Audiobook review: Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer
May TBR optional theme: With a Little Help From My Friends
It’s circa 2017, and we still remembered how good we had it with Obama and Biden… That’s when Hope Never Dies was written and published. It’s a time before Biden becomes president, when we see a lonely man who misses his best friend. One night, Barrack shows up and tells Joe about the death of an Amtrak driver who has ties to the former VP. What happens next is a somewhat silly misadventure to discover the truth.
Written as a buddy whodunit, Hope Never Dies is somewhat successful. The mystery is exciting and well thought out. I was guessing until nearly the end. I also enjoy the “old man” humor as Biden comes to terms with his aging body and place in the world. That said, there are several scenes that were terribly unrealistic given who the main characters actually are; things that would have worked if the guys solving the crime were ex-military or such. I also got bored with Biden’s constant whining about his distancing friendship with Obama. There is even a point where Obama extends an olive branch and Biden swats it away.
Narration: The story is shared in the first person POV of Biden. Barrett roughens his voice and sounds similar enough to the actual man. However, doesn’t alter the voice for any dialogue, which is fine, but I prefer some alteration to distinguish characters. Barrett does add adequate emotion to convey Joe’s excitement or frustration, and he does seem to get flustered often!
In the end, Hope Never Dies is a decently executed fun idea that made me chuckle at times. I do own the follow up, Hope Rides Again, which promises to be just as silly, so maybe if it fits another TBR Challenge, I’ll give it a go.
My Ratings
Story: B-
Narration: B-
Jen
About the Book:
It’s been several months since the 2016 presidential election, and “Uncle Joe” Biden is puttering around his house, grouting the tile in his master bathroom, feeling lost and adrift in an America that doesn’t make sense anymore.
But when his favorite Amtrak conductor dies in a suspicious accident, Joe feels a familiar desire to serve – and he leap into the role of amateur sleuth, with a little help from his old friend President Barack Obama (code name: Renegade). Together they’ll plumb the darkest depths of Delaware, traveling from cheap motels to biker bars and beyond, as they uncover the sinister forces advancing America’s opioid epidemic.
Author: Andrew Shaffer
Narrator: Joe Barrett
Series: Obama Biden Mysteries #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: July 10, 2018
Publisher: Audible Studios
Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
Source: purchased
Audio Speed: 1.3x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)