two Nights Before Christmas - A Joe Hunter Poem


Twas Two Nights Before Christmas
(A Christmas poem featuring Joe Hunter)
Twas two nights before Christmas, when all through the house 
the killer was stirring, the heartless louse. The stocking was pulled over his head with care, 
in hopes no one would know him if they seen him there.
The children were tied up in their beds, while chloroform fumes danced in their heads.
 And mamma with her ‘kerchief employed as a gag,
 had just lost her brain after her husband was also whacked!

 When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
 the killer sprang from her body to see what was the matter.

Away to the window he flew like a flash, tugging up his zipper as he threw up the sash.
 The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
 gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
 When, what to his worried eyes should appear,
 but a jet black Porsche, that should not have been there.


With a big ol’ driver, so lively and quick,
 he knew in a moment it must be that Rink.
 More rapid than an eagle his partner came,
 and he whistled, and shouted, and called the killer by name!

 "Now killer! Now, murderer! Now, rapist, I’m fixing, 
on coming on, stupid, to give you a Blitzing!”
 To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall the killer should dash away or else he would fall!


As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
 when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
 So up to the house-door Joe Hunter he flew,
 with his hand full of gun, and a KABAR too. 

And then, in a twinkling, the killer heard the clicks, the racking
 and chambering of the SIG-Sauer P226.

As he drew in his head, and was turning around, 
through the front window Hunter came with a bound. 

He was dressed all in black, from his head to his foot, 
and his clothes were all spotted with glass and with blood.

A bundle of hurt Hunter brought to this place, 
and he looked like the Grim Reaper, with his KABAR raised.

 His eyes-how they twinkled, his grim smile so scary!
 He brought up his gun, but he was in no hurry! 
His tight-lipped mouth was drawn up like a bow, 
as he unloaded the SIG like a flurry of snow.


There was a stump of an arm and a scatter of teeth,
 and the blood it encircled the killer’s head like a wreath.
 He had a wound in his face and more in his belly,
 where his intestines were pulped like a bowlful of jelly!

 He was shuddering and pumping, the guts right out his self,
 Hunter laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself!

A round through the eye and a chunk from his head, 
soon told Hunter that the killer was dead. 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
 and pulled down the stocking, to identify the jerk.
 And spotting the incriminating tattoo aside the killer’s nose, 
he gave a nod, and he pulled out his phone!


He sprang to the Porsche, and Rink gave it throttle,
 and away they flew like the cork from a bottle.
 No one heard Hunter exclaim, ‘ere they drove out of sight,
 "Hi, Walter, a clean up crew’s required again tonight!"
Based with much respect on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ a poem
 By Clement Moore.

Monday 20 December 2010

Rudolph's not the only one with a red nose!

http://matthiltonbooks.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-morality-tale.html

For those of you new to my blog, or who have even read it in the past but don't mind reading it again, here's a short Christmas morality tale featuring Joe Hunter. Enjoy!!

Sunday 19 December 2010

Cut and Run paperback coming soon.

For those of you who do not care to pick up the hardback editions of books, you'll be glad to hear that - in a few short weeks - the paperback edition of CUT AND RUN, the fourth in the Joe Hunter series of crime thrillers, will be readily available in UK bookshops.

Please note that the paperback edition sports a whole new design - so don't go searching for Joe and his parachute. I like this cover, which is evocative of a scene from the book - I won't say which one as I don't want to spoil anything for those of you that haven't read the book yet - but those of you who have read it will probably recall the scene.

I'm pleased to say that Cut and Run continues to garner some great reviews and a lot of readers think it is the best 'Joe Hunter' to date. Hopefully I can build on this and you will all enjoy his further adventures even more.

Cut and Run will be released on 6th January 2011, and should be widely available. If you enjoy the books, please tell your friends and family, and get them on to Joe Hunter, and if any of them gets book tokens or such as Christmas presents, it'd be nice to think they were exchanged for a Joe Hunter book.

Saturday 18 December 2010

"A real page-turner and for all the right reasons"

http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/books/141277/four-thrillers-four-good-reads

Cut and Run gets the (GOOD) treatment from the Otago Daily Times (New Zealand): but to set the record straight, I haven't read - and am not aware of - the James Patterson thriller attested to in the piece. Great minds must think alike!

Thursday 16 December 2010

Alternative cover of Judgement and Wrath.

Indian edition of Judgement and Wrath
I recently discovered this version of Judgement and Wrath on sale via India's version of Amazon at Flipkart.com and thought I'd share it with you all. Sorry about the low quality image, but it's not a train as I first thought, but an American style diner with a row of motorbikes outside (ala the scene where we first meet Joe in this book). I really like this one and could do with a better look at it.

Milo's Top 15 Books of 2010

http://www.milorambles.com/2010/12/15/my-top-15-books-of-2010/

I am thoroughly pleased to announce that the fourth high-octane Joe Hunter thriller - CUT AND RUN - has made it into top book and TV reviewer Milo's Rambles' list of favourite 15 books of 2010. Considering the number of great books published this year, I feel fortunate indeed, and also blessed to be named alongside so many other superb books/authors. Thank you Miles.

Wednesday 8 December 2010

How Well Do You Know Joe Hunter?


Here's a little game for Joe Hunter's readers.

How well do you think you know Joe? He has battled his way through life and has picked up a few wounds/scars and a tattoo along the way, but can you correctly identify which of the above images is the best reflection of those marks. Imagine that you are facing the figure above, and identify which one is Joe.

Double click the images for a larger view.

The shield is a tattoo
The dot is a bullet wound
The wiggly line is a knife mark

Who knows, there might even be a prize (picked at random from all correct entries). Just leave your answer in the comments.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Dead Men's Harvest - Spoiler Alert

Don't read this if you don't want to know the secret behind Joe Hunter 6...

OK, the secret is out.

An old nemesis of Joe Hunter is back by popular demand in the forthcoming Joe Hunter book - Dead Men's Harvest. It's some 269 days until publication on 4th August 2011, but already the synopsis of the book is popping up at the various bookseller sites. It's therefore apt that I share it with you, my faithful readers and supporters. So here it is:

***BEWARE SPOILER ALERT***

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.

But before we even get to DMH, you've got 'Blood and Ashes' to look forward to where Joe will make some other terrifying enemies. Blood and Ashes will be released on the 3rd February 2011, so it will be with you all very soon.

Joe Hunter Vigilante

http://www.joehuntervigilante.com/

This is just a little reminder that Joe Hunter has his own official website. Have you taken a look, played the latest games and such?

Sunday 5 December 2010

Holiday Book Blog Catalogue

Those lovely ladies (and superb writers), Erin Cole and Jodi MacArthur, have very kindly included 'Slash and Burn' and 'Cut and Run' in their festive run down of books they recommend to purchase as presents this coming Christmas. I'm indebted ladies. It's great to be included in such illustrious company.

http://jodimacarthur.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-book-blog-catalog.html

http://erincolelive.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-book-blog-catalog.html

Tuesday 30 November 2010

You're Booked

http://www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/yourebooked/

You're Booked is the new website brought to us by the lovely folk behind the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (Harrogate), and is a superb resource for crime readers and writers alike. Take a look see via the link.

Sunday 28 November 2010

Freebie E-Book: WATCHLIST

Here’s an ITW holiday gift – a free ebook!

Download a free copy of ITW’s latest thriller Watchlist – a killer collaboration between 22 authors including Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child, Joe Finder, Lisa Scottoline, David Hewson, David Liss and more.

USA Today said: “Entertaining and intriguing....the action is full-boil.”

PW (Publishers Weekly) gave it a starred review and said: “A suspenseful, action-packed international thriller filled with plenty of twists and turns.” 

To get your free ebook sign up at Peroozal.com – where recommendations from authors guide readers to great books.



Note: neither ITW or I, Matt Hilton, have any connection to Peroozal.com

Slash and Burn gets the Bury treatment

It was really nice to see that Slash and Burn (Joe Hunter 3) made it to the list of Col Bury's crime fiction choices. Some people might point out that Col has become a good writing buddy of mine - and he has - but he is also truthful and insightful in his book reviews, and has always delivered reviews of my work unsolicited. I really appreciate it, man. I'd also like to say a huge thanks to those who left comments, and for the great feedback and support the writers of the blogosphere have given me (both at Col's blog and elsewhere).

To read Col's crime fiction choices, double digit here:


http://colburysnewcrimefiction.blogspot.com

Saturday 27 November 2010

Off My Bookshelf

At this time of year, many people out in the blogosphere start making their 'best of' lists, and often the books that make the lists are dominated by the big hitters. My reading this year has primarily been dominated by authors that I admire, alongside authors that I have grown to admire in a very short period.

I'm a huge fan of John Connolly, Robert Crais, Jack (J.A.) Kerley, Dean Koontz etc, and will read and enjoy their books every time, as do many thousands of others, therefore when thinking about the best books I've read this year, I decided to go with the books that might not have been spotted by everyone yet and give these lesser known authors a nudge up the ladder (hopefully).

So in no particular order and without further ado:

Books I'd recommend to you the reader are...

Free Country by Jeremy Duns
Spy thriller












Deadlock by Sean Black
Crime thriller












The Interrogator by J J Cooper
Spy/military thriller












The Twelve by Stuart Neville
crime thriller/supernatural












Nightfall by Stephen Leather
Crime thriller/supernatural












Switch by Grant McKenzie
Crime thriller












Red Station by Adrian Magson
Spy thriller










Mr Shivers by Robert Jackson Bennett
Supernatural thriller











These are my stand out choices of the books I've read this year (off the bookshelves). I've also had the honour of reading a few books in manuscript form - including Thorn in my Side by Sheila Quigley, Revenge School by Myles Knapp, Dead Beat by Remy Porter, and these are all books I would recommend to anyone.

I hope you decide to pick up a couple of these books (remember that Christmas is coming and books make ideal presents), as well as hope you continue to pick up my Joe Hunter series.

Happy reading, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Matt

Sunday 21 November 2010

Triple the thrills

As many of you know, I'm a proud member of International Thriller Writers and attend Thrillerfest in New York as often as I can.

The ITW, without doubt, represents the best 'thriller authors and books' around, and is growing all the time. Recently it has become necessary for them to expand their platform, and predominantly this has taken form in the shape of developing their existing website to three new ones.

You can now keep up to date with all the news about your favourite writers and their projects at these fresh new sites:
http://www.thrillerwriters.org/

http://www.thrillerfest.com/

http://www.thebigthrill.org/


Saturday 20 November 2010

A real drama!

If you would like to listen in to the radio interview I took part in last night with John Raab at Suspense Radio, click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/suspensemagazine

The show runs for an hour and I follow thriller author Joseph Badal and I had a great time, after a fraught day.

Murphy's law struck for me. After living in my current house for thirteen years with the same landline and no problems whatsoever, my phone decided to pack in hours before I was due to go live on air in California.

My attempts at making things right failed miserably, as did my telephone service provider. Now then, living in a very rural area my mobile phone is as much good as an ornament sitting on my desk beside me, so I could not use it either. That meant a forty mile round trip to the nearest town to purchase a new phone, but on my return it was as useless as the phone I already had. Hence the fault was in the cabling. Every effort to strip back to basics didn't help, and by now time was rushing in on me.

Thankfully, some neighbours jumped to my rescue and offered their phone for my use...remember this was at 02.30 in the morning UK time. I am indebted to Mike and Sandy and thank them profusely for opening their home to me at that ungodly hour. It goes to show that there are good people in the world who are willing to help when the chips are down (ala Joe Hunter?). So, if I sound less than lucid or a bit distracted during the interview, now you know the story. And the end of the story: my landline's still broken, my mobile reception is still pooh, and when I do finally get through, I can't get to speak to a real person at my service provider exchange.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the interview. After everything was said and done I had a good time and John Raab was a real gent and top interviewer. Thanks John.

Thursday 18 November 2010

Suspense Magazine radio show

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/suspensemagazine

For those night birds among you out there, I will be appearing on Suspense Magazine's radio show at 02:00 am this coming Saturday morning (20th November) GMT, speaking with Host John Raab. The show goes out from Los Angeles where it will be 18:00 (6 pm) on Friday 19th - I know, it's the weird vageries of time zones - and it's live. So, having come home from the pub and caught a late night movie, you might want to listen in via the link above. If you miss it, don't worry, the interview will be cached and can be accessed at a later date and time via the same link. In fact, if you go there now, you can hear some great prerecorded interviews with some of the top authors in the fields of crime, mystery, suspense and thriller books.

Thursday 11 November 2010

A Fringe, A Cut and A Run: Sounds like making off without paying your hairdresser but it isn't!

http://thefringemagazine.blogspot.com/2010/11/book-review-cut-and-run-by-matt-hilton.html

The Fringe Magazine is an online magazine (based in Australia) dedicated to books and short stories of any genre. It also has book reviews, and they kindly reviewed CUT AND RUN this time round. Thanks folks.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

The end is nigh...or is it? Nah! For Joe Hunter it's all steam ahead.

Something just struck me hard!

No it wasn't a phantom missile launched from a nuclear submarine off the Californian coast (anyone been following the news?) but the realisation that it's the second week of November already. Not only that but it's the second week of November 2010. We are only a few weeks away from the cusp of 2011. Can anyone believe it? It seems like no time since we were all anticipating the New Millenium, and all the doomsday stories were doing the rounds. Remember the Millenium Bug that was supposed to crash all of our computers, revert us back to the end of the nineteenth century or even the dark ages, or cause a chain reaction that would annihilate the entire world in a thermo-nuclear holocaust?

Now that the Noughties are about to end, and we enter the Teenies it brings to my mind the new doomsday prophesies (OK, they're not new if you ask a Mayan) and that the world will end in just over two years time in December 2012. Blooming typical, isn't it? I wait all these years to achieve my dream as a published author and then the world is going to come to a cataclysmical ending!

Not that I buy into the stories, mind you.

But just in case there is any truth in it, I'd better get a move on with my writing because (here's the real reason for this post), I can now announce that Joe Hunter will continue and I have agreed  to deliver books 8 and 9 in the series to my UK publisher, Hodder and Stoughton.

I am over the moon at the prospect, and I hope that you, my readers, are too.

So, between now and doomsday you can watch out for the upcoming Blood and Ashes (JH 5), Dead Men's Harvest (JH 6) and No Going Back (JH 7 - working title), and - hoping those Mayans were just blowing hot air - books eight and nine shortly afterwards.

Oh, and there's also good news for my followers over in the USA: my publisher there - the esteemed William Morrow and Company - have picked up Cut and Run and will be following the current three book run as well.

So, you can count on Joe for many more adventures to come, and nothing short of a direct nuclear strike will stop me from bringing his tales to the page.

Now...where did that mysterious missile go? Uh...

Tuesday 9 November 2010

I'm chuffed!

Hey! I'm chuffed to be named author of the week at Tararua District Library over in New Zealand. Thanks you kind folks!!
http://tararualibrary.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/author-of-the-week-8-november-%E2%80%93-14-november/

Out Today - Das Blut Gericht - Joe Hunter 2

DAS BLUT GERICHT (The Blood Court), the German edition of Judgement and Wrath is out today from Heyne and can be ordered here: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3453435176/verlagsgruppe-21/

I've just received copies of the book in the German translation (by Stefan Rohmig) and think the covers look awesome - I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but actually seeing them in the flesh they look even better - supremely Gothic looking.

Monday 8 November 2010

The Fluffy Navel Lives!! (AKA 'Can you tell what it is yet?')

Upkeeping my blog has been on the backburner for a few weeks now and I apologise to those of you who keep tuning in to find out what I've been up to recently, or to read my take on the writing game. It's not that I haven't anything to say, just that 'real life' has caught up with me and certain tasks that I've put off (for way too long) have demanded attention. For the past fortnight I've been giving the house a long over due make over.
So here's the thing:
Why is it I loathe wielding a paintbrush and roller during household chores when - if I was facing a blank canvas - I'd relish the task of creating a painting? I love painting pictures, and can quite easily lose a few hours slapping colours onto canvas (see the art tab above for some of my creations), though I don't get the opportunity to do so these days. I guess it's the mundaneness of painting a wall that turns me off, the same as I couldn't write a mundane book - althought that's debateable concerning the opinions of some of my detractors ;-)
No, I love the vibrancy and viceral feeling I get from writing high-octane action, the same as I do when daubing paint onto canvas ala Bob Ross style. Painting a wall a uniform colour just doesn't give me the same experience. I suppose that means I'm a colourful writer? I'd agree with that. But is there also uniformity in my writing? I believe there is, and it's important in my opinion that it is there.
Uniformity in my case is that we have ongoing characters and situations - Joe Hunter, Rink, Harvey etc versus some ultra bad guy/guys to overcome. It's kind of expected in a sense, that readers of Joe's adventures know exactly what they are going to get but with a twist. Uniformity in this case is like a pallet of colours: red, yellow, blue, black and white. They are the only colours (or shades if you take the latter two), but they have infinite connotations when mixed. That's what I try to achieve with my writing, that I take the uniform 'colours', mix them all up and see what creations I can form from them. The options are endless, I think, but always in the background there will be the base hues. Therefore, although we feel like we recognise the basic building blocks - the style if you like - there are always new ways of delivering the end product. Usually, in my case, it's the 'happy little accidents' that make all the difference.
I read a review of Vince Flynn's latest book where it was said that the story was treading on old ground. I think this is unavoidable when writing a series following ongoing characters, but, though I haven't read the book yet, I'm pretty sure that Vince has done a great job of delivering something new and fresh as well. We all want to read and learn something new, but we also love the familiarity of a much loved ongoing character. We pick up books in an ongoing series with a certain sense of expectancy after all, and without those base colours that we've come to recognise and absorb they just wouldn't deliver the same.To coin a very overused phrase, we expect that the next book in a series 'does exactly what it says on the tin'.
Pity my 'one coat paint' didn't live up to the same promise.

Sunday 31 October 2010

RINK

For all you Jared 'RINK' Rington fans out there, he has his own fan page at Facebook, set up to strong arm me into writing a book with the big guy as the central character. If this is something you'd like to see (and there's no promises at this time) go on over there and add yourself to the list (by hitting like). While you're there, have a look at the discussions tab, and leave a discussion subject of your own - as long as it concerns Rink, Joe Hunter or any of my other creations.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=279&post=633&uid=161241940557829#!/pages/We-want-a-Jared-Rink-Rington-novel/161241940557829

Das Blut Gericht (The Blood Court) coming soon

Das Blut Gericht (The Blood Court) is translated from 'Judgement and Wrath' by Stefan Rohmig, and is the second Joe Hunter thriller to be published by Heyne (Random House). It will officially be released on 9th November 2010.
For more information, take a look here: http://www.randomhouse.de/book/edition.jsp?edi=338025

CUT AND RUN trade paperback out today

CUT AND RUN - the fifth Joe Hunter thriller - is officially released in Canada, Australia and New Zealand today in large format trade paperback, and should be available at all major book retailers.

Thursday 28 October 2010

To Tweet or not to Tweet

I've finally succumbed to all those that tell me I need to get on Twitter. So you can now find me on twitter MHiltonauthor or at http://twitter.com/MHiltonauthor

Would be nice to get a few followers.

There's also a tab in the sidebar here if you'd like to follow and recieve my Tweets.

Cheers all

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Me and Joe at Booksnbytes

This is a cool new page at Booksnbytes.com collecting information on all of my books to date, and some excellent reviews as well. Please take a look over, where you'll also find links to where the books can be ordered from.

http://www.booksnbytes.com/authors/hilton_matt.html

Thursday 21 October 2010

Myth Breaker

Dispelling the myth that all English men are too reserved and that we have no fashion sense, the grounds were set for a challenge I just could not pass on.

Enter THE SHIRT TO END ALL SHIRTS!!

It got me first prize in the ugliest shirt category at the specially ordained competition during the Saturday Night Bouchercon A Go Go Disco (specially ordained that is by only me and co-English attendee Adrian Magson - the only other competitior for the grand prize).

Who needs a Shamus or Edgar or any other award when they get the Loudest Shirt Award?

Sunglasses at the ready...


P.S. I sadly had to leave the shirt behind, tucked up at the back of a drawer in my hotel room. It wouldn't have made it past customs.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Getting my bridges in a twist

This is the view I awoke to on my first morning in San Francisco for this year's Bouchercon World Mystery Conference. The view is from the Regency Club in the Hyatt Regency Hotel where the conference was held. Being a Brit, my body clock was eight hours ahead of San Francisco, so I was up and about at 4 am (after a lie-in), killing time down by the harbourside and had returned to guzzle ample cups of coffee in the breakfast lounge. While there, I watched the sun come up, and at the last moment realised I had the camera on my phone to hand. It's a stunning view, and almost identical to the one from my room's balcony.
I made a slight tit of myself when I emailed friends and told them (in my excitement) it was the Golden Gate Harbour Bridge, when in fact this is the Bay Bridge. To be honest, on subsequently seeing the GGHB during a boat trip out to Alcatraz I wasn't as impressed. The Bay Bridge wins hands down for overall beauty.

...and here's what Milo's Rambles thought of JAW

http://www.milorambles.com/2010/10/13/judgement-wrath-joe-hunter-2-book-review/

Milo over at Milo's Rambles has been a really great supporter of my Joe Hunter books since recently discovering them. He has read them slightly out of order, so has reported on both CUT AND RUN and DEAD MEN'S DUST in the past. Here's his take on the most recent book he's read in the series, JUDGEMENT and WRATH.

Thanks Milo.

What the Big Bamboozler says about JAW

http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/2010/10/judgement-wrath-by-matt-hilton.html

Hey all,
top hard boiled, horror and noir writer Paul Brazill is no stranger to the blogosphere. He's a man who is not only a superb writer, and a top bloke but also has good taste in reading as well...ahem.

Why not take a look over at his blog for his take on Judgement and Wrath, and while there, read through the back list of Paul's awesome catalogue of work. He truly is a talented writer on the up and up and deserves world wide recognition for his writing.

Saturday 9 October 2010

A villain Ian Fleming would be proud of

Speaking of Bouchercon, here's a great little story about it, where I also get a fab mention. Me and Ian Fleming mentioned in the same sentence - I'm honoured!

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_16155075?nclick_check=1

Thanks to Grit-Lit top reveiwer Myles Knapp

Karl Malden's Bobble Nose

If you'd asked me about San Francisco a wee while ago, I didn't know an awful lot about it. I grew up in the 1970s and remember a TV programme called The Streets Of San Francisco - I don't remember it well, just car chases up and down really steep, bumpy hills, a very young Michael Douglas, and Karl Malden's 'bobble nose' - that's what we called it as kids anyway - and a cool theme tune which I'm now humming to myself. I knew SF had a cool bridge over the Golden Gate Harbor, and knew that Alcatraz prison was set out in the bay. Oh, and it's in northern California and often is very misty there.That was about it though. In the past few weeks I've learned a little more in preparation for attending this year's Bouchercon World Mystery Convention which starts next Thursday 14th and runs until Sunday 17th. Oddly enough I've read a couple books set in and around SF recently - one of them Deadlock by Sean Black (which I heartily recommend) - which was purely coincidental, and I've also caught a couple of TV programmes set in the city.

I'm looking forward to visiting the west coast. My previous trips to the US have been to New York (3 times), Baltimore, Florida and Indianapolis. With the exception of the latter, they've all been on the eastern seaboard, so I'm looking forward to discovering the differences and imagine a totally different feel and culture out west.

Bouchercon is going to be fabulous this year. There are some amazing events taking place and the line up of authors attending is second to none. And yes, I'm also there. I have two panels that I'm going to be talking on, as well as being a part of the 'continuous conversation' sessions. Also - at 7.30 pm on Thursday 14th - as part of the opening ceremony I'll be signing and giving away copies of my latest book (Judgment and Wrath in the USA) completely free of charge (Thanks to my US publisher William Morrow and Co). If you're attending the conference, hurry along and get your free copy while they last. If it's anything like last year, my copies of Dead Men's Dust went like the proverbial hot cakes.

While I'm in SF I am of course going to do the trip to Alcatraz, and ride the cable car, and proibably dress in a nice colourful shirt (in-joke with a few of my friends). On my return I will do a full report, so watch out for it in a short while.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Thorn In My Side

Sheila Quigley, bestselling author of the Seahills Estate crime series has started two new ventures. The first is she has taken the plunge and set up her own publishing house in order to have greater control over the publication of her books, and the second - to mark the launch of Burgess Publishing - is to release a brand new series, beginning with THORN IN MY SIDE.

Here's the description of TIMS over at Amazon, where you can also purchase the book if you wish:

"DI Mike Yorke is coming home. After three months in London, he's looking forward to being back in the north east - but he's barely off the train before he's deep into the most bizarre case of his career. A viciously flogged corpse. Children disappearing, the length of the A1. Horrific new street drugs. And buried somewhere is a deadly secret that will lead him down paths so dangerous, he will question the very fabric of society. In the first in a stunning new series set on Holy Island, an explosive secret going back to the dawn of time is unearthed by a young woman who, fearing for her life, goes on the run in the wilds of Northumbria. The fate of the world is in the hands of DI Mike Yorke, an abused clairvoyant street kid called 'Smiler', and Mike's elderly Aunt May. Everyone from the lowlifes of the London streets to the monks near Holy Island become involved in a race against time to save humanity. From the celebrated author of the Seahills Estate novels comes a BRAND NEW Series that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat."

For fans of Sheila's Seahills books, fret not, because a new book in the Lorraine Hunt series will be published early next year.

Monday 4 October 2010

The Crime Of It All opens its doors

http://www.thecrimeofitall.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=131&Itemid=609

I'd like to bring to your attention a superb new webiste dedicated to crime, mystery and thriller writers, books and all related subjects. It is very indepth with some great, probing interviews and articles by some of the best authors in the business. Why not hop on over via the link above to read an interview I did with Len Wanner - who knows, you might even learn something new about me you didn't already know.

Visit the home page at http://www.thecrimeofitall.com/

Judgment and Wrath - The Movie

OK, I think that might have caught your attention, and sorry if I raised your expectations too high. There isn't a movie in the offing (not unless some movie maker is reading this and wishes taking on the option to film).

Over at Marshal Zeringue's top blog MY BOOK, THE MOVIE I was asked to offer my take on a dream cast if the book was translated to the big screen. Why not take a look over and see if you agree with any of the suggestions. http://mybookthemovie.blogspot.com/2010/10/matt-hiltons-judgment-and-wrath.html

By the way, some people don't like to picture a specific actor, because it always impresses their image on the character when reading the book - therefore I've been sneaky and added a few alternatives to cloud the issue a little.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my choices, or if in fact you have someone different in mind for the various characters yourself.

Saturday 2 October 2010

Ich möchte nur an meine deutschen Leser sagen Hallo

Ich möchte nur an meine deutschen Leser sagen Hallo, und da ich nicht sprechen (in Deutsch oder schreiben tun) habe ich den automatischen Übersetzer verwendet, um dies für mich zu tun. Bitte entschuldigen Sie eventuelle Fehler in der Grammatik usw.-Sie sind alles die Schuld des Programms "Übersetzung" (Scherz).


Der Knochensammler wurde aus meinem Debütroman, in englischsprachigen Ländern bekannt als Dead Men's Dust, übersetzt und wurde in Deutschland durch die wunderbare Leute bei Heyne (Random House Verlaggsgroupe) veröffentlicht, und ich hoffe, Sie genossen Joe Hunter's ersten Ausflug gegen die Harvestman, Tubal Cain.

Buch zwei, genannt Das Blut Gericht, ist zur Veröffentlichung Anfang November 2010 fällig, und ist eine Übersetzung des Buches bekannt als Gerichts und Wrath (oder Abrechnung und Zorn in den USA). In diesem Buch ist Joe durch eine trauernde Vater näherte, ihn bittet, seine Tochter, Marianne, aus den Klauen der ihr angeblich brutalen Freund, der Millionär spielen Junge Bradley Jorgenson zu retten. Es ist Joes Art von Job... aber alles nicht, wie es scheinen mag. Ein professioneller Hit-Mann, der mit dem Namen der gefallenen Engel, Dantalion, geht Jorgenson und seine jungen Freundin zu töten gesendet wurde, und es fällt unter Hunter's Aufgabe, beide aus der derangierte Killer zu schützen.

Ich hoffe wirklich, Sie genießen das Buch und werden, lassen Sie mich Ihre Meinung.

Matt.

And for my English readers, this is what I said (I hope):
 
I would just like to say hi to my German readers, and because I do not speak (or write) in German I’ve used the automatic translator to do this for me. Please excuse any mistakes in grammar etc – they’re all the fault of the translation programme (joke).


Der Knochensammler was translated from my debut novel, known in English speaking countries as Dead Men’s Dust, and was published in Germany by those wonderful people at Heyne (Random House Verlaggsgroupe) and I hope you enjoyed Joe Hunter’s first outing against the Harvestman, Tubal Cain.

Book two, called Das Blut Gericht, is due for publication in early November 2010, and is a translation of the book known as Judgement and Wrath (or Judgment and Wrath in the USA). In this book, Joe is approached by a grieving father who asks him to rescue his daughter, Marianne, from the clutches of her allegedly brutal boyfriend, the millionaire play boy Bradley Jorgenson. It is Joe’s kind of job...but everything is not as it may seem. A professional hit man, who goes by the name of the fallen angel, Dantalion, has been sent to kill Jorgenson and his young girlfriend, and it falls under Hunter’s remit to protect both from the deranged killer.

I really hope you enjoy the book and will let me know your thoughts.

Matt

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Matthew Bull, who wins the signed large print edition of CUT AND RUN (Clipper Books). Thanks also to everyone else who entered the give away, your support and interest is much appreciated.
Matt

Thursday 30 September 2010

The Fluffy Navel Rides Again

OK, it’s been a while since I shared any of the rambling thoughts that wander through my head. Most times I’m too busy putting them down in my latest manuscript. But I’ve got a few minutes spare and thought it was about time I got down to write something here for which this blog was originally intended. To hopefully inspire other authors to write the book they always intended to.


So, I’m going to pose a question, and then just write what comes to mind. I warn you now: it could be a ramble, it could be disjointed, but hopefully there’ll be something here to make you think.

Before I start, I’m not on a soap box, but just want you to think a little about your own writing. If you don’t agree with what I say, then that’s OK, because it will only solidify my point. I’m not generating debate here, unless it’s in your own head, so when/if you comment, please be gentle with me, Okay?

Here’s the question:

How do you decide what to write?

Do you follow the old adage of ‘write what you know’, or ‘write what you’d like to read’?

I tend to go with the second nugget of advice, and thankfully – by the number of readers and supporters of my Joe Hunter series – it seems to work for me.

Basically, I enjoy writing escapist, fast moving, slightly over the top, crime thrillers, because quite frankly I enjoy reading them.

Some have said my writing is superficial, unsophisticated and lacks depth. Well, in my book (no pun intended), that’s fine by me. It means I’ve delivered what I set out to write, and that can be no bad thing. Not that I mean that I purposefully write superficially or in an unsophisticated manner, or without depth, but that I write for readers who aren’t looking for such in my books. You want those, read one of the classics or the latest Booker Prize winner. If you want to kick back and engage yourself in a few hours of pure escapism, in a style that’s accessible to the lay man, then I write for you.

What is a fiction author’s first duty? To teach or to entertain? Me? I believe in the latter. A good book will do both, I understand and appreciate that, and I do like to learn new things. But I also love to be entertained. In fact, I prefer to be entertained. Therefore I try to write entertaining books, and leave the factoids to someone more in the know than I.

In my humble opinion, there are no rights and wrongs in writing (although I’m firmly against some subject matter). I’ve never read a chick-lit book, but that’s not to say thousands of other readers don’t love them: they obviously do. I’ve read very few of the classics, but there’s no denying that they’re great. Some people turn up their noses at sci-fi and fantasy, where others absolutely devour those genres. Basically, there’s a reader for all books. Sometimes you get lucky and there are masses of readers for your book.

As an aspiring author, are you trying to pre-empt the market and think of the next big thing? Great if you can do it. But the market is a funny and fickle thing that we just can’t pre-determine. The publishers can try to build a market, but for something to truly become the next big thing, it needs to engage the public consciousness.

Think of a couple of the biggest crazes of the last decade (as far as publishing success is concerned).

Harry Potter.

Twilight.

Who would have ever guessed it, eh?

Most agents won’t touch fantasy or horror with a barge pole. What were the chances that either a boy wizard or a brooding vampire would have caught the imagination of readers the world over? Never mind that: who would have guessed that either series would ever have been published?

I’m digressing a little, but what I’m trying to say is that both JK and Stephanie must have sat writing their debuts with a faint taste of impending doom in their mouths, knowing what it was they were up against. But they persevered and delivered, and ultimately triumphed. They wrote what they liked, and it found a following. The following swelled and birthed a tide of readers of tsunami proportions.

So, what I’m saying is HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND YOUR WRITING.

Never give up, never surrender.

Write what thou wilt.

If the books you write are good, then they will get a readership.

(Like I have, you will also get your deriders...but, hey, that only means you’ve achieved some level of success. No one would bother to knock you if you hadn’t done something they’d love to do, but can’t.)

So...head up, tighten your chin straps, and get back to writing that book of yours. Write what you would love to read, and others will join you in loving your writing.

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Five star JAW

http://www.themysteryreader.com/hilton-judgment.html

Jerry Solot at MYSTERY READER gives Judgment and Wrath the thumbs up, and a lovely array of five stars. Very much appreciated Jerry.

Friday 24 September 2010

Large Print Book Give Away

Coming this October 2010 is the UK Large Print Edition of Joe Hunter 4 - CUT AND RUN - from Clipper Books (WF Howes). Click here for more details.

Here's your opportunity to win one signed edition of the book (a large format paperback) for someone very deserving in your life. And it's as simple as this:

Drop me an email at matthiltonbooks@live.co.uk and put LP BOOK in the subject line.

In the body of the text put your name (as you like to be adressed) as well as that of the person you wish the book to go to should you win.

I would also appreciate it it if you would recommend my books to your recipient, as well as others you believe would enjoy reading them - in large or regular print size. Please CC your recipient or those that you are recommending the books to, and mention that you are entering this giveaway. I will not contact them in any shape or form other than to arrange delivery with the eventual winner (and all email addresses will be deleted afterwards). I accept that your suggested recipient/s might not have an email adress, so I will accept on faith that you have passed on your recommendations to them.

This give away is open to everyone. I will randomly choose a winner from the suggested recipients on Friday 1st October 2010. I will then contact the winner/ and/or the nominee to arrange delivery (at my expense).

I will announce here (and at my related blogs and Facebook pages) the winner once contact has been made to arrange delivery.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Could Rink have his own book?

A 'fan' has started a new facebook campaign for a book featuring Jared 'Rink' Rington as the main lead. If you want it, click here and join the gang. If enough people ask, well, who knows...

Thursday 16 September 2010

The Skin We're In

Even More Tonto Short Stories is an anthology of crime, slice of life and other tales published by Tonto Books. It contains stories by established authors and newcomers alike. Some time ago I was asked to contribute to the anthology, to help support writing in the north of England, to which I agreed wholeheartedly (I think you all know how much I like to help aspiring authors by now). In EMTSS you can find my original, never-published-before-short-story 'THE SKIN WE'RE IN'.

The first thing I'll say is it's not a Joe Hunter story and has nothing to do with Hunter in any shape or form. However you will probably recognise my style of writing: set in the north-east of England, it is a fast-moving actioner packed with grit and balls and not a little pathos. I'd love to hear what anyone who has read it thinks as it really is a divergence for me in publishing this kind of tale.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Even-More-Tonto-Short-Stories/dp/1907183043

Also, while I'm at it, I'd like to mention that the antho also contains my friend Col Bury's first published story called MOPPING UP, another fast-moving actioner packed with grit and balls and well worth a read. Look it up if you haven't already. The story is an intro to Col's first novel which is currently doing the rounds with the publishers by way of NYC agent, Nat Sobel.

By the way - to set the record straight - I do not profit from this book in any form and do not have any connection to Tonto Books or any others (apart from my regular publishers) connected with the publication of this book. My intention of bringing it to your notice is to simply share some great tales you might otherwise miss out on, and to bring to your attention some fine new writers.

'Choose and Book' chooses Slash and Burn

http://chooseandbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/slash-and-burn-new-joe-hunter-thriller.html

I was very pleased to come across the unsolicited review of Slash and Burn above. It's a very genuine, from-the-heart-review that left me smiling with pride.
I don't know the name of the reviewer, but would like to say thanks anyway. So if you read this...thank you.

Monday 13 September 2010

New Joe Hunter Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Hunter-Crime-Thrillers/153735557978125?v=app_2373072738

Hi all,
I've just set up a new facebook page specifically for Joe Hunter where I'll be posting images of the book covers and such like - as well as much, much more. There you'll find links to some great interviews (including ones with Joe and Rink) as well as links to some original fiction featuring Joe and related characters. Why not take a look and if you like it then hit the 'like' tab.
cheers
Matt

Saturday 11 September 2010

Soaked in adrenalin and electricity

I don't want to bore you with reviews of my books, but I had to share this one with you from Joe Hartlaub at Bookreporter.com which is great fun. Enjoy: http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews2/9780061718137.asp

Friday 10 September 2010

Of Bar stools and cremations.

To read a nice little interview with me conducted by Graham Smith of Crimesquad.com at this years' Theakstone's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival just follows these brief instructions:

Click here
Click the TOPCWF icon on the front page (under the microsites icon)
Have a read of how the interview came about and hit the blue prompt to go to the interview with me.

Simples.

Wednesday 8 September 2010

...and coming.

Thanks to USA Joe Hunter supporter Pat Reid for this awesome review of CUT AND RUN, to be found at various sites, including top flight webzines Mysteries Galore and Bestseller World

My gracious thanks go out to you, Pat.

The reviews keep on coming...

Another cool review for JUDGMENT AND WRATH from Fresh Fiction.Com.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Judgment and Wrath takes the page 69 test

Over at Marshal Zeringue's The Page 69 Test I have subjected my latest book released in the USA - JUDGMENT AND WRATH - to see if the sixty-ninth page is indicative of the book in its entirety. I believe it's a 'good un' and that it is indeed a showcase for the rest of the book. Why not click here and see what conclusions I came to: The Page 69 Test
Alternatively you can hop on over to the Campaign For The American Reader for further information and links.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Sign of the times...

I'd like to say thanks to all those who came along to Waterstone's, Carlisle yesterday (both old friends and new) for the signing session I did for CUT and RUN. It was a really good session for me, no pressure and lots of good conversations with interested readers and writers. A good day.

p.s. I don't know what all the fuss is about non-iron shirts. I've been wearing them for years - before anyone else gets a dig in ;-)

Friday 3 September 2010

Listen to them...the children of the night...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending Whitby Book Shop, 88 Church Street, Whitby for a combined evening of crime with Sheila Quigley, and I had a fabulous time. Whitby Book Shop is in the beautiful Church Street, the historical shopping street of Old Whitby which leads to the 199 steps that lead up to the ruins of the Abbey. Anyone who knows their history knows that it was on viewing Whitby and the ruins towering over the port that influenced Bram Stoker to have Count Dracula make land fall there when he arrives in England. I could see why Bram was so inspired. Whitby is one of the most picturesque towns I've visited in many a year, an artists and authors wonderland - I wish I'd taken my sketch pad - as well as being truly gothic. When the sun went down and the floodlights picked out the church cresting the rugged clifftops, well I could almost lose myself in the view. It was almost a shame that I had to go to the bookshop at the foot of the the cliffs instead of revelling in the sights. Almost, but not quite. The staff at the bookshop had gone to great lengths to prepare for the event, and I'm indebted to them and to those who attended mine and Sheila's talks for making it such a wonderful venue and event. I enjoyed myself immensely, and have promised .... I'll be back-ack-ack-ack....

As an add on:

Yes, me and my wife made our way up the 199 steps to the Abbey (but it had just shut. D'oh!) Nevertheless the climb was well worth it. I prowled around the ancient grave yard with wind scoured headstones going back as far as the seventeenth century and was spooked out and excited at the same time. Whoever said people died young in those days? There seemed to be a huge number of people living well into their 90s back in the old days. Maybe there's something said for this vampiric attachment to Whitby where people never age?

The superb window display at Whitby Book shop.

Grips like a vice on steroids!

http://crimesquad.com/reviews.asp

Now this is my kind of review! Huge thanks to the chaps at http://crimesquad.com/

Slight hiccup...

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/bookreviews/Action-man-stumbles.6509764.jp

Just to prove that I don't just post links to the rave reviews of my books (not that any one has ever said that) click  the link to the Yorkshire Post where it's believed Hunter might be a little misguided in his responses to being targeted by a sniper - although in my own humble opinion, if Joe merely waited for the police to arrive and got himself locked up for a few days it would have severely slowed the story not to mention got a few of his good friends killed in the meantime. Oops, what do you mean I'm being defensive? ;-)

Seriously, it's a very good, objective and well thought out review.

Wednesday 1 September 2010

What is Matt Hilton reading?

Over at the superb blog Campaign For the American Reader, editor Marshal Zeringue posed the question of me: What is Matt Hilton reading?

To read my answer, click here: http://americareads.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-is-matt-hilton-reading.html

and for the full unabridged reply, you can read on at Writers Read by clicking here: http://whatarewritersreading.blogspot.com/2010/08/matt-hilton.html

Also, keep an eye out for my entries for My Book, The Movie and my sampling of Judgment and Wrath at the Page 69 Test very soon.

Monday 30 August 2010

Rambles about Dead Men's Dust

Following on from his excellent review of Cut and Run, Milo over at Milo's Rambles has gone back to the beginning to catch up on the previous Joe Hunter thrillers. This is what the man said about the first Joe Hunter thriller - Dead Men's Dust: http://www.milorambles.com/2010/08/29/dead-mens-dust-by-matt-hilton-book-review/

Thanks Milo
Matt

Sunday 29 August 2010

The Doctor is in.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Dr Alvin Augustus Jones of the Paradise Radio Network about my recently published book (in the USA) Judgment and Wrath.

If you'd like to listen again to the radio interview here's how you can do so:

Click here or on the title above

Then scroll down to where my book cover is displayed near the bottom right of the page. Click on the book cover and it will bring up the recording. Happy listening.

While you are there, check out some of Dr Jones' amazing quotes. He has an amazing way with words and wisdom and is a truly erudite guy (makes my ehhs and uumms sound like I'm the dullard that came down from the hills LOL)

Saturday 28 August 2010

CUT AND RUN - THE LAUNCH PARTY

I would like to thank everyone who turned up at last night's launch of the fourth high octane Joe Hunter book - CUT AND RUN - and for making it such an enjoyable event for me. I'd also like to thank Catherine and Steve of the New Bookshop in Cockermouth for hosting the event, and also Leni and Jack for the behind the scenes work to ensure everything went smoothly.

Here is a short gallery of pics from the event. Thanks to Mike Faulkner for his sterling efforts.

OUT NOW - CUT AND RUN (Joe Hunter 4)

Wednesday 25 August 2010

The latest news...

For those of you who don't know where I've been the past couple of weeks, I was in Gran Canaria on a badly timed annual holiday. This came about having booked a family vacation but then having the publication date of CUT AND RUN moved forward to mid-August. I've been on pins while also trying to enjoy my hols, hoping that CUT AND RUN will go OK due to the staggered dates that the book has been/will be launched on. The official publication date was 19th August and the book is now on general sale in the UK (sorry but it will be 1st October for my friends out in OZ and NZ) although I'm not officially 'launching' the book until 7.30 pm this Friday (27th) at the newly restored New Bookshop, in Cockermouth. I chose the New Bookshop, as it has recently risen anew from the devastating floods that raged through the town last November and also took the life of an ex-colleague of mine when a bridge he was directing members of the public off collapsed. I have blogged about the floods in the past and there are also some horrific photographs of when the waters raged through the bookshop. I'm happy to say that the new shop is beautiful. I hope some of my friends will come along.

In my 'hometown' of Carlisle I'll be doing a signing session at 12.30 on Saturday 4th September at my usual location of Waterstones on Scotch Street. Hopefully some of my readers will hold off purchasing copies of the book until then (so it isn't a complete washout), but if you feel you really must and can't wait (fingers crossed) the book is already on sale in the neighbouring Bookends, and at the supermarkets.

I look forward to seeing you along the way.

For my USA launch of JUDGMENT AND WRATH, alas I can't make it across until Bouchercon in October, however, if you're an early riser, you can hear me talk live this coming Friday 27th at 6.45 AM EST on Dr. Alvin Augustus Jones' show from the Paradise Radio Network.

One off one on.

The planned event at Guisborough bookshop on the 1st September 2010 is now a no go. Sorry if anyone was planning on attending but this is out of my hands. Neverthless, the following day, 2nd September, I can be found at Whitby Bookshop where I'll be doing a crime evening alongside Sheila Quigley, followed by a fun quiz to win one each of our books. While there, I'll have to have a sneaky look around at the town that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. Garlic anyone?

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Rambles about Cut and Run

Great little review of CUT and RUN over at Milo's Rambles if you'd like to take a click

Thursday 19 August 2010

Cut and Run out now

Ola! I'm still sunning my pallid flesh and itching to get back to my laptop but have again taken time out from my hols to remind you all that today's the day that CUT AND RUN hits the bookshelves. Those who have read it say it's the best Joe Hunter book to date - I hope you all agree.
Remember that I'm launching the book on Friday 27th August at 7.30 at the New Bookshop, Main Street, Cockermouth and hope some of you can get along to share in the fun. I'm also at Guisborough bookshop on the 1st and Whitby bookshop on the 2nd September if anyone can get along to them. Then on the 4th September at 12.30 I will be at Waterstones bookshop in Carlisle to sign books too.
My American friends can come meet me at Bouchercon in San Francisco in October if they're around (I know its a big country but if you can make the trip it's a great event).
See you all soon
Matt

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Judgment and Wrath out today in the USA!

Hi all
I'm on the annual hols at the moment so please forgive the lack of communication from this end ... Nevertheless I thought it pertinent to lay off the sun tanning and sangria to announce that Judgment and Wrath hits the bookshelves of the USA today! I'll be raising a glass or two in celebration tonight. Speak to you all again real soon
Matt

Sunday 8 August 2010

JOE NEEDS YOU!

Did you know that as well as my blog here, Joe Hunter also has his own dedicated blog spot where you can learn much more about everyone's favourite tough guy with a heart (without having to suffer my ramblings)? Take a look over and if you like it, hit the follow button and become one of Joe Hunter's Fixers.

There are many links to short stories - some featuring Joe Hunter (by me) and some in the all action style of Joe (by guest writers) - all of which are great reads. Also you will find Q&A's with both Joe Hunter and Rink, as well as articles about Joe's World, plus video trailers of the books.

All you have to do is double-tap here

Double the thrills

In a little over a week two brand new Joe Hunter thrillers will be unleashed on to the bookshelves. In the USA, JUDGMENT AND WRATH is published on Tuesday 17th August by William Morrow and Company, and two days later in the UK, CUT AND RUN is published on Thursday 19th August 2010 by Hodder and Stoughton. Both books are hardback editions.

Friday 6 August 2010

From Australia with love

Over at David Foster's Permission To Kill, a site dedicated to spy fiction in all its forms there is an excellent three way interview (or interrogation if you like) with three top up and coming names in the newly invigorated spy thriller genre. You will recognise the names, as I've mentioned all three of these guys in the past and recommended their books to your shelves. So if you want to learn the real deal about the espionage game from Adrian Magson, JJ Cooper and Jeremy Duns click here: http://permissiontokill.com/blog/2010/08/06/the-guns-of-august/

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Matt Hilton Talks (Nowt clever about that, lad!)

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Judgment-Wrath-Matt-Hilton/?isbn=9780061718137&cm_mmc=eml-_-news-_-sotc-_-201007

This is a link to a page at Harper Collins where there is a video of me talking about the release of Judgment and Wrath later this month in the USA (17th August 2010). Want to see what I look like, or to hear my dulcet tones, then this is your opportunity. The vid was filmed while I attended this years Thrillerfest V in new York City

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Cut and Run launch - Update and extra date for your diary

I will be holding an official launch for the fourth Joe Hunter thriller - CUT and RUN - 7.30 pm on Friday 27th August 2010  at:

The New Bookshop
42-44 Main Street,
Cockermouth,
Cumbria
UK

It will be a more intimate affair than the launches I've held previously, but will include a short talk, Q and A and 'crime quiz' where you can win a signed edition of a Joe Hunter book of your choice - including the brand new hardback.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

As an adendum, The new Bookshop was severely damaged in last November's floods and only recently reopened, fully refurbished and looking beautiful (see a previous entry at this blog for phototas of the devastation). Even if you can't make it on the night and you are a book lover, it's worth having a trip out there.

And don't forget I'll be at Guisborough bookshop, 7pm Wednesday 1st Sept and at Whitby bookshop at 7pm Thursday 2nd Sept and then will be doing a signing session between 12.30 and 2 pm at Waterstones, Scotch Street, carlisle on Saturday 4th September.

Sunday 1 August 2010

Joe Hunter continues to deliver Big Thrills

Aaron L Brown is the author of the upcoming novel, The Shepherd, and the CTO for a national auction franchise. He is currently hard at work on his next novel, an action thriller for fans of James Rollins and Brad Thor. Taking time out from his busy schedule he interviewed me for the August Edition of The Big Thrill magazine. He did a great job, and you can read it here: http://www.thrillerwriters.org/2010/07/cut-and-run-by-matt-hilton.html

Thursday 29 July 2010

CUT AND RUN Launch - update

Some people have been asking about my plans for launching book 4 in the Joe Hunter series - CUT AND RUN.

CUT AND RUN will be on general sale from Thursday 19th August, however this clashes slightly with personal plans, so any event will happen in the following week.

I'm going to be doing things slightly different this time, and though there might still be an official launch of the book (details to be confirmed) I will be conducting a local signing session at Waterstone's bookshop, Scotch Street, Carlisle, from 12.30 onwards on Saturday 4th September. So if you would like your copy personally signed or dedicated please do come along.

If you live in the north and wish a copy signed, I am also appearing at Guisborough Bookshop at 7pm on Wednesday 1st September, and at Whitby Bookshop at 7pm on Thursday 2nd September. Please do come along, books will be available for signing/dedicating, as well as a fun quiz to win a free copy (at both locations). At both these shops I will be appearing alongside top northeast crime author Sheila Quigley whose book 'Thorn In My Side' is also due for release.

Please keep an eye out here for news of the 'OFFICIAL Launch' venue in the next few days.

Global Cool Giveaways

Global Cool is an organisation whose intention is to promote books and to get people reading again. As an incentive they have been giving free copies of books to passengers on trains in London, and I'm honoured to say that one of those books was my debut novel, Dead Men's Dust.

If you'd like to read a different type interview than the usual 'where do you get your ideas from' click here: http://www.globalcool.org/lifestyle/books-in-public-your-reviews-of-dead-mans-dust-by-matt-hilton

...and if you've a few minutes to spare, please let Global Cool know what you thought of the book via the comments form (would be nice for a few of my supporters to some nice things instead of leaving reviews to those bitter/twisted types who only have negatves to say). Another incentive, people who comment earn a 5% discount on purchaeses from the Book Depository.

Monday 26 July 2010

"A MUST-READ WINNER"

http://www.insidebayarea.com/entertainment/ci_15526461

Contra Costa Times correspondent, and chief editor of Grit-Lit gives a run down of the recent Thrillerfest V in New York City, where he speaks very favourably of Joe Hunter's debut outing in Dead Men's Dust.

For information on more superb thriller books, particulalrly those of the gritty action type, check out Myles' site - you'll be glad you did.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Out Now - Slash and Burn

Out Today (Thursday 22nd July 2010) In the UK.

The third Joe Hunter thriller

SLASH AND BURN

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Sneaky Peek at Blood and Ashes - Joe Hunter 5


I've been playing Cecil B. DeMille again and have come up with this promo video for the fifth Joe Hunter thriller - BLOOD AND ASHES - which should be on sale in the UK around February/March next year. This is a preview for my readers and is not to be found anywhere else on the net yet. Hope you enjoy it and look forward to the book. In the meantime, remember that Slash and Burn is out tomorrow in paperback, and you've only a few weeks to wait until Cut and Run goes on general sale in hardback (August 19th to be exact), and if you're in the USA, Judgment and Wrath hits the stands in hardback on 17th August. Lots of good stuff in the pipeline for Joe Hunter fans

Monday 19 July 2010

War Hero

When you write about an ex-special forces soldier, there's that underlying feeling that those who have lived the life might just scoff at your fictional attempts at relating a story. I've often wondered (worried?) that actual special ops soldiers might read Joe Hunter's exploits and say 'what a load of ****'.

So, it is with not a little pride and a huge and humble thanks that I tell you that a real life SAS hero, Military Medal recipient, and best-selling thriller author has read and enjoyed some of Joe Hunter's adventures. Not only that but he kindly offered a blurb - which I immediately snatched with both hands.

Said hero says:

'Matt Hilton delivers a thrill a minute. Awesome!'


Thank you, Chris Ryan

Chris joins the ranks of other authors I'm indebted to for their kind words, including in no particular order:
Christopher Reich
Simon Kernick
Peter James
Adrian Magson
Richard Hammond
 
I salute you all.

Saturday 17 July 2010

Who do you write like?

At the expense of sounding like a nay-sayer, I had a go at the newest trend to be going round the writing community and found it a little odd to say the least. At the website I WRITE LIKE ( http://iwl.me/ ) you are asked to submit a few pragraphs of your writing, which is then analysed and then you are told which famous writer you write like. Easy as that and a little fun.

I chose the opening segments of my latest Joe Hunter book and here's the results:

First few paragraphs: You write like STEPHEN KING
Next few paragraphs: You write like DAN BROWN
New few: You write like DAVID FOSTER WALLACE

Well, what does that say about me I wonder? Maybe one of these days I'll have another go and it'll say : You write like MATT HILTON

Roll on!

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Hot in the City

One thing I'll take note of and remember for subsequent years is to pack for hot weather when visiting New York City in July. During my recent trip there I did the usual English thing and took with me plenty of jeans and t-shirts and a zoot suit for the ceremony. Landing at Newark airport, it was anounced that the current temperature was in excess of 90 degrees and due to get hotter over the next few days. And it did.

Thankfully the Grand Hyatt on E. 42nd Street came with tip-top A/C so it was comfortable in the hotel itself. Totally different story when you stepped outside into the blistering heat. But that wasn't what hit me most, but the intense humidity.

This is my excuse for the excessive perspiration. If I met you whilst in New York, or you noticed me across the crowded halls, I was the big Englishman with the strangely Scottish accent (apparently) and flat top hairstyle, generally mopping my overheated brow with a sopping tissue.

Believe me; the bucketloads of sweat had nothing to do with the excitement (read as anxiety) of the upcoming awards ceremony ;-)

For those of you who had to witness me in Bermuda shorts and stained shirt - I apologise.

Thrillerfest V Awards

During a gala banquet and celebration held on Saturday, July 10 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, the International Thriller Writers announced the winners of the 2010 Thriller Awards.


They are:

Best Hard Cover Novel:

THE NEIGHBOR, Lisa Gardner

Best Paperback Original Novel:

THE COLDEST MILE, Tom Piccirilli

Best First Novel:

RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL, Jamie Freveletti

Best Short Story:

A STAB IN THE HEART, Twist Phelan

Also receiving special recognition during the ThrillerFest V Awards Banquet:

Ken Follett, ThrillerMaster

in recognition of his legendary career and outstanding contributions to the thriller genre

Mark Bowden, True Thriller Award

Linda Fairstein, Silver Bullet Award

US Airways, Silver Bullet Award (Corporate)


As my reghular readers will know, I was shortlisted alongside Jamie Freveletti for the Best First Novel category so was at the ceremony alongside her to witness her win. Although I'd have liked to have won, I'm not disappointed: I'm genuinely thrilled for Jamie (who is a lovely lady and a superb writer), and not to forget that she is a stable mate of mine at William Morrow and Co (my US publisher), so it was good that we all had something to celebrate. 
 
I stand on my original take on the subject of awards, in that I was overjoyed to have been nominated in the first place. To then be shortlisted in the top five books far outweighed any expectations I had, so I never really expected to win. The exposure for my books, and the subsequent old and new friends and supporters I met at Thrillerfest make up for any mild disappointment I might have felt when my name wasn't announced, so, believe me, I'm a very happy man.
 
Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted authors, and again a special 'Well Done' to Jamie Freveletti.

Monday 5 July 2010

New cover for Slash and Burn

Some of my regular readers will notice that Slash and Burn sports a distinctive new cover for when it is released in mass market paperback on 22nd July 2010 (not long now for those of you who have been waiting).

You'll notice that the helicopter and stormtrooper figure are missing that adorned the hardback edition. I'd like to hear what my regular readers think. Do you prefer the topographical type covers better than the ones that depict action/adventure. I'd particularly like to hear from my female readers. Do images depicting helicopters, speedboats, fast cars etc put you off picking up a novel in the first place?

I like this new cover - enigmatic, powerful, and the colours are very vivid when seen on the printed book.

Friday 2 July 2010

News Round Up

http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/people/awards-shortlist-for-west-cumbrian-author-matt-hilton-1.728326?referrerPath=/t_s_news_feed_1_17079

Here I talk to the News and Star newspaper in anticipation of attending Thrillerfest V in New York next week. My debut novel, Dead Men's Dust, has been shortlisted for the Debut Novel of 2009 Award.