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In his novel Game, Swedish author Anders de la Motte explored the dark side effects of our social media-based society. Now, in the follow-up, Buzz, he pushes the paranoia to the next level by examining yet another subversive side of our digital world.
Buzz catches up with Henrik “HP” Pettersson several months after leaving Stockholm to escape the deadly Game in which he’d become embroiled. Thanks to the millions that he was able to steal from the Game before going on the run, he’s been free to travel the world—under a variety of aliases, of course. But then, in Dubai, he finds himself framed for the murder of a woman named Anna Argos. While he’s eventually able to clear his name, he’s convinced that the Game is involved—so he returns to Stockholm to dig for answers.
While Game focused on society’s obsession with social media—and the need for the acceptance and approval of an online audience—Buzz expands the scope, exploring how companies and organizations can use digital media to control public opinion and our general perception of the world around us. In investigating Anna’s murder, HP ends up taking a job for her company, ArgosEye, a PR firm that uses fake identities and fake blogs to promote their clients, cover up scandals, or simply to get under people’s skin. So if you weren’t already paranoid enough after reading Game, you’ll be all the more suspicious of the things you find online after reading the follow-up.
Meanwhile, the novel once again tells a parallel story involving HP’s sister, Rebecca. Her story still sometimes feels more like a redundant distraction than a crucial part of the novel, but it’s more relevant this time around—and it’s clear that her story is about to collide with her brother’s in the trilogy’s conclusion.
As HP continues his war against the Game, the stakes continue to get higher—and the details become more and more complicated. When you take the twists of the first book and add them to the revelations of the second book, it’s enough to make your head spin. In fact, from time to time, you might find yourself setting the book aside and trying to think through the story’s complexities. It’s a lot to take in—but it’s well worth the effort.
As the trilogy twists and turns and transforms, it’s not just becoming more involved; it’s also becoming more intriguing. So pick up a copy of this digital thriller—and brace yourself for the upcoming conclusion.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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