Colin Murtagh
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colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Colin Murtagh
@colinmurtagh.bsky.social
330 followers 470 following 310 posts
Old Analytical Chemist, loves his books, Prog Rock fan. From Glasgow now living in Wales. Follower of SMFC, supporter of British Fantasy Society

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/15240416-colin-murtagh

Photo by @giorgiotrovato unsplash.com
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colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Floating Hotel by by Grace Curtis

A plot light, character heavy cozy SF novel set on a hotel in space.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚
Colin Murtagh's review of Floating Hotel
3/5: I've seen this described as cozy, and to be fair, it's not a bad description. It's a quiet plot light book, that rests more on the characters than on the action, and on the whole it works well. T...
www.goodreads.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Arrived today from my local bookshop. Been looking forward to the @quantick.bsky.social one for ages and the Vaseem Khan was after I missed his talk at the local library.

#booksky 📚
Hardback copy of "Quantum of Menace" by Vaseem Khan, a novel about Q from James Bond. And paperback copy of David Quantick short story collection "and other stories"
November 8, 2025 at 11:32 AM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Now I love my #lego but I wouldn't know where to start with this. Chester Cathedral and its just over 6 foot long
Front view of lego building of chester cathedral Side on view of lego build of Chester cathedral
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
The latest newsletter from the Scottish Book Trust has the exciting news that @amalelmohtar.com is doing a serialised short story for them. So looking forward to this. If you're thinking of signing up, why not throw them a few quid at the same time.

#booksky 📚
Book Week Scotland: Amal El-Mohtar in your inbox
Sign up to receive an exclusive serialised story from Amal El-Mohtar during Book Week Scotland.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

The Stranger Times by by C.K. McDonnell

Funny Dark Urban Fantasy set it in a UK alternative newspaper

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of The Stranger Times (The Stranger Times #1)
4/5: This is one of those books I've seen a lot, and it's been on my Kindle for years, until I eventually decided it was time to read it. Quite pleased I did. We start with Hannah Willis, down on her...
www.goodreads.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly

One of the best dark detective series on the go.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
October 28, 2025 at 11:23 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Having the poet laureate doing Pink Floyd was not on my Bingo Card
#poetry
#progrock

youtu.be/pXInhwb60SI?...
Dear Pink Floyd (Poem By UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage)
YouTube video by Pink Floyd
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Finally home so I've backed it. Should be wonderful

I just backed Nap Comix on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/fli...
Nap Comix
Bringing the acclaimed webcomic to life in graphic novel form
www.kickstarter.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

Interesting slight change un focus on the 2nd book, which looks like it will lead to something interesting.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2)
4/5: This picks up where book 1 left off, almost to the minute. Carl and Doughnut are now on level 3, and after the last book have decided they need a manager to help out. Not an idea that goes down v...
www.goodreads.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Saw this in London today. Made me giggle
Sign at St Pancras Station. Text reads Escalator Safety. No pushchairs. No running. No competitive dog grooming. No heavy luggage.
October 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
I will be backing this when I get home. You should too
rachaelsmith.bsky.social Rachael Smith @ Thought Bubble - Comixology Hall D5 @rachaelsmith.bsky.social · 22d
THE KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!

tinyurl.com/napcomixks

I'll post about it properly in the morning but BY GOSH if anyone else is awake right now I'd sure love for you to take a look!

R xxx
Nap Comix
Bringing the acclaimed webcomic to life in graphic novel form
tinyurl.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:50 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Nudes by Elle Nash

A collection of short stories, that are uncomfortable, uplifting, and ultimately rewarding.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of Nudes
4/5: Short stories collections always have a risk of being a mixed bag, and this is the case here. On the positive side where the stories are good, they are very good. Some of the issues I had with co...
www.goodreads.com
October 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Physics for Cats by Tom Gauld

A wonderful Whimsical witty collection of Science based cartoons you must read.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of Physics for Cats
5/5: I will admit, I adore Tom Gauld. I've been following his cartoons both in the Guardian and in New Scientist for years, and will always pick up a new collection when it comes out. This is a colle...
www.goodreads.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:19 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft

A Magical Holmes style story

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of The Hexologists (The Hexologists, #1)
4/5: This was a lot of fun, and not quite what I was expecting. This is an almost steampunk Britain, where magic still exists. One branch of magic is Hexology, the magic of Hexes, as exemplified by I...
www.goodreads.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Another of my preorders just arrived. Wasn't expecting it for a few more days, but it instantly jumps to the top of my TBR pile. @tomgauld.bsky.social is a genius.
Hardback copy of the Tom Gauld Collection called "Physics for Cats - Science Cartoons by Tom Gauld"
October 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Another of my preorder books just showed up. Past me was very clever if a little spendy
A hardback signed copy of The Bora Chung collection titled "The Midnight Timetable "
October 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Got this on pre-order. May have spent too much on books this month
tomgauld.bsky.social Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · Oct 2
My new book of science cartoons, PHYSICS FOR CATS is out in a week! Order a copy today from you local bookshop or at one of the links here: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
October 2, 2025 at 10:51 AM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
More book post. I am having a good day. Looking forward to some @garethlpowell.bsky.social short stories.
Paperback copy of Gareth L Powell collection of short stories "Who Will You Save"
September 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Spooky book post from the wonderful @okcomics.bsky.social
Who killed Nessie by @paulcornell.bsky.social and @rachaelsmith.bsky.social
As a Scotsman, I am so looking forward to diving into this. Do hope it's not the English at fault.
The Packaging from OK comics, with Spooky artwork, mirroring some of the artwork on the book Paperback copy of Who Killed Nessie by Paul Cornell and Rachael Smith
September 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Black Summer by M.W. Craven

Celebrity Chef is a psychopath? Never!

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of Black Summer (Washington Poe, #2)
4/5: After devouring the first book in the series, book 2 arrives. Washington is dealing with the fall out of book 1, although the book starts with a bit of a curve ball set a few days in the future ...
www.goodreads.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

Rise of the Elves by Heide Goody & Iain Grant

The Christmas trilogy concludes with more hilarity and bullets. This was just so much fun.

Full review on Goodreads

#booksky 📚

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of Rise of the Elves (The Festive and the Furious Book 3)
5/5: And so the trilogy concludes. Following on from book 2, Charlotte is trying to get back with Jack, and as expected disaster follows. Snomann is still at Hedgelords, and his role in things is goi...
www.goodreads.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Colin Murtagh
damianbarr.bsky.social
That's a wrap on series 7 of Big Scottish Book Club. Now the only books show on British tv. Produced by IWC, commissioned by BBC Scotland, available to all on BBC iPlayer. Please share with the readers in your life.

Feat Elif Shafak, Jackie Kay, Tash Aw & more.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
The Big Scottish Book Club - Series 7: Episode 3
Fresh from the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Fringe, Paula Hawkins, Chris McQueer and Rachel Parris join Damian Barr to discuss their latest books and favourite reads.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Amazing the stuff you find in a charity shop. Yes, they did come home with me
Copies of 2 books by John Emsley published by Royal Society of Chemistry. Titled Molecules of Murder and More Molecules of Murder
September 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven

I think I have a new favourite dark psychological thriller writer. Not for the weak at heart,

#booksky 📚

Full review on Goodreads
www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of The Puppet Show (Washington Poe, #1)
5/5: Not an author I've heard of, but he popped up on the Book Off Podcast, and it sounded interesting so I had to pick it up. I am so glad I took the chance. While this feels like a few of the usual...
www.goodreads.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM
colinmurtagh.bsky.social
Books read in 2025

A Litter of Bones by J.D. Kirk

An interesting new to me addition to the Tartan Noir school of writing.

#booksky 📚

Full review on Goodreads

www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Colin Murtagh's review of A Litter of Bones (DCI Logan Crime Thrillers, #1)
4/5: I was listening to the excellent Podcast, Book Off, with the author, and discovered I'd never read any of his novels, so this seemed like a good place to start. This was a fun short novel, that d...
www.goodreads.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:42 PM