Winner of the 'best novel' and 'best historical fiction' categories at the international Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2019.
Abel de Santiago is a man on the run. Once a famous sniper, Abel finds himself a survivor of the Spanish Armada shipwrecks in 16th C Ireland. Following his capture by a brutal sheriff, Abel flees torture and death with a priceless emerald ring. Dozens of English troopers hunt the Spaniard across the Irish wilds, beating every last bush in a desperate attempt to find him.
Muireann is a revered Irish poetess enjoying the hospitality of a neighbouring tribe. Tragedy strikes when the sheriff's men kill her husband during a violent night raid, with her life barely saved by the fugitive Abel. Newly widowed and shocked by her loss, Muireann must somehow reach the distant lands of her tribe, where she can be reunited with her only son.
Both runaways form an unlikely bond as they flee across a strange and stunning land, pushed to the edge of their wits and endurance. Yet unknown to Muireann, the ring Abel carries bears far-reaching consequences beyond Irish shores. Can the unlikely, desperate pair escape a ruthless sheriff who will never give up the chase?
"a feverishly-paced historical adventure populated with memorable characters. A finalist and highly recommended" - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019
Accolades for 'The Sheriff's Catch'
Winner in the 'Best Novel' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019
Winner in the 'Best Historical Fiction' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019
Winner in the 'Best Cover Design' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2019
Finalist in the 'Book Trailer' category - The Royal Dragonfly Book Awards 2019
Finalist - The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards, 2019
Finalist - The Eric Hoffer Awards, 2019
Finalist in the 'Outstanding Historical' category - The Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards, 2019
Winner in the 'Best Cover Design' category - The e-book Cover Design Awards, November 2018
Nominee in the 'Best Trailer for a Book or Novel' category - Golden Trailer Awards, 2018
Industry Reviews
Tributes for 'The Sheriff's Catch'
"A fine debut which tackles a relatively unknown chapter of history" - The Times Of Malta
"This well-plotted story full of adventure, danger and history is wonderfully told, and Abel is a character not soon forgotten" - The US Review Of Books
"A feverishly-paced historical adventure populated with memorable characters. A Finalist and highly recommended" - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
"Such an enthralling and moving journey" - The Pigeonhole
"Vella-Bardon knows how to create a truly vile villain" - Reviews By Jules
"I cannot even begin to tell you how graphic and vivid and brilliant the descriptions were throughout" - Stories And Plot Twists
"Gore, guts, gloom and glory. Welcome to the world of James Vella-Bardon" - Liam Carroll, author of 'Slippery'
"The energy of the author's prose keeps things moving along at a blistering pace" - Maximilian Hawker, author of 'Breaking The Foals'
"This book is a three-way cross between Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series, Game Of Thrones and the Bourne series" - Jeanette Heidenberg, Goodreads reviewer
"If you liked Outlanders you'll love this book" - Jayne Parker, Goodreads reviewer
