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  PRAISE FOR DEEP DOWN DEAD

  ‘This is a good one – fast, confident, and suspenseful. My kind of book’ Lee Child

  ‘With a Stephanie Plum-style protagonist in bounty hunter Lori, Deep Down Dead has a Midnight Run feel to it, but much darker. Really, really good’ Ian Rankin

  ‘Read some great debuts this year but Deep Down Dead is a real cracker. Steph Broadribb kicks ass, as does her ace protagonist Lori Anderson!’ Mark Billingham

  ‘Crazy good … full-tilt action and a brilliant cast of characters. This is a series and an author to watch’ Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, author of I Remember You

  ‘Deep Down Dead is a blast of a book – fast-paced, engaging and hugely entertaining’ Simon Toyne, author of Solomon Creed

  ‘Steph Broadribb has written a brilliant, pacey, bounty-hunter tale that marks the beginning of what will undoubtedly become a sparkling career’ Steve Cavanagh, author of The Defence

  ‘An action-packed crime thriller dripping with intrigue from the Deep South, and with a feisty no-nonsense heroine to boot. It’s a debut that demands to be read, with excitement and exhilaration flying off every page. In Lori Anderson, Broadribb has created a memorable and authentic female lead – and readers will be left wanting the next instalment of her adventures as soon as possible’ David Young, author of Stasi Child

  ‘Tough as a pair of rhino-hide cowboy boots and unremittingly energetic. An explosive, exciting debut’ David Mark, author of Dead Pretty

  ‘An action-packed Southern road noir that pulls no punches. Single mom/bounty hunter Lori Anderson is an engaging new heroine, and Deep Down Dead is quite simply a hell of a thriller’ Mason Cross, author of The Killing Season

  ‘A fresh and compelling debut with an intriguing plot, a great new heroine, and a setting that zings with authenticity’ Anya Lipska, author of A Devil Under the Skin

  ‘If anything, Broadribb and her protagonist, tough Florida bounty hunter Lori Anderson, have more than a hint of Lee Child and Jack Reacher about them, with (literally) no punches pulled. The other parallel with Lee Child is, of course, the fact that this is an English writer making a sterling job of finding an American voice for both the narrative and the characters, and Broadribb proves to be just as adroit in this area as her male counterpart … a promising debut delivered with both energy and colour’ Barry Forshaw, Crime Time

  ‘Fast, furious and thrilling’ Graeme Cameron, author of Normal

  ‘Deep Down Dead grabs you like a whirlwind – once you’re in, there’s no getting away till it’s through with you. Pacey, emotive and captivating, this is kick-ass thriller writing of the highest order’ Rod Reynolds, author of The Dark Inside

  ‘A relentless page-turner with twists and turns that left me breathless’ J.S. Law, author of Tenacity

  ‘Deep Down Dead oozes authenticity. This is an engaging, original thriller with the type of characters you wish you knew in real life. Fresh, compelling and beautifully written, with a real cinematic quality. Read it. Now’ S.J.I. Holliday, author of Black Wood

  ‘Lori Anderson is a bounty hunter like none you’ve ever encountered before. This is a series that will run and run. You’ll need to clear some time in your diary to read Steph Broadribb’s Deep Down Dead because you won’t want to set this one aside till the end. A genuine page-turner’ Howard Linskey, author of No Name Lane

  ‘Fast, furious and utterly addictive, Deep Down Dead is a blistering debut and marks Broadribb as a rising talent to watch’ Neil Broadfoot, author of Falling Fast

  ‘Non-stop adrenaline rushes in this romantic action-adventure, introducing a gritty, earthy, unstoppable heroine in bounty hunter Lori Anderson – and a bad boy opponent/partner who is actually worthy of her. If you love romantic suspense, you’ll love this ride’ Alexandra Sokoloff, author of The Huntress/FBI thrillers and co-author of The Keepers series

  ‘The story moves at a frantic pace, and the plotting, along with the writing, is so deft and assured that it’s really quite staggering that this is a debut. But what really sets this book apart is the characterisation of Lori and JT; it’s kind of like reading early Reacher, where you know you’re at the beginning of something very special, characters that will stay with you, books that you’ll wait patiently for each year’ Chris Whitaker, author of Tall Oaks

  ‘A stunning debut from a major new talent’ Zoë Sharp, author of the Charlie Fox crime series

  ‘This is perfect for fans of Lee Child and Janet Evanovich, with the same American charm you find in Charlaine Harris, but it also has a sensibility that is completely unique and totally Broadribb. Lori Anderson is a fascinating heroine, with plenty of secrets and depth, but also totally kick-ass and relevant. Deep Down Dead is just so assured for a debut, and there wasn’t a single false step. It’s fun, thrilling, edge of your seat but also dealing with some seriously dark issues, and introduces a cast of characters I want to meet again! A great start to what is already one of my favourite series. Can’t wait for the next one’ Alex Caan, author of Cut to the Bone

  ‘Powerful, passionate, and packs a real punch’ Fergus McNeill, author of Knife Edge

  ‘A gem of a read that delivers thrills at breakneck pace … Lori is a feisty heroine we all wish had our backs’ Marnie Riches, author of The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die

  ‘There are a couple of different ways to think about this debut. One is an entertaining bounty-hunter adventure, and on that level it’s quite a ride. But another take is as a character study, with depth – the relationship between protagonist Lori, daughter Dakota and male lead JT. It’s assured and emotionally moving. Will be keeping an eye on this author and what she does next’ Daniel Pembrey, author of The Harbour Master

  ‘A kick-ass American thriller and a great read … crying out to be a Hollywood movie. I couldn’t put it down’ Louise Voss, author of The Venus Trap

  ‘I ripped through this high-octane, breathlessly paced thriller in almost one sitting. Loved kick-ass Lori and her sexy-as-hell love interest JT – a combo to get your heart racing, and then some’ Ava Marsh, author of Untouchable

  ‘Steph Broadribb’s debut novel has been a long time coming, but it was definitely worth the wait. Dripping with authenticity, filled with unforgettable characters, and with a plot to die for. The writing is fantastic, making it one of my favourite debut novels for a long, long time. Deep Down Dead is just the first novel in what will be an incredible career for Broadribb. I can’t wait to read the next Lori Anderson book!’ Luca Veste, author of The Dying Place

  ‘We all need a fast-talking, gun-toting heroine with a heart of gold in our life, and Lori Anderson is a most compelling creation. If you don’t read Deep Down Dead, you’ll really be missing out!’ Claire Seeber, author of The Stepmother

  ‘This writer! This book! I haven’t witnessed such a buzz about a new author for quite some time, and that buzz is entirely deserved. Breathtakingly pacey and authentic. You have to read it’ Michael J. Malone, author of A Suitable Lie

  ‘This thrilling debut is a masterwork of suspense, as bounty hunter, Lori Anderson, takes us on a road trip fraught with danger, passion and high-octane jeopardy. Steph Broadribb is top crime talent! Unputdownable’ Helen Cadbury, author of To Catch a Rabbit

  ‘Finished this at a gallop! Great action scenes and great atmosphere in a top romantic thriller’ C.J. Carver, author of Spare Me the Truth

  ‘Relentless, breathtaking and emotionally charged. A roller coaster of a read!’ Jane Isaac, author of Beneath the Ashes

  ‘Steph Broadribb’s gritty debut will appeal to fans of the Sue Grafton alphabet series. I can’t wait to see what bounty hunter Lori Anderson gets up to next!’ Caroline Green, author of Hold Your Breath

  ‘Deep Down Dead might be a fast-paced, adren
aline-fuelled read but Steph Broadribb does not sacrifice character development to achieve that. Instead we are treated to three characters who will live on in my memory … easily one of the best books I’ve read this year’ Book Addict Shaun

  ‘Deep Down Dead is an ass-kicking thriller of the highest order. I can’t recommend it highly enough!’ Bibliophile Book Club

  ‘Deep Down Dead is an all American thriller. A real page-turner, full of pulsating action. It sucks the reader in from the very start through to the nail-biting conclusion’ Trip Fiction

  ‘Deep Down Dead has an authentic American feel with a fantastic plot, vivid setting and amazing writing that puts you right into the heart of the action – a clear winning formula. Deep Down Dead heralds the start of a new series. It’s contains everything you want in an action thriller – a strong female lead, sexy potential partner, thrilling plot and a lot of heart. This book is going to fly its way up the charts! Bring on the next Lori Anderson book!’ Vicki Goldman, Off-the-Shelf Books

  ‘This book is set to be one of the debut hits of 2016. Steph’s writing is tight, flowing and the book rockets along at a pace that entertains the reader. Steph has a beautiful way with language and you feel right there with the main characters as they set off on their journey. I haven’t read anything like this and the setting and style is wonderful. If you love the work of Cormac McCarthy then this book is for you’ Ian Patrick

  ‘An action-packed thriller that grips you from page one and never lets go, characters you can’t help rooting for, and fantastic cinematic writing that puts you right in the thick of the action. This book is smart, sexy and one hell of a read. If I’d been reading the paperback version rather than the ebook, I’d probably have ended up with paper cuts from turning the pages so fast’ Lisa Gray

  ‘Broadribb has combined accurate research with compelling characters, a fast moving plot and an authentic American voice. Add fantastic writing and you have one amazing debut. Best of all, we’re left with a bit of a cliffhanger. Book 2 is on its way! Joy Kluver

  ‘A fast-paced, nail-biting, hard-hitting novel that not only takes you on an all-guns-blazing action adventure but also through the emotional ringer’ Chillers, Killers and Thrillers

  ‘The writing is superb, the language crackles and the character voices are spot-on perfect – descriptively this is an utter joy, a truly immersive experience where the world around you fades and you are thrown into Lori’s world. A stripper turned bounty hunter, whose skeletons are about to come rattling out of the closet in the form of JT, a blast from her past, Lori will capture your heart and your attention in utterly memorable fashion. I loved, loved, loved it’ Liz Loves Books

  THE LAST RESORT

  ROOKIE BOUNTY HUNTER 1

  A LORI ANDERSON SHORT STORY

  Steph Broadribb

  Contents

  Title Page

  JT’s cabin, Georgia Mountains, USA

  Extract from ‘Deep Down Dead’

  1

  2

  3

  About the Author

  Copyright

  JT’s cabin, Georgia Mountains, USA

  I hit the dirt hard.

  The glancing blow to my left cheekbone smarted for sure, but it wasn’t real painful. In truth, my butt didn’t hurt that much from being smacked down onto the baked earth. Only my pride was aching – or what little I’d got left of it, anyways, after the twenty-nine days of training I’d already endured. If my mentor’s aim was to show me I was too unfit and too soft to become a bounty hunter, he was doing a good job; but however hard he pushed me, he only made me more determined.

  And I sure needed to be determined.

  Because, the thing of it is, hand-to-hand combat just isn’t as easy as it looks in the movies. It’s more physical, and hurts a whole lot more. You don’t walk away from a full-on fist fight; you limp, and that’s if you’re lucky. Add in a knife, some knuckle-dusters, a couple of big rings, or whatever weapons a fugitive might have to hand, and while you’re limping away, you’re probably bleeding.

  It’s not pretty, for sure. And it isn’t fun. But to be a bounty hunter I had to be able to handle myself and stay safe if danger found me. And in that line of work I could guarantee it’d be finding me regularly. So right then, the training I was doing with my mentor in the hundred-degree heat outside his log cabin high in the mountains in Georgia was real essential.

  Didn’t make me feel any less pissed at him though. It was the fourth time I’d landed on my ass in less than fifteen minutes. I didn’t want there to be a fifth. I rubbed my cheek. ‘Remind me why I can’t just Taser you?’

  It was a fair question, I thought, what with him being well over six feet of athletic muscle.

  He considered it for a moment, then said, ‘You could. But you’ve got to be able to fight without weapons too. They’re a last resort; remember my rule: Force only as necessity, never for punishment. You need more than a Taser in your toolkit.’

  I sighed. JT was big on rules; he had a whole list of them. I got the ‘not for punishment’ thing, but reckoned ‘force only as necessity’ would kick in faster for me, given I was a whole lot smaller and inexperienced than JT. Plus, I knew what a Taser felt like, and I’d gotten a lot fewer bruises from that training: a few minutes of intense pain and the weird sensation of losing all control of my limbs, sure, but nothing that lasted longer than a half-hour.

  ‘Okay, fine,’ I said.

  He put a hand out to help me up. ‘Focus on me,’ he said. ‘Look at my eyes, not my fists. Read my intention. Predict my next move.’

  I gave a little shake of my head. Like looking into his eyes was going to help me focus. Distract me more like. Ignoring his hand, I picked up my handcuffs from where I’d dropped them in the dirt and stood up. ‘You ready to go again?’

  He nodded, his dirty-blond hair falling across his eyes. Beckoned me forward.

  I stepped towards him. Got in real close like he’d instructed – the closer you are the harder it is for the fugitive to get away – and grabbed his wrist. He twisted away with instinctive speed, no hesitation. But this time I didn’t try to pull him back, I went with his movement, following his rotation, and clicked the cuff over his left wrist as he moved.

  I didn’t get to cuff the right.

  He swung back, bringing his elbow up and slamming it into my side. It was half the power of his usual impact, I knew, but enough to knock the breath from me and make black spots dance in front of my eyes.

  I hit the dirt. Again.

  Fifth time. Damn.

  I bit my tongue on impact and tasted blood. Slamming my fists against the dirt, I cursed myself. Determined to do better.

  JT smiled that crooked smile of his and held up his wrist, dangling the handcuff like a broken bracelet. ‘Good start, but you’re pausing between cuffing each wrist. Don’t. Use one movement.’

  I nodded, got to my feet and said, ‘Again.’

  The only way I was going to get this learnt was through practice and repetition.

  The call came in at near on six-thirty that evening. JT was out on a job – picking up a bail skipper who’d been too high to remember to attend his court date and taking him to jail. It’d sounded a simple enough task, and I’d wanted to go with him, but he’d told me to stay at the cabin. I wasn’t ready yet, JT had said. I needed more time, and more practice. So when the call came in I was feeling real impatient from being cooped up in the cabin, frustrated at not getting any part in the action. I’d started thinking JT was never going to let me do a real job; that he’d keep me practising forever if he had his way. Could be that’s why I did what I did that night.

  I answered the call.

  ‘JT there?’ It was a man’s voice. He had a Deep-Southern accent and the raspy hoarseness of a long-time smoker.

  ‘He’s out. Can I help?’

  A pause. Then, ‘You Lori?’

  I was surprised, worried too. I hadn’t realised JT had told anyone I was living with him at the cabi
n. ‘Yep.’

  ‘Alrighty then. This is Lenny Curran.’

  Lenny was one of the bondsmen JT oftentimes worked for. He had a bail bond business with several offices across the state, although, as he’d first gone into the business as a bounty hunter, he still kept his hand in tracking a good number of fugitives himself. I wondered if Lenny was calling about a job. I felt excitement fizzing in my stomach. ‘How can we help?’

  ‘A skip tracer I’ve had some trouble with was just spotted at a gas station on the fork road near Silver Valley. Looked like he was buying supplies. It’s the first spot on him and we’re close to timing out on the bond. Blake and me can’t get out there tonight, wondered if JT could take it?’

  ‘Sure.’ I didn’t know about JT, but I was itching to practise my skills in a live situation. I knew where the fork road was and figured the gas station must be around twenty miles from the cabin. ‘Have you got this guy’s face sheet?’

  ‘I’ll fax it over now.’

  Lenny Curran must have been prepared as the fax machine beeped immediately and started printing. I watched as the face sheet – the record of what the fugitive had been charged with, the bail details, and their personal data – emerged. Ripping off the paper, I glanced at the information. ‘Three thefts and an assault?’

  ‘Yeah. This one’s nasty. He punched a sixty-eight-year-old woman in the face because she wouldn’t give up her pocketbook.’

  I inhaled sharply. Knew all about violent men; my husband had been quick with his fists after a bad day and too many beers. It was one of the reasons I’d had to get free of him and make myself a new kind of life.

  I stared at the mugshot, at the weasel face of the fugitive – Dwayne Kip. Noted his hooded, angry eyes and thin lips. Felt anger building in my chest at the violence and hurt he’d caused. ‘We’ll get him.’

  I’d get him.

  ‘Appreciate it,’ Lenny said. He gave me his landline and cell phone numbers. ‘Let me know once he’s in custody.’