Northern Ireland writer Stuart Neville is to go on network US television after an “extraordinary” year that saw his debut novel become a major hit.

Stuart from Armagh is due to appear on a top American talk show next month, to talk about his post-Troubles Northern Ireland crime fiction book The Twelve.

The novel has also been named book of the year by none other than Simon Le Bon, of Duran Duran fame.

The Twelve was published in the summer and tells the story of a former IRA prisoner haunted by his murderous past. His attempts to deal with his brutal memories form the basis of a gritty story that has received critical acclaim.

The publication of the American edition of The Twelve, titled The Ghosts of Belfast, saw Stuart embark on a month-long tour of the USA during October, travelling from coast to coast and it was was named on numerous best-of-2009 lists.

In early December Stuart received a surprise invitation to appear on one of America's biggest talk shows. The Late Late Show, broadcast on network channel CBS after Letterman, is hosted by Scottish expat and crime fiction fan Craig Ferguson.

The producers flew him to Hollywood to tape the segment, which is due to air early in the New Year.

Stuart told the Belfast Telegraph: “It's been an extraordinary year. Just having a book published was a big enough event in my life, but everything that's happened since has been amazing.”