Redbubble - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$2.99 with 77 percent savings
Print List Price: $12.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

C.M. Radcliff
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Life and Death of Curtis Matthews Kindle Edition

by C.M. Radcliff (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 132 ratings
Surrounded by violence and hatred, I was born with a target on my back.
The monsters sought after me, slowly tainting my soul.
A person can only withstand so much before they snap.

I’m a grenade and they pulled the pin.
Tick, tock; the clock’s running out.

We all come into this world sentenced to death, but none of our stories end the same way.
I am Curtis Matthews... and this is my story.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    July 25, 2019
  5. File size
    276 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07TFG76SF
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 25, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 276 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 132 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
C.M. Radcliff

C.M. Radcliff

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

C.M. Radcliff writes dark, toxic romance with a touch of suspense. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two kids. If she isn't reading or writing, she's probably on a little adventure with her family.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
132 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book beautifully written and well-paced, with one review noting how the plot jumps between past and present. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its authenticity, with one customer describing it as "brutally honest." Additionally, customers appreciate its thought-provoking nature, with one review noting how it goes deep into its subject matter. However, the emotional content receives mixed reactions, with several customers describing it as heartbreaking.

Select to learn more

Value for moneyPacingWriting qualityArt directionAuthenticityThought provoking
9 customers mention "Value for money"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing and brilliant, with one mentioning how the plot jumps between past and present, making it more memorable than just the pages.

"...This book was a lot to take in. Thought provoking and brilliant. Intense. Heartbreakingly tragic. A book I truly will NEVER forget...." Read more

"...it in your heart to fault that character, you know you’re reading a great story...." Read more

"...The plot jumps from past to present - from age 6 to adulthood...." Read more

"Ugh this story was just heartbreaking but it was well worth the read...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book.

"This story was unexpected in the best way. It was raw and real and so very sad...." Read more

"Gripped from sentence one. Raw, intense...." Read more

"A raw and soul gripping story..." Read more

"A Dark, Raw, and Gritty emotional rollercoaster...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully written, with one customer noting it's a well-crafted coming-of-age tragedy.

"...Then read this book. It is beautifully written. It grips you and never lets go. It is more memorable then just the pages." Read more

"...Atleast he *hopefully* had a good life. See, this is what an amazing author does. Has me talking about these characters as if they are real...." Read more

"...Pain that you will feel in this well written coming of age tragedy." Read more

"...The writing for this book is engaging even while the subject matter makes you want to close your eyes or go read something else...." Read more

3 customers mention "Art direction"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the art direction of the book.

"...story is one that needs to be told more often, and C. M. Did it beautifully and artfully...." Read more

"Heartbreaking, beautiful, disturbing..." Read more

"Gut wrenching. Beautiful. Dark. Raw...." Read more

3 customers mention "Authenticity"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book authentic, with one describing it as brutally honest and another noting its down-to-earth nature.

"...The story that is written in the pages of this book was one that was so real. Curtis's story could be that of anyone in this life that we live in...." Read more

"...I love her writing for the reason that it is real, it's not rainbows, sunshine and unicorns, but then again life never is, and the moments that are..." Read more

"This story was unexpected in the best way. It was raw and real and so very sad...." Read more

3 customers mention "Thought provoking"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting that the subject matter is very relevant and another mentioning that it goes deep.

"...Left in awe and speechless. This book was a lot to take in. Thought provoking and brilliant. Intense. Heartbreakingly tragic...." Read more

"...Tears and anger, felt all the emotions. This book goes deep!!!" Read more

"This is a very hard book to review because while the subject matter is very relevant, the story itself is disturbing...." Read more

NOT what I expected!!!
4 out of 5 stars
NOT what I expected!!!
I accidentally came across this book... The cover intrigued me and the blurb pulled me in... but it was really NOT what I expected! "𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐦. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫.." 30-year-old Curtis is a prisoner in a guarded prison, awaiting for his execution. He agreed to meet a journalist named Christine so he could tell her his story... He has nothing more to lose... But when will he begin? After all, since birth, his life has not been easy - To say the least. I'll admit, it is hard for me to connect with characters who do extreme acts of violence - I knew what his sentence was, but I didn't know what he actually did... so I really liked that Curtis didn't try to justify his actions... He was torment because of them. "𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐭, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧." The plot jumps from past to present - from age 6 to adulthood. This is not a sweet story, it's dark with harsh descriptions (Note: this is NOT a novel of any kind!!! This is a dark psychological thriller!!!) about an innocent child who has been humiliated, bullied, neglected and experienced violence from his parents, kids at school and from the only girl he ever loved... And that made him became who he is - a man pushed to the edge. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.” This book broke my heart!!! There is no romance here, only a presentation of his life in the most real way possible - like watching a documentary. The book proved how easy it is to break an innocent soul... how important it is to keep children from bullying and violence. It is not a novel and it is not an optimistic story, it doesn't have a love story, so it's not for everyone! I think the writer's goal was to shock, raise awareness and leave a mark - and she certainly succeeded... because there is no way I will EVER forget this book! So if you ever wondered how an innocent child becomes a dangerous man and if you want to hate all humanity (LOL)... you have to read this book!!!
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kayla
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripped from sentence one. Raw, intense.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am trying to formulate my thoughts currently. My heart is on the floor. Left in awe and speechless. This book was a lot to take in. Thought provoking and brilliant. Intense. Heartbreakingly tragic. A book I truly will NEVER forget. Curtis holds a special spot in my heart now.

    "She sees the humanity beneath the monster that we both know I am"

    All I knew going into this read was there was no HEA. Which is what I love to see done. I was instantly hooked on this book from the first sentence. The prologue had me in a chokehold. And that never let up. I can't remember the last book to consume me wholly like this did. Blown away.

    "What you did was not because you're a monster. It was because you're human."

    Curtis deals with things no human let alone a child should have to endure. This is his story. His past. His side. His why. Why he is a monster. Why no one loves or has ever loved him. He sits down with a journalists and tells it ALL. Every dark, nitty gritty part. Every heartbreaking, gut wrenching moment. It will break your heart to read. He knows what is coming. He is at peace with it. But it doesn't make it easier on me to read. Tears welled in my eyes. Yes he did some horrendous things. Unforgiveable things. But you can see how broken he was and the why of maybe this he's only a product of how he was raised.

    If you can take a non hea, no romance kind of story. Then read this book. It is beautifully written. It grips you and never lets go. It is more memorable then just the pages.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amanda Kay Anderson/Beauty.and.the.bookies
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking, beautiful, disturbing
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book tore my soul right out of my body. I have never read something that made me angrier and angrier with each passing page. I felt so so awful for the life Curtis had to live. Then I think to myself "this may be a fiction book but it IS someones reality". And that is the most horrendous thing of all. Someone right now, many someones at that, is living this life. There is only so much abuse, torture, hate, agony someone can deal with before they snap. I was scared to read this book for so long. I knew it wasnt a happy ending but I know I love this author so much so I went ahead and bought both copies of the paperback. I knew it would move me. And it definitely did. I do wish it was explained/told if Tiffany was one of the people that was shot. I am sorry and I feel awful for saying it but I hope deep down she was. LOL. She was the catalyst for the mere thought of doing what he did! Haha.
    I cant even explain the hate I felt for his parents. My Gosh. Why oh WHY do people have children and do this stuff to them? I was happy to hear about Carson though. Atleast he *hopefully* had a good life. See, this is what an amazing author does. Has me talking about these characters as if they are real. What an amazing gripping story. I will never forget it. 5 stars!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • terri handschumacher
    4.0 out of 5 stars A raw and soul gripping story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am writing this review with my heart still racing after just reading the words THE END...

    How can I tell you how emotionally wrecking this book was, but make sure that you understand that I actually say this not as a bad thing. Well let's just see if I'm able to do this with the justice that it deserves...

    This book was one that I really didn't know what I was getting into when I first picked it up. And then the next thing I know I'm in the story that I found myself having to walk away at times, due to the emotions that were going through me. The story that is written in the pages of this book was one that was so real. Curtis's story could be that of anyone in this life that we live in. The way that Radcliff weaved this story the reader isn't just showed the man, but also the little things that made him who he is. There are many things that make a person what they are and this is a story that shows just that.

    The only way that Curtis sees himself is that of a monster that is getting what he deserves, death. But, as he shares the story that is his life is he really the monster that he sees himself as being. Its the story of the little boy names Curtis that made me have to put this book down for a moment so that I could get my emotions in check. It was the way that this poor boy endured everything that he had to in order to live. Then the story of the teenager that made my heart break into pieces, when it was showed what he didn't only go thru at home but also at school. We are showed the breaking point that anyone would reach, that lead to his downfall. Finally we are showed Curtis the man that excepts his end.

    I know that this story had to be a tough one for Radcliff to write, mainly because it was a hard one to read. Yet this is a story that needed to be written. When I first went into this book I didn't know what I was suppose to feel when you are first introduced to the Curtis. Was I suppose to go in knowing that he was not someone that deserved sympathy, or was he one that as a reader I was to be completely open minded with. I'm glad that I went in with an open mind. I did so by not reading the blurp or any reviews of this book. And that was the right way to go, because I was able to feel all the emotions that was bleeding off the pages. And yes the way that Radcliff wrote this story you cannot help but feel all the emotions that are going through Curtis from the first page till the end.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Book Boyfriend Whoarder Mari
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark, Raw, and Gritty emotional rollercoaster.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Death by CM Radcliff is a story like no others.

    This is not a romance, but it is a journey we witness and immerse our own emotions in.

    We see Curtis grow and develop as a character, we feel and go through the motions alongside him. His story is a beautiful tragedy that will pull you in. This book will push buttons you didn’t know could be pushed.

    When an author humanizes what society deems a villain, but does it so well you can’t find it in your heart to fault that character, you know you’re reading a great story.

    That’s exactly what Radcliff does here, you attach your own emotions to Curtis, you feel for him, you cry for him, you become angry for him. You’re left at the end, distraught, not by what society would think is normal, no you are pissed off because this character deserved more. Unfortunately life and everyone in it failed him, yet as a reader you cannot fault him for his actions. I couldn’t. And I still can’t.

    There is no monster under the bed, no evil lurking in the shadows, only pain. Pain that no person should ever go through. Pain that you will feel in this well written coming of age tragedy.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Ann-Marie
    5.0 out of 5 stars No words to describe this book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have never read anything by this author before but I'm guessing it won't be my last. I am writing this review crying my eyes out this book will have you going through every emotion possible. The life Curtis had was heartbreaking to the point where you think did he ever stand a chance. As much as I hated everybody in the book who treated him so badly I do not agree with what he did but then again Curtis his self knew what he did was wrong and was willing and happy in the end to pay the price for his actions, but that last chapter no matter what your feelings are towards Curtis will break your heart. This book will stay with me forever. If you love an HEA this book is not for you but sometimes we have to take a chance on something completely out of out comfort zone and maybe just maybe we won't be disappointed.
    Report
  • CP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
    Reviewed in Australia on August 6, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    So this story took me on a path I didn’t know I was going to be taking and in saying that I FREAKING LOVED IT.
    The story was tragic, sad and heartbreaking. A boy who was a product of his neglect and the path he takes and the reasons why he ends up on the path his life has taken him.
    This book will stay with me for a long time and not for any particular reason just because it was so tragic in itself.
    It was a first time read for me from this author but I definitely will be stalking her now.
    Report
  • missd24
    5.0 out of 5 stars Top 2019 read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    On my list of top reads of 2019!
    Absolutely loved this book and cannot tell you how much it moved me.
    We follow Curtis and his family through his life and what battles he's faced along the way that have a knock on effect to where he is today.
    It is raw, gritty, sad, horrifying, in no way a romance or even a HEA and i could not put it down.
    It's very rare i find characters that move me so much i wish they were human but Curtis is certainly one of them. This will definitely be a book i reread and glad to have the paperback on my shelf.
    Report
  • karlie lindsay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dark,gritty and heartbreaking,loved it
    Reviewed in Australia on July 25, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
    This book is heart breaking and has some horrible,dark situations written in it,but cali has done it brilliantly,definitely not for the faint hearted,but I urge you to please give it a go.ome of my top reads this year
    Report
  • Amos
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great read, felt the ending was rather quick but the lead up and structure of the book was very good.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report