Buried in Orange by John H. Cunningham
Something doesn’t feel quite right when Buck Reilly’s longtime friend and ex-investor Sir Harry Greenbaum asks him to perform a “flyover” to commence the Formula 1 car race in Monza, Italy. Joined by his co-pilot Ray, the two take off together in their vintage aircraft Big Mama to witness one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Or so they thought.
Buried in Orange (Greene Street, LLC) builds on author John H. Cunningham’s acclaimed Buck Reilly Adventure Series, which has followed Buck through treasure hunts and wild mysteries. In addition to the main character’s typical adventure, this book adds a new wrinkle as Buck attempts to patch up his relationship with ex-wife Heather Drake. Within the first chapter, he makes it known how significant she is: “No matter how many adventures I’d embarked on since then, nothing had filled that void until she and I had reunited.”
Bringing Out His Better Side
The side plot of the couple’s reconciliation is integral to Buck’s identity. Despite the grit and bravery that is often shown by Buck throughout this book, Heather’s presence gives light to his more humanistic and relatable traits. It’s clear that she’s his rock and a source of comfort that he can confide in. This relationship demonstrates how much Buck has matured emotionally throughout Cunningham’s series and the vulnerability required to love.
Of course, the exciting action is what keeps the story moving. Danger ensues when an Austrian man named Hans Himmelman blackmails Sir Harry and tries to infiltrate Sir Harry’s investment deal. When Sir Harry is kidnapped and Buck is named in the investment documents, Buck is once again thrust into another treacherous adventure.
A Close Relationship
An overarching theme throughout is the question of how far one would go to protect the people they love and care about. Buck consistently displays his selflessness and heroic traits by putting himself in harm’s way to save Sir Harry, a man he has known since he was a child. This question presents itself in other characters too who join in Buck’s cause in order to aid him in his journey.
The most charming aspect of Cunningham’s writing is the narration from the main character. Buck speaks as if he has developed a personal relationship with readers and trusts them with his fears and unconventional comments. His witty responses to discussions and the events taking place don’t go unnoticed and create the feeling that readers are looking through his personal diary.
Ready With a Comeback
Additionally, Buck’s use of sarcasm and humor in the face of danger keeps the story light and from becoming too grim. Readers can smile or feel at ease despite the content because of his ability to make the situation more amusing than it really is.
For example, when Buck is approached by one of Hans Himmelman’s henchmen and is told he has an invitation to an unknown place, he responds: “My dance card is pretty full, Herr Mortician, but what do you have in mind?”
Strap yourselves in for the wild, yet highly enjoyable ride that is Buried in Orange.
John H. Cunningham is the USA Today best selling author of the Buck Reilly adventure series, which includes Red Right Return, Green to Go, Crystal Blue, Second Chance Gold, Maroon Rising, Free Fall to Black, Silver Goodbye, White Knight, Indigo Abyss, Purple Deceiver, along with The Last Raft, a stand alone novel, and was a co-writer on Graceless, and Timeless. The 11th Buck Reilly Adventure, Buried in Orange, was released on October 3rd, 2023.
Through the years, John has been a bouncer at a Key West nightclub, a diver, pilot, magazine editor, commercial developer, song writer and global traveler. He has either lived in or visited the many island locations that populate the series, and has experienced or witnessed enough craziness and wild times to keep the Buck Reilly series flowing. John mixes fact with fiction and often includes real people in his novels, like Jimmy Buffett, Chris Blackwell, Matt Hoggatt, Thom Shepherd, Dave McKenney, Keith Sykes, Marius Stakelborough, Bruno Magras and Bankie Banx to augment the reader’s experience.
Adhering to the old maxim, “write what you know,” John’s books have an authenticity and immediacy that have earned a loyal following and strong reviews. Buck Reilly is a reflection of us all, including our frailties, strengths, dreams, fears, successes, failures, mistakes and occasional victories. No government agency, team of soldiers, unlimited cash, or secret agents are coming to Buck’s rescue, because, well they’re not coming to rescue us either, are they?
John lives in Virginia and Key West, and spends much of his time traveling. His choices for the places and plots that populate the Buck Reilly series include many subjects that he loves: Key West, Cuba, Jamaica and multiple Caribbean settings, along with amphibious aircraft, colorful characters and stories that concern themselves with the same tensions and issues that affect all of our lives.
