Welcome

Max Kinnings has written feature films, Act of Grace (2012), Alleycats (2016) and The Pagan King (2018) as well as various projects in development including a film adaptation of his critically acclaimed play, Wireless Operator (2019). He is the author of four novels, Hitman (2000), The Fixer (2002), Baptism (2012) and Sacrifice (2013), and the ghost writer of Rik Mayall’s bestselling spoof autobiography, Bigger Than Hitler Better Than Christ (2005). In 2014, he was part of the writing team for the award-winning Sony PlayStation game, Little Big Planet 3. Prior to his writing career, Max spent twelve years devising advertising and marketing campaigns for music festivals, tours, comedy shows and West End theatre productions. He holds a PhD and the title of Reader in Creative Writing at Brunel University London.

For further information, agent details or to make a general enquiry, please navigate via the links at the top right hand side of the page. 

Wireless Operator at The Edinburgh Fringe 2019

Wireless Operator is the one man play I’ve written with Bob Baldwin and is based on Bob’s father’s experiences in WWII. It tells the story of one terrifying bombing raid over Germany in 1945 from the point of view of the Lancaster’s Wireless Operator who is played by the super-talented, Thomas Dennis. The show is playing to full houses at the Edinburgh Fringe and has received excellent reviews. There are still a few performances to go (if you’re reading this before August 26th 2019).  For more details, including the history behind the story and the legacy of PTSD that it explores, please visit the website: https://wirelessoperator.co.uk/

Our first national press review by Dominic Cavendish in The Telegraph (19.08.19) was pleasing (to say the least):

Once the Edinburgh run is complete, we hope to take the play elsewhere and Bob and I will be developing the script into a longer running show, as well as starting the process of adapting it for the screen.

The Pagan King

A new poster image and trailer for The Pagan King via North American distributor, Vertical Entertainment.

 

The Pagan King: first trailer

Here’s the preview trailer for The Pagan King, a feature film I’ve been working on for the past two and a half years with Latvian writer and director, Aigars Grauba, of Platforma Film and Cinevilla Studios. Starring Edvin Endre (Vikings, Fortitude) and James Bloor (Dunkirk, Leatherface) the film will receive its world premiere in January 2018.

ALLEYCATS

Distributed by Universal Pictures, ALLEYCATS is now available on Blu-Ray, DVD and on-demand worldwide.

iTunes

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

Watch the trailer:

 

ALLEYCATS at the East End Film Festival

ALLEYCATS has been selected to be the opening night gala film of the 2016 East End Film Festival on June 23rd. This will be the film’s world premiere. It is an exciting prospect to see the film on the big screen for the first time. It will also be the culmination of five years of writing, rewriting and generally obsessing over the screenplay alongside my co-conspirators, director Ian Bonhôte and producer Andy Ryder.

Making an independent feature film is never easy, particularly one in which the story demands that cyclists hurtle at  break-neck speeds through the rush-hour streets of central London. But with the film picked up for international distribution by Universal Pictures and with a theatrical release pencilled in for later in the summer, this fast-paced urban thriller looks all set to be a winner and one with which I am very proud to be involved.

Click here for further details and here to buy tickets to the premiere.

ALLEYCATS

I first got to know the director, Ian Bonhôte, when we met to discuss working together to develop the screenplay for a feature film idea Ian had, called Alleycats. The premise was intriguing, an action-thriller set against the back-drop of illegal bicycle races through the rush hour streets of central London. I was immediately hooked. I’d lived in London for twenty-five years and thought I knew about most interesting subcultures but the Alleycat Race was something that had passed me by. To create a story set amidst the underground world of Alleycat racing was a fascinating challenge; and to do it alongside someone like Ian, a co-founder of Pulse Films and leading commercial and music promo director who brings his mad Swiss charm and passion to every project he works on, was something I relished. It’s taken a while – as so many good things often do – but I’ve never had any doubt that Ian would get the film made. He’s not a man who’s short on commitment. So here we are, so close to bringing Alleycats to the screen. In order to achieve the very best stunts and action sequences that will recreate the frenetic thrills of genuine Alleycat races, Ian and his co-producer, Andy Ryder of Elephant Gun Films, have launched a Kickstarter campaign. If you’re interested in getting involved in the production of an exciting and genuinely original British action thriller, here’s your chance:

Tribute to Rik

At some point in the future – and I can’t be sure when exactly as the emotions are still raw – I intend to write about my ten year friendship with Rik. Whether it will be a memoir of some sort or something more personal based on the stories and scripts we wrote together, I have no idea. But in the meantime, here’s a short tribute that I was asked to write for Express Magazine at Brunel University where I’ve been involved in the establishment of the Rik Mayall Comedy Genius Award that will be given – occasionally and only when truly deserved – to a student that displays comedy genius in the spirit of the great man himself.

Reviews for the US Publication of Baptism

Baptism has received an excellent reception in the US following its publication there in February. Here are some links to trade and blog reviews. Please click on the titles to link to the full reviews. To read David Marshall’s interview with me about the writing of both Baptism and Sacrifice, please see the “Thinking About Books” review below.

Publishers Weekly *Starred Review* 

“Kinnings (The Fixer) offers keen insights into the psychological ramifications of desperate hostage situations as he ratchets up the tension to near-unbearable levels.”

Kirkus Reviews

“A greased-lightning thriller that will doubtless make a perfect summer movie—preferably one to sit through on the hottest day of the year.”

San Francisco Book Review

“Baptism by Max Kinnings is a top class thriller…The author triumphantly carries all before him.”

Thinking About Books

“Baptism proves to be excellent entertainment and well worth reading.”

Here is an interview with yours truly by David Marshall of Thinking About Books.

Book Geek

“The whole book is a great spin on terrorism and the ‘conventional’ perceptions of perpetrators. A real page turner of a book. Action and emotion and adrenaline packed.”

Read Me Deadly

“Kinnings draws compelling psychological portraits of his characters…Riveting; the hours will fly by.”

Please also check out the growing number of four and five star reviews of Baptism on Amazon.com (along with a couple of dodgy ones too!).

Sacrifice Reviews

Here is a round-up of recent crime/thriller blog reviews for SACRIFICE. Please click on the blog title to link to the full review. If you are a crime/thriller reviewer and would like a review copy of the novel, please email me via the ‘contacts’ page.

Crime Thriller Girl

“The tension starts high and doesn’t wane as the story unfolds…A non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Highly recommended.”

e-thriller.com *February 2014 Thriller of the Month*

“Another deftly crafted, page-turning thriller…from an author who knows what he’s doing.”

This review is also available on reviewer Sophie Scott’s Literary Consort blog here:

BookCunt

“A few pages in and guess what? Turns out I bloody love hostage stories. Who knew, eh?”

Thinking About Books

“I find Sacrifice more compelling because it takes its time to capture and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of all involved…The result is highly readable and strongly recommended.”

Here is an interview with yours truly by David Marshall of Thinking About Books.

SHOTS: Crime & Thriller Ezine

“The intricacies of hostage negotiation are well explored and gripping to read…the plot drives forward relentlessly to produce a page-turner that rarely takes its foot off the gas.”

The Book Geek

“Another excellent, gripping story with a gorgeous main character.”