Hylton Smith

Publisher info

Born in the Northeast of England, I graduated from Newcastle University in Chemistry. My entire career has been in the manufacturing industry, first in research, then general management. After a number of years as the chief executive of a UK division of an American multinational corporation, I set up my own company, and in less than five years I was able to retire and turn to a boyhood yearning to write science fiction stories. This has gradually expanded to other genres such as alternate history and crime fiction.

Smashwords Interview

What are your five favorite books, and why?
I like to read realistic science fiction, crime fiction, and mysteries in general. I also like the odd political thriller.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I have a Kindle and a tablet on which I can download books. I prefer a dedicated e-reader when I am not going to be interrupted.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Hylton Smith online

Love Conquers All
Price: Free! Words: 37,010. Language: English. Published: October 17, 2014 by Hylton Smith. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Historical » General, Fiction » Romance » General
(3.00 from 1 review)
A young man responds to the needs of his country and leaves home to head for a training camp in the armed forces. Initially he is stationed only fifty miles from home, but it wasn't long before he ended up at the other end of the country. The unit was on the edge of a beautiful village, and it wasn't long before the new recruits got to know the local countryside and its residents.

Books

Harvest of Souls
Price: Free! Words: 51,560. Language: English. Published: December 11, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
A human body part appears in a car crushing plant in the suburbs of Newcastle. It was placed in a position where it would definitely be found. Having reported this incident to the police ensured a very complex invstigation would extend well beyond the city and region.
Tree of Snakes Volume 2 Arc of Evil
Price: Free! Words: 50,800. Language: English. Published: October 16, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
The Police and a reputable Newspaper are contacted by an unknown person. Because the press are then able to monitor police reaction, the subsequent investigation is played out to the public. The agenda of the videos gradually appears to be serious scrutiny of the existing law and sentencing regarding domestic abuse. All is not what it appears to be.
Tree of Snakes
Price: Free! Words: 50,910. Language: English. Published: August 28, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(5.00 from 1 review)
A rough sleeping man is brought to A&E. He died in hospital. The police were alerted that tests indicated he may not have died from natural causes. The incident spirals into a complex series of events which compel the police to get involved again. Reluctantly.
The Bridge
Price: Free! Words: 83,810. Language: English. Published: August 8, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(5.00 from 1 review)
It was a political decision taken to make a statement to the rest of the world. In fact, it did achieve phenominal notoriety. At first, a sequence of horrific murders seemed to be nothing more than mere coincidence, but were actually the beginning of a global nightmare. Apparently unrelated killings were finally linked to a highly complex terrorist plot.
No Cause of Death
Price: Free! Words: 72,610. Language: English. Published: August 19, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
(5.00 from 1 review)
There seemed to be no evidence, no motive, and no suspect. An unexplained death. DCI Kane was asked to investigate A second incident added to the confusion. Surely it wasn’t a coincidence? Fear had begun to spread. The police, forensics and pathologist discussed both deaths endlessly until a third incident was reported from a distant location. The deaths appeared to be linked in some way.
The Fate of Adam North
Price: Free! Words: 41,390. Language: English. Published: April 30, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Biographical, Fiction » Inspirational
He grew up with a ration book instead of a father. How did that turn out? A story of how a litle boy who grew up in the post war austerity and how it compares to the present Covid 19 Pandemic.
The Disappearance of Sylvester Purbeck
Price: Free! Words: 59,190. Language: English. Published: March 29, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
He didn't show up for work on Monday morning. It was unusual as he'd never been off work in twelve years. Did anybody care? Did anybody know? He was engmatic, intelligent, popular, humble, reliable and engaging. The police? Apathetic........Until.........
Stone of Eternity
Price: Free! Words: 86,800. Language: English. Published: November 14, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
On a rocky coastline in Norway, a strange discovery in the small village causes a cauldron of public protest. Subsequent analysis of the find brings into question the accepted history of the country and beyond. Further revelations hint at censorship and erodes any remaining trust between the various factions, until a leaked report shocks the world.
Rage
Price: Free! Words: 74,230. Language: English. Published: January 10, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
An unfolding incident in the city centre of Newcastle was witnessed by thousands of people. The local police were confounded by the lack of forensic evidence. However, there was concern that it might not be an isolated occurrence. The motive was obscure yet troubling. Nobody, not even the police could have predicted what would develop from from this incident.
Panspermia Deorum
Price: Free! Words: 111,310. Language: English. Published: August 18, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic, Fiction » Science fiction » Hard sci-fi
A world in chaos, caught in the pincer movement of corruption and anarchy. The time for tackling the causes was long gone, squandered by those elected for that very purpose. Procrastination, being paraded as a duty of care, had pushed the planet past the point of no return, or had it? A global threat of a different kind entered the fray. It should have been a unifying straw for humanity to clutch.
Ice and Fire
Price: Free! Words: 74,490. Language: English. Published: September 11, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Ice and Fire is a grainy blend of adult humour and harrowing drama. Three disparate groups of people who have never met, depart for a place in the sun. Individuals within each group have their own vision of exactly why they are there. Events unfold in a way which causes their paths to cross many times. At first this appears to be nothing other than acquaintances being forged between strangers.
The Message
Price: Free! Words: 62,290. Language: English. Published: December 14, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
(4.00 from 3 reviews)
Olivia Radford-Wickham is a prominent surgeon with searing career ambition. Her husband Tom, in stark contrast, is one of life's drifters, currently parading as an author. His one dedication is caring for their six year-old son. Kieron was born with neurological abnormalities, and has special needs. After a blazing row between Olivia and Tom, a phone call changes their lives forever.
The Predicament of Redwood Paddock
Price: Free! Words: 66,380. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » Satire
The Predicament of Redwood Paddock is a political satire. It is pure fiction, or is it? A little guy takes on the might of the closed ranks of government. It's a David and Goliath billing, with an ending which may be surprising, yet predictable.
The Man Who Never Was
Price: Free! Words: 83,820. Language: English. Published: November 25, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
In 1986, Derwenthaugh Coke Works closed, and demolition began. A strange discovery halts the regeneration plans. As there is no obvious explanation as to why these artefacts are there, the police become involved. The only clue which offers any progress points to events which took place many years ago. When a young police officer thinks she has seen one of the objects before, the intrigue thickens.
Fog on the Tyne
Price: Free! Words: 252,070. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Erotica » Literary Erotica
Fog on the Tyne is a trilogy, covering three murder cases which were investigated by D.C.I. Jack Renton, a dysfunctional old-school detective. Resident Fear, Frankenstein and The Red Kite Killings are all set in the Northeast of England. A different serial killer is involved in each book, with their unique trade mark M.O. and purpose. The Red Kite Killings is Renton's last case.
The Red Kite Killings
Series: Fog on the Tyne. Price: Free! Words: 75,100. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
Jack Renton was on a rare vacation when he was asked to return and check out a body which had been recovered from the River Tyne. He initially refused. When apprised of the victim’s mutilation, he became obsessed with an old case, from which he still suffered flashbacks. His team was concerned at such a delusional pursuit, but then a second body was discovered. Was a copycat killer responsible?
The Jupiter Paradox
Price: Free! Words: 76,370. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
Following the Era of Conflict between Homo-Sapiens and the Cyborgs they created, a tentative period of cooperation emerged. The residual population was heavily skewed to the Borg template. By 2175, the radiation threat from the dissipating ozone layer had escalated to worrying levels. The Rift Incident had to be investigated.
Frankenstein.com
Series: Fog on the Tyne. Price: Free! Words: 73,680. Language: English. Published: August 2, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(5.00 from 1 review)
Frankenstein.com is the sequel to Resident Fear. Two years on from arresting the serial killer involved, a new challenge faces D.C.I. Renton. The story is once again set in the Northeast of England, but this case appears to be more complicated than expected, compared with the stepwise murders of a serial killer. Several victims have apparently been simultaneously selected for a common purpose.
Resident Fear
Series: Fog on the Tyne. Price: Free! Words: 103,360. Language: English. Published: February 13, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Traditional British, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(2.00 from 1 review)
Resident Fear is a crime thriller set in the Northeast of England in 2018, after Britain was expelled from the European Union. The body of a wealthy Industrialist is found draped at the base of the iconic sculpture - The Angel of the North. D.C.I. Jack Renton soon realises it is no ordinary homicide, it has the hallmarks of a serial killer. Civil unrest and political apathy stoke the fear.
The Ice Wars of Dominia
Series: Evilution. Price: Free! Words: 82,390. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
The Ice Wars of Dominia is the final volume in the Evilution series. A century has passed since the cataclysmic events of 2045. Climatic change has accelerated, and ice covers most of the planet. All Earth inhabitants are gradually forced into a narrow band of habitable domain, known as the Temperate Zone. A clash of nomadic and indigineous cultures is inevitable, fuelled by a species in orbit.
Evilution
Price: Free! Words: 244,360. Language: English. Published: August 8, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General
Evilution is comprised of The Sacred Protocol, Divine Extinction and The Ice Wars of Dominia. The first is an alternate history, scifi thriller. Two pivotal events in history lead to the collapse of the internet. It becomes a race against time to prevent global implications of meltdown. Divine Extinction takes the story on. The threat of extinction is back, then total war looms in book three.
The Nexus Odyssey
Price: Free! Words: 304,710. Language: English. Published: August 6, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
The Nexus Odyssey is an epic journey of human exploration. Overpopulation and its attendant problems force colonisation of another planet. Having achieved this salvation, the relations between Earth and Mars become fractious, and this leads to the development of interstellar propulsion capability, a joint strategy of humans and intelligent aliens. The problems are immense, and benefits uncertain.
Divine Extinction
Series: Evilution. Price: Free! Words: 82,840. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General
Divine Extinction is the second volume in the Evilution series. They thought they had engineered temporary respite from the threat to humanity. Four years was a convincing period of inactivity. The vigil was suddenly invaded by fear of a completely different danger, which hovered over the species. Contemplation of the consequences was bad enough without the emergence of an immovable deadline.
The Sacred Protocol
Series: Evilution. Price: Free! Words: 79,330. Language: English. Published: August 3, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General
The Sacred Protocol is the first volume in the Evilution series. It is an alternate history crime thriller. Two pivotal events in history have a very different outcome. The first is the Spanish Armada. The story swiftly moves to the collapse of the internet in 2016. A slide to dystopian culture is avoided by the new SACRED system. An increasing number of protesters against SACRED die mysteriously.
Renewal
Series: The Nexus Odyssey. Price: Free! Words: 83,710. Language: English. Published: August 3, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
Renewal is the fourth volume in The Nexus Odyssey. The city vessel Phoenix is in its 43rd year of the journey from Mars to the 55 Cancri system. The three species aboard are shocked to find Nexus is nothing like the Axis remembered. Renewal chronicles the struggle between the crew and a lifeform which tries to control them, while Mars is unaware of the same threat as the surface temperature rises.
The Darwinian Extension: Completion
Series: The Nexus Odyssey. Price: Free! Words: 74,750. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
The Darwinian Extension: Completion is the third volume in The Nexus Odyssey. Over twenty years have passed since the Martian colony was founded and the planet has a thin but breathable atmosphere, and more than 50,000 citizens. The efforts to develop interstellar propulsion seem to stagnate when a breakthrough is achieved. Nuclear weapon proliferation on Earth raises the tension to flash point.
The Darwinian Extension: Transition
Series: The Nexus Odyssey. Price: Free! Words: 74,260. Language: English. Published: July 28, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
Transition is the second volume in the Nexus Odyssey series. A fragile foothold was established on Mars during the first volume. The sequel takes up the story of how humanity deals with the discovery of another life form and the schism which develops between the two planets. A second discovery on Mars throws the relationship into potential meltdown, sending a very a sobering message to Earth.
The Darwinian Extension: Initiation
Series: The Nexus Odyssey. Price: Free! Words: 74,650. Language: English. Published: July 28, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
The Darwinian Extension is the first volume in the Nexus Odyssey, and begins two and a half decades into the future. There exists a complex cocktail of human failings in addressing the planet's ability to sustain worldly trends. A new space age becomes a necessity. The unfolding events on Earth and Mars cause a political rift, which is eclipsed by a sinister discovery on the red planet.

Hylton Smith's tag cloud

adult    adventure    adversity    aliens    alternate history    anarchy    austerity    conspiracy    corruption sex    covid 19    crime    crime fiction    crime series    crime thriller    cyber war    david and goliath    detective    drama    english serial killers    erotica    espionage    evolution    fiction    first contact    genetic engineering    genetics    haed sci fi    hard sci fi    hard scifi    high tech    historical    history    homicide    humour    inspiration    international    international crime    jupiter    jury    killing english    law    luftwaffe    medical    missing person    murder    murder and mystery    murder fiction    murder mystery    mystery    mystery and crime    mystery detective    mystery suspense    newcastle    noir    noir romantic thriller    northeast england    police    police abduction and murder mystery    police drama    police procedural    political    political correctness    political intrigue    political satire    post apocalypse    post apocalyptic    psychological suspense    psychological thriller    ration books    romance    sci fi    sci fi crime    sci fi mystery    sci fi odyssey    sci fi series    sci fi thriller    sci fi trilogy    science fiction    scifi    scifi adventure    scifi crime    scifi crime crime thriller    scifi detective    scifi mystery    scifi odyssey    scifi odyssey scifi series scifi trilogy space odyssey space opera science fiction    scifi series    scifi thriller    scifi trilogy    sentencing    serial killer    serial killers    serial killing    serial murder    society values    space    space adventure    space odyssey    space opera    spy    suspense    terrorism    the killing    thriller    thriller series    thriller suspense    thrilller    traditional british    trilogy    wartime    world war    world war 2    world war two