Guy Portman's Blog, page 10
March 6, 2020
Cambodia – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
I’ve been out in Cambodia briefly. A strange time to travel what with the global epidemic, but I needed a break from the relentless rain. As for the trip, it was good, bad and ugly. In hindsight I probably wouldn’t have chosen to spend much of my time in Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast. The city is in the process of being turned into a Chinese gambling destination. Or at least it was – the coronavirus has resulted in many would-be Chinese tourists staying at home. And due to an online...
February 28, 2020
6 Disturbing Reading Recommendations
It’s been a while since I dedicated a post to disturbing books – other than my own of course. Here are six disturbing reading recommendations. Click on the links to read my reviews.
The Road
[image error]The aptly named The Road is a bleak, minimalist post-apocalyptic novel.
My Review: A cataclysmic event has left the world in ruins, and almost everything and everyone is dead. In the absence of food, the remaining humans are reduced to …(more)
Marabou Stork Nightmares
[image error]This inventive book boasts...
February 21, 2020
Storms, Sustenance & Soul-Searching
The UK has experienced some wretched weather of late. It hasn’t been that cold, at least not here in the south, but the rain has been something else. First there was Storm Ciara, then Storm Dennis. This rainbow made a fleeting appearance between deluges.
[image error]Both my dog and I have been relishing our new piece of furniture. It is proving to be an extremely soporific sofa.
[image error]British people generally only eat kebabs when they’re drunk. But the kebab van near me is so good, they are palatable even...
February 14, 2020
The Necropolis Trilogy Box Set
Today, I am pleased to unveil the Necropolis Trilogy Box Set. My hope is that its vibrant colours will prove as irresistible to dark humour crime readers as the bright feathers used to lure mackerel.
[image error]Initially, the box set will be for eBook only. The individual books that make up my black comedy trilogy will continue to also be offered in paperback form.
In other news, the 19 free crime books offer I introduced last week is still running. The offer includes Necropolis; the first instalment...
February 7, 2020
19 Free Crime Books – Limited Time Only
I have teamed up with some of my fellow authors to offer you a selection of 19 free crime books. Our offer includes the first instalment in my darkly humorous crime trilogy. The revamped #1 Necropolis has a new front cover and blurb.
Click Here To View The 19 FREE Books
[image error]All you have to do to claim your free book is sign up to the given author’s mailing list. It can then be downloaded in your desired format. You can unsubscribe at any time. If you want my book, but are already signed up to...
January 31, 2020
Culinary Delights & Reading Plans
I’ve read two books so far this year. The first was a pleasure, the second a chore. Here are the next books on the list. The genres will come as no surprise to those familiar with this blog. The first is dark fiction, the second Transgressive fiction. I am a big fan of McCormac and Welsh (the majority of his stuff).
[image error] [image error]And now for the culinary delights. Sunday roasts are something of a staple for us English. This beef was exceptional.
[image error]And here is a French staple I had at a café. Croque...
January 24, 2020
Necropolis: New Front Cover and Blurb Reveal
Today, I am pleased to unveil the new front cover and blurb for Necropolis – part one in the recently completed Necropolis Trilogy. Initially, when the darkly humorous crime novel was released back in 2014, I was satisfied with the front cover the designer came up with. But, I recently came to the conclusion that not enough was going on with it and that it was too simple to draw readers in; in the droves at any rate. My feeling is the new cover better encapsulates the book’s content...
January 17, 2020
The Great Outdoors
It’s been a very warm winter here in the UK. Maybe Greta Thunberg is on to something with this global warming thing. Yesterday, snow drops appeared in my garden. These augurs of spring should not be emerging for quite some time yet.
[image error]And there was a mosquito in my house last night. I squashed it before I thought of taking a photo. And as I didn’t fancy having a squashed mosquito on my blog, you’ll have to take my word for it.
Despite the warm weather, it’s been cool enough in the evening to...
January 10, 2020
6 Recommended Dark Fiction Books
This week sees the return of my ‘Dark Fiction’ series. The following six dark fiction books made quite an impression on me. Admittedly, I might be a bit biased about one of them. Click on the links to read my reviews.
Child of God by Cormac McCarthy
[image error]Child of God is a tautly written and concise work of ‘country noir’. Themes include loneliness and necrophilia.
My Review: Having been dispossessed of his land, Lester Ballard is now homeless and eking out an existence in the backwoods of Sevier...
January 3, 2020
A New Decade
Happy New Year. Some of you will have over-indulged on turkey, alcohol and/or mince pies this Christmas. For me, my poison was Stilton. Never thought I’d say it, but I am sick to death of the stuff.
[image error]Most of us have plans and resolutions for the forthcoming year, and I am no exception. With regards my writing, I am planning to have my recently completed darkly humorous Necropolis Trilogy turned into a bundle (3 books in 1) – paperback and kindle. There will also be a new front cover for part...
