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transparent_tea's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Six months ago, I was browsing the mystery/thriller section of Barnes and Noble and stumbled upon this book. I thought it was pretty funny seeing a book about Joe Biden and Barack Obama doing some "detective" work because we live in the days of fanfiction and independent publishers.
Fast forward to today; I found this book at a Little Free Library at Ballard. At first, I passed on the library but for some reason, one title caught my eye, and was kind of stuck there while I was touring the Ballard Locks. Making our way out of the park, I did my double take, checked the cover, and decided to take it with me, since it was one of those "TBR" books that I had on my mind but not on (digital) paper.
Originally, I wanted to pick up the first volume, but after getting halfway through the book I realized this was a good stand-alone book and decided to power through this volume only.
What I can say is, just think of this book as pure humor/entertainment if it was written by a person who was leaning towards the young adult audience. It's full of catchphrases and "history" between the Obama/Biden administration era, and this "mystery" took place on Saint Patrick's Day in Chicago. Beyond all of that, it's not a serious mystery/thriller book that one must read, but if you're kind of curious and you have some free time while traveling, it's a decent book to pass some time.
Fast forward to today; I found this book at a Little Free Library at Ballard. At first, I passed on the library but for some reason, one title caught my eye, and was kind of stuck there while I was touring the Ballard Locks. Making our way out of the park, I did my double take, checked the cover, and decided to take it with me, since it was one of those "TBR" books that I had on my mind but not on (digital) paper.
Originally, I wanted to pick up the first volume, but after getting halfway through the book I realized this was a good stand-alone book and decided to power through this volume only.
What I can say is, just think of this book as pure humor/entertainment if it was written by a person who was leaning towards the young adult audience. It's full of catchphrases and "history" between the Obama/Biden administration era, and this "mystery" took place on Saint Patrick's Day in Chicago. Beyond all of that, it's not a serious mystery/thriller book that one must read, but if you're kind of curious and you have some free time while traveling, it's a decent book to pass some time.
sbrewer71's review
3.0
The second story with Biden attempting to be a detective while searching for Obama’s stolen blackberry in Chicago while he thinks about running for president. An easy and fun little story to get through quickly but not something that would be classic. The fun comes from knowing how silly the story is and what is probably the conceived assumptions of the two men and their relationship. Just a fun easy story to enjoy.
baronvonwaffle's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
traci1974's review
3.0
I don't know if it was just the novelty of the first one, but I definitely enjoyed it more than this one. Book 2 wasn't bad. But something was missing. I can't put my finger on what it was exactly, but it wasn't as fun or funny as Hope Never Dies.
sparklelys's review
4.0
You never think about the Secret Service except to be glad they exist. But wow, throughout this book, I felt bad for Steve, Obama's bodyguard, trying to keep Joe Biden in line as he and Obama sought justice for one of Obama's Rising Stars.
I also loved that Michelle, time and again, was the ace in the hole. Come back to us, Michelle!
I also loved that Michelle, time and again, was the ace in the hole. Come back to us, Michelle!
cassiesnextchapter's review
3.0
Barack and Biden are at it again! Sparring with their wit and fighting crime! Will they solve the mystery (and can they still look cool doing it)? Turn off the news and instead, sink into this fun mystery...your mood will thank you!
"Uncle Joe" Biden is fresh off his book tour, and making one last stop in Chicago to see his old pal Barack Obama. When Barack's prized Blackberry is stolen and tracked to the scene of a crime, the duo set off again on a fast-paced mission to track down clues and help the victim. Will they solve the mystery and find the bad guy in time for family dinner? And will they have enough time for some dad and fart jokes?
My Thoughts...
3.5 Stars
Ok, so this second book in the Obama Biden Mysteries was much more enjoyable than the first. Biden was less grumpy than in Hope Never Dies, and his internal monologue had me laughing out loud at times. He's definitely portrayed as a scrappy act-before-you-think, cheesy ol' grampa, whose aging body is trying to keep him from fighting crime (dag-nabbit!). And Barack...ah, Barry...he's still cool as a cucumber. (It's fiction, but you have to keep SOME things realistic!)
The story is campy and full of Biden-isms and gaffes, keeping the mystery comedic. But it also balances that with mentioning things that still need our attention as a country, and has a few well-placed jabs at the state of the current administration. As mysteries go, it passed my expectations, since I didn't predict the ending and the details all seemed to line up to make a believable and thrilling read. In this book, Biden is still deciding whether or not to join the presidential race, so you just have to read this as his last crazy adventure before he did that and the timelines match up! It's an enjoyable and quick read.
Full Blog Post
"Uncle Joe" Biden is fresh off his book tour, and making one last stop in Chicago to see his old pal Barack Obama. When Barack's prized Blackberry is stolen and tracked to the scene of a crime, the duo set off again on a fast-paced mission to track down clues and help the victim. Will they solve the mystery and find the bad guy in time for family dinner? And will they have enough time for some dad and fart jokes?
My Thoughts...
3.5 Stars
Ok, so this second book in the Obama Biden Mysteries was much more enjoyable than the first. Biden was less grumpy than in Hope Never Dies, and his internal monologue had me laughing out loud at times. He's definitely portrayed as a scrappy act-before-you-think, cheesy ol' grampa, whose aging body is trying to keep him from fighting crime (dag-nabbit!). And Barack...ah, Barry...he's still cool as a cucumber. (It's fiction, but you have to keep SOME things realistic!)
The story is campy and full of Biden-isms and gaffes, keeping the mystery comedic. But it also balances that with mentioning things that still need our attention as a country, and has a few well-placed jabs at the state of the current administration. As mysteries go, it passed my expectations, since I didn't predict the ending and the details all seemed to line up to make a believable and thrilling read. In this book, Biden is still deciding whether or not to join the presidential race, so you just have to read this as his last crazy adventure before he did that and the timelines match up! It's an enjoyable and quick read.
Full Blog Post
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
Ha ha ha. If you find the idea of a mystery series starring Barack Obama and Joe Biden kind of sweet and funny, this book is for you. Basically, if you loved all the Obama/Biden bromance memes, this is like reading those in long form.
As a sequel, Hope Rides Again lacks the benefit of being new and startlingly charming. Here, we already know the concept, so it's not quite as fresh. The mystery part of the book, while fun, is really just window-dressing for the main point, which is seeing the former POTUS and Veep living out their retirement by becoming accidental crime-fighters.
It's a little harder to read the 2nd book as pure entertainment, given the timing and the fact that Biden is now in the presidential race -- it makes his gaffes and Biden-isms just a wee bit less funny knowing that he's a serious candidate and not (as presented in the books) merely a retired politician who doesn't have the self-awareness to realize how uncool he is... especially in comparison to his buddy Barack.
Still, it's a fun read, and worth checking out if you enjoyed the first book.
Thank you, Quirk, for the review copy!
Ha ha ha. If you find the idea of a mystery series starring Barack Obama and Joe Biden kind of sweet and funny, this book is for you. Basically, if you loved all the Obama/Biden bromance memes, this is like reading those in long form.
As a sequel, Hope Rides Again lacks the benefit of being new and startlingly charming. Here, we already know the concept, so it's not quite as fresh. The mystery part of the book, while fun, is really just window-dressing for the main point, which is seeing the former POTUS and Veep living out their retirement by becoming accidental crime-fighters.
It's a little harder to read the 2nd book as pure entertainment, given the timing and the fact that Biden is now in the presidential race -- it makes his gaffes and Biden-isms just a wee bit less funny knowing that he's a serious candidate and not (as presented in the books) merely a retired politician who doesn't have the self-awareness to realize how uncool he is... especially in comparison to his buddy Barack.
Still, it's a fun read, and worth checking out if you enjoyed the first book.
Thank you, Quirk, for the review copy!
kpjt_books's review against another edition
3.0
I'd love to give it 3.5 stars. Great fun, similar to the 1st in the series. I totally appreciate this fanfiction romp into the Biden/Obama bromance outside of the Whitehouse.
teachinsci's review
3.0
I was REALLY looking forward to this book steer reading the last one. The Biden and Obama solving a crime was a ton of fun in the first book. While the camaraderie was there again, the story itself really wasn't. I worry that my overblown anticipation was part of the problem.
The story is set, this time, in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day and plays to the tropes of Chicago politics as corrupt, everyone as dirty, and the citizenry as drunk. The mystery this time involves a kid (teenager) Joe met at an event Obama invited him to and Barak's missing cell phone. Through many twists and turns (and much deliberation about if Joe should run for president), the story unfolds. There are some funny jokes and probably the best analogy for confusion I have ever read that do make the book worth a read.
The problem, for me, is that there was not a lot of story there. Some of the pieces Biden puts together aren't implied or stated (no evidence in a mystery book?) and the characters have little more than cardboard personalities. I would like to have seen a bit more time spent with important characters and, frankly, more than a 10 hour window for the mystery to be solved (since the timeline was not well adhered to anyway).
If you liked the first book and can go into this one with a willingness to laugh, you will enjoy this book as well.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
The story is set, this time, in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day and plays to the tropes of Chicago politics as corrupt, everyone as dirty, and the citizenry as drunk. The mystery this time involves a kid (teenager) Joe met at an event Obama invited him to and Barak's missing cell phone. Through many twists and turns (and much deliberation about if Joe should run for president), the story unfolds. There are some funny jokes and probably the best analogy for confusion I have ever read that do make the book worth a read.
The problem, for me, is that there was not a lot of story there. Some of the pieces Biden puts together aren't implied or stated (no evidence in a mystery book?) and the characters have little more than cardboard personalities. I would like to have seen a bit more time spent with important characters and, frankly, more than a 10 hour window for the mystery to be solved (since the timeline was not well adhered to anyway).
If you liked the first book and can go into this one with a willingness to laugh, you will enjoy this book as well.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.