Simon McDonald

THE WAITING is vintage Connelly. Another in a long line of Grade-A mysteries. He delivers the goods every single year. writtenbysime.com/2024/09/13/rev…

All I want is more reading time.

I breathed a heavy sigh of relief around ten pages into Benjamin Stevenson’s Christmas-themed Ernest Cunningham mystery when I realised— Thank God! This is no Star Wars Holiday Special. writtenbysime.com/2024/08/30/rev…

So brilliantly absorbing, truly compelling non-fic—but so utterly sobering, too.

I’m a long time admirer of Pomare, chiefly because he does nothing for show, everything for effect. And this is his best thriller yet. writtenbysime.com/2024/08/02/rev…

Going through the newborn stage a second time fluctuates between, “Oh this is a cinch!” to “Oh My God, we’ve done everything, why are you crying at 3am?!” Experience says it won’t last forever, even though ‘forever’ is redefined when a 2 week is old has been screeching for hours.

@candicefoxbooks I’ve mastered the art of living off 4 hours sleep. The dark circles under my eyes are expanding but my page count is rising!

@writtenbysime HOW ARE YOU READING BOOKS WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND A NEWBORN. HOW.

Honestly, the new Chris Hammer mystery "The Valley" (publishing in October) is unmissable. Here's my early review. writtenbysime.com/2024/07/16/sim…

One more time with @Connellybooks.

@candicefoxbooks @Connellybooks My two favourites in one room! 🤯

Here’s how I spent my Saturday morning. In conversation with the lovely @Connellybooks for Better Reading’s new Authors on Authors gig! More details soon.

Amazing panel of crime writers. Meeting Michael Connelly was the coolest.

The hallmark of a @candicefoxbooks thriller is a visceral pace that makes it impossible to look away from its pages. Case in point, “High Wire”—a book you don’t so much read as you do experience.  writtenbysime.com/2024/05/24/sim…

“A Calamity of Souls” is the best thing David Baldacci has written in ages—maybe ever. It’s got all the compulsive page-turnability of his best thrillers, but a lot more heart and soul than his customary actioner. writtenbysime.com/2024/05/22/sim…

I'll take one of each, please. crimereads.com/the-most-antic…

Every bit as brilliant as I’d hoped.

@aussiemoose I’m saving the Hallet for Christmas Day! 🎄

A two-for-one Book o’ the Dawn today! The one I finished last night, a funny Christmas mystery novella by the brilliant Janice Hallett, and the new one, a rom-com by Codi Hall whom I love as an author ✍️ ❤️🎄 #AmReading #AndyXmas2023

Swansea City should snap Mowbray up, pronto. bbc.com/sport/football…

I decided to read a few pages of The Last Passenger before bed. I finished the fucking thing at 3am. You shouldn't treat friends this way, @willrdean. Absolutely devoured it. It's such a great idea, and it moves like a damn comet. He's really good, and he's totally wrecked my day

@alwaysmorebooks I know, gonna jump into that first!

@writtenbysime I can’t wait to get my hands on the Bri Lee 👀

Christmas has come early!