The New York Times
A true story: when I was 13 I had an early morning paper round in Edinburgh. People mostly got the Scotsman or occasionally a Guardian. Every Tuesday though - because it took that long to arrive - one customer on Marchmont Crescent got a Sunday New York Times. Although it was annoyingly heavy, it also seemed impossibly exotic and on those mornings I used to do my route in a different order so that I could read some of all the news that was fit to print.
The Sunday Times
Crime Book of the Month for October 2022
‘The suggestion that a clever killer could operate in a busy hospital is all too believable and the novel is a riveting read, interspersed with intelligent reflections on what might drive a physician to kill.’
The Scotsman
I am a huge fan of Stuart Kelly’s work, so it is always a special thrill to be reviewed by him.
‘Why do I adore this kind of novel? It is intelligent, very witty in a very dark way, and does not flinch from serious and difficult questions.’
CrimeReads
‘Simon Stephenson’s diabolical and quick-witted medical thriller is not to be missed…’
The Sun
‘The dramatic, unnerving story, and incredible writing make for an exceptional read - Five Stars’.
BookPage
October’s Mystery of the Month:
‘With ten months of 2022 behind us, I am confident this will be a (or perhaps the) best book of the year for me.’
Love Reading
A Book of the Month:
‘If you enjoy a dry, whip-smart delivery along with the darkest of plots, then I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.’ A Book of the Month.
Scotland On Sunday
The Scotland on Sunday short story competition was where it all began for me in 2001. I spoke with them about my journey since.
The Bookseller
Sometimes People Die announced for release on 1st September 2022.
Washington Post
‘I have a new literary hero and role model to rank alongside such idiosyncratic, visionary, pure-hearted, albeit sometimes antisocial dreamers as J.P. Donleavy’s Sebastian Dangerfield, John Kennedy Toole’s Ignatius J. Reilly and Joyce Cary’s Gulley Jimson. While not precisely identical to these three, my new idol shares their essential roguish and contrarian nature, a square peg in a round hole. His name is Jared, and he’s the protagonist of Simon Stephenson’s laugh-out-loud funny debut novel, ‘Set My Heart To Five’’
SyFy Wire
SyFy Wire interviewed me and ran an excerpt from Set My Heart To Five.
BBC Radio 4 Front Row
My deep-quarantine haircut and I went on Radio 4’s flagship arts show to discuss Set My Heart To Five.
Scotland on Sunday
‘You shall read this with unadulterated pleasure. It is the closest thing I’ve read in a long time to Terry Pratchett.’
The Herald
‘…only the truly heartless would deny the art at work here, or the attendant swell of pride.’
USA Today
They wrote about five books not to miss. Set My Heart To Five was one of them.
Publishers Weekly
‘…Jared’s mechanical coming-of-age brings to the forefront the things that make life worth living as Stephenson delivers an amusing commentary on logic, love, and feeling. This entertaining and surprisingly poignant story is a charmer.’
Daily Mail
‘…funny, original, thought-provoking debut..wistful and sharp, particularly on what it really means to live.’
The Bookseller - Interview
‘…I doubt I’ll encounter a more endearing, more joy-provoking character this year.’
The Hollywood Reporter
Some exciting film news about Set My Heart To Five!
The Telegraph
Interview in my grandparents’ favourite paper.
The Observer
Review of Let Not The Waves Of The Sea:
‘…beautifully written and unerringly moving…’