Press reviews

“Skilfully written, this is a novel that will surprise, horrify and thrill you. If you don't understand the world of computer programmers [...] you will still be in for a treat.”

The Guardian: best recent crime novels

“A fascinating and hair-raising examination of just how much we are in thrall to computers, and how willingly we give up our privacy.”

Financial Times on Sockpuppet

“Embedded with techy jargon and shards of wit, Sockpuppet takes a snapshot of our age ... The result is compelling”

From the blogosphere

Jen Med's review of Lucky Ghost

“Pacy, fresh, tense and just plain fun, this book is one I heartily recommend.”

Hush up! I'm reading on Sockpuppet

I've seen a number of books described as geeklit over the last few years, but Sockpuppet is the first that truly delivers on all levels. An intelligent, well-crafted, superbly plotted thriller that races along

Black Books Blog on Lucky Ghost

“A unique and brilliant book which I give 5 stars to”

LizLovesBooks on Lucky Ghost

“The writing is sharp and absolutely immersive and the world created is all too likely [...] Always character driven, never dull and with a totally edge of the seat banging finale.”

ReaderDad on Lucky Ghost

“Nigh on impossible to put down once you’ve picked it up”

Cover to Cover on Lucky Ghost

“Lucky Ghost in its themes and delivery is brave, bold and dare I say, even, ominous ... A look at humanity at its best and its worst.”

Little Bookness Lane: Lucky Ghost

“Way more visionary than its predecessor, Sockpuppet, yet its thought-provoking prophesy remains both powerful and effective.”

Little Bookness Lane's Exceptional Reads of 2017

“There’s so much ingenuity to this story, it’s actually scary ... I consumed this addictive book in one deliriously awesome sitting, it was that good.”

Off The Shelf on Sockpuppet

“A page-turning dark conspiracy thriller, based on acute observations of a digital society governed by online activity, political ambition and instant communication.”

Cover to Cover on Sockpuppet

“Well, I’ll be damned! Sockpuppet took me on a thrilling reading journey. Very (very, very) current, humorous, rude and so darned realistic.”

The Best Things in Life on Sockpuppet

“It’s not just the plausibility and excitement of this book that should make it a hit, it's the fact that it avoids all other obvious thriller cliches."

The Crime Warp on Sockpuppet

“I really engaged with this novel and although there’s a lot of tech involved, you don’t need to be a hardcore techno nerd to enjoy it.”

ReaderDad on Sockpuppet

“One of the standout debuts of the year ... marks Matthew Blakstad as an extremely talented new voice”

LizLovesBooks on Sockpuppet

“Thrilling, perfectly paced, character driven and thought provoking (and often hilarious)”

Audible UK – ‘Authors Love...’

“It is a brilliant, visceral and thought-provoking book, all the more remarkable for being a debut.”

Startling, gut-punch of a book. @mattblak's Sockpuppet. https://t.co/LghuBGSmLu pic.twitter.com/wYedSzRTqi
— #ImpactDay - 25/8 (@robboffard) August 25, 2016

Lovely covers for lovely books! Lucky Ghost was amazing. I think about it at least weekly.
— Liz (@lizma) January 11, 2018

Like THE THICK OF IT? The books of Neal Stephenson or William Gibson? Put this on your #mustread list #sockpuppet pic.twitter.com/ZUWqe09orM
— Matthew Craig (@MattGCraig) April 14, 2016

Got a fab. new book to read yesterday. It’s called Sockpuppet by Matthew Blakstad. Loving it so far!! Woke up early n got my nose firmly wedged back into the book 😴 #bookworm #daysarehereagain #hurrayforgoodbooks #THRILLERS #DigitalDisruption
— Migni☆nne D (@spark_mystique) January 18, 2018

#FallenAngel is a teaser for @Mattblak's amazing tech thriller #Sockpuppet. GO READ https://t.co/jgrn7EhsOd pic.twitter.com/FC0hgdXYZE
— Molly Flatt (@mollyflatt) May 6, 2016

"Beneath the paving stones, the Internet!" marvellous line from @mattblak's pacy thriller #Sockpuppet 🐷🐷 pic.twitter.com/Zo1Zyj7V5v
— Jake (@JakeEliot) May 22, 2017

Here are 31 🔥 books you really must read this spring 📖❤️ https://t.co/yYIcBzs1of pic.twitter.com/j2vDvEH5Im
— Dan Dalton (@wordsbydan) April 18, 2016

Totally hooked by page 9... suspect 'blinkbait' will be 2030 word of the year :-) thanks @mattblak & @HodderBooks #LuckyGhost pic.twitter.com/6dxrW4iCvl
— Bill Thompson (@billt) May 20, 2017

I'm thoroughly enjoying @mattblak's techy sci-fi thrillers, by the way, and chuffed that he put Wally in one.
— MꙬse Allain (@MooseAllain) August 17, 2017

.@mattblak bloody hell sock puppet was INCREDIBLE. Literally just finished it and my mouth is still open. When's the next one? @hodderscape
— Luke Westwood (@lukewestwood) May 31, 2016

@hodderscape @mattblak I've literally been up all night (kids...), & reading Sockpuppet has kept me going, it's actually awesome :). The "diff" section! 👌
— Mark Slade (@Slayed06) May 27, 2017

Terrifying, humorous, perfectly plotted #LuckyGhost is everything I hoped it would be. Take a bow @mattblak 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/9lbjih07NB
— Chris Whitaker (@WhittyAuthor) June 11, 2017

Just finished reading Sockpuppet. Highly recommended. The FT review is bang on. https://t.co/VAwPIWnJEo https://t.co/OqL38vu2RP
— eamonncarey (@eamonncarey) June 3, 2016

Two hours in to the audiobook of @mattblak's Sockpuppet and I'm about to throw all my technology into the Thames. Also: it's BRILLIANT
— Victoria Haslam (@_victoriahaslam) May 24, 2016

SOCKPUPPET by @mattblak - top fiction read re issues of privacy & hacking/release of personal info in ever increasing online world
— Jay Dwight (@JayD1313) April 13, 2016

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