Hope Never Dies

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer (2018)  301 pages

Inspired by Kara, I started reading this work of fiction featuring Joe Biden and Barack Obama on election day. Told from Joe Biden's point of view, the story begins with Biden feeling hurt because Obama hasn't reached out to interact with him since they left office, and trying to assuage his jealousy when he sees media reports of Obama's interactions with the rich and famous. But then who should appear but Obama himself, to tell Biden that a longtime acquaintance of Biden's, Amtrak conductor Finn Donnelly, has been hit by a train. The Feds found a map indicating that the conductor was trying to contact Biden. Worse, Biden learns later from a Delaware police detective that the conductor had heroin in his pocket.

The story takes off from there, with Biden making sure the conductor's family is okay and then trying to vindicate Finn. Obama and his Secret Service agent, Steve, go along for the ride (often literally) as the details come out. But who can be trusted? The story is filled with folksy aphorisms and metaphors galore, which make Biden sound so authentic. The wrap-up is quite thrilling. Fun book!