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This Strange Hell
A suited man runs from a burning tower in Melbourne as bodies rain down upon him.
Before the city’s millions can compose, he boards a train into the countryside. Hiding his identity and changing his appearance, the man finds his way to Sulley Ridge, a lawless town in the heart of the harsh Victorian outback.
The following day, a burned man wakes up in a hospital bed. Surging with rage, he speaks a name. Within an hour, the suited man’s face is across every screen in the country. It’s the greatest manhunt Australia has ever seen.
But as he tries to camouflage in Sulley Ridge, he soon realises the town has its own problems. Under the iron fist of a violent leader, the locals are trapped within slow and torturous decay…
As we learn more about the night of the burning tower, the connection between the suited man and the burned man threatens to leave a trail of destruction across the state.
Here is the story of a man on the run from his past, as the line between sanity and evil is danced upon.
Here is the tale of This Strange Hell.
Before the city’s millions can compose, he boards a train into the countryside. Hiding his identity and changing his appearance, the man finds his way to Sulley Ridge, a lawless town in the heart of the harsh Victorian outback.
The following day, a burned man wakes up in a hospital bed. Surging with rage, he speaks a name. Within an hour, the suited man’s face is across every screen in the country. It’s the greatest manhunt Australia has ever seen.
But as he tries to camouflage in Sulley Ridge, he soon realises the town has its own problems. Under the iron fist of a violent leader, the locals are trapped within slow and torturous decay…
As we learn more about the night of the burning tower, the connection between the suited man and the burned man threatens to leave a trail of destruction across the state.
Here is the story of a man on the run from his past, as the line between sanity and evil is danced upon.
Here is the tale of This Strange Hell.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2019
2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Sutton
2 books12 followersC. J. Sutton is a writer based in Romsey, Victoria. He holds a Master of Communication degree and supports the value of study through correspondence. His fictional writing delves into the unpredictability of the human mind and the fears that drive us. As a professional writer C.J. Sutton has worked within the hustle and bustle of newsrooms, the competitive offices of advertising and the trenches of marketing. But his interest in creating new characters and worlds has seen a move into fiction, which has always pleaded for complete attention.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 18, 2019
I read this authors previous book and absolutely loved it. I couldn’t resist giving this a go.
Similar to when I read this authors previous book this isn’t a book I could read in one setting. It’s a heavy kinda read..don’t take that as a negative. It’s just my thoughts. Having said that I really enjoyed the story.
I’m hesitant to say anything about the storyline as you need to read it for yourselves. Let the author pull you through a wide range of emotions like he did with me.
The story starts off ready to grip the author with a fast pace throughout. I just couldn’t resist reading as I craved to know more.
I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Similar to when I read this authors previous book this isn’t a book I could read in one setting. It’s a heavy kinda read..don’t take that as a negative. It’s just my thoughts. Having said that I really enjoyed the story.
I’m hesitant to say anything about the storyline as you need to read it for yourselves. Let the author pull you through a wide range of emotions like he did with me.
The story starts off ready to grip the author with a fast pace throughout. I just couldn’t resist reading as I craved to know more.
I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
March 11, 2019
Where do I start? This is a tale of the power of fear…….of corruption, brutality and also of the strength and kindness of strangers.
Brady Lockhart, he ran away from the inferno of Barron Tower…..he is named by the burned man as the arsonist. The media and people vilify him and he is hunted by everyone.
He runs, changes his appearance and decides to look for work in a small rural town, Sully Ridge. He’s taken in by Wallace, who rents him a house but he knows who the man really is ……he also knows about the $1000000 he has stashed.
The man is now aware of Siphon, the brutal, violent and cruel gang leader who is running the town, he demands ‘rent’ from everyone…..if they don’t pay the consequences are dire…..just ask Wiggles…
The man decides to help the locals (a bit of a Magnificent Seven ….) and joins the gang but with an ulterior motive.
BUT The Burned man has found out where he is and is now on his way….!
I can’t say more for fear of spoilers…..but I will say this is a very well written book, the many characters and their back stories will have you cheering them on, crying with them and feel their bruises….it’s brutal, bloody and violent but there’s also the goodness of people to bring some hope…..a real credit to C J Sutton’s creative writing…..I can thoroughly recommend it….
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Brady Lockhart, he ran away from the inferno of Barron Tower…..he is named by the burned man as the arsonist. The media and people vilify him and he is hunted by everyone.
He runs, changes his appearance and decides to look for work in a small rural town, Sully Ridge. He’s taken in by Wallace, who rents him a house but he knows who the man really is ……he also knows about the $1000000 he has stashed.
The man is now aware of Siphon, the brutal, violent and cruel gang leader who is running the town, he demands ‘rent’ from everyone…..if they don’t pay the consequences are dire…..just ask Wiggles…
The man decides to help the locals (a bit of a Magnificent Seven ….) and joins the gang but with an ulterior motive.
BUT The Burned man has found out where he is and is now on his way….!
I can’t say more for fear of spoilers…..but I will say this is a very well written book, the many characters and their back stories will have you cheering them on, crying with them and feel their bruises….it’s brutal, bloody and violent but there’s also the goodness of people to bring some hope…..a real credit to C J Sutton’s creative writing…..I can thoroughly recommend it….
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
March 13, 2019
Wow. Just wow. I could end the review there, give the book 5 stars and tell you to pick This Strange Hell up and read it…but I’ll actually write a review.
C.J. Sutton’s writing is gripping, poetic, and intense. It is unique to him, and I think I would recognize his writing from now on. He hooked me from the first word and held my attention to the very end.
The plot is brutal, bloody and violent. This Strange Hell is the story of fear. But there is also hope and kindness that shines through.
Every character is is perfectly developed and well rounded. I could feel the raw emotions of these characters coming through the pages.
To sum this review up, WOW. This Strange Hell is brilliant, C.J. Sutton is brilliant. I highly recommend checking this one out.
*I read this book for a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
C.J. Sutton’s writing is gripping, poetic, and intense. It is unique to him, and I think I would recognize his writing from now on. He hooked me from the first word and held my attention to the very end.
The plot is brutal, bloody and violent. This Strange Hell is the story of fear. But there is also hope and kindness that shines through.
Every character is is perfectly developed and well rounded. I could feel the raw emotions of these characters coming through the pages.
To sum this review up, WOW. This Strange Hell is brilliant, C.J. Sutton is brilliant. I highly recommend checking this one out.
*I read this book for a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
February 15, 2019
This book was riddled with problems. The story had potential but the execution wasn't there. My review is here ---> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1Mf
February 14, 2019
This book had me hooked from the first page. I haven't read a story opener like that for a long time - one that drew me in like this, leaving me desperate to know exactly what had happened and what was still to come. It kept me guessing throughout as I tried to figure out who I could trust, with everything being wrapped up in such a way that it made me want to go straight back to the start and read it again. I dare you to read the first chapter and not continue on... impossible.
April 1, 2019
This is a gritty story which opens with an apartment block going up in flames resulting in a massive loss of life and the prime suspect fleeing the scene with an enormous amount of money. Clearly the actions of a guilty man, especially when one of the victims wakes up in hospital and reveals the identity of the suspect. The suspect escapes to an out-of-the-way town in rural Australia, trying to hide, but finding himself in the sights of a violent crime gang.
There is a clever distancing device for the two principal characters, who are known simply as the man and the burned man respectively. As the man ingratiates himself into the local gang, it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. As with many contemporary crime novels, the man is subjected to and perpetrator of violence which is graphically described, but commensurate with the kind of ruthless characters the man encounters. The story is densely written, and a host of subsidiary characters who all earn their places. It's a compelling read, but not for the faint hearted.
There is a clever distancing device for the two principal characters, who are known simply as the man and the burned man respectively. As the man ingratiates himself into the local gang, it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. As with many contemporary crime novels, the man is subjected to and perpetrator of violence which is graphically described, but commensurate with the kind of ruthless characters the man encounters. The story is densely written, and a host of subsidiary characters who all earn their places. It's a compelling read, but not for the faint hearted.
April 11, 2019
I was a huge fan of Dortmund Hibernate, and I was equally thrilled with C.J. Sutton's new novel. The writing style is so unique, brave and poetic... this book is not for the faint-hearted, but the dream-like imagery and fast-paced storyline will stay with you for a long time. C.J. Sutton is creating his own subgenre of Australian noir.
April 8, 2019
Thank you The Fiction Café-Review and C. J. Sutton for this arc copy.
This is the first book that I have read from this author, and it won’t be my last. What an awesome book. The first chapter of this book had me wondering and from there on I could not put this book down. This is a tale of the power of fear…….of corruption, brutality and also of the strength and kindness of strangers.
I dare you to read the first chapter and not continue on... impossible. This book was addictive and had me wondering why is he running and what are his ties to the injured man? Little does he know that he becomes the prime suspect of the arson attack in Melbourne; and on the run now he has no choice but to stay hidden. This is an author had me up past my bed time just so that I could read what was happening, I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking for more from this author.
This is the first book that I have read from this author, and it won’t be my last. What an awesome book. The first chapter of this book had me wondering and from there on I could not put this book down. This is a tale of the power of fear…….of corruption, brutality and also of the strength and kindness of strangers.
I dare you to read the first chapter and not continue on... impossible. This book was addictive and had me wondering why is he running and what are his ties to the injured man? Little does he know that he becomes the prime suspect of the arson attack in Melbourne; and on the run now he has no choice but to stay hidden. This is an author had me up past my bed time just so that I could read what was happening, I really enjoyed this book, and will be looking for more from this author.
March 16, 2019
This a really gritty read, not for the faint hearted.
The book starts as ‘The Man’ leaves a burning building and starts on his journey to flee Melbourne and escape to a new life, leaving hundreds of people dead or burned.
Little does he know that he is about to walk into the definition of hell. Sulley Ridge is nothing like he imagined it to be, the quiet outback village is being run by a group of thugs.
He is now the prime suspect of the arson attack in Melbourne and on the run, he has no choice but to stay hidden in the outback. How will he survive in this lawless town, join the thugs and rule the town with the threat of murder, rape and violence or throw his lot in with the locals and seek revenge for all those they have already lost?
The book starts as ‘The Man’ leaves a burning building and starts on his journey to flee Melbourne and escape to a new life, leaving hundreds of people dead or burned.
Little does he know that he is about to walk into the definition of hell. Sulley Ridge is nothing like he imagined it to be, the quiet outback village is being run by a group of thugs.
He is now the prime suspect of the arson attack in Melbourne and on the run, he has no choice but to stay hidden in the outback. How will he survive in this lawless town, join the thugs and rule the town with the threat of murder, rape and violence or throw his lot in with the locals and seek revenge for all those they have already lost?
May 29, 2019
Suspect runs and hides in a country town. Burn victim identifies suspect. Suspect’s name and photos are plastered on television and the newspapers. Burn victim vows vengeance. Suspect tries to redeem himself by helping a stranger and his family. Not everyone is who they seem… not everything is cut and dried…
"He was hated across Melbourne and throughout Victoria. He was hated across Australia and throughout the world, thanks to the power of the internet. And now, in a place of anonymity and equipped with a new name, he was hated here too."
This suspense thriller begins on the city streets of Melbourne, Australia, and ends in a small country town called Sulley Ridge. Danger is everywhere. “The man” thought he could get some relief from running in a small town, but the town is run by a vile man named Siphon who kills without provocation. “The man” has nothing to lose and devises a plan to help the citizens of Sulley Ridge which also involves “the burned man” who wants the money. The results of the bloody showdown are eye-opening while the truth comes out.
A quick and sharp storyline with lots of action and questions to be answered. Sutton leaves nothing out when describing the horror of “the burned man’s” anger and the squalors of Siphon’s domain and the company he keeps.
Sutton’s clever method of not using the two main character’s names when describing their activities is interesting. It’s like they both lost their identities after the fire. The author also ties up endings by putting all the pieces together and brings closure in that “the man” didn’t do everything for naught.
I recommend this book for lovers of mystery and suspense that will keep one guessing to the end.
**Trigger warnings: violence, attempted rape**
Thank you to Mr. Sutton for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
"He was hated across Melbourne and throughout Victoria. He was hated across Australia and throughout the world, thanks to the power of the internet. And now, in a place of anonymity and equipped with a new name, he was hated here too."
This suspense thriller begins on the city streets of Melbourne, Australia, and ends in a small country town called Sulley Ridge. Danger is everywhere. “The man” thought he could get some relief from running in a small town, but the town is run by a vile man named Siphon who kills without provocation. “The man” has nothing to lose and devises a plan to help the citizens of Sulley Ridge which also involves “the burned man” who wants the money. The results of the bloody showdown are eye-opening while the truth comes out.
A quick and sharp storyline with lots of action and questions to be answered. Sutton leaves nothing out when describing the horror of “the burned man’s” anger and the squalors of Siphon’s domain and the company he keeps.
Sutton’s clever method of not using the two main character’s names when describing their activities is interesting. It’s like they both lost their identities after the fire. The author also ties up endings by putting all the pieces together and brings closure in that “the man” didn’t do everything for naught.
I recommend this book for lovers of mystery and suspense that will keep one guessing to the end.
**Trigger warnings: violence, attempted rape**
Thank you to Mr. Sutton for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review given.
More book reviews at The Eclectic Review
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews