This book was amazing. Just when you think you start to understand what’s going on and who’s involved and for what reasons, the rug is pulled out from under you. It’s full of twists and turns that leaves you guessing right until the very end.

Seventy-five-year-old Imogene Taylor just wants to smoke her Marlboros and watch the world go by from her divan. But fate has other plans.

When Imogene's new job at a pawn shop turns out to be part of an elaborate criminal scheme, she finds herself trapped between warring mobsters, dirty cops, and a mysterious puppet master plotting to rob the Bank of the West during the town's Fourth of July parade. With her parole on the line and innocent lives at stake, Imogene must use her prison-honed instincts to untangle a web of blackmail, corruption, and murder before the whole town erupts in violence.

Standing between chaos and salvation is one tough-as-nails grandmother with a .380 in her purse and a voice in her head named Ange offering questionable advice. But even Imogene's quick wit and steady trigger finger may not be enough when the fireworks start flying and blood begins spilling on the streets of West Valley.

From the author of PEEKABOO POTUS comes another darkly comic crime caper featuring the unforgettable Imogene Taylor, former convict, reluctant hero, and the most dangerous senior citizen in San Bernardino County.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

WILD WEST KINDA WOMAN and Her Gang" that's how I'm titling this review. I really liked strange, weird Imogene and her gallows humor. Which at least one time sent her and her only friend, Suz into gales of laughter. Life had been SO unjust to Imogene !!! I so wanted Imogene to win, not sure how that was going to happen. I hated her new parole officer. He was a bully, a woman hater and he especially hated her ! He is just ONE of many people who are after her. Quite a few trying to draw her back into a life of crime and she definitely DIDN'T want to go !
Luke was an interesting person, criminal who showed up in her life. Making me wonder how that was going to work. Although attracted to this younger criminal, she saw right through him, right away ! At first he seemed attracted to her but she also scared the heck out of him ! She sure could put on the gun moll act without hardly blinking ! He also was pretty attracted to her friend Suz which alarmed Imogene. Suz often called Imogene, "E" which was pretty funny. Imogene kept wondering how sometimes, he sounded like a dumb cowboy bumpkin with an accent and at others times, no accent and sounding kinda smart. Had me wondering too. A lot of times I was scratching my head, thinking what is going on? But I loved that, it did flow great as time continued on. Don't get me wrong, there are times of sadness in this story too. Almost made me. cry.
There were plenty of Misogamists, in the story too. I laughed at Imogene's inner talk with her "invisible" friend from prison, who often gave her a lot of laughs but also some pretty dangerous ideas. Ideas that could re- land her in the clink ! Imogene is quite knowledgeable about crimes and procedures because she read a lot in prison and gains some great info and pull from people in high places that she shouldn't know.
PEEKABOO POTUS, BESSIE GOTTSCHALK the main character,was mentioned in this book and now I wish I had been able to read this prior book ! Sounds outrageously good too !
I loved not only the humor, the fear of being caught done so dramatically but also the unexpected person of Thelma. Scary funny person. And to top it off, a great, humorous ending.
I so appreciate Netgalley and David Putnam for the opportunity to read this book. Now I want more of a series about Imogene !

Trouble Finds Imogene Again

Imogene meets with her new parole officer. She is scared because one parole requirement is to be employed. Two weeks earlier, her boss fired her right after three people were killed in her house in the presence of Suz, her neighbor and their boss’s girlfriend. Suz claims to have shot the two thugs after they shot another neighbor present. The shooting was ruled self-defense. To verify her employment, Imogene has forged her boss’s signature. The parole officer makes it crystal clear that he wants to ship her back to prison right this minute, but he doesn’t. Imogene realizes this and lets her mouth have a little too much freedom. He grabs her by the throat, but she is smart enough not to use her hatpin. He tells her that this was her last get-out-of-jail card. Imogene leaves to go to her second problem for that day, and she is being followed. From this start, a delightful cosy mystery thriller begins.

The novel consists of two main storyline threads. The first is to determine who is the puppet master compelling her and others into committing a crime. The second is Imogene’s fight with her publisher concerning the publication of his novel. Imogene has some serious problems in both of the threads. In the first thread, she is forced to work with other convicted felons in a pawn shop that pawns guns. Either of these is a parole violation that can send her back to prison if her parole officer finds out. Going back to prison would be a death sentence for Imogene. To avert this possibility, Imogene must do something so against her nature that it surprised me. The second thread is just as dangerous in that it also can result in going back to prison. She added classified information about the Presidential Protection Detail that she learned from the Special Agent on that team that was responsible for assessing her as a risk. The publisher does not want the manuscript changed at all, and doubles the offer for her and wants her autobiography also. He drops a hint that he knows more about her than she wants people to know. She feels that there is a noose tightening around her neck. How Imogene keeps her head above the turmoil kept my interest focused on this novel. Several significant twists changed what I understood was happening. The pace of the novel is a rapid cosy mystery. I never wished that the pace be picked up.

The two B-storylines provide much insight into Imogene’s character. The first is Imogene’s relationship with Angie, her cellmate in prison. She now resides in Imogene’s head. Most of the time, she is the devil speaking into Imogene’s left ear, but at times, Imogene seeks her out for advice. This thread gives insight into Imogene’s ego and alter ego. The second thread is her relationship with Suz, who is her next-door neighbor and best (and only) friend. This thread provides insight into Imogene’s relationship with a friend. All the other characters she treats more as adversaries or at least with a hefty dose of skepticism. I have enjoyed the Imogene character as a lovable antihero.

Aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading are not present in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. There are no vulgar words except for one prison slang term. Some rude words do appear along with a few instances of impious language. By most standards, the violence is relatively tame. All mature readers should not have any problems reading this novel.

The only issue I have with this novel is minor. The Secret Service Agent’s name changed from the first novel. I could not find an explanation for the change. It did not affect the main storyline. I particularly liked what Thelma, Suz’s mother, brought to the main storyline. She often seems to disrupt Imogene’s plan. She adds another unknown into the main storyline. Thelma’s aspect, plus several major twists heading to the end, made me very satisfied with the ending. The second thread does progress throughout the novel, but it does not conclude. I suspect that thread will play a part in another novel.

This author is one of my Must-Read authors. I have read four previous novels from three series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I highly recommend reading this novel. I am definitely looking forward to his next novel. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received the free, pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Level Best Books through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Level Best Books, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

AS with the 1st book in this series, this is just not for me and I still didn't get much out of it. I have to say I did not finish it and won't be following the series from here on out. But thank you for giving me the opportunity to read something a bit different.

Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was the second book in the series, but I can say that it stood its ground if you read it as a stand alone. Imogene is chaotic, eccentric and is what your grandmother would be if she was an ex mobster.

She has a criminal past, and gets sucked in by some crooked people to help commit yet another crime with a crew of other random, ragtag criminals by her side.

This book truly made me laugh out loud and was such a fun read. A criminal elderly woman is such an unusual plot, but it worked out so well.

Hilarious, chaotic, and full of charm 🎭💥. Imogene's Grand Fiasco is a delightful, laugh-out-loud comedy of errors packed with heart, hijinks, and unforgettable characters. David Putnam delivers witty dialogue, unpredictable twists, and plenty of heartfelt moments as Imogene stumbles her way through one disaster after another. I adored the humour, relatability, and the uplifting message of embracing life’s messiness.

Second book in the Imogene series, apparently. Dark humor, dry wit, and 70s flavor. This is a fun and amusing read; sometimes I felt I needed to keep a pen and paper nearby, just to help me keep track. Ended abruptly enough that I’m sure there will be another book in the series.

Rounding up to 4 stars from a 3.5

EXCERPT: Imogene woke to darkness and sat still, hardly taking a breath. Where the heck was she? What happened? Her memory scanned back, looking for what was real and what wasn't. She sat up in a corner, carpet under her bottom, legs and hands.
The last real memory was sitting on a porch in front of her home at 744 Hawthorne, smoking and drinking a Schlitz Malt Liquor beer. She remembered that much. And while out on the porch, out to the left on the horizon, the sunlight had hit exactly right, hit that certain light spectrum. She wasn't at all sure how she got to the porch. The memory before that was driving the little red Gremlin home from West Valley Jewelry and Loan. She read somewhere how stress can cause memory to skip. At least she thought she read it somewhere.
And lately life had, for some reason, kicked her in the teeth, given her enough stress to can it in mason jars, put it up the same as summer fruit.
Now time had skipped yet again. And she was . . . she was sitting in the dark. Was this purgatory? Had a gun thug snuck up on her while she sat immobile on the porch, her mind defused and focused on an ugly past. Snuck up, stuck a gun to her gray and black mop of hair, pulled the trigger and now she sat in purgatory. Heaven's waiting room. Unable ever to advance due to violations of the ten commandments. The big one, thou shalt not kill. Times three.
She had killed three men.

ABOUT 'IMOGENE'S GRAND FIASCO: THE MISADVENTURES OF IMOGENE TAYLOR': Seventy-five-year-old Imogene Taylor just wants to smoke her Marlboros and watch the world go by from her divan. But fate has other plans.

When Imogene's new job at a pawn shop turns out to be part of an elaborate criminal scheme, she finds herself trapped between warring mobsters, dirty cops, and a mysterious puppet master plotting to rob the Bank of the West during the town's Fourth of July parade. With her parole on the line and innocent lives at stake, Imogene must use her prison-honed instincts to untangle a web of blackmail, corruption, and murder before the whole town erupts in violence.

Standing between chaos and salvation is one tough-as-nails grandmother with a .380 in her purse and a voice in her head named Ange offering questionable advice. But even Imogene's quick wit and steady trigger finger may not be enough when the fireworks start flying and blood begins spilling on the streets of West Valley.

MY THOUGHTS: Although I have enjoyed other books from author David Putnam in the past, Imogene's Grand Fiasco was not for me. I loved both A Fearsome Moonlight Black and A Lonesome Blood Red Sun. Both were solid 4-star reads and I was looking forward to more of the same. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Described as 'another darkly comic crime caper featuring the unforgettable Imogene Taylor, former convict, reluctant hero, and the most dangerous senior citizen in San Bernardino County', Imogene never quite hit the spot for me.

If you are a fan of slapstick humor, then I imagine this book will go down very well - I prefer more subtle humor. I could easily imagine Imogene being played by the late Lucille Ball and I can envisage this book making the transition to the big screen.

I can't criticize the writing, but I was glad to close the cover on this one. Again, I think I am the wrong audience for this book, but I am sure there are a lot of people out there who will love it. I'll stick to Mr. Putnam's crime series in future.

⭐⭐.5

#ImogenesGrandFiasco #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR - DAVID PUTNAM Best-selling author David Putnam comes from a family of law enforcement. During his career, he did it all: worked in narcotics, served on FBI-sponsored violent crimes teams, and was cross-sworn as a US Marshall, pursuing murder suspects and bank robbers in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Putnam did two tours on the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s SWAT team. He also has experience in criminal intelligence and internal affairs and has supervised corrections, patrol, and a detective bureau. In Hawaii, Putnam was a member of the real-life Hawaii Five O, serving as Special Agent for the Attorney General investigating smuggling and white-collar crimes.

Putnam lives in Southern California with his wife, Mary.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Level Best Books (IBPA) via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Imogene's Grand Fiasco by David Putnam for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

David Putnam’s Imogene's Grand Fiasco is a high-wire act of tone—equal parts gallows humor and gun smoke, with a fierce woman at its center who refuses to be just another footnote in a man’s world. Part heist novel, part redemption arc, and part aching human comedy, this latest installment in The Misadventures of Imogene Taylor reads like a vintage pulp novel tossed in a cocktail shaker with Elmore Leonard’s wit and a dash of feminist noir.

Imogene Taylor—gritty, gutsy, and gloriously flawed—is a runaway force of nature. Still smarting from her past as a mob moll and weary of life as a pawn, she seizes the chance to flip the script. What begins as a ploy to escape the FBI’s clutches turns into a full-blown misadventure involving armored trucks, crooked agents, and more than one moral gray area. Putnam renders her inner voice with pitch-perfect cynicism and vulnerability, inviting us not only to root for her but to believe in her.

Where the story shines brightest is in its restraint—Putnam doesn’t waste a word. The pacing is brisk but never breathless, and every scene earns its place. The dialogue crackles with noir rhythm, but it’s the emotional undercurrents—Imogene’s longing for freedom, her cautious kindness, her complicated alliances—that make this tale linger long after the last page. She’s the kind of character who might shoot you in the leg and then drive you to the hospital.

This isn’t just a caper; it’s a quiet indictment of how women are underestimated, manipulated, and ultimately underestimated again. But Imogene? She’s done being anyone’s joke. That’s where the “grand fiasco” becomes something far more poignant: an act of defiance, of agency reclaimed in the unlikeliest of places.

Come for the chaos, stay for the character. Imogene Taylor is a revelation—a noir heroine with bite and soul, and Putnam’s razor-sharp prose does her justice.

3.5 ⭐️

So apparently, your grandma chain-smoking on the porch could also be planning a heist with mobsters, corrupt cops, and a rogue inner voice named Ange. Who knew? Welcome to Imogene’s Grand Fiasco, where the geriatric is chaotic, and the crime is… well, mostly accidental.

Imogene Taylor is 75, salty, and would rather be left alone with her smokes and stories. Instead, she ends up dodging bullets, navigating parole check-ins, and trying to unravel a Fourth of July bank robbery that feels less “criminal mastermind” and more “Oops, did we just rob a bank?”

The book is one part crime thriller, two parts dark comedy, and a generous splash of “what the hell is happening.” Imogene steals the show—grumpy, sharp, and too old to care what you think. Her internal dialogues with Ange are basically therapy if your therapist were unqualified and probably imaginary.

Is it a flawless book? No. Some plotlines fizzle out like a cheap firework, and the ending hits like someone slammed the brakes mid-sentence. But honestly? That kind of tracks for something called a fiasco.

If you like your books oddball, unpredictable, and starring a woman who could survive both the mob and a bingo riot, this one’s worth the ride. Just don’t expect it to follow the rules. Imogene sure doesn’t.

Thank you to David Putnam, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. On Sale June 24th, 2025

All Imogene wants is to stay out of trouble and out of jail but life conspires against her and everything goes belly up. She gets involved with the mob, with homicide, with burglary, kidnapping, and in a number of situations that she is the primary responsible or directly involved in trouble.The Police is after her and any small mistep will land her in jail again. Lots of action and fun, the story is written in a light and peculiar language. Really entertaining!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I won’t delineate the plot. That can be read in the book’s description. I will state my thoughts. This is a roller coaster of laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a crime caper with clever dialogue and whimsical, well developed , 3 dimensional characters. A thoroughly entertaining, light summer read. The pacing is fast and had me hooked throughout. I read it in two days. It’s in a league, and genre all by itself. Very well executed. It can be a stand alone, but I’d recommend reading the first one in the series. Kudoes, Mr, Putnam!

I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

If you've ever wondered what would happen if your chain-smoking grandma got tangled up in a heist involving mobsters, corrupt cops, and a pawn shop job that’s more "Pulp Fiction" than "Pawn Stars," then Imogene’s Grand Fiasco is your answer.

Imogene Taylor, our 75-year-old protagonist, just wants to enjoy her Marlboros and the view from her divan. But fate, with a twisted sense of humor, has other plans. Suddenly, she's dodging bullets, deciphering dubious advice from a voice in her head named Ange, and trying to keep her parole officer off her back, all while unraveling a plot to rob the Bank of the West during the town's Fourth of July parade.

The book is a rollercoaster of dark comedy and crime caper, offering a unique blend of suspense and humor. However, much like Imogene's adventures, the narrative occasionally veers off track. Some plot points feel underdeveloped, and the ending arrives with the abruptness of a firecracker—loud, sudden, and leaving you wondering what just happened.

Imogene herself is a standout character—gritty, witty, and unapologetically herself. Her interactions, especially with the enigmatic Ange, provide some of the book's most entertaining moments. Yet, the story could benefit from a bit more polish to truly let Imogene's character shine amidst the chaos.

In conclusion, Imogene’s Grand Fiasco is a quirky read that offers laughs and thrills in equal measure. It's perfect for those who enjoy their crime stories with a side of sass and a sprinkle of absurdity. Just be prepared for a few bumps along the way. After all, it's called a "fiasco" for a reason.

I started reading this book and all I could think of was, "What possessed me to request this?" The book is about a 75-year-old woman who was released from prison 2 years prior for killing her husband. She maintains it was an accident. Soon after, three men turn up dead in her living room, also from gunshot wounds. Two of them happen to be mafioso types and now she has to watch her back.

The main character in this book is incredibly unlikeable for me. All she does is smoke and gripe and her weirdo voice in her head does not help. I found the dialect strange and it is unclear why but the book appears to be set in the 1970s, which also does not add much to my liking the book.

Again, I am pondering why I would ask for such a title, unless I was thinking this was a women's fiction title and not, well, whatever it turns out to be.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Imogene waiting to meet with her probation officer. She has been staying in a seedy motel over the last two weeks since her home was declared a crime scene. It seems that there was a situation where three people were killed. Her visit was with a new person and she was concerned. At the visit, this person was suspicious of Imogene and told her that he was going to be watching her and if things got out of hand, he would put her back in prison. After her meeting she wound up going to a deposition because she was giving the book publisher trouble. She eventually signed an agreement where she would let them publish her book.

The next day things got worse. It seems like some unknown party was threatening her and as a result, she wound up taking part in an unknown event. The event was planned for the 4th of July, a few days away.

Read along and learn what steps were being taking to involve other individuals to cooperate. Discover what actions Imogene took to protect herself in addition to the others. Find out who was behind the event and how it all worked out in the end.

The ending was something that I didn't expect. Definitely worth the read.

I didn’t realize prior to reading this that this is the second book. I really liked this one so I’ll definitely be going back to read it. Imogene is an amazing character and had me so entertained. I can’t wait to see where this series goes!

I believe that this is the second book of a trilogy about 75 year old Imogene.. It’s a quirky read but I found myself again invested in the main character Imogene and her back story. I’m still not sure if she is a goodie a baddie or a victim of circumstance.. What’s going on in her head. I hope that it will all come to a satisfactory conclusion in the final book. Meanwhile, I have ideas of my own but will they be the same as the authors?

'Imogene's Grand Fiasco' is a light yet predictable read. However, the title character of Imogene Taylor is the saving grace. The character development and dialogue of Imogene keeps the reader's interest. The fiasco of the book is the predictability of the plot and the introduction of supporting characters without much development.
The main character is followed from her visit with her parole officer since her release from prison for murder to her encounter with the mob to her inner dialogue with her cellmate 'Ange' and various interactions with other characters that enter her life. The varying 'fiascos' within the story start to overlap with frequent introduction of other supporting characters during these fiascos. Eliminating some of the unrealistic fiascos and focusing on Imogene and her life story would have been more enjoyable.
Imogene Taylor, her inner dialogue with herself and 'Ange' and interactions with other characters in the story makes the fiasco readable. Without Imogene, the story falls short of an entertaining read. Imogene resembles a person in every reader's life or acts in a way they wish they could at times in life. Her relatable nature brings the reader to the next chapter not what will happen next in the plot.
Though it is a humorous read, David Putnam offers valuable life lessons through Imogene. Imogene states during one of her fiascos, "I just adjust to the world as it changes around me. It's the law of the jungle. You adapt or get run over. And I won't get run over" in Chapter Ten. When speaking of her deceased husband and his chair within the home they shared together, "That was his place in her world. A place he always sat. He was always there. Even when he wasn't". Glimpses into Imogene's life and past offer life lessons that are relatable and thought provoking.

IMOGENE'S GRAND FIASCO, #2 - She's released and she's in a bind, or two, or three. She just wants to smoke her Marlboros and watch the world pass by her divan perch, but someone else has nefarious plans for her and another ex-con. Plenty of humor, smoking, planning, kidnapping, and mistakes as Imogene strives to remain an ex-con. Source: Netgalley. 4*

THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE, #1 - Totally, an enjoyable read, filled with a bit of everything from romance to murder, tragedy and humor. In the author's notes, Putnam explains how the book came together. Well written story lines and interesting characters make for an easy to read, hard to put down entertainment. Source: Netgalley. 5*

THE BRUNO JOHNSON SERIES:
I cannot put these books down. They are so intense, well written and well thought out, realistic with a variety of characters and dialog, and interesting story lines; the new blending well with the old. At the end of each book, the author explains some of the real life events that actually happened to him, which transform into the life and career of Bruno Johnson.

There is very little cursing, and rarely vulgar language, mainly character related. Similar to the pre-60s movies, there is no graphic or detailed violence or sex acts, maybe some bad acting.

In each book, there is just enough of the past mentioned to get the story going without having the previous book(s) rehashed. There is no fairy godmother and regurgitated hollywood swill. I place this author on par with Ludlum, Follett and the other masters of their craft when writers could spin a yarn and knew their material.

Also, the series is broken down into Young Bruno and Older Bruno. Since I have read these books in published order I am not sure how to recommend the reading order, published or chronological. The Young Years are The Innocents, The Relentless, The Heartless and The Ruthless, books numbers 5 - 8. While the first four books are Older Bruno, which give spoilers to the Young set. BUT the published order gives you background that makes the Young set more intense and hard to put down since there is more to the story. The impacts are probably reduced to ho-hum if read chronological. On second thought, stick with the published sequence.

Quality paperback with easy to read font, thick pages and the only way to read a book. The Disposables I read as an ebook. See the individual book for its complete review. These have been edited for length. 5*

THE DISPOSABLES, #1 - Awesome read! Realistic action. 5*

THE REPLACEMENTS, #2 - As intense as The Disposables was, The Replacements exceeds it. A good deed done 25 years previously comes back to haunt Bruno. Drago is well done. Takes place nine months after The Disposables end. 5*

THE SQUANDERED, #3 - The books just keep getting better! This book is intense. The question is a constant "how are you getting out of this one, Bruno"? This story takes place three months after The Replacements ends. 5*

THE VANQUISHED, #4 - Best yet, which is saying a lot. A gamut of emotions. Fast-paced. Lot of drama. 5*

THE INNOCENTS, #5 - This book starts in the past to about eight months after Sophia leaves the Sheriff's Department. Her surprise visit changes the lives of Bruno and his dad. I would have liked to read this book before 4*

THE RECKLESS,#6 - Intense. Interesting. Sad; while many real life experiences and real people are in all of the author's books, there is one character based on a very important person from the author's life. Read it to experience it first-hand. 5*

THE HEARTLESS, #7 - It hard to write a review because there is so much to Putnam's writing it is easy to write a book report. Pretty intense emotions. Drama aplenty. 5*

THE RUTHLESS, #8 - Awesome! The truth about several things comes out in this book. 5*

THE SINISTER, #9 - A lot of happenings. Picks up two months after The Vanquished, #4, ends. Still recovering but ready to leave when trouble rears its ugliness in plain sight and Bruno is back at it. 5*

THE SCORNED, #10 - A tangled mess and Bruno wants to slap someone. OK, shoot someone but whom? The new father is back in the muck and with the help of Drago is putting a stick in a lot of spokes. 5*
THE BRUNO JOHNSON SERIES end.

A FEARSOME MOONLIGHT BLACK - A new series by Mr. Putnam that rivals his Bruno Johnson Series. The author brings his past as a law officer into the story(ies) blending fact well with fiction. Do not expect graphic gore, graphic sex, etc. The cursing is plain ole cussing used infrequently and for emphasis. Mr. Putnam is a talented storyteller. Well written and well thought out story lines along with a variety of characters make it difficult to put down this book, or any of Bruno's. Since I read the Bruno series, I recognized when fact came into the story and I thought I was reading Putnam's autobiography. I heartily recommend the work of Mr. Putnam and look forward to more of his books. If you enjoyed the books of Wambaugh, you will enjoy Putnam. 5*


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6608494513
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3886774259





ORIGINAL:

The Bruno Johnson Series:

The Disposables, #1 - Awesome read! Interesting story lines, good characters and a good pace keeps the reader immersed in the book. Believable people and dialogue. Realistic action. Well written and thought out. 5*

The Replacements, #2 - As intense as The Disposables was, The Replacements exceeds it. A good deed done 25 years previously comes back to haunt Bruno. A great cast of characters; Drago is well done. Interesting story lines; the new blending well with the old. Just enough of the past mentioned to get the story going without having the previous book rehashed. Hard to put down so start this book with plenty of time to finish it in one sitting. Takes place nine months after The Disposables end. Quality paperback with easy to read font, thick pages and the only way to read a book. 5*

The Squandered, #3 - The books just keep getting better! This book is intense. The question is a constant "how are you getting out of this one, Bruno"? Fortunately, the author brings realism, professionalism and well-written story lines to make an interesting, immersing read. There is no fairy godmother and regurgitated hollywood swill. I place this author on par with Ludlum, Follett and the other masters of their craft when writers could spin a yarn and knew their material. This story takes place three months after The Replacements ends. Quality paperback. 5*

The Vanquished, #4 - Best yet, which is saying a lot. Plenty of good writing, good characters, good story lines and a gamut of emotions. Fast-paced. Lot of drama. Marie demands to go back with Bruno was a fine line with me but I saw both sides of that fence. Their decision worked. Quality paperback. 5*

The Innocents, #5 - This book starts in the past to about eight months after Sophia leaves the Sheriff's Department. Her surprise visit changes the lives of Bruno and his dad. I would have liked to read this book before The Disposables, #1, but I am not sure it mattered although I remembered the other books and knew everything. I dislike reading out of order since knowing what happened later spoils the story. Interesting. Hard to put down, rather an addicting series for me, with the good characters and intense story lines. Quality paperback. 4*

The Reckless,#6 - Intense. Interesting. Sad; while many real life experiences and real people are in all of the author's books, there is one character based on a very important person from the author's life. Another hard to put down book. There is so much to say about this book that this review could easily become a book report. Read it to experience it first-hand. Quality paperback. 5*

The Heartless, #7 - It hard to write a review because there is so much to Putnam's writing it is easy to write a book report. Olivia is 15-years-old and a major target of a killer. Pretty intense emotions. Drama aplenty. Good characters, interesting story lines and clean dialog. The author brings his years as a police officer into his books making interesting, intense reads. Hard to put down; a one sitting read always. 5*

The Ruthless, #8 - Awesome! The truth about several things comes out in this book. The series is broken down into Young Bruno and Older Bruno. Since I have read these books in published order I am not sure how to recommend the reading order, published or chronological. The Young Years are The Innocents, The Relentless, The Heartless and The Ruthless, books numbers 5 - 8. While the first four books are Older Bruno, which give spoilers to the Young set. BUT the published order gives you background that makes the Young set more intense and hard to put down since there is more to the story. The impacts are probably reduced to ho-hum if read chronological. On second thought, stick with the published sequence. 5*

The Sinister, #9 - A lot of happenings. Picks up two months after The Vanquished, #4, ends. Still recovering but ready to leave when trouble rears its ugliness in plain sight and Bruno is back at it. Intense. Interesting. 5*

The Scorned, #10 - A tangled mess and Bruno wants to slap someone. OK, shoot someone but whom? The new father is back in the muck and with the help of Drago is putting a stick in a lot of spokes. He has to figure out truth from fiction, and good from bad before he can put his solutions to work and end it all. While looking for a missing child, he has the burden of leaving his new born son behind. Then Marie recovers from the birth to find the still recovering Bruno gone, again. 5*
The Bruno Johnson Series end.


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A Fearsome Moonlight Black - A new series by Mr. Putnam that rivals his Bruno Johnson Series. The author brings his past as a law officer into the story(ies) blending fact well with fiction. Do not expect graphic gore, graphic sex, etc. The cursing is plain ole cussing used infrequently and for emphasis. Mr. Putnam is a talented storyteller. Well written and well thought out story lines along with a variety of characters make it difficult to put down this book, or any of Bruno's. Since I read the Bruno series, I recognized when fact came into the story and I thought I was reading Putnam's autobiography. I heartily recommend the work of Mr. Putnam and look forward to more of his books. If you enjoyed the books of Wambaugh, you will enjoy Putnam. 5*