The Chronicles of William John Brickell the Second, Volume 2: Manipulation and Trickery, continues the historical fiction adventure series by Stephen Hanisch. This novel is categorized as 'fact-ton', blending non-fiction narrative history with storytelling flair. The author retells a subject's memoir, maintaining factual accuracy while adding enriched dialogue and physical descriptions beyond established facts. In this sequel, our diverse group of characters embarks on a perilous mission to dismantle a cross-continental smuggling ring. They find themselves both the hunters and the hunted, as those threatened by their efforts relentlessly pursue them. The narrative escalates in intensity as gunshots ring out and deceptions deeper than the Atlantic Ocean come to light. Their journey to uncover the true identities of the culprits takes them from Spain to England and to the coast of France and North Africa. Terrifying decisions test the mettle of William and his friends and crew, but the bond between them all only grows stronger as the hunt continues.