The Ballad of Bad Jack
A novella.
The Asteroid Belt, home to mining corporations and those who prefer to live beyond the heavily policed habitats of Earth orbit - the perfect hunting ground for Bad Jack, captain of the Dead Reckoning and the most feared pirate in the solar system. About to embark upon the biggest job of his career, Jack finds himself in need of a specialist, but his latest recruit has a new face, a new name and an agenda of his own. Chief Inspector Alex McLeod has been reset to war mode, and things are about to get very ugly.
The fourth story in the Slab City Blues series, The Ballad of Bad Jack is an all-action future-crime thriller from the best-selling author of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy.
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Anthony Ryan
Anthony Ryan’s name has become synonymous with epic fantasy that doesn’t just create worlds, but breathes life into them. Known for his intricate storytelling and deeply complex characters, Ryan’s works resonate with readers who crave more than just escapism—they want a story that challenges their perceptions and stays with them long after the final page.
Born in 1970 in Scotland, Ryan’s path to becoming a full-time writer was far from conventional. He worked in the British Civil Service for many years, but his passion for storytelling was never far from the surface. It wasn’t until 2011, when he self-published his debut novel Blood Song, that Ryan’s writing career truly began to take off. The book quickly found an enthusiastic audience, and its success led to a three-book deal with Penguin Books just a year later, marking the beginning of his rise in the fantasy world.
Slab City Blues
Slab City Blues consists of four books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

