Barack Obama and Joe Biden return to solving crimes in Hope Rides Again: An Obama Biden Mystery, the second in the series written by Andrew Shaffer and starring the former president and vice president.
“It’s a totally separate mystery from the first book,” says Shaffer while sitting at a table where a long line had formed waiting for him to autograph copies of his novel at a two-day book fair in Lexington, Kentucky. “The first was set in Wilmington, Delaware and this one is set in Chicago on Obama’s turf and takes place in the spring around St. Patrick’s Day which is certainly a holiday they take seriously there.”
Indeed, Shaffer, who at one time lived in Chicago, says he revisited old haunts and new places for background as the two BFFs hunt for Obama’s Blackberry and the murderer of the their who originally stole it.
Though the premise of the two joining together as detectives is somewhat zany, Shaffer describes his book as dealing with serious topics as well.
“But I try to do it in a lighthearted way,” he says. Also, fun are the covers for both books including the first in the series, Hope Never Dies. Harkening back to the vivid colors of 1960s, the first shows Biden driving a convertible while Obama stands in the front seat pointing out the way as they chase their quarry. In the latest, Obama leans down from a swaying rope ladder tethered to a helicopter, his arm outstretched to help Biden up.
One person who thinks the mysteries are fun is the former vice president. When Biden was campaigning in Kentucky (Shaffer and his wife, a romance writer, live in Louisville), he was contacted by the campaign who set up a meeting.
“I didn’t know whether he liked the book or not or what he was going to say,” says Shaffer adding that the Biden hadn’t read either book but signed his copies. “It was really kind of different to have a character in your book sign your book. I found out later that people have been bringing my books to his campaign stops and asking him to sign them, so he was probably thinking who’s the guy who wrote this?”
It’s tricky writing about people we know publicly but not in person says Shaffer.
“I think in ways I know them too well because I know their history and what I think they would do and say, because I’ve written about them and I’ve seen and read about them for eight years,” he says. “When I heard Biden speak in Kentucky, I was like my Biden wouldn’t say that.”
Shaffer’s book might have garnered a few votes for the vice president.
“I met one person who said I can’t wait to vote for them again because now they’re detectives,” he says.
Ifyougo:
What: Andrew Shaffer book signing
When: Tuesday, July 9 at 6 p.m.
Where: The Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free but RSVP is suggested
FYI: 773.752.4381; semcoop.com
What: Andrew Shaffer book signing
When: Wednesday, July 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL
Cost: This event is free and open to the public. To join the signing line, please purchase the author’s latest book, Hope Rides Again, from Anderson’s Bookshop. To purchase, stop in or call Anderson’s Bookshop Naperville.
FYI: 630-355-2665; andersonsbookshop.com
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