A hard-hitting true story of addiction, recovery, and loss

HIT: ONCE UPON A FIELD explores the struggles of addiction and epilepsy with a gripping narrative that seamlessly shifts from coming-of-age biography to true crime page-turner.

This is the story of Stephen Reding, an artist from Manchester whose life takes a dramatic turn following an unprovoked assault in 1995. One week after the incident, he suffers his first epileptic seizure.

What follows is a tale of seismic proportions, as we trace this promising young artist's journey into a life of addiction, chaos, and crime. An ill-fated trip to Thailand results in a months-long disappearance, where drug dealing and organised crime entangle his fate.

Stephen returns to Manchester with an impressive art portfolio, but this is overshadowed by his growing dependence on opiates - an addiction that leaves him isolated on the fringes of society and running for his life...

"I ordered a beer at the airport bar and put my ticket inside the newspaper. A gent came and sat next to me. We talked. He took the newspaper with the ticket inside and went to make his journey. The job was done."

A raw and unflinching account of one person's struggle to reclaim their identity in the face of overwhelming adversity, HIT: ONCE UPON A FIELD is enriched by 40 stunning paintings that frame each pivotal moment in Stephen's life.

Here, the protagonist's own artwork guides the reader through this unique tale of addiction, recovery, and loss.