Review of Two Bucks

Post by **Ruth Shirk** » 15 Jul 2025, 19:05

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Two Bucks" by Buck Starr.]

5 out of 5 stars

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<i>Two Bucks</i> by Buck Starr starts with Granite City Police officer Buck shooting a man, Lucero, who had beaten his wife unconscious in front of their son. Then, the scene quickly switches to the squad room where Buck grabs his things and walks out for the last time. He is scheduled to start a new job in only a couple of days as a captain with the state patrol.

Later, he meets with his Granite City Police partner Carrie Rooney. As they are eating, Carrie, Buck's partner for the last seven years, gets a call that Officer Mitch Murray has been shot in front of Terry's Tacos, while his partner, Duke, was inside getting food. Later, a body shows up floating in the river. Then, another one. The bodies have the same mysterious mark on the arm discovered during the officer's autopsy.

In his new position, Buck is working under his old friend, Major Gary Renk, and he has an assistant named Seargant Sid Gale. Commander Carlos Gooding heads the state patrol. Buck oversees a squad of 12 people, with Lieutenant Dave Cantrell doing much of the supervisory work.

Carrie convinces Buck that he needs to form an interagency task force to look at the crimes because she is afraid a serial killer may be on the loose. Everyone pulls together to fight crime in Granite City, especially members of the task force, including Carrie, Assistant District Attorney Daniel Jordan, crime technician Bart Pullman, Seargant Randy Simpson, and Deputy Sheriff Reggie Oswald.

As the team tries to uncover why the three people were killed, suspicions grow that people near the top of America's law enforcement chain may hold important clues. Yet, they are unwilling to divulge any information.

Although Buck is now a state trooper, he has a problem stemming from his days with the Granite City Police Department. The ACLU is suing him in a case. Carrie worries that the amount of pressure that Buck is experiencing may be changing him.

I love this author's sense of humor. For example, Buck says his former squad car was like a Clydesdale. Another example is after Buck returns from a fishing expedition with Gary and his brother, Junior, Carrie asks Buck if he knows the big thing on his balcony with an aluminum lid is a grill that would be perfect for cooking walleye.

Sexual content in this book is kept to brief mentions, without any specifics. In one case, Carrie tells Buck to bring his toothbrush. There is non-borderline profanity in this story. There is also a brief mention of religion, but in a manner that will not be found offensive. I rate this book a <b>5 out of 5</i> because of its good story line, great editing, and believable characters. I think people who love crime stories will love reading this book. I can honestly not think of anything I would change, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Two Bucks
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Onyemuwa-dave · Post by **Onyemuwa-dave** » 20 Jul 2025, 05:38

Your detailed summary of the plot, from Buck's transition to state patrol to the mysterious serial killer investigation, effectively highlights the novel's intrigue.

It's fantastic that you appreciated the author's sense of humor and found the storyline compelling, the editing great, and the characters believable, leading to a perfect 5 out of 5 stars! Your clear content warnings are also very helpful for readers. Thanks for sharing such a positive and thorough review!

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 20 Jul 2025, 12:50

It is great to read that the book has a good storyline, incredible editing, and believable characters. I am wondering, though, if the past will eventually catch up with Buck, even as they try to catch the serial killer. Thanks for the review, @Ruth Shirk.