Deep Dark Night by Steph Broadribb

This is the fourth in the author’s series of Florida-set crime thrillers, which feature female bounty hunter protagonist, Lori Anderson. While Loris is based out of The Sunshine State, she’s not averse to travelling out of state in pursuit of a felon and that is what she does in this title, travelling to Chicago to trap the head of major crime family. 

Unlike in previous titles in the series, Lori is not tracking down a criminal on the run this time but helping the FBI operate a sting. Employed off the books by the FBI, her target is Cabressa, a major league criminal who is determined to obtain a priceless chess set for his own private collection. Her job is to act as the person in possession of at the chess set in order to get close to him and spring there FBI’s trap. Needless to say things don’t go according to plan and when a blackout plunges the building where the meet has been arranged things spiral out of control.

Lori is a compelling heroine and like previous titles in the series, this is an action thriller with a difference. There’s a lot of thrills and it’s certainly a page-turner, but it’s not as macho and imbued with testosterone as some of the titles that feature male action heroes. Though this is not to say that there’s no action, or that Lori isn’t as tough as nails. 

The characterisation is strong, the relationship and complications between the characters compelling, and the plot is tightly woven. This is a great fourth outing for Lori and series continues to go from strength to strength. I look forward to book five.

4 out of 5 stars