Synopsis/blurb….
More Faces is a crime
short story collection from A Chaser on the Rocks author Simon Maltman. The
twelve mystery noirs included feature published and previously unpublished
stories and all series shorts currently available. Take a journey across
Northern Ireland, through the beauty and darkness, with the fresh new voice in
Irish Crime Fiction.
"I’m amazed how
a writer can cram so much into such a short space of narrative. You hit the
ground running and it’s a sprint finish."
Crime Book Junkie
“A punchy tale, told
plainly, with plenty of pace… of old fashioned thuggery and backstreet
skullduggery.”
Murder, Mayhem and
More
“a snappy read that
gives a fresh glimpse into a life of crime and where it can lead you.”
Writing.ie
Another new-to-me author and a collection of short stories –
I’ve been reading a few of them lately.
Northern Ireland based and with a few repeat characters in
the collection. We have a PI, Billy Chapman from the 1940s in a few stories. I
did enjoy the football based one with a mention of the long defunct club
Belfast Celtic. I used to know an old guy in Luton who played for them back in
the day.
The more contemporary set ones were more my cup of tea,
especially the set with professional heister Blake – Night at the Opera has a great pay-off. The favourite was Riot Score though. Post Good Friday
agreement there’s still trust issues when law breakers from divided communities
come together to achieve a score. Set against the back-drop of a street riot –
very tense, very satisfying.
A couple of interesting standalone stories as well, mixing politics, coffee and killings.
Overall an enjoyable and satisfying collection. Caned them
in an afternoon and evening’s reading.
4 from 5
Read in March, 2017
Published 2017
Page count – 158
Source – ARC from the author.
Format – PDF file read on the laptop.
I do like the setting, Col. And it's always nice, isn't it, to find a few gems among a collection. Glad you enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMargot thanks - I'm originally from Ireland but have only visited the North in my reading!
DeleteCol – Thanks for the review. I had not heard of this writer. Amazon lists several books by him. Irish noir is really a growing field. The genre is in stark contrast to the “Quiet Man” image of Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI liked the back drop to a lot of the stories. I'm currently reading something shortish by another Irish writer from the north - Gerard Brennan. He's highly recommended.
DeleteBrennan is on my radar and I look in on his blog from time to time. Another Irish author writing mysteries set in the north is Adrian McKinty. I enjoy his work, and I know you've read some of his Sean Duffy books.
DeleteI've neglected Brennan for a few years - now corrected - and I ought to read another from the Sean Duffy series soon.
DeleteCol, I don't I have ever read an entire book on my laptop or computer. I'm most comfortable reading ebooks on the tab. Thanks for the introduction to yet another writer.
ReplyDeletePrashant you're welcome. Its not my preferred format, but I can cope with it - just about!
DeleteThese stories sound good and worth a try. Glad that you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteTracy cheers. I seem to be reading a few more collections of late.
DeleteLove that cover picture. I find it easier to resist short stories than novels, so can probably pass on this.
ReplyDeleteApparently its the Albert Clock which until recently used to be Belfast's equivalent of the Pisa tower. Quite a clever cover and book title - More Faces than the Albert Clock - a Belfast saying.
Delete