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Joe Ballen #2
Perimeter
Joe Ballen’s working on a new ore-processing platform in the harsh environment around Mercury. When a savage Atoll attack decimates his crew, Joe is injured and must return to Earth to recover. While it’s a setback for the project, at least it means he can rebuild his relationship with his wife after nearly a year away.
But then the security forces come calling. Vital starship engineering files are missing, and without them Earth has no hope of escaping Atoll domination. Someone has to locate the files, and Ballen is bulldozed into the not-so-choice assignment.
But he’s not the only one in the hunt. As Joe struggles to find the data, he becomes tangled up in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. It’s a journey that will take him to the perilous depths of space, where no one is quite what they seem. Can old enemies ever make good allies? And can Joe trust even the people closest to him?
Ballen’s back in another action-packed sci-fi noir thriller, guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.
But then the security forces come calling. Vital starship engineering files are missing, and without them Earth has no hope of escaping Atoll domination. Someone has to locate the files, and Ballen is bulldozed into the not-so-choice assignment.
But he’s not the only one in the hunt. As Joe struggles to find the data, he becomes tangled up in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. It’s a journey that will take him to the perilous depths of space, where no one is quite what they seem. Can old enemies ever make good allies? And can Joe trust even the people closest to him?
Ballen’s back in another action-packed sci-fi noir thriller, guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.
- GenresScience Fiction
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2018
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
David M. Kelly
21 books53 followersDavid M. Kelly writes fast-paced, near-future sci-fi thrillers with engaging characters, cynical humor, and (mostly!) plausible science. He is the author of the Joe Ballen series, Logan's World series, and the Hyperia Jones sci-fi humor series. Along with historical suspense and fantasy author Christie Stratos, he also co-hosts the Fun Classic Reads videocast on YouTube, featuring entertaining live reads and very quick costume changes!
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 19, 2018
Ballen is a piece of work, well in more ways than one as you will figure out. He jumps in where fools have enough sense not to tread and always somehow or another (maybe because of technology) comes out on top. Now with his Dollie and a few surprises he is once again in the middle of mess that he may have to use a few skills to get them home safely. Ballen is his normal "charming" cough cough self and finds himself in the middle of sabotage and action and a crap storm of the ultimate type. As usual no stopping him or his mouth, if that doesn't get him killed nothing will.
This author has made me enjoy science fiction again. He keeps the action going and makes it easy to feel yourself in the middle of the action. While I had gotten tired of space travel he has made it fun again and new. Love his work.
This author has made me enjoy science fiction again. He keeps the action going and makes it easy to feel yourself in the middle of the action. While I had gotten tired of space travel he has made it fun again and new. Love his work.
May 23, 2018
This isn't so much a review as it is a chance to thank the universe that for all my bad luck, I'm no Joe Ballen.
No really, I think this book has more tense, edge of your seat, what's going to go wrong next, moments than any I've read in a good while. And this could easily be A bad thing,but it's pulled off well in this installment of Joe's story. Like before, there's plenty of action and sci-fi nostalgia, but with an updated and glossy finish that sets it in a realistic future.
I was quite happy for more of Dollie in this one, but there were plenty of other characters that I wouldn't have minded seeing booted out an airlock. Well done!
No really, I think this book has more tense, edge of your seat, what's going to go wrong next, moments than any I've read in a good while. And this could easily be A bad thing,but it's pulled off well in this installment of Joe's story. Like before, there's plenty of action and sci-fi nostalgia, but with an updated and glossy finish that sets it in a realistic future.
I was quite happy for more of Dollie in this one, but there were plenty of other characters that I wouldn't have minded seeing booted out an airlock. Well done!
July 6, 2018
Science fiction that is absolutely full of action! Really enjoyed this second book in the series ; perhaps even a bit more so than the first book. The suspense from chapter to chapter is well crafted and makes the book hard to put down.
May 14, 2018
This is a fast action space adventure featuring Jo Ballen and Dollie, met in the first book (Mathematics of Eternity). I think it’s perfectly possibly to read this alone, however. The book is full of humour, excitement, occasional sadness, and there are plenty of surprises. It’s a satisfying read.
August 30, 2019
With my library hat on, I would say this is perfect to suggest to people who think they don't like sci-fi. It's fun, poignant, fast-paced, great characters, plenty of cynical humour and some real nail-biting moments.
And... it's also great to suggest to people who say they *used* to read sci-fi but can't find any modern authors that they enjoy - and I hear this often. Great story-telling, characters you actually care about, and tied in with solid science and technology by a writer who knows his stuff.
It's good to read the first book in the series, but not completely necessary as the author gets you up to speed on what has happened before. Highly recommended.
And... it's also great to suggest to people who say they *used* to read sci-fi but can't find any modern authors that they enjoy - and I hear this often. Great story-telling, characters you actually care about, and tied in with solid science and technology by a writer who knows his stuff.
It's good to read the first book in the series, but not completely necessary as the author gets you up to speed on what has happened before. Highly recommended.
October 7, 2018
A great read, and an exciting follow up to book #1! Full review to come.
September 16, 2019
Great book, was happy to see how the main Character Joe is growing and also changing when faced with adversity.
October 14, 2022
Another GREAT Joe Ballen adventure. This time looking for a missing ship with jump technology. Lots of action and twists that are highly entertaining.
Recommended series and Authors
Recommended series and Authors
October 28, 2021
Excellent! like it better than the first, which do not mean did not like Mathematics of Eternity, but like this one more (and yes, I'm an Engineer ;)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews