Buzz Riff

by Sam Hill

'Buzz Riff' is another gutsy, fast-paced thriller from the author of 'Buzz Monkey'.

Genres: Crime

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2004

About the author

Marketing guru

Reviews

[Nd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a toss-up between 4 & 5 rating for Buzz Riff: A 5 because it is riveting to read, but the 4, perhaps because of the implausibility of the Top Kiernan character, even though you're drawn to his exploits the way you might be to those of James Bond. Like Buzz Monkey, the adventure is tightly sculpted with plenty of twists, turns, and deviations in Top Kiernan's exploits. In spite of Top's unbridled approach to confrontation, he is honest and eccentrically honorable in his, albeit often violent, modus operandi. He, intemperately, undertakes a high-paying job to find a Civil War flag, The Bloody Red Rag, supposedly bled upon by Andrew Jackson, to save his business from being overtaken by his embittered former bookkeeper and lover. Top's search involves him with various members of society's upper echelon and its underbelly where violence ensues and his friends, cohorts, and colleagues tend to become involved right along with him.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like this more than "Buzz Monkey." Still can't figure out Top's appeal or why people like to quote (or misquote) other people so much. But a Gamecock cap, the outstandingly cool name "Dixiecaust," the Bloody Red Rag and other baffling Confederate relic worship, and our not-so-secretly pervasive right wing Kristian church kommunities all make for a real fun romp. "Violence has your number on speed dial, my friend." Top seems to be able to handle himself, and with a drug smuggler and a renowned (new one on me) master of the straight razor as his two best friends, as well as a coterie of friendly lawmen, all seems well- bruised, broken, codeined, braced, caned and crushed-but well. But it's Amanda I worry about. Librarians don't have high survival rates around Top.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot had potential, but this book dragged for me. The characters were border-line interesting, but lacked juice. A coworker tells me that Hill's fist book, Buzz Monkey, was much better.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Top Kiernan; solider of fortune for hire, and the adrenaline buzz in need of ready cash takes on the mission of finding a stolen flag known as the Bloody Red Flag.