The Elgin Deceptions

Sunken City Capers #2

by Jeffrey A. Ballard

Almost a hundred years ago, a major terrestrial event reshaped the earth's coastlines. Goodbye entire cities. Goodbye entire states. Goodbye entire countries. And when the authorities outlawed salvaging from these sunken sites, why say hello to a new breed of criminal: underwater reclamation specialists. Even a hundred years later, there's still a whole lot of loot for the reclaiming.

After the wake of dead bodies left in the Seattle Isles, Isa and Puo retreat to Europe to gain some distance while things settle down. But even on another continent, the Ghost of Winn haunts Isa everywhere she goes. And to make matters worse, Puo won't shut up about it.

Determined to prove nothing's wrong, Isa accepts their biggest job yet from a mysterious employer with deep pockets. The employer's only condition: the inclusion of Liang, an attractive, well-muscled operative to be embedded with their team.

As the gravity of what Isa took on weighs on them, they learn more about this mysterious employer and that failure isn't an option-not with the kind of bill they're racking up. Meanwhile, the authorities are closing in as Isa's crew isn't getting any closer to pulling off their job.

With options dwindling, it's time to try something stupid and reckless-the Ghost of Winn be damned.


Sunken City Capers is a fun post-apocalyptic series with no zombies, just criminals and mischievous ne'er-do-wells. Fans of heist novels/movies and strong female protagonists will likely enjoy this series.

Sunken City Capers Books:
- The Solid-State Shuffle, Book 1
- The Elgin Deceptions, Book 2
- Leverage, Book 3
- The Brummie Con, Book 4
- The Cleaners' War, Book 5

Sunken City Capers is complete at 5 books.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

About the author

Jeffrey A. Ballard writes and lives in the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin. From a small child he has always been fascinated with the ocean, leading him to earn a B.S. in Ocean Engineering from FAU and a M.S. in Acoustics from Penn State.

His overactive imagination followed him into academia, where he is currently a researcher at the University of Texas. Eventually, he circled back to a boyhood ambition of writing down all his daydreams. He writes daily now and has found a wonderful second life for his college textbooks.

You can learn more and sign up for his mailing list and news of his latest releases at www.jaballard.com.

Reviews

[Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had previously read the first book as well as the prequel in this series and while I enjoyed them I wasn't sure I wanted to continue with the series. I'm so glad I did though because I feel like this book really stepped it up! This series' strength has always been its unique world building [seriously just such a cool idea] as well as its suspense [like, i KNOW they're gonna get away with it, there's more books after this, but I'm still biting my nails the whole time!] and I feel like expanding the story to a full length novel was definitely a good move pacing-wise.

I also really appreciate the diversity in this book. I mean of course we've got Puo again [and believe me, it's so nice to have a great guy like Puo for asexual rep, usually we're more likely to get portrayed as serial killers in media] and then we've also got two new characters, both of whom are Chinese and one of whom uses gender neutral pronouns. I do think it would have been better to go the they/them route because i felt like ne/nem got a bit weird to read after awhile, but I really appreciate the fact that they were included at all because you don't see a lot of gender neutral characters in books.

My complaint from the previous books - that Isa seems to be very 'catty' and judgmental when she's around other women - didn't really come into play in this book, mostly because she is basically the only woman in this book. Not really an ideal situation but Isa is a great character and I feel like the author is definitely trying and also improving in other areas so I'm going to go ahead and read the next one as well!

[Ami Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the wake of dead bodies left in Seattle, and Winn leaving the team, Isa and Puo take a work vactation to Europe to gain some distance while things settle down. they end up taking the biggest job yet from a mystery employer with very deep pockets. Only one condition: the inclusion of Liang, an attractive operative to be added to their team. Failure isn't an option with the kind of bill they are racking up. With Isa being distracted by memories of Winn, the team gets in to lots of trouble before they even have a chance to finish the job.

This series is a blast. The story picks up not long after the first book. Like book number 1, the 2nd book was an enjoyable, quick read. The biggest difference between the two is that this book focused more on the actual underwater scavenging part of the heist, whereas the first book focused more on what happened after they had already finished the underwater part of the job. The writing seemed a little smoother this time around, with better flow.

An exciting series and I am looking forward to reading more of it in the future.

I read the Kindle version. Book 2 had much more spelling / typing / editing errors then the first book did. Whoever was editing it didn't do as well.

[David Pospisil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure I loved.
Loved how Puo figured out how to control the squiddies.
Looking forward to the next book EXCEPT, it appears that the mope, Winn, will return, which could turn it into a complete downer....hope not
The continuing thoughts by Isa about Winn made this 4 stars rather than 5.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wish there had been better editing

There were some really obvious grammar mistakes, the kind that a word processing program would underlined in red, that made it into the final. There were also some political takes that seemed perhaps not out of character for the author, but out of character for the main character

[William Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun

Made me laugh out load a few times. The underwater aspect adds a twist to the usual bank heist.

I am going to buy the next book now. Best recommendation I know how to give.

There were one or two miscues with words. Nothing seriously distracting.

[Julian Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first.

Outright heist and double cross fun! Definately as good as the first book and loads of action to keep you going to the end. Downtown Birmingham? Even funnier.

[William Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series!

I really enjoy near future science fiction and this is a great one. The character development is excellent and the heroines sarcasm is a wild ride. Definitely worth the read.

[Larry Cahall · Rating 5 out of 5]

double triple cross

Always interesting to try to keep ahead of the plot twists. Just couldn’t get them all before the reveals.
Great chemistry between the main characters. Love their dialogue.

[Ed McNellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still willing to be Isa's next Ex !

Another great story! Plenty of action - suspense & new characters...with a little insight into the mind of Isa as well!!

[David Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a fun series, with underwater adventures, this one in London UK.

[Emily]

Isa and puo have taken on their most dangerous job yet to return stolen jade to the Chinese government from the most protected site on earth the vaults below the now underwater British Museum. While doing any job for the government has extra risks this one is even more dangerous than usual, Isa is still reeling and more than a little unstable over her breakup with Winn and the pair will have to work with a new partner who's addition is a stipulation of their employers. It will take all of Isa and Puo's luck and skill just to survive this job, but if they can do it they will make enough money to finally pay off the citizen maker once and for all. Full of edge of your seat non-stop action and featuring two of the most loveable thieves you'll ever meet the sunken city capers series is sure to be a hit. I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sci-fi crime caper series continues. I have to admit I was somewhat relieved that they ditched the whiny boyfriend for this episode. I didn't like him as a character, and his replacement in the trio was much more interesting. This story takes them to England, where they raid a well-known museum (you can probably work out which from the title). As always, there is skullduggery behind the scenes, and nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
I have to admit, I found the non-gendered character awkward. Ballard uses a non-standard pronoun (ne, instead of he or she), which, although it makes sense in the context, is jarring to read. I've seen other authors grappling with the same issue using constructions like he/she, s/he, or whatever, and it never works well. That aside, though, it was a fun, fast read. Looking forward to the next one!

[Katie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I volunteered to review an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Isa and Puo are back, this time in London. In a bit over their heads with a mystery employer and a big job. Forced to take on a new partner they're not sure they can trust. What's not to love? Fast paced and action filled, it was hard to put down! Again I love the idea of the "good guys" (uh oh Isa, faux pas I know...) actually being criminals. I really enjoy Jeffrey A Ballard's writing style, I also love the idea of the series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again the gang is back, although its a new town and new set up. They haven't changed any of their ways so of course it fun and mayhem and a little bit of heart strings. Mr Ballard does a wonderful job keeping the action fast paced and humming with energy. The trio is still off the chain even with the strain. But things are shifting and there are a lot of things going on behind the scene which is pulled together and tied with a bow at the end. Great story and almost a year later the first book was still fresh enough that I fell right back into the flow with his characters. Excellent read!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of action, suspense and crime. I couldn't put this book down. I loved it! Isa and Pou are at it again. They've taken on a huge job. One that will test all their skills as well as having to deal with a new member of their team, Laing. The twist and turns the story goes through is like a roller coaster ride. Can't wait to see what Isa and Pou get up to in their next adventure.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was great. Exciting and action packed. It even had more of the underwater scenes and "reclamation" that I was missing in the first book. I love the back and forth between Isa and Puo. They are great together. The addition of Liang worked really well in their group, especially his reaction to some of Isa and Puo's antics. Looking forward to the next book.