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Obama Biden Mysteries #2
Hope Rides Again
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2019)In the sequel to the New York Times best-selling novel Hope Never Dies, Obama and Biden reprise their roles as BFFs-turned-detectives as they chase Obama's stolen cell phone through the streets of Chicago--and right into a vast conspiracy.
Following a long but successful book tour, Joe Biden has one more stop before he can return Chicago. His old pal Barack Obama has invited him to meet a wealthy benefactor whose endorsement could turn the tide for Joe if he decides to run for president.
The two friends barely have time to catch up before another mystery lands in their Obama’s prized Blackberry is stolen. When their number-one suspect winds up full of lead on the South Side, the police are content to write it off as just another gangland shooting. But Joe and Obama smell a rat...
Set against the backdrop of a raucous city on St. Patrick’s Day, Joe and Obama race to find the shooter, only to uncover a vast conspiracy that goes deeper than the waters of Lake Michigan—which is exactly where they’ll spend the rest of their retirement if they’re not careful.
Following a long but successful book tour, Joe Biden has one more stop before he can return Chicago. His old pal Barack Obama has invited him to meet a wealthy benefactor whose endorsement could turn the tide for Joe if he decides to run for president.
The two friends barely have time to catch up before another mystery lands in their Obama’s prized Blackberry is stolen. When their number-one suspect winds up full of lead on the South Side, the police are content to write it off as just another gangland shooting. But Joe and Obama smell a rat...
Set against the backdrop of a raucous city on St. Patrick’s Day, Joe and Obama race to find the shooter, only to uncover a vast conspiracy that goes deeper than the waters of Lake Michigan—which is exactly where they’ll spend the rest of their retirement if they’re not careful.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2019
221 people are currently reading
6027 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Shaffer
48 books1,518 followersAndrew Shaffer is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books. He lives with his wife, novelist Tiffany Reisz, in Louisville, Kentucky, where he teaches at Lexington's non-profit Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning and Louisville Literary Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
March 21, 2019
There was not a single chapter where I did not laugh out loud at least once. Delightfully campy and a much needed joyride. Almost like a Ferris Bueller's Day Off for Barry and Joe.
But that being said there were also some truth bombs scattered throughout the storyline.“Truth” had somehow become subjective. Who had seen that coming? The country was crumbling in slow motion, being dismantled and sold off under our noses in real time ."
Chicago is very much is a real character with revealing its many tragic realities to those that may be unfamiliar with them. While having such tough issues as systemic poverty, racism, and corruption being a plot point in a humorous tale, it never felt that the city and its people were being mocked. Being from the area, I found this second installment even more engaging than the first.
Only one minor irritation- United doesn’t fly out of Midway. Frontier, Porter, Delta, and Southwest are the big ones. So Biden couldn’t have been dropped off at the United gate to slog over to Delta.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quirk Books for the ARC.
But that being said there were also some truth bombs scattered throughout the storyline.“Truth” had somehow become subjective. Who had seen that coming? The country was crumbling in slow motion, being dismantled and sold off under our noses in real time ."
Chicago is very much is a real character with revealing its many tragic realities to those that may be unfamiliar with them. While having such tough issues as systemic poverty, racism, and corruption being a plot point in a humorous tale, it never felt that the city and its people were being mocked. Being from the area, I found this second installment even more engaging than the first.
Only one minor irritation- United doesn’t fly out of Midway. Frontier, Porter, Delta, and Southwest are the big ones. So Biden couldn’t have been dropped off at the United gate to slog over to Delta.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quirk Books for the ARC.
December 18, 2019
I am loving these stories and will read each one as they come out. You know the real Joe Biden and Barack Obama are safe in their real lives. There book characters are racing all over Chicago trying to solve a mystery.
Joe does most of the foot work to keep Barack safe who is often waiting in the car or in the shadows to stop him from being recognised. Michelle also makes an appearance in this story a couple of times.
Steve in Barack's security guard and Joe is often giving him a rough time, which is mean and funny.
I just find these stories fun and Joe is funny because he talks to much at times and isn't afraid to put himself into danger to solve the case.
Joe does most of the foot work to keep Barack safe who is often waiting in the car or in the shadows to stop him from being recognised. Michelle also makes an appearance in this story a couple of times.
Steve in Barack's security guard and Joe is often giving him a rough time, which is mean and funny.
I just find these stories fun and Joe is funny because he talks to much at times and isn't afraid to put himself into danger to solve the case.
July 5, 2019
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!
July 17, 2019
Shaffer’s Biden and Obama caricatures reignite their bromance while solving a south Chicago gang-related crime. Entertaining and witty. Biden’s first person narration tickles me. Plus, like Hope Never Dies, this second installment has a glorious cover. The tan suit is a character all it’s own. Good, campy fun! I hope there are more Obama Biden Mysteries to come!
March 29, 2019
Just as much fun as the first book, with an uptick in the bro-banter, much less mopey-Biden and a twisty-turny mystery for the dynamic (Ex)ecutive Branch duo to sleuth. Surprisingly, the book grapples with quite a few relevant topics affecting the US today, including “truth”, corruption, poverty, guns and violence... And it asks the most pivotal question of our time: Will he run in 2020?
But first, there’s a mystery to solve, and Joe Cool won’t stop for nobody, not even his best pal, Barack. Delightfully fun, perfect read if you need to escape the current political landscape. Another hit out of the ballpark.
But first, there’s a mystery to solve, and Joe Cool won’t stop for nobody, not even his best pal, Barack. Delightfully fun, perfect read if you need to escape the current political landscape. Another hit out of the ballpark.
May 10, 2019
When I read these books Obama and Biden’s voices narrate the story in my head. Hilarious.
December 1, 2020
Poor Steve having to put up with these two.
February 2, 2020
Prior to giving a speech at a conference in Chicago, former US President Barack Obama’s Blackberry goes missing. Determined to find it for his friend, former VP Joe Biden takes to the streets of The Windy City to track down the missing phone. It’s not long before Biden and Obama get more than they bargained for and become drawn into a deadly gang war.
The second book in Andrew Shaffer’s improbable bromantic crime fiction series featuring Obama and Biden as gumshoes is just as good as the first. It doesn’t hurt that once again, the mystery is solid and Shaffer isn’t relying solely on the gimmicky premise to move copies. The two friends wind up chasing down leads and dodging cars on their quest to find out why the intern that nicked Barack’s phone is recovering from two gunshot wounds to the gut.
Once again, Shaffer’s writing is filled with snappy dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments (there is a particular quip late in the book that nearly caused me to spit out a mouthful of coffee). Biden is painfully uncool and completely oblivious, but he’s a good match for the charismatic Barack Obama as the two continue to gel together well as exaggerated caricatures of the originals. The two characters could easily play as leads in the type of Hollywood buddy-cop blockbuster that was all the rage at the turn of the century.
For a book series that has laid its foundation on two extremely popular political figures, there isn’t a lot of politics in play here. While Shaffer does have Biden mulling over a potential run for office in 2020 (the book takes place on St. Patrick’s Day 2019 - Biden would announce the following month), the author refuses to have either character dig their heels in on political rhetoric. In fact, I don’t think Trump’s name even comes up once during the brisk read - sure he’s alluded to, but there are no direct shots at him. I think this is for the best, really. There’s already too much Trump in my day-to-day life and I don’t even live in the US.
If you are a fan of the original, it’s worth picking up the sequel. I’m not sure you need to have read the first one, but it helps to set the tone of the series. Joe Biden may not be looking too hot in the Democratic primaries, but he’s on point in this whodunit action story.
The second book in Andrew Shaffer’s improbable bromantic crime fiction series featuring Obama and Biden as gumshoes is just as good as the first. It doesn’t hurt that once again, the mystery is solid and Shaffer isn’t relying solely on the gimmicky premise to move copies. The two friends wind up chasing down leads and dodging cars on their quest to find out why the intern that nicked Barack’s phone is recovering from two gunshot wounds to the gut.
Once again, Shaffer’s writing is filled with snappy dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments (there is a particular quip late in the book that nearly caused me to spit out a mouthful of coffee). Biden is painfully uncool and completely oblivious, but he’s a good match for the charismatic Barack Obama as the two continue to gel together well as exaggerated caricatures of the originals. The two characters could easily play as leads in the type of Hollywood buddy-cop blockbuster that was all the rage at the turn of the century.
For a book series that has laid its foundation on two extremely popular political figures, there isn’t a lot of politics in play here. While Shaffer does have Biden mulling over a potential run for office in 2020 (the book takes place on St. Patrick’s Day 2019 - Biden would announce the following month), the author refuses to have either character dig their heels in on political rhetoric. In fact, I don’t think Trump’s name even comes up once during the brisk read - sure he’s alluded to, but there are no direct shots at him. I think this is for the best, really. There’s already too much Trump in my day-to-day life and I don’t even live in the US.
If you are a fan of the original, it’s worth picking up the sequel. I’m not sure you need to have read the first one, but it helps to set the tone of the series. Joe Biden may not be looking too hot in the Democratic primaries, but he’s on point in this whodunit action story.
March 29, 2019
Fun! Potentially better than the first?? I haven’t decided. Also, will there be another?
July 30, 2019
As the ridiculousness of the 2020 election season kicks into gear, it’s apparent that we have not learned from our past mistakes. Case in point: the Democratic nominees (at last count, I believe, there were 25), a mixed bag of leftists and loonies, woefully unaware of their mirror-image similarity to the Republican candidates in 2015. Things are shaping up to be more of the same ol’ same ol’, Democrat-style.
Leading the pack of liberal has-beens, never-wases, and wanna-bes is, of course, the former Vice-President, Joe Biden, who, at 76, is, strangely enough, the current front-runner. In July 2019. Almost a year and a half before the election.
Needless to say, I’ve been staying away from most news feeds these days. Believe me, it pains me, as a recovering news and political junkie, to remain so uninformed and aloof to this Washington, D.C. dog-and-pony show, but it’s for my own good. My blood pressure thanks me, and my family thanks me, too. I’m less stressed, because I frankly don’t give a shit about these candidates, mainly because it’s way too early to give a shit about them.
While I have nothing against Biden, I do hope that Biden ends up dropping out and giving his endorsement to some new blood, because Biden represents the same old Old Guard that a lot of voters fought against in 2016, resulting in the election of an orange asshole. Just say it ain’t so, Joe. Let someone younger, smarter, and more appealing to the millenial voting demographic take on the Drumpfster. In the end, and deep down, Joe, you know you don’t really have a chance.
I could be wrong, of course. I was wrong, in 2015, along with almost everyone else in the world, in thinking that there was no chance in Hell that a TV game show host with a fake-bake and an ungodly golden toupee would ever become president. That was fucking weird.
Who knows? Biden may surprise me.
In the meantime, I’ll stick to fictional representations of Biden. The fictional Joe Biden is a lot more entertaining anyway, especially when partnered with his fictional BFF and bromantic partner-in-stopping-crime, Barack Obama.
Andrew Shaffer, a competent writer with an odd sense of humor, published “Hope Never Dies” in 2017, a murder mystery featuring a bored, retired Biden who decides to play detective after an Amtrak engineer he once knew dies under mysterious circumstances. In that book, he reunites with Obama and tackles the opioid epidemic, as well as his own inner demons (mainly pertaining to jealousy of Bradley Cooper, who seems to be spending a lot of time with the Obamas lately).
“Hope Rides Again” is the latest “Obama Biden Mystery”, book two in a series that could potentially become as popular as the Hardy Boys.
In this book, Biden is in Chicago, visiting his BFF during an economic forum. Bored out of his gourd, Biden slips away to help find Obama’s Blackberry, which was stolen from the green room. Biden has his suspicions about who the thief is, and his search leads him to the trainyards, where he inadvertently gets involved in an attempted murder.
Biden---with the help of Obama and Obama’s trusted Secret Service agent, Steve---encounters crooked cops, gun-runners, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
These books are more fun than good. Shaffer does a decent job of keeping the politics pretty light, but he does manage to interject some relevant social commentary. Still, this book is played for laughs, nothing more. Diplomatic attempt at riling support for Biden, or opportunity missed? I’ll let you decide.
Personally, I enjoyed it, although it probably doesn’t change my views about Biden or the current state of the Democratic party.
Leading the pack of liberal has-beens, never-wases, and wanna-bes is, of course, the former Vice-President, Joe Biden, who, at 76, is, strangely enough, the current front-runner. In July 2019. Almost a year and a half before the election.
Needless to say, I’ve been staying away from most news feeds these days. Believe me, it pains me, as a recovering news and political junkie, to remain so uninformed and aloof to this Washington, D.C. dog-and-pony show, but it’s for my own good. My blood pressure thanks me, and my family thanks me, too. I’m less stressed, because I frankly don’t give a shit about these candidates, mainly because it’s way too early to give a shit about them.
While I have nothing against Biden, I do hope that Biden ends up dropping out and giving his endorsement to some new blood, because Biden represents the same old Old Guard that a lot of voters fought against in 2016, resulting in the election of an orange asshole. Just say it ain’t so, Joe. Let someone younger, smarter, and more appealing to the millenial voting demographic take on the Drumpfster. In the end, and deep down, Joe, you know you don’t really have a chance.
I could be wrong, of course. I was wrong, in 2015, along with almost everyone else in the world, in thinking that there was no chance in Hell that a TV game show host with a fake-bake and an ungodly golden toupee would ever become president. That was fucking weird.
Who knows? Biden may surprise me.
In the meantime, I’ll stick to fictional representations of Biden. The fictional Joe Biden is a lot more entertaining anyway, especially when partnered with his fictional BFF and bromantic partner-in-stopping-crime, Barack Obama.
Andrew Shaffer, a competent writer with an odd sense of humor, published “Hope Never Dies” in 2017, a murder mystery featuring a bored, retired Biden who decides to play detective after an Amtrak engineer he once knew dies under mysterious circumstances. In that book, he reunites with Obama and tackles the opioid epidemic, as well as his own inner demons (mainly pertaining to jealousy of Bradley Cooper, who seems to be spending a lot of time with the Obamas lately).
“Hope Rides Again” is the latest “Obama Biden Mystery”, book two in a series that could potentially become as popular as the Hardy Boys.
In this book, Biden is in Chicago, visiting his BFF during an economic forum. Bored out of his gourd, Biden slips away to help find Obama’s Blackberry, which was stolen from the green room. Biden has his suspicions about who the thief is, and his search leads him to the trainyards, where he inadvertently gets involved in an attempted murder.
Biden---with the help of Obama and Obama’s trusted Secret Service agent, Steve---encounters crooked cops, gun-runners, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
These books are more fun than good. Shaffer does a decent job of keeping the politics pretty light, but he does manage to interject some relevant social commentary. Still, this book is played for laughs, nothing more. Diplomatic attempt at riling support for Biden, or opportunity missed? I’ll let you decide.
Personally, I enjoyed it, although it probably doesn’t change my views about Biden or the current state of the Democratic party.
November 24, 2020
Originally published on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
Starting Hope Rides Again: Obama Biden Mysteries #2 by Andrew Shaffer right after Election Day was celebratory. And more than a little bittersweet. With Joe Biden now the U.S. President-Elect Shaffer most likely won’t write another of these quirky mysteries. At least not for several years.
Set nine months before the 2019 Iowa Primary election, Biden is still galivanting about without a Secret Service detail. He stops in Chicago to meet a guy, at the behest of former President Obama. They’re all attending a conference together and plan to connect in a “Green Room.” This being where event speakers gather their last thoughts, swig some water, and peruse their digital devices. All before going on stage to give a rousing presentation. And it’s here that Obama loses his beloved Blackberry. (Hasn’t he upgraded to a more current device yet?)
Biden sets out to help Obama out and find the missing device. That’s his hope, at least. In the meantime, the plot thickens, and a young Chicagoan connected to the President is shot. That only increases the stakes, and Biden’s desire to figure the situation out without involving Obama. And in perfect Shaffer fashion, nothing goes as planned. For one thing, Obama does get involved, along with Steve, his Secret Service guy.
These two former elected officials going rogue is only possible in the author’s imagination, but that’s what happens. And lucky us, there’s even an appearance from Michelle Obama. She’s trying to keep Joe on the straight and narrow, so he makes it home to Jill.
My conclusions
This book was the perfect ray of hope in the midst of election uncertainties, and a book about strongmen that made me lose sleep. It’s also an interesting foil to A Promised Land, the recently released memoir from President Obama that’s currently in my ears.
Shaffer’s funny asides about whether the former V.P. will run for President seem prescient in light of Biden’s choices. The way he captures the interplay between these two famous figures is brotherly and mostly lighthearted. And of course, Obama gets frustrated by the gaffes and not brilliant decisions happening in Joe’s orbit.
Shaffer balances his political and character asides with solid action and a generous helping of mystery. And no one else could be the guys in these “detective” roles. I’ve enjoyed this short two book series for its originality and tongue-in-cheek humor.
I recommend if you need a dose of fun, even as life in America feels pretty dark. Definitely read both books in order, starting with Hope Never Dies. And consider pairing it with something more historic or political.
Starting Hope Rides Again: Obama Biden Mysteries #2 by Andrew Shaffer right after Election Day was celebratory. And more than a little bittersweet. With Joe Biden now the U.S. President-Elect Shaffer most likely won’t write another of these quirky mysteries. At least not for several years.
Set nine months before the 2019 Iowa Primary election, Biden is still galivanting about without a Secret Service detail. He stops in Chicago to meet a guy, at the behest of former President Obama. They’re all attending a conference together and plan to connect in a “Green Room.” This being where event speakers gather their last thoughts, swig some water, and peruse their digital devices. All before going on stage to give a rousing presentation. And it’s here that Obama loses his beloved Blackberry. (Hasn’t he upgraded to a more current device yet?)
Biden sets out to help Obama out and find the missing device. That’s his hope, at least. In the meantime, the plot thickens, and a young Chicagoan connected to the President is shot. That only increases the stakes, and Biden’s desire to figure the situation out without involving Obama. And in perfect Shaffer fashion, nothing goes as planned. For one thing, Obama does get involved, along with Steve, his Secret Service guy.
These two former elected officials going rogue is only possible in the author’s imagination, but that’s what happens. And lucky us, there’s even an appearance from Michelle Obama. She’s trying to keep Joe on the straight and narrow, so he makes it home to Jill.
My conclusions
This book was the perfect ray of hope in the midst of election uncertainties, and a book about strongmen that made me lose sleep. It’s also an interesting foil to A Promised Land, the recently released memoir from President Obama that’s currently in my ears.
Shaffer’s funny asides about whether the former V.P. will run for President seem prescient in light of Biden’s choices. The way he captures the interplay between these two famous figures is brotherly and mostly lighthearted. And of course, Obama gets frustrated by the gaffes and not brilliant decisions happening in Joe’s orbit.
Shaffer balances his political and character asides with solid action and a generous helping of mystery. And no one else could be the guys in these “detective” roles. I’ve enjoyed this short two book series for its originality and tongue-in-cheek humor.
I recommend if you need a dose of fun, even as life in America feels pretty dark. Definitely read both books in order, starting with Hope Never Dies. And consider pairing it with something more historic or political.
June 14, 2019
Hope Rides Again is the follow up to Hope Never Dies which is a mystery told from the viewpoint of Biden and featuring Obama. The first book used romance tropes to highlight a bromance, the second book turns that aspect down a bit but is still funny.
Look, it’s not Shaffer’s fault that Biden is going around telling young girls that their brothers have to watch out for them. That’s Biden being a man of his generation. I’m not excusing the ick factor or the sexism in the statement, I’m just noting that it isn’t Shaffer’s fault. And there is a line in the book that will raise an eyebrow because of the unwanted touching.
That said, it is a fun read. There are several laugh out loud places. Like about Air Force Two. Several “no he didn’t just write that did he” places. And when I read the author’s bio bit to my friend as he was cutting up chicken, he laughed so hard he almost cut himself.
So read this away from sharp objects.
Or at least don’t use sharp objects while you reading this.
Dull knives might be okay, though why you would be cooking with a dull knife is your business.
In this installment (which is in a blue book, and the first was red, so we are missing a white one . . . just saying), Biden is catching up with Obama in Chicago to talk to a donor. What begins as a quest for a missing phone becomes a mystery involving local Chicago politics but also addressing violence, urban issues, and societal evils.
In other words, Biden is being schooled to a degree about what it means to be a black man in Chicago. Is it a true social commentary? No, but it is definitely more of one that was in the first book. There is also a brief riff about the question of change and urban development.
Steve also returns, if you’re curious.
The specter of the Orange Sprayed one is less heavy in this one, which is probably while the book feels lighter.
If there is a specter it is Oprah, who goes to brunch with Michelle, who has a great line directed at Biden.
Yep, Michelle is in it too.
Look, it’s not Shaffer’s fault that Biden is going around telling young girls that their brothers have to watch out for them. That’s Biden being a man of his generation. I’m not excusing the ick factor or the sexism in the statement, I’m just noting that it isn’t Shaffer’s fault. And there is a line in the book that will raise an eyebrow because of the unwanted touching.
That said, it is a fun read. There are several laugh out loud places. Like about Air Force Two. Several “no he didn’t just write that did he” places. And when I read the author’s bio bit to my friend as he was cutting up chicken, he laughed so hard he almost cut himself.
So read this away from sharp objects.
Or at least don’t use sharp objects while you reading this.
Dull knives might be okay, though why you would be cooking with a dull knife is your business.
In this installment (which is in a blue book, and the first was red, so we are missing a white one . . . just saying), Biden is catching up with Obama in Chicago to talk to a donor. What begins as a quest for a missing phone becomes a mystery involving local Chicago politics but also addressing violence, urban issues, and societal evils.
In other words, Biden is being schooled to a degree about what it means to be a black man in Chicago. Is it a true social commentary? No, but it is definitely more of one that was in the first book. There is also a brief riff about the question of change and urban development.
Steve also returns, if you’re curious.
The specter of the Orange Sprayed one is less heavy in this one, which is probably while the book feels lighter.
If there is a specter it is Oprah, who goes to brunch with Michelle, who has a great line directed at Biden.
Yep, Michelle is in it too.
November 10, 2020
These books are fun to read because they are so over the top. Fun to imagine these two men getting into trouble like this when they are out of the limelight. I think what's interesting about this one was at times there were a few hard feelings between Obama and Biden for different things each chose to do, which made it hard for them to share later when they had some good info.
January 17, 2021
Once past the outstanding cover - Obama's tan suit! Biden's aviators! A ladder dangling from a helicopter! - this is pretty lame as an actual mystery, but that's never the point with these books. In light of recent events in Washington (am writing this just 10 days after radical insurrectionists attacked the Capitol, and with just three days remaining in Donald T****'s despicable presidency), this was just the book I needed to read right now.
The whole thing is narrated by an equal parts self-aware and oblivious goofy/cool Joe Biden, and Shaffer does a good job comically capturing both his and Barack Obama's voices and their unique relationship, (even the too-frequent "Old Man Biden" comments wear pretty thin). He also nicely moving the action from Biden's Delaware in the first book to Obama's Chicago here.
Together with his earlier The Day of the Donald and the first "Obama/Biden mystery" (that phrase alone makes me laugh), Hope Never Dies, Shaffer has produced an unintentional trilogy starring our soon-to-be three most recent presidents. I can only hope that in just a few days time, America goes from having its most reviled president to one of it's most beloved. Meanwhile, would love to see Shaffer write a Harris/Pence mashup - maybe a female Holmes vs. feckless Moriarty kind of thing? Hope springs eternal!
The whole thing is narrated by an equal parts self-aware and oblivious goofy/cool Joe Biden, and Shaffer does a good job comically capturing both his and Barack Obama's voices and their unique relationship, (even the too-frequent "Old Man Biden" comments wear pretty thin). He also nicely moving the action from Biden's Delaware in the first book to Obama's Chicago here.
Together with his earlier The Day of the Donald and the first "Obama/Biden mystery" (that phrase alone makes me laugh), Hope Never Dies, Shaffer has produced an unintentional trilogy starring our soon-to-be three most recent presidents. I can only hope that in just a few days time, America goes from having its most reviled president to one of it's most beloved. Meanwhile, would love to see Shaffer write a Harris/Pence mashup - maybe a female Holmes vs. feckless Moriarty kind of thing? Hope springs eternal!
August 6, 2019
Even funnier (and crazier) than the first book. The Biden/Obama Bromance remains strong in this very entertaining tongue-in-cheek mystery.
January 18, 2020
In the Obama Biden Mysteries 'verse, the events of Hope Never Dies (in the real world) have been fictionalised into Murder on the Amtrak Express - which is, according to character Joe Biden, "a bunch of malarkey."
Yep, author Andrew Shaffer roasts his own book, his own writing, and his own self ("hack"). Love it!
Hope Rides Again chronicles one eventful day in Chicago. A missing BlackBerry, a shooting, freight containers of weapons from out of state...and it all goes down in a show-stopping luxury yacht scene.
We spend more time with Michelle Obama, who has Resting Concerned Face whenever Joe's around, and meet Chicago's mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Chicago is a "Democrat-run" city, as critics like to point out as they claim there are shootings every night. And there probably are. But to understand why is not as simple as conservatives pretend. Illinois has stricter firearms laws than other states, and right-wingers say that's why there's so much gun violence, and if residents could legally own and carry weapons crime would be down.
They love talking about Chicago's gun violence. But they don't mourn victims, hold vigils, or fundraise for families affected. That would mean doing something helpful, rather than just being smug and blaming left-wingers.
The problem isn't Illinois as much as it is that other American states have looser laws. That's why Australia doesn't have the same gun problem as the USA. While farmers have legal firearms, your average Australian (not part of the crime family ganglands) does not. Fewer accidental shootings, fewer suicides-by-shooting, and fewer intentional shooting of others. We don't have the same attachment to firearms, because not only do we not want to be victims of gun violence, but we also don't want the temptation to COMMIT it. Whereas the pro-pew-pew in the USA aren't willing to acknowledge that they could ever be perpetrators. They only see themselves as potential victims. They aren't willing to confront their own potential to become the bad guy. That they may already be the bad guy.
Fun book, though.
Yep, author Andrew Shaffer roasts his own book, his own writing, and his own self ("hack"). Love it!
Hope Rides Again chronicles one eventful day in Chicago. A missing BlackBerry, a shooting, freight containers of weapons from out of state...and it all goes down in a show-stopping luxury yacht scene.
We spend more time with Michelle Obama, who has Resting Concerned Face whenever Joe's around, and meet Chicago's mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Chicago is a "Democrat-run" city, as critics like to point out as they claim there are shootings every night. And there probably are. But to understand why is not as simple as conservatives pretend. Illinois has stricter firearms laws than other states, and right-wingers say that's why there's so much gun violence, and if residents could legally own and carry weapons crime would be down.
They love talking about Chicago's gun violence. But they don't mourn victims, hold vigils, or fundraise for families affected. That would mean doing something helpful, rather than just being smug and blaming left-wingers.
The problem isn't Illinois as much as it is that other American states have looser laws. That's why Australia doesn't have the same gun problem as the USA. While farmers have legal firearms, your average Australian (not part of the crime family ganglands) does not. Fewer accidental shootings, fewer suicides-by-shooting, and fewer intentional shooting of others. We don't have the same attachment to firearms, because not only do we not want to be victims of gun violence, but we also don't want the temptation to COMMIT it. Whereas the pro-pew-pew in the USA aren't willing to acknowledge that they could ever be perpetrators. They only see themselves as potential victims. They aren't willing to confront their own potential to become the bad guy. That they may already be the bad guy.
Fun book, though.
March 19, 2019
This has all the unapologetic, unconventional, irreverent fun of the first one, with the added depth and nuance of dealing with Chicago's reputation and realities--and doing it well. Shaffer pokes gentle satire at the violence and corruption of the city, but never makes light of it or tries to downplay the horror of it. It's a careful balance that he's somehow found and packaged with the delightfully funny bromance we all know and love to make a book that feels simultaneously real and absolutely ridiculous. Someone who is not from Chicago is going have to tell me if it's actually good, because I just. Love. My horrible, wonderful home city. And this poignant, beautiful, unflinching, and (at times) very silly take on it.
June 30, 2019
What a fun read to start my summer. I think I may have enjoyed this one more than the first. I love the lightheartedness of the relationship between the two factionalized characters of Biden and Obama.
July 14, 2019
Meeting up with Barack Obama in Chicago for a forum on economics, Joe Biden excuses himself after Obama’s BlackBerry can’t be found and an internet track shows it to be where one of the event ushers said he had to go work after ushing. (Isn’t that what ushers do? Ush?)
When Biden gets to the freight yard, it’s just as the usher (Shaun) is being carried out on a gurney with several shots piercing his torso. No witnesses, no suspects, no BlackBerry.
After a brief run-in with the mayor & his sidearms, Joe goes to Obama’s and they decide to find out who took the BlackBerry and likely shot Shaun. Mixing in with a church of ex-criminals, of all ages, and a hi-profile rapper, it’s a head swivel of who, what and where. Michelle cameos often and even Oprah sidelines.
With a series of twist, turns and topples, this duo uncovers crime, saves lives, chases a leprechaun, and has ice cream in the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition inspired Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. And all in one very tiring day.
Picturing their faces throughout adds to the humor. Best scene (and there’s a lot of competition) is the tour boat “old man Bloomin’ Onion” one. Classic!
Great dialogue, fun characters (even the bad ones) and snarky suspense wraps this up cool. Cool like a pair of aviator glasses. Joe Cool!
July 18, 2025
Set in Chicago. 288 pp. Buddy Reads thread
Hope Rides Again (Obama Biden Mysteries, #2) by Andrew Shaffer
Hope Rides Again (Obama Biden Mysteries, #2) by Andrew Shaffer
July 16, 2019
Joe Biden and Barack Obama are back in this 2nd installment from Andrew Shaffer. This time the duo find themselves in Chicago (my home town), where Barack has traveled to attend a global economic forum. While on a book tour, Joe meets up with Barack in order to be introduced to someone who may be able to help him in his bid for the 2020 Presidential election. Barack’s Blackberry is stolen from the green room, and Joe suspects a young Shaun Denton, a teenager he has just met and to whom he has taken a liking. When Joe decides to try and track down Shaun and the missing Blackberry, he instead finds Shaun shot and unconscious. Joe and Barack join forces once again to discover who shot Shaun and why.
This is a witty, offbeat and rollicking caper that has these BFF dodging St. Patrick’s Day leprechauns, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his henchman and wending their way through the sometimes gritty and crime ridden neighborhoods of Chicago narrowly escaping one predicament only to find themselves embroiled in another. Irreverent and fun, this is a great escape!
Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
This is a witty, offbeat and rollicking caper that has these BFF dodging St. Patrick’s Day leprechauns, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his henchman and wending their way through the sometimes gritty and crime ridden neighborhoods of Chicago narrowly escaping one predicament only to find themselves embroiled in another. Irreverent and fun, this is a great escape!
Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
August 21, 2019
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
April 22, 2021
“What is it about BlackBerries and Chicagoans?” I said, snatching the reporter’s phone from Barack’s hands. “And you say I’m the one with an old phone.”
“It’s the security,” Barack said. “Even law enforcement can’t crack them.”
I glared at him. “Maybe if everyone quit doing shady stuff up in here, you could all use normal phones.”
“It’s the security,” Barack said. “Even law enforcement can’t crack them.”
I glared at him. “Maybe if everyone quit doing shady stuff up in here, you could all use normal phones.”
June 23, 2019
I was supplied with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See my full thoughts here: https://youtu.be/EauG6pQjNqY
I have trouble going on for very long about this book. Just like its predecessor, it's really funny, and it's a light read (mostly). I mean, the very concept is just absurdly hilarious. Barack Obama and Joe Biden go to Chicago and they try to solve the mystery of who shot one of their friends. Even setting that aside, there's some great comedy in here, and it's short so I was enjoying myself just about all the way through.
The mystery is good too, the pieces are all there to figure out what happened before the climax comes and tells you, which is always a good sign. I'd be lying if I said that was the main appeal, but it's a huge plus.
Here's the thing... while the quality of Hope Rides Again is the same as the last book, the context surrounding it is different. A year ago, Joe Biden was just a retired politician. Now he's a serious presidential candidate that we have to view through a critical lens. So it's harder to look at him as this silly character that he appears as here. But maybe you're better at looking past that than me.
If you like absurdist humor with an edge of (milquetoast) social commentary, then this series is for you.
See my full thoughts here: https://youtu.be/EauG6pQjNqY
I have trouble going on for very long about this book. Just like its predecessor, it's really funny, and it's a light read (mostly). I mean, the very concept is just absurdly hilarious. Barack Obama and Joe Biden go to Chicago and they try to solve the mystery of who shot one of their friends. Even setting that aside, there's some great comedy in here, and it's short so I was enjoying myself just about all the way through.
The mystery is good too, the pieces are all there to figure out what happened before the climax comes and tells you, which is always a good sign. I'd be lying if I said that was the main appeal, but it's a huge plus.
Here's the thing... while the quality of Hope Rides Again is the same as the last book, the context surrounding it is different. A year ago, Joe Biden was just a retired politician. Now he's a serious presidential candidate that we have to view through a critical lens. So it's harder to look at him as this silly character that he appears as here. But maybe you're better at looking past that than me.
If you like absurdist humor with an edge of (milquetoast) social commentary, then this series is for you.
September 2, 2019
Another entertaining story by Andrew. It was a really good read. So is there going to be a third one?? :)
April 13, 2020
Hilariously entertaining.
August 20, 2022
Fun time. Pretty entertaining actually.
December 25, 2022
Silly bromance but well characterized and much enjoyed. I liked the first one enough to buy a copy for my mother-in-law, and either one of us will see this follows Hope Never Dies.
Is it a spoiler to mention that the real Joe Biden decided to run for public office?
Is it a spoiler to mention that the real Joe Biden decided to run for public office?
September 19, 2024
Honorary 6/5.
July 15, 2024
I read this book as a joke with friends and I don’t know how to rate this book 😵💫 it’s obviously very campy and ridiculous but did make me laugh
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