The Sentencing

by Mitch Sebourn

Twenty-three years after losing his son in a robbery gone wrong, former attorney Ed James is still in the process of moving on. He’s teaching high school and living peacefully in a small mountain town… until Mason Lindsey, the mastermind behind the robbery, shows up. Mason is out of prison, consumed by the dead, and raising a daughter of his own. And he’s come to town with a bizarre, impossible request for Ed James. Ed’s life hangs in the balance, but that’s not his primary concern. Because one of his students has gone missing, and Mason Lindsey is almost certainly to blame.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 25, 2023

About the author

Mitch Sebourn is currently working his way through law school while (not so) secretly focussing most of his attention on trying to write The Great American Classic. He has published three novels and a collection of poetry in paperback, as well as a new novel, Watershed, available as a Kindle eBook.

He enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and is looking forward to being married next July.

When he is not sitting atop Tikaboo Peak spying on the inhabitants of Area 51, or scaling the slopes of Colorado's 14ers, he can typically be found calling the Hogs in central Arkansas.

Reviews

[thevampireslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grief horror X supernatural crime thriller uhm yes please, I read this in one sitting the writing and pace was excellent, it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I thought for a novella the characters were well developed, a definite heartstrings puller (is that a term?) Many moments made me question my own morals, will definitely be reading more of this authors work

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haunting Novella!

I had a lot of fun with this one, which may be my favorite of the Sebourn books I've read. THE SENTENCING will linger, definitely. It's also one you do not want to miss. Highly recommended!

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving away to escape the pain of devastation is not always the safest path. Memories are imbedded in places of our brains we’ve never explored only to rise to the surface in the most random and obscure ways. A word, or a picture. A scent. Someone telling a story. A day of the week. No one can be prepared or brace themselves for when these memories stop us in mid-stride and immobilize our bodies and thoughts with pain.

Former Attorney Ed James has tried not only moving on, but moving away from the pain of his son’s death. “The Sentencing” is Mitch Sebourn’s new fast paced pulsating tale of a father coming face-to-face with his own moral compass. Ed is now tasked with having to teach the daughter of the man he blames for the death of his son Cody.

Leaving the world of Law behind, Ed James became a teacher in a small peaceful mountain town. Set nicely in his daily routines, Ed found ways to get through each day, staying occupied with daily lesson plans. His son long gone, and Mason Lindsey, the mastermind behind the robbery gone wrong is now a distant memory, until he is introduced to Ava Lindsey, daughter of Mason.

After reading a few strange hints buried in Ava’s writing, Ed finds himself once again wrapped-up in the life of Mason Lindsey, this time with the chance to do what he couldn’t do for his own child, save Ava.

Sebourn is able to mix a dramatic legal thriller with the right amount of supernatural activities. It was impossible for me to not get a Stephen King “The Outsider” feel while making my way through the story. The difference being the ending for “The Sentencing” doesn’t fly off the rails into a wall.

Mitch Sebourn delivers the dread, pulling at heartstrings, and manipulating feelings of those reading this story. And I think that is the key to “The Sentencing.” Sebourn is able to control how you may feel about this situation.

Keeping with normal Mitch Sebourn form, the supernatural entity makes its appearance in a very subtle way. Sebourn relies on a strong dialogue to introduce the presence, allowing the story to form a new enticing layer.

The story starts out fast, and speeds up even more as Ed and the local authorities find themselves racing against the clock. Sebourn has found a way to form a plot with several connecting stories, creating one expeditious page-turning event leading to a fulfilling finale.

“The Sentencing” may have you questioning some of your own morals, thinking about what you would do in the situation it presents. Grief is a permanent memory, but being able to make a difference for someone else may be more powerful.

[Ross Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Mitch Sebourn and have been for some time, and I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed his work until I saw him tweeting about his latest release. I had to get a copy of it, and when it arrived on my Kindle, well, I sat my arse in the chair and read it from cover to cover (or from first digital page to last page) in a couple of hours, this says so much for the story Sebourn was able to offer.

It’s a captivating story on one hand and a thrilling, haunting tale on the other, a tale which pulls you along even if you wanted to take it slow. The pacing in my opinion is perfect, the horror within is subtle and masterfully woven and there were two moments, in many moments throughout the book, which made my blood run cold and give me those oh so good shivers!

This one is special and I really loved seeing Sebourn return with another BANGER to add to his already impressive and exceptional volume of work!

[Danielle (Danni) Vinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novelette packs a helluva wallop. Events from the past barrel into the present, creating a compelling, and eerie story, with wonderfully fleshed out characters, especially Riley. The writing is excellent, which is a big thing with me, so I read it in one glorious sit. I loved this, and will definitely be reading more from this author.

[Brian Mannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sebourn brings it again with a story of loss and a haunted past finding its way back to you. The main character's peaceful life is interrupted a ghost from his past makes his way to his little town looking for something. What looks like it could be a chance meeting, turns into something far more sinister. Sebourn doesn't dissapoint with this small town thriller and reminds us the past isn't always gone.