Author Spotlight: Cameron Trost - Master of Mystery, Suspense, and the Strange

March 10, 2025

Introduction

Get ready to meet Cameron Trost in today's "Author Spotlight"! Cameron is an Australian author who has masterfully blended mystery, suspense, post-apocalyptic adventure, and horror into a captivating body of work. From the chilling streets of a small town plagued by a sinister "Postman" to the dystopian future where fire is an act of rebellion, and the puzzling cases of his signature character, Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable, Cameron's stories offer a thrilling escape into the unexpected. Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Cameron now lives with his wife and two sons near Guérande in southern Brittany, France, where he runs the independent publishing house, Black Beacon Books.

From Brisbane to Brittany: Cameron Trost's Writing Journey

Cameron Trost's journey as a writer has taken him from the sunny landscapes of Australia to the rugged coast and treacherous marshlands of Brittany, France. This geographical journey is mirrored in the diverse settings and genres he explores in his writing. As a member of the Australian Crime Writers Association, he is connected to a great group of like-minded authors.

Oscar Tremont: Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable

One of Cameron Trost's most intriguing creations is Oscar Tremont, a private investigator who, as one reviewer put it, could be considered a "modern-day Sherlock Holmes." But Oscar is far from a simple imitation; he's a unique blend of classic and contemporary, described as possessing both "Victorian charm and progressive spirit."

Oscar specializes in cases that defy easy explanation, the kind of mysteries that leave the police baffled. He's a man of keen intellect and observation, a master of disguise, and, as Cameron himself notes, "rather fond of whisky." He's also not afraid to bend the rules, often "entering buildings illegally while working on a case." This combination of traditional detective skills and a willingness to operate outside the lines makes him a compelling and unpredictable protagonist. He uncovers deep secrets that people hold.

His first collection of cases, Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable presents readers with four distinct mysteries:

The Hunt for the Stayne Fortune
The Ghosts of Walhalla
The Witch at the Window
The Secret of the Severed Hand

These stories, ranging from novellas to shorter tales, showcase Oscar's unique talents and offer a tantalizing glimpse into the strange and inexplicable world he inhabits.

Exploring the Darker Side: Novels and Short Story Collections

Cameron Trost's talent for crafting suspenseful and thought-provoking narratives extends beyond his Oscar Tremont mysteries. He delves into a variety of genres, from post-apocalyptic adventure to chilling psychological horror.

Flicker (Novel): This post-apocalyptic novel transports readers to a broken world where lighting a match is an act of defiance. The story follows Flicker, a pyromaniac who finds solace and rebellion in setting fire to luxury cars, symbols of the oppressive "Overclass." As the blurb describes, "In a broken world, lighting a match is an act of rebellion... This is the story of Flicker, a pyromaniac whose only escape from the emptiness and oppression of life in a post-apocalyptic world is to set fire to luxury automobiles."

Letterbox (Novel): This mystery-suspense novel takes a darker turn, exploring the fear and paranoia that grip a small town when gruesome discoveries begin appearing in residents' letterboxes. The blurb sets a chilling tone: "Nobody's letterbox is safe!" As suspicion and accusations escalate, the community is torn apart, and one man must unravel the truth before it's too late.

The Tunnel Runner (Novel): This urban adventure plunges readers beneath the streets of Brisbane, Australia, into a hidden world of tunnels and a secretive community of "tunnel dwellers." The blurb asks, "Explore the world on the other side of the street!" The story follows Ripley and Gabriela as they uncover the secrets of this subterranean society and face a dangerous adversary known as the "tunnel runner."

The Animal Inside: A Collection of Strange Tales (Short Stories): This collection of thirteen stories delves into the realms of psychological horror and suspense, exploring the blurry line between human and animal, sanity and madness. In the tradition of Roald Dahl's stories for adults, these tales promise twist endings, quirky characters, and uncanny settings. Stories like "Cleopatra’s Mystery Box," "The Church of Asag," and "It Starts with Insects" offer a glimpse into the unsettling and thought-provoking nature of this collection.

Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales (Short Stories): Cameron Trost's first short story collection continues his exploration of the darker side of human nature. From the Scottish Highlands to the Australian countryside, these stories delve into mystery, suspense, obsession, and greed. Titles like "Not to be Read," "The Butcher’s Window," and "Hoffman's Creeper" hint at the unsettling and intriguing tales within. As one description states, Cameron "employs a kind of failsafe twist other writers aspire to but which he seems to have diligently mastered".

What Readers Are Saying About Cameron Trost's Work:

Cameron Trost's diverse range of stories has garnered praise for their engaging plots, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. Here's what readers are saying:

"I didn't just read Flicker, I fell into his world. I followed the characters and journeyed along with them through every obstacle they faced. It was a wonderful read, diving into a world I had never seen but could completely envision through the author's words." - Tracy Altvater on Flicker, 5 stars, Goodreads
"Trost combines elements of suspense, mystery and horror into this fast-paced adventure that also asks interesting questions about the way we choose to live and survive in the city, and what happens to those, who through no fault of their own, are discarded by mainstream society. Highly recommended for those who enjoy mystery, suspense and exploring ideas about alternative societies." - Maree Kimberley on The Tunnel Runner, 5 stars, Goodreads
"A ripping read! Cleverly written with plenty of teasers to keep you guessing. I love the imperfect characters and the sense of moral greyness that permeates the latter part of the story. I resented having to put it down to get on with normal life." - Karen on Letterbox, 5 stars, Goodreads
"I found these stories to be easy reads with the right combination of fun and mystery. Oscar Tremont is a clever, cunning investigator that would rather solve an interesting mystery than to get paid for a boring one, much to his wife's consternation. The characters and situations are fun, quirky, and will leave you clamoring for more." - Jim X Dodge on Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable, 5 stars, Goodreads
"This book is full of strange stories unlike any others I have read before. Cameron surely has a vivid imagination, even what I would call a twisted imagination. But his stories are very enjoyable. I really loved reading them. I can thoroughly recommend this book." - Anne Mccluskey on The Animal Inside, 4 stars, Goodreads
"Cameron Trost understands the most important thing about writing, something that is often forgotten by rising authors as they struggle to perfect technique and style. The bottom line is: A story should make the reader want to keep reading. It should entice them. The ending should be a tasty morsel of meat dangled before a hungry predator who wants nothing more than to devour it. Why the intense metaphor, you ask? Because that is what stood out about Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales... Rarely do I read a collection of shorts and come away saying that I enjoyed every single story. Hoffman's Creeper is most definitely worth your while!" - Lindsey Goddard on Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales, 4 stars, Goodreads

A Call to Connection

I encourage you to immerse yourself in the diverse and captivating worlds created by Cameron Trost. You can connect with him and learn more about his work on his website, and through his social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, and X. He is also on Goodreads. You can also check out the Oscar Tremont Facebook page.

You can purchase his books through the Amazon affiliate links below:

All of the above books are also free to read with a Kindle Unlimited subscription!

Conclusion

Cameron Trost is a writer with a remarkable range and a gift for crafting suspenseful, intriguing, and often unsettling stories. Whether he's exploring the dystopian future, delving into the mysteries of a small town, venturing beneath the streets of a city, or introducing us to a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, his work consistently captivates and challenges readers. From Brisbane to Brittany, and across a multitude of genres, Cameron Trost is an author to watch, and I highly recommend diving into his imaginative worlds.

Thanks for reading!

Angela G. Williams

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information about my affiliate relationships, please see my Affiliate Disclosure.