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THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE Out Now in US Paperback

Posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2016

Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s critically-acclaimed debut novel, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, is out now in paperback in the US! Published by Doubleday, here’s the synopsis…

Something is changing in Hell.

A man is found dead, murdered in a horrific manner – even by Hell’s standards – and he is merely the first of many. Unfortunately, these deaths coincide with a political visit from a Heavenly delegation, so the pressure is on Thomas Fool, an Information Man, to track down and identify the murderer. It’s critical that Fool solves these crimes, but how can he find a killer in a place where murder is common currency?

With no memory of his past but an irresistible drive to discover the truth, Fool will follow the trail of clues straight into the heart of a dark and chaotic conspiracy. A revolution is brewing in Hell… and nothing is what it seems.

Here’s just a small sample of the aforementioned critical acclaim…

‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘With wit, ingenuity and prodigious timing, first-time British novelist Unsworth imagines an unsettling afterlife that at times feels uncomfortably close to some of the more unbearable regions of our waking dreams. The whodunit aspects of this novel may, in the end, be less interesting than the phantasmagorical details surrounding it. But that’s far less a complaint than a compliment of the author’s visionary gifts. A grand, nightmarish page-turner that will have you riveted.’ — Kirkus

‘There is much to love with THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The depiction of Hell is original, with it being less of a torture chamber and more of a place for continued hard work for the unworthy, and the world building is great… The novel is dark and full of twists and originality, and it’s suitable for anyone wanting to get into fantasy with a supernatural element.’ — Starburst

‘THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE grips. Unsworth’s storytelling is taut and lean, avoiding any lapses into potboiler… When he writes about Hell, he makes it downright hellish… The book eventually spins all this admittedly sumptuous horror into thought-provoking notions about salvation, hope and free will’ — NPR

The sequel, THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE, is also due to be published by Doubleday, on July 5th, 2016. We shared the US cover a little while ago, but here it is again…

The two novels are published in the UK by Del Rey — the paperback of THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is due out 0n February 25th, 2016 (it is still available in hardcover), and THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE is due out on October 6th, 2016.

UK Cover: THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2016

Above you can see the striking UK cover for Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s upcoming THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE. The sequel to Simon’s critically-acclaimed THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, it’s due to be published in the UK by Del Rey in October 2016. Here’s the synopsis…

Thomas Fool, now the head of Hell’s Information Men, must solve a new mystery that crosses the divide between Heaven and Hell.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE and THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE are both published in the US by Doubleday — the latter on July 5th, 2016. Here’s the US synopsis for THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE, which is more substantial…

A new case of unsolvable murders brings Hell to Heaven in the explosive sequel to The Devil’s Detective.

Hell is burning out of control. Thomas Fool, Hell’s first Information Man tasked with investigating the endless stream of violence in Hell, has been promoted to the head of the newly expanded Information Office. Now in command of a legion of Information Men, his new position finds him hated by demons and almost revered by humans. He alone has survived the wrath of demon and angel alike, but he stands alone and at the center of a brewing crisis. New on the scene is the Evidence, a shadowy department whose officers do not investigate; they punish and spread fear. And its leader, Mr. Tap, is gunning for Fool.

Fool is ordered to accompany a political delegation to Heaven, and his arrival coincides with an impossible—and sinister—discovery. A dead body. Murder in Heaven. Violence, corruption, and fear are the currency of Hell, and how does one investigate a crime where these concepts are paradoxes? As the bodies pile up, Fool sees disturbing connections between Heaven and Hell. He must follow clues in a strange land where nothing is as it seems and danger can present itself in any form.

What follows is a phantasmagoric, mind-bending thriller as exciting and unsettling as anything in recent fiction. The Devil’s Evidence is an electrifying, provocative novel filled with stunning set pieces and characters who will live on in your deepest nightmares.

New US Covers for Unsworth’s DEVIL’S EVIDENCE and DEVIL’S DETECTIVE

Posted on Monday, December 28th, 2015

Above you can see the striking cover for Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s second novel, THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE. Published in the US by Doubleday, on July 5th, it is the sequel to last year’s critically-acclaimed THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Here’s the synopsis…

A new case of unsolvable murders brings Hell to Heaven in the explosive sequel to The Devil’s Detective.

Hell is burning out of control. Thomas Fool, Hell’s first Information Man tasked with investigating the endless stream of violence in Hell, has been promoted to the head of the newly expanded Information Office. Now in command of a legion of Information Men, his new position finds him hated by demons and almost revered by humans. He alone has survived the wrath of demon and angel alike, but he stands alone and at the center of a brewing crisis. New on the scene is the Evidence, a shadowy department whose officers do not investigate; they punish and spread fear. And its leader, Mr. Tap, is gunning for Fool.

Fool is ordered to accompany a political delegation to Heaven, and his arrival coincides with an impossible—and sinister—discovery. A dead body. Murder in Heaven. Violence, corruption, and fear are the currency of Hell, and how does one investigate a crime where these concepts are paradoxes? As the bodies pile up, Fool sees disturbing connections between Heaven and Hell. He must follow clues in a strange land where nothing is as it seems and danger can present itself in any form.

What follows is a phantasmagoric, mind-bending thriller as exciting and unsettling as anything in recent fiction. The Devil’s Evidence is an electrifying, provocative novel filled with stunning set pieces and characters who will live on in your deepest nightmares.

In addition, the paperback edition of THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE — published February 9th — has a slightly different, updated cover…

Both THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE and THE DEVIL’S EVIDENCE are published in the UK by Del Rey. The latter is due out in March 2016 — there has not been an official cover reveal, yet, but we’ll be sure to share the new artwork as soon as we are able. In the meantime, here are just a few of the great reviews the first novel in Simon’s series has received…

‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘With wit, ingenuity and prodigious timing, first-time British novelist Unsworth imagines an unsettling afterlife that at times feels uncomfortably close to some of the more unbearable regions of our waking dreams… A grand, nightmarish page-turner that will have you riveted.’ — Kirkus

‘Hell as the setting for a noir investigation turns out to be as fun as it sounds in THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Inventive and pacy, Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a world – underworld? – distinctly his own.’ — Andrew Pyper, author of Demonologist

‘There is much to love with THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The depiction of Hell is original, with it being less of a torture chamber and more of a place for continued hard work for the unworthy, and the world building is great… The novel is dark and full of twists and originality, and it’s suitable for anyone wanting to get into fantasy with a supernatural element.’ — Starburst

‘THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE grips. Unsworth’s storytelling is taut and lean, avoiding any lapses into potboiler… When he writes about Hell, he makes it downright hellish… The book eventually spins all this admittedly sumptuous horror into thought-provoking notions about salvation, hope and free will’ — NPR

DEAD BUT NOT FORGOTTEN out in Paperback Tomorrow

Posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

DEAD BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, the latest anthology edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner, is out in paperback in the UK tomorrow. Published by Gollancz, here’s the synopsis…

A fantastic new anthology of tales told in the Sookie Stackhouse universe, to unite all fans of paranormal romance everywhere!

Charlaine Harris’ smash-hit Sookie Stackhouse series may have reached its conclusion, but the world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, lives on in this all-new collection of 15 stories.

Written by a killer line-up of authors, including:

New York Times bestseller Seanan McGuire

New York Times bestseller MaryJanice Davidson

An introduction by Charlaine Harris herself!

DEAD BUT NOT FORGOTTEN puts your favourite characters, written by some of your favourite authors, centre stage.

The entire Sookie Stackhouse series, the inspiration for HBO’s True Blood, is published in the UK by Gollancz — in case you haven’t given it a try, yet, the first novel is DEAD UNTIL DARK. Charlaine’s latest novel, DAY SHIFT, is out now, also published by Gollancz. It is the sequel to MIDNIGHT CROSSROAD. The second novel in Charlaine’s graphic novel collaboration with Christopher Golden, CEMETERY GIRL: INHERITANCE, is due to be published in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books later this month.

Zeno represents Charlaine Harris in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

UK Paperback Cover: THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE by Simon Kurt Unsworth

Posted on Friday, September 11th, 2015

Above you can see the rather striking UK paperback cover for THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The first in a planned duology by Simon Kurt Unsworth, it is published in the UK by Del Rey on February 25th, 2016. Here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to Hell.

Solving crimes was the purpose of the Information Men, yet they almost never achieved it, and even when they did, the facts they scraped free were lost, buried again in the labyrinthine mess of the Bureaucracy.

When an unidentified, brutalised body is discovered, the case is assigned to Thomas Fool. But how do you investigate a murder where death is commonplace and everyone is guilty of something?

The novel is published in the US by Doubleday, and is out now in hardcover — it will be published in paperback in the US on ??, 2016. Below are the UK and US hardback covers…

Here is just a selection of the great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘A grand, nightmarish page-turner that will have you riveted no matter how much you’d prefer to look away.’ — Kirkus

‘An entertaining Dantean spin on the police procedural… Appropriately awash with gore and bodily fluids, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is damned good.’ — Financial Times

‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Hell as the setting for a noir investigation turns out to be as fun as it sounds in THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Inventive and pacy, Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a world – underworld? – distinctly his own.’ — Andrew Pyper

‘There is much to love with THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The depiction of Hell is original, with it being less of a torture chamber and more of a place for continued hard work for the unworthy, and the world building is great… The novel is dark and full of twists and originality, and it’s suitable for anyone wanting to get into fantasy with a supernatural element.’ — Starburst

Out now: GHOST OF A CHANCE by Simon R. Green

Posted on Thursday, August 6th, 2015

Simon R. Green‘s GHOST OF A CHANCE is published today in the UK by Jo Fletcher Books in eBook. The first in the new Ghost Finders series, here’s the synopsis…

Meet the operatives of the Carnacki Institute – JC Chance: the team leader, brave, charming, and almost unbearably arrogant; Melody Chambers: the science geek who keeps the anti-supernatural equipment running; and Happy Jack Palmer: the terminally gloomy telepath.

Their mission: Do Something About Ghosts. Lay them to rest, send them packing, or just kick their nasty ectoplasmic arses…

Jo Fletcher Books are scheduled to publish the next three novels in the series, too: GHOST OF A SMILE (November 2015), GHOST OF A DREAM (January 2016), and SPIRITS FROM BEYOND (March 2016). JFB have also published Green’s New York Times-bestselling Nightside and Secret Histories novels in eBook in the UK.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD out now in the US!

Posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2015

The highly-anticipated fourth novel in Freda Warrington‘s Blood Wine series, THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD, is out today in the US! Published by Titan Books in both the US and UK, here’s the synopsis…

1927: In the turmoil and glamour of 1920s Europe, vampires Karl, Charlotte and Violette face threats to their very existence. Fiery, handsome dancer Emil achieves his dream to partner the legendary ballerina Violette Lenoir – until his forbidden desire for her becomes an obsession. Rejected, spiralling towards madness, he seeks solace with a mysterious beauty, Leyla. But she too is a vampire, with a hidden agenda…

Is Leyla more dangerous than the sinister activist, Goderich Mann? When Karl and Charlotte undertake an exotic, perilous journey to rescue Emil, they unearth secrets that threaten disaster for vampire-kind.

You can read an excerpt from the novel here; and also an exclusive short story set in the same reality, here.

Here are just a sample of the reviews the long-awaited novel has received…

‘Dark and sensual and atmospheric, this stunning book continues the story of Karl, Charlotte and their friends, deftly expanding the mythos of vampires and introducing new characters that are sure to become favourites.’ — Aliette de Bodard

‘Freda Warrington’s vampire novels make for lush, intense dramas involving angst-haunted, fierce undead–lovers, enemies, family members, friends, despots, sometimes religious fanatics or raving lunatics… I remain very impressed by this author and the vampire saga she has crafted.’ — Vampires.com

The other three novels in the series are also published on both sides of the Atlantic by Titan Books: A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE, A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET, THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES. The first three novels are also available as audiobooks through Audible.

Out tomorrow: THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD by Freda Warrington

Posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2015

Freda Warrington‘s long-awaited and highly-anticipated fourth Blood Wine novel, THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD, is published tomorrow in the UK! The novel is published by Titan Books. Here’s the synopsis…

1927: In the turmoil and glamour of 1920s Europe, vampires Karl, Charlotte and Violette face threats to their very existence. Fiery, handsome dancer Emil achieves his dream to partner the legendary ballerina Violette Lenoir – until his forbidden desire for her becomes an obsession. Rejected, spiralling towards madness, he seeks solace with a mysterious beauty, Leyla. But she too is a vampire, with a hidden agenda…

Is Leyla more dangerous than the sinister activist, Goderich Mann? When Karl and Charlotte undertake an exotic, perilous journey to rescue Emil, they unearth secrets that threaten disaster for vampire-kind.

The novel follows A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE, A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET and THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES — all of which are also published by Titan Books. You can read an extract from a rare short story set in the Blood Wine universe, AND THEIR BLOOD WILL BE PRESCIENT TO FIRE, here.

Here’s just a small selection of reviews Warrington’s novels have received so far…

‘A tale which throbs with lush romanticism.’ — The Times on A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

‘A really, really splendid read… Warrington shows her writer’s chops, layering in exquisite period detail. Sometimes the effect is playfully satirical… but more often it’s lusciously picturesque… Freda Warrington is like a cross between Anne Rice and Kim Newman – she has the sweep of one, the cleverness of the other… not to be missed.’ — Starburst on A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE

‘I would like to reaffirm what I said before about the writing: it’s splendid, and by that I mean the style is genuinely drop-dead beautiful with a compelling elegance and subtly romantic bent — in a word, it’s seductive. In three words: charming, graceful and all-round lush.’ — British Fantasy Society on A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET

‘A full-blooded gothique that rips more than bodices… Warrington’s vampire dynasty has the grandeur of a cobwebbed cathedral, and her plot is forged in operatic passions. Treating her subjects with theatrical intensity, she creates lush images, awash in colour and shadow, and the ideal gothic mood is preserved; a dark romance to lose yourself in.’ — Time Out on A DANCE IN BLOOD VELVET

‘A great novel, which is entertainingly frightening, splendidly romantic and erotic, and darkly suspenseful. The true Queen of the vampire novel.’ — Black Tears Magazine on THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES

‘The third book in Freda Warrington’s brilliantly evocative Blood Wine Sequence, and for me at least, possibly one of the best… I’ve yet to end any review of one of Freda’s books without referring to the impressive style of her writing — it’s smart, compelling, and simply fabulous… So easy to recommend this…’ — British Fantasy Society on THE DARK BLOOD OF POPPIES

A Soundtrack for Detecting in Hell…

Posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

Today, we want to share a little something from Doubleday Books. Composed and produced to celebrate the release of Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s debut novel, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, it’s ‘an absolutely hellish, rather haunting bit of the blues’ — “Playing the Fool”…

In case the plug-in, above, doesn’t work, you can listen to the song over on Soundcloud.

Simon was also recently interviewed by the Qwillery, as part of their series of 2015 Debut Author interviews. In the wide-ranging interview, Simon talks about when he first caught the writing bug…

‘… in school, at 13, I wrote a story for an English class and the teacher gave it a high mark. It was a Stephen King rip-off, but the teacher’s praise made me think I could write and from then on I was hooked.’

… and also his writing processes, influences and inspirations, his favourite moments in the novel, the importance of feathers, and more.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, the first in a two-part series, is published in North America by Doubleday and in the UK by Del Rey.

Free on iTunes: A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE by Freda Warrington

Posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2015

The first book in Freda Warrington‘s critically-acclaimed Blood Wine series is currently free on iTunes in the UK! Published by Titan Books in the UK (and US), A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE is a classic of the modern vampire genre. Here’s the synopsis…

1918. A First World War battlefield becomes the cosmic battleground for two vampires, as Karl von Wultendorf struggles to free himself from his domineering maker, Kristian.

1923. Charlotte Neville watches as her father, a Cambridge professor, fills Parkland Hall with guests for her sister Madeleine’s 18th birthday party. Among them is his handsome new research assistant Karl – the man Madeleine has instantly decided will be her husband. Charlotte, shy and retiring, is happy to devote her life to her father and her dull fiance Henry – until she sees Karl …

For Charlotte, it is the beginning of a deadly obsession that sunders her from her sisters, her father and even her dearest friend. As their feverish passion grows, Karl faces the dilemma he fears the most. Only by deserting Charlotte can his passion for her blood be conquered. Only by betraying her can he protect her from the terrifying attentions of Kristian – for Kristian has decided to teach Karl a lesson in power, by devouring Charlotte.

The promotion will last until April 1st, 2015. Here’s just a sample of the great reviews A TASTE OF BLOOD WINE has received…

‘A really, really splendid read… not to be missed.’ — Starburst

‘Not merely one of the finest fantasy novels of recent years, but one of the finest ever. Should not be missed.’ — Interzone

‘… this delicious tale of love, lust and a passionate affair that stretches beyond the grave, is truly delightful… There’s so much here to love… the writing is gorgeous, by turns haunting, lucid, and all-round beautiful… This first instalment is eminently readable, absorbing, and all-round brilliant, a lovely piece of work, and definitely a must-have whether or not you’re a fan of vampires. It’s a book for fiction-lovers and anyone that claims to appreciate the written word, I think. And I for one am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.’ — British Fantasy Society

‘A tale which throbs with lush romanticism.’ — The Times

The fourth novel in the series, THE DARK ARTS OF BLOOD, is due to be published by Titan Books on May 29th, 2015 in the UK and US.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE by Simon K. Unsworth Out Tomorrow in the UK

Posted on Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s debut novel, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE, is out tomorrow in the UK! The first in a new horror-crime duology set in hell, it is published by Del Rey UK.

Welcome to hell…

… where skinless demons patrol the lakes and the waves of Limbo wash against the outer walls, while the souls of the Damned float on their surface, waiting to be collected.

When an unidentified, brutalised body is discovered, the case is assigned to Thomas Fool, one of Hell’s detectives, known as ‘Information Men’. But how do you investigate a murder where death is commonplace and everyone is guilty of something?

A stunningly original blend of crime, horror and suspense, The Devil’s Detective is a bold new thriller that will shock and amaze.

The novel was published in North America by Doubleday last week. Here is just a selection of the reviews the book has received so far…

‘Hell as the setting for a noir investigation turns out to be as fun as it sounds in THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Inventive and pacy, Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a world – underworld? – distinctly his own.’ — Andrew Pyper

‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘The debut novel from prolific short story writer Simon Kurt Unsworth depicts a very modern hell. There’s still suffering but it’s mostly to be found in the drudgery of the daily grind. Gruesome medieval tortures have given way to endless toil, confounding bureaucracy and arbitrary cruelty. Once you accept the logic of this underworld, what follows is an entertaining Dantean spin on the police procedural… Appropriately awash with gore and bodily fluids, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is damned good.’ — Financial Times

‘There is much to love with THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The depiction of Hell is original, with it being less of a torture chamber and more of a place for continued hard work for the unworthy, and the world building is great… The novel is dark and full of twists and originality, and it’s suitable for anyone wanting to get into fantasy with a supernatural element.’ — Starburst

But wait! There’s more: This Saturday (14th), Forbidden Planet in London will be hosting Simon for a signing from 1pm-2pm. You can find details of the event here.

US Publication Day: THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE by Simon K. Unsworth

Posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015

Today, Doubleday publish Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s critically-acclaimed debut novel, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. The first in a duology of crime novels set in Hell, here’s the synopsis…

A sea change is coming to Hell… and a man named Thomas Fool is caught in the middle.

Thomas Fool is an Information Man, an investigator tasked with cataloging and filing reports on the endless stream of violence and brutality that flows through Hell. His job holds no reward or satisfaction, because Hell has rules but no justice. Each new crime is stamped “Do Not Investigate” and dutifully filed away in the depths of the Bureaucracy. But when an important political delegation arrives and a human is found murdered in a horrific manner—extravagant even by Hell’s standards—everything changes. The murders escalate, and their severity points to the kind of killer not seen for many generations. Something is challenging the rules and order of Hell, so the Bureaucracy sends Fool to identify and track down the killer… But how do you investigate murder in a place where death is common currency? Or when your main suspect pool is a legion of demons? With no memory of his past and only an irresistible need for justice, Fool will piece together clues and follow a trail that leads directly into the heart of a dark and chaotic conspiracy. A revolution is brewing in Hell… and nothing is what it seems.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is an audacious, highly suspenseful thriller set against a nightmarish and wildly vivid world. Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a phantasmagoric thrill ride filled with stunning set pieces and characters that spring from our deepest nightmares. It will have readers of both thrillers and horror hanging on by their fingernails until the final word. In Hell, hope is your worst enemy.

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is due to be published in the UK by Del Rey next Thursday, March 12th.

Here’s just a small selection of the aforementioned critical response…

‘Unsworth’s care in constructing an imaginary world enables him to make the most of his debut’s challenging concept: a hard-boiled detective novel set in Hell itself… Unsworth offers intriguing variations on traditional themes and some memorably hair-raising prose…’ — Publishers Weekly

‘A clever spin on the traditional police procedural… a rousing success. The story is well crafted, and the setting is ingeniously conceived… We’ve seen other novels set in Hell, but we haven’t seen a Hell quite like this…’ — Booklist

‘With wit, ingenuity and prodigious timing, first-time British novelist Unsworth imagines an unsettling afterlife that at times feels uncomfortably close to some of the more unbearable regions of our waking dreams… visionary… A grand, nightmarish page-turner that will have you riveted.’ — Kirkus

‘Hell as the setting for a noir investigation turns out to be as fun as it sounds in THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Inventive and pacy, Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a world – underworld? – distinctly his own.’ — Andrew Pyper

Read an Excerpt from Simon Kurt Unsworth’s THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE…

Posted on Sunday, December 21st, 2014

Click on the above banner to read an excerpt from Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s superb upcoming horror/thriller, THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. Due to be published in March 2015 by Del Rey UK, and Doubleday in the US. Here’s the synopsis…

A sea change is coming to Hell . . . and a man named Thomas Fool is caught in the middle.

Thomas Fool is an Information Man, an investigator tasked with cataloging and filing reports on the endless stream of violence and brutality that flows through Hell. His job holds no reward or satisfaction, because Hell has rules but no justice. Each new crime is stamped “Do Not Investigate” and dutifully filed away in the depths of the Bureaucracy.

But when an important political delegation arrives and a human is found murdered in a horrific manner — extravagant even by Hell’s standards — everything changes. The murders escalate, and their severity points to the kind of killer not seen for many generations. Something is challenging the rules and order of Hell, so the Bureaucracy sends Fool to identify and track down the killer… But how do you investigate murder in a place where death is common currency? Or when your main suspect pool is a legion of demons? With no memory of his past and only an irresistible need for justice, Fool will piece together clues and follow a trail that leads directly into the heart of a dark and chaotic conspiracy. A revolution is brewing in Hell… and nothing is what it seems.

The Devil’s Detective is an audacious, highly suspenseful thriller set against a nightmarish and wildly vivid world. Simon Kurt Unsworth has created a phantasmagoric thrill ride filled with stunning set pieces and characters that spring from our deepest nightmares. It will have readers of both thrillers and horror hanging on by their fingernails until the final word. In Hell, hope is your worst enemy.

THE EDGE OF RUIN by Melinda Snodgrass out Tomorrow in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2014

THE EDGE OF RUIN, the second novel in Melinda Snodgrass‘s acclaimed Edge Series will be published tomorrow by Titan Books in the UK!

The sequel to THE EDGE OF REASON, George R.R. Martin has described the series as a blend of H.P. Lovecraft and H. L. Mencken, which ‘will delight thinkers — and outrage true believers — of all stripes.’ Here’s the synopsis…

A contemporary fantasy that explores the tensions between science and rationality, religion and superstition. An intelligent blend of Dante’s Infernoand Urban Fantasy…

Richard Oort, now CEO of Lumina Enterprises, has learned that an interdimensional gate has given the terrifying and grotesquely gluttonous Old Ones access to our universe. Richard tries to get the U.S. government to intervene before a rising tide of irrationality abetted by religious leaders and spiritual hucksters reduces humanity to madness.

Here are a couple more reviews of the series…

‘Snodgrass has a thick, meaty writing style that will satisfy the hungriest reader… she deftly weaves [her characters’] stories together to bind the interest and excitement of the story. Events in this novel will challenge the beliefs and thought systems of many and leave readers questioning themselves – but in a highly satisfying manner.’ — RT Book Reviews on THE EDGE OF RUIN

‘Peopled with a richly drawn cast of characters… the story is a big, complex and ambitious tale that rarely rests and demands the reader’s full attention. Thee ideas are provocative, strongly so… Readers looking for a thoughtful, action-packed and fascinating story, this one is for you. Strongly recommended.’ — SF Revu on THE EDGE OF RUIN

‘[A] gritty narrative of a war between light and dark… Balanc[es] a harsh critique of organized religion with touches of humor and a good-hearted priest who grounds his faith in the Golden Rule…’ — Publishers Weekly on THE EDGE OF REASON

‘This riveting tale resonates on many levels. Snodgrass entertains while skillfully raising questions about the origins of religion and technology that may offend some readers. There are chills and thrills aplenty, as well as food for thought. The characters are good, especially the hero’s emotional upheaval. You’ll be hooked until the end.’ — RT Book Reviews on THE EDGE OF REASON

Zeno represents Melinda Snodgrass in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Kay McCauley of Aurous, Inc.

Check out an Excerpt from Simon Unsworth’s THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE for Hallowe’en!

Posted on Friday, October 31st, 2014

We’re very excited for the March 2015 publication of Simon Kurt Unsworth‘s THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE. March, however, feels like a very long way away. So, in celebration of the spooky season (it’s Hallowe’en, in case you missed it), Simon’s UK publisher Del Rey have released an excerpt, which you can read here!

Here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to hell…

…. where skinless demons patrol the lakes and the waves of Limbo wash against the outer walls, while the souls of the Damned float on their surface, waiting to be collected.

When an unidentified, brutalised body is discovered, the case is assigned to Thomas Fool, one of Hell’s detectives, known as ‘Information Men’.

But how do you investigate a murder where death is commonplace and everyone is guilty of something?

THE DEVIL’S DETECTIVE is due to be published by Del Rey in the UK on March 12th, 2015, and by Doubleday in the US on March 3rd, 2015.