Leverage

Sunken City Capers #3

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.

Explosions are a nasty way to greet someone …

Isa and Puo are enjoying a quiet, uneventful, completely lawful time in Vancouver, Canada, that is, until someone tries to blow them up. But before they even have time to recover at the hospital, they’re forced on the run for their lives.

Baffled, and trapped in Vancouver by the authorities having their CitIDs, they must rush to learn who is trying to kill them, and more importantly why.

And if that weren’t enough, Winn, the only man Isa’s ever loved, comes sauntering back into her life at a most inopportune time. Isa can’t decide between ignoring or pummeling him—depends on the minute.

Annoyed. Frustrated. Isa doesn’t know which is worse, an unknown and desperate killer after them, or having Winn back again in such close quarters.


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

276 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 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 3 out of 5]

As usual the things I DO like about this book are the general world-building [such a cool and unique idea] and the heists. These books have a really good sense of suspense where like even though you KNOW they're gonna get away you're still on the edge of your seat a lot of the time.

Things I don't like [again, as usual] are 1. Isa's seeming inability to get along with or relate to other women on any level or stop making mean comments about them constantly. Seriously, every woman who so much as SMILES at Winn gets called a whore in her internal monologue. Please calm down. Although it was nice to see her share a bonding moment with her neighbor at one point. And 2. just all the drama with Winn in general. I feel like she is at her most whiny and neurotic when he is around and maybe I'm just too much like Puo [shoutout for the aro/ace rep!] but I find the whole thing to be incredibly grating. Hopefully we're moving on from the ~relationship drama~ of it all in the next book because so far the only book in this series I've rated 4 stars was - surprise surprise - the one that didn't feature Winn at all.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous books in the series. There wasn't an overall crime story to hang it together: it was almost entirely a continuation of the series arc about how the gang are trying to find out who's got it in for them and why. What's more, the boyfriend is back, and the story spends far too much time on the will-they won't-they romance between Isa and Winn. To be fair, Winn's a lot more likeable this time round. Isa, on the other hand, isn't. She comes across as a spoiled brat who expects everyone to do everything and see everything her way. She's rude, she's arrogant, and she's starting to annoy the hell out of me.
Will I read another one? Maybe.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suck it up buttercup!! Put your big girl panties on and make a decision. Take him back or let him go!! Okay now that I have that off my chest lets move on. I love this series and all of the action. There's one heart stopping moment after another as they maneuver themselves through the mess they one again find themselves in the midst of. I absolutely adore Puo who is the perfect sidekick and voice of reason. So what these two are rarely reasonable and easily revert to their sarcastic and sometimes hysterical banter. It's a great read that will easily keep you primed and ready as they are for the next attack. This author does great with keeping us thrilled and entertained with little chance to catch our breath because one thing is for sure if trouble is near they are apart of it.

[Alan T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Capers continue

Isa & Puo, the underwater reclamation specialists go to Vancouver BC following their British job. They intend to find Winn, who they understand is currently in Vancouver, to resolve unsettled issues. Almost immediately they are attacked on a ferry with no apparent rationale.

Good plotting and charactorization.

[William Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I love this series.

I mean seriously it’s a near future heist series! What’s not to love? Great characters, fun tech, awesome premise. If you have not read this series do yourself a favor and start at book 1. Enjoy!!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an innovative caper series set in the near future post sea level rising. the world is NOT dystopian.

the female lead rocks and is a foul mouthed adrenaline junkie.

book 1: Seattle
book 2: London
book 3: Vancouver
book 0.5: Atlanta

book 4: ?? off to find out

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the sunken city capers series starts with a bang after the tour boat Isa and Puo are using to scout the underwater city of Vancouver is blown up under them causing Puo to have a heart attack. Which brings Isa face to face with the real reason she's in Vancouver in the first place her ex-lover Winn. With all out war looming between the cleaners and the bosses staying alive while resolving her feelings for Winn is going to be very, very difficult. Action, adventure and the conflicted feelings of Isa and Winn makes this third book really sizzle and the surprise ending leaves me looking forward to reading the next book in this exciting series even more. I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book .

[Katie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series! This one takes Isa and Puo north of the border to Vancouver. Their attempt at a vacation is thwarted by a bomb meant for them and they find themselves forced in to hiding to stay alive! A surprising encounter with Winn further complicates their situation, and they are forced together awkwardness and all! Yet again I really enjoy the characters in the series, I like the introduction to new bosses and locales in each book. Can't wait to see what's in store for them in the next installment!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit of a departure from the last books. Things are a little more tense for our gang of thieves and while there isn't a lot of underwater reclamation going on there are still plenty of cons. I really like where this ended and can't wait to get a glimpse of Isa's past in the next book. I'm still on the fence about Wynn. I like his character and get where he's coming from but at the same time he's a little too something (whiny, needy, unrealistic about their goals and lifestyle), I'm not exactly sure. Can't wait to see where this series goes!