24/05/13 A second of sweet inspiration is worth more than a dour daytime of toil. (From The Rules of Writing.)
24/05/13 The dilemmas of River Exe life; to swim, or not to swim - that is the question. http://t.co/WzLhJcSNw2
23/05/13 Child protection services in Devon rated inadequate- the lowest possible ranking- a draft report I've obtained says. http://t.co/0Kzqxg1L7q
23/05/13 Filming the first meeting of the new @DevonCC following elections earlier this month. @BBCSpotlight http://t.co/UKQxIG2dBZ
23/05/13 Failings in care services for vulnerable children in Devon, says a draft report I've obtained. More @BBCSpotlight @BBCDevon
The official website of Crime Writer and BBC Crime Correspondent Simon Hall
Simon Hall is the BBC’s Crime Correspondent for the South West of England and the author of The TV Detective novels, in which a television reporter and a detective work together to solve a series of extraordinary crimes.
His books have been warmly praised as a fresh, distinctive and highly entertaining approach to crime writing. Simon’s most recent novel, The Balance of Guilt, is the story of a shocking terrorist attack in a sacred place, the murky world of spies and the secret service, and an intricate conspiracy. It’s the first of the novels to be based outside of Plymouth, and has been lauded by the critics.
Its forerunner, The Judgement Book, was named by Eurocrime as one of the top reads of last year. Some reviews -
On its predecessor, Evil Valley -
And on his previous novel, The Death Pictures -
There are more details of all Simon’s novels on the Books page.
His new title will be published on 1st May. To be called The Shadows of Justice, it’s a story about a murderous cycle of revenge, based around a grievous historic wrong and a contemporary court case with a unique verdict.
A prequel has been released, about how Dan, the TV reporter, and Adam, the Chief Inspector, met. The TV Detective is based on Simon’s first attempt at writing a novel, A Popular Murder, and has been rewritten and published due to public demand in finding out how the pair began working together. It’s the story of the bizarre murder of a notorious businessman and has been applauded by readers as a highly enjoyable way of filling in the gaps in the characters’ story.
“This is a terrific book. This is an exciting book. This is a witty and amusing book. This is a very very very good book.” Random Jottings
The popularity of Simon’s work is growing quickly. He’s been invited to give talks at a series of prestigious events, including the British Crime Writers’ Association Annual Conference, the Agatha Christie, Daphne du Maurier, Appledore, Poole and Reading Crime festivals. He also holds workshops on the art of novel writing, something Simon admits often teaches him more than the audience. He’s proud to have been invited to the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School as the specialist crime writing tutor, the Winchester Writers’ Festival, the Geneva Writers’ Group, and to lecture about his work on international cruise ships.
Simon’s writing combines modern, complex and cunning mysteries with a behind the scenes taste of the life of a TV News reporter. There are jealous newsroom rows and precious egos to navigate, chaotic live broadcasts to present, and angry and emotional interviewees to placate.
The books also provide a fascinating insight into how the power of television can be used to help catch criminals, something which is much more common than many people realise.
Despite being far from a child of the internet age, those who know about the brave new world have persuaded Simon to begin writing a blog, something he has now confessed to actually enjoying. The latest is featured below, with previous entries on the blog page. There, you can also sign up for a feed of the latest blog. It’ll keep you up to date with Simon’s writing, events, and occasional whimsical musings on any topic which happens to be entertaining him. He’s even begun Tweeting. You can follow him @thetvdetective.
At the request of a dramatics company, Simon has adapted a tvdetective mystery for the stage. As part of his commitment to raise money for good causes, he’s made the play available for free on the condition that any money raised goes to a local charity. If other dramatics groups are interested in putting on the play, they can get in touch with Simon via the contact page.
The TV Detective site will take you on a tour of Simon’s work, tell you about his latest events and give you an opportunity to get in touch.
Simon Hall welcomes you to his website.
I was warned about the conveyor belt years ago, when I first began writing and was starting to try to get published.
At that stage, it sounds like a dream. You're desperate to get onto it. But when you've actually managed to get a book out, and - heaven forfend! - another one is commissioned, or perhaps even more, that's when you start to feel it.
It's how authors often refer to the continual demand of publishers for more books - the pressure of expectation. If your first effort has done reasonably well and made them some money, they immediately want more.
It's quite understandable - from a business point of view, anyway. I've often said that, for all the romance surrounding it, writing is just a commercial industry. If a publisher can make cash from you then you're in. If not...
The trouble is that the commercial view often conflicts with the artistic spirit (cue creative flounce). Writers don't want to be thought of as just commodities, churning out a product.
We're special! (Or so we like to think, anyway, even if that may not be entirely justified.)
About now is when you feel the conveyor belt the most sharply. The glow of publication of your new book is starting to fade, and - that's just three weeks on! - the inevitable question comes.
Have you started work on the new book yet? When will it be ready? What's it about?
Sigh...
A quick interlude with a pleasant diversion, because I need it before I carry on. I had a great time at the Devon County Show last week (a wonderful heartbeat of the county event), and here's a picture of me in action (as it were) with an expression that actually looks like a passable smile for once.

Right, back to the belt.
I suspect it's just simple human nature, applied to writing. I remember clearly how when I bought my first flat, it was a huge battle to get it, then I had the excitement of moving in, and then... a post fun slump when I started to doubt whether I should have bought the place at all.
Such are the trials of this great game called life.
Anyhow, I don't mean to sound downbeat. That would be daft. It's a privilege to be a writer, as I've often said, and even more so to be asked to pen another novel.
And yes, since you ask, plans are afoot for a new book, number seven in thetvdetective series.
And guess what? I'm starting to fall in love with the idea and very much enjoying sketching out the plot and characters.
Maybe that old conveyor belt isn't such a bad thing after all.
If you're interested in learning how to write a novel, and get it published, Simon is holding an afternoon workshop of quickfire tips with all you need to know.
It...Read more
Simon has been kindly asked to write a guest blog for a fellow writer.
You can read his thoughts here - fordsthoughts...Read more
Simon will be holding his first weekend-long course in how to write a book.
Called Novel Writing from Planning to Publication, it aims to give you all the help you...Read more
A review of the Crime Writing Workshop Simon held in north Devon by one of the group - www.fairyjo.info/News/2012/09/08/<...Read more
From Monday morning (9th July), on the Judi Spiers Show on BBC Radio Devon, I'll be reading extracts from the most recent tvdetective novel, The Balance of Guilt.
T...Read more

