Chris Bradford - Bodyguard - Ransom (2)

As an author, Chris Bradford employs a technique he terms method writing. For his award-winning Young Samurai series, he trained in samurai swordsmanship, karate, ninjutsu and earned his black belt in Zen Kyu Shin Taijutsu.

For his new BODYGUARD series, Chris embarked on an intensive close-protection course to become a qualified professional bodyguard. During his training, he acquired skills in unarmed combat, defensive driving, tactical firearms, threat assessments, surveillance, and even anti-ambush exercises.

His bestselling books are published in over twenty languages and have garnered more than twenty-five childrens book award nominations.

Before becoming a full-time author, he was a professional musician (who once performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II), songwriter and music teacher.

Chris lives in England with his wife and two sons.

For my godparents, Ann and Andrew,
Thanks for looking out for me all my life

PUFFIN BOOKS

Bone-crunching action adventure

Financial Times

Breathtaking action as real as it gets

Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series

Bradford has combined Jack Bauer, James Bond and Alex Rider to bring us the action-packed thriller

Goodreads

Wholly authentic the action and pace are spot on. Anyone working in the protection industry at a top level will recognize that the author knows what hes writing about

Simon, ex-SO14 Royalty Close Protection

A gripping page-turner that children wont be able to put down

Red House

Will wrestle you to the ground and leave you breathless. 5 Stars

Flipside magazine

A gripping, heart-pounding novel

Bookaholic

The girl felt the cold hard barrel of a gun thrust against the back of her head.

Kneel, ordered the man, his voice as dry and cruel as the desert wind.

With no choice but to obey, the girl blindly sought the floor. The dusty rag round her eyes let in only glimpses of light, its fraying cloth reeking of stale sweat. She winced as the dirt floor grazed her bare knees and drew blood. Then, hearing the ominous click of a round entering the guns chamber, her body instinctively stiffened.

Her captor leant in close. His breath, a bitter mix of coffee and nicotine, was warm and familiar in her ear. Farewell, my little sparrow.

So this is it, she thought with a numbness born out of exhaustion. After weeks of uncertainty and too many sleepless nights to count, she was beyond caring. Beyond even fear. In truth, her heart almost welcomed the end to her ordeal.

But, as she waited for the inevitable bullet, a small voice of fury rose within her.

Why have I been abandoned like this? Why hasnt the ransom been paid? Whats gone wrong?

Despite all the promises and hopes shed clung to, she was going to die. A bullet through the head. Her body dumped in the desert.

Will anyone find me? Will they recognize who I am after a few days in the blistering sun? And will they even care?

Get it over with, she muttered, willing her executioner to pull the trigger and end her suffering.

Silence.

No click. No bang. Not even a reply. Only the buzz of flies circling in the stifling heat.

Whats taking him so long? Is this another one of his mind games?

A bead of sweat rolled from beneath her blindfold and down her grime-covered cheek.

Lost your nerve, have you? she croaked, her voice quavering as her impatience turned to frustrated anger. Still no answer.

With a trembling hand, she removed the rag. Blinking away the dust, she discovered she was alone abandoned in the centre of a single-roomed mud-brick building. A makeshift wooden door barred the only entrance through which beams of sunlight speared the darkness.

Should I try to escape? But she had no idea what lay beyond the doorway. Her captor? The barrel of a gun? Most likely miles of unbroken desert

Suddenly the door burst open and she was dazzled by the glaring African sun. A shadow passed across her face as a huge man filled the doorway. Dressed in khaki army fatigues and his finger primed on the trigger of an assault rifle, he swiftly scanned the room for threats before his gaze targeted her.

Emily Sterling? the soldier grunted.

Her throat too dry to reply, Emily managed a weak nod.

The soldier thumbed his radio mic. Yankee Four to X-ray, hostage found alive, I repeat, ALIVE.

Scooping Emily up in his arms like a fragile doll, the soldier carried her to the door.

As the realization of her rescue hit her, Emily began to sob uncontrollably.

Its over, promised the soldier. Youre safe now.