'Stunning' action thriller to Orenda

Orenda Books has signed Steph Broadribb’s debut Deep Down Dead, a "stunning" action thriller set in the US.

Karen Sullivan, publisher of Orenda Books, acquired of world rights for Broadribb’s novel.

Deep Down Dead features an "unforgettable key protagonist (and single mother), who is a ‘bail runner’ (aka bounty hunter)", in a plot that "twists, turns and then does it all over again, as she faces a series of events that threaten her life, and that of her daughter."

Sullivan said: "I’ve worked with Steph professionally through her high-profile blog, and was delighted when she sent me her debut novel for assessment. It took me no more than about 20 seconds to decide that this was absolutely perfect for the Orenda list. Not only is it a well-written, tense, action-packed thriller, but the characterisation is sublime and there is an extraordinary, highly charged love story at its heart.

She added: "I was completely mesmerised by the eloquent prose, the emotional depths of the characters, the authenticity of the setting and the dialogue, and, of course, an extraordinary, riveting plot. In a nutshell, this has 'bestseller' written all over it, and I could not be happier to welcome Steph to the team."

Broadribb said: "I'm thrilled to be publishing my debut novel with Orenda Books and to be working with people as dynamic, inspiring and devoted to books and publishing as Karen and her team. It really is a dream come true."

Deep Down Dead will be published by Orenda Books in early 2017.