Customer Reviews

Buzz Riff: A Novel of Crime

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4 star:		(1)
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Sam Hill's move from writing great non-fiction business books (My favorite: "60 Trends in 60 Minutes") to mystery/action books is an upward spiraling success. He said his second book in the "Buzz" series ("Buzz Monkey"; "Buzz Riff") is better. That's no bluff; that's no fluff; that's accurate reporting. "Buzz Riff" is great. A friend made the mistake of starting it late on a week night. SHE had to put it down and wait A WHOLE DAY to get back to it. I started Friday night. Saturday I read straight through (taking time out for those irksome tasks like eating, drinking, breathing) and finished past my bedtime. You don't need no stinking bookmarks with Sam Hill! Where are THE MOVIES? Protagonist "Top" Kiernan's day job is running Polymath, his self-founded facting finding, fact checking business haunted by ex-librarians (with dark sides!) and para-legal types. His night job (often turning into 24/7) is finding and people and things for clients with big bank accounts. This time it's a Confederate flag. And wherever Top--who's got a severe case of adrenaline "buzz"--damage seems to follow--and half the time it's to him! One of the many great lines this time is "Don't you ever have any plans that don't involve Blue Cross/Blue Shield?" And quotes are one of the many side benefits of reading Mr. Hill: amid the hijinks, he relays a lot of great famous quotes, accurately. Among the ones not yet included pertain to this book:
"Eleven on a scale of ten". Jackson Browne. "Redneck Friend".

Sam Hill is a terrific writer, and very clever. His characters are unique and the story extremely entertaining. I started with Buzz Riff, will now read the first in the series, Buzz Monkey, and can't wait for the next Buzz Book! Buzz on Mr. Hill. Buzz on.

Readers of Buzz Monkey will find more suspense and better flow in this, the second book in the series. The story is rich with detail, well-paced, and never predictable. Here, Top truly becomes a character to root for... You won't want to put it down until you're done.

This is a great follow up to the first "Buzz" book. The pacing is great, the dialogue is crisp and the action sequences are really fun. The dialogue gives a very unique picture into some of the social issues we are facing (southern perspectives, race, etc.). The author builds out the relationship between best friends Top and Benny in a way that makes you think about your best buddies: "Dee Lane nodded in approval at my story. Benny nodded in approval at the parts of the story I left out."

Great read.

Top is an unlikely hero since he doesn't like to cause damage but that doesn't stop him from using his SIG or a significant quote where needed. He is a bit dense about women but that can be excused as he is sensitive about the people who die on his watch and he has good relationships with his workers. Love the quotes, the jazz that drifts through, plus Benny, Bob John, Dee Lane, Amanda and all his players. I'm waiting for the next book, Sam Hill! Get going! Get Gillie!!

Sam Hill names one of his characters after his next door neighbor. Nice mixture of erudite quote spouting and unpredictable action.