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Bruno Johnson #10
The Scorned
Ex-cop, ex-con Bruno Johnson stumbles into a criminal organization that exploits women and children—he must fight his way out and home
Bruno Johnson is hiding out from the U.S. law in Costa Rica with his pregnant wife, Marie, and the ten kids they rescued from toxic homes in South Central Los Angeles. When Marie encounters a difficult labor and delivery, their good friend Dr. Vargas rescues both her and Bruno’s infant son. So Bruno feels indebted when asked to escort his daughter Layla, a college student in Los Angeles, back home to Costa Rica.
When Bruno arrives in Los Angeles, he finds the problem with Layla is complicated and dire. Layla has fallen in with Johnny, the leader of a vast and notorious criminal empire that exploits women and children. She says she’s had his child and that he has taken the baby.
Bruno enlists the help of his old friend Karl Drago—and his dog, Waldo—to aid in his search for Layla’s baby—a baby her parents disavow. Bruno soon discovers things aren’t as they appear, but he will stop at nothing to save the innocent baby and return to his family and newborn son in Costa Rica—providing he can evade capture while on U.S. soil.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and David Baldacci
While all of the novels in the Bruno Johnson Crime Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
The Disposables
The Replacements
The Squandered
The Vanquished
The Innocents
The Reckless
The Heartless
The Ruthless
The Sinister
The Scorned
The Diabolical (coming 2024)
Bruno Johnson is hiding out from the U.S. law in Costa Rica with his pregnant wife, Marie, and the ten kids they rescued from toxic homes in South Central Los Angeles. When Marie encounters a difficult labor and delivery, their good friend Dr. Vargas rescues both her and Bruno’s infant son. So Bruno feels indebted when asked to escort his daughter Layla, a college student in Los Angeles, back home to Costa Rica.
When Bruno arrives in Los Angeles, he finds the problem with Layla is complicated and dire. Layla has fallen in with Johnny, the leader of a vast and notorious criminal empire that exploits women and children. She says she’s had his child and that he has taken the baby.
Bruno enlists the help of his old friend Karl Drago—and his dog, Waldo—to aid in his search for Layla’s baby—a baby her parents disavow. Bruno soon discovers things aren’t as they appear, but he will stop at nothing to save the innocent baby and return to his family and newborn son in Costa Rica—providing he can evade capture while on U.S. soil.
Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly and David Baldacci
While all of the novels in the Bruno Johnson Crime Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence
The Disposables
The Replacements
The Squandered
The Vanquished
The Innocents
The Reckless
The Heartless
The Ruthless
The Sinister
The Scorned
The Diabolical (coming 2024)
320 pages, Hardcover
Published February 7, 2023
10 people are currently reading
7384 people want to read
About the author
David Putnam
20 books2,031 followersBest-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.
Putnam lives in Southern California with his wife, Mary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 7, 2022
This is book 10 in the series and it didn't work as a stand alone for me. This is the only book that I have read by this author. I rate it 3 stars. The publisher notes say that the previous books are meant to work as stand alones.
Pros: It is an action packed book with Bruno Johnson and his friend Karl Drago going after a criminal kingpin who traffics children.
Cons: There were so many incidents that happened in previous books that I found it hard to connect with the book.
Bruno Johnson is living in Costa Rica with a family of children that he has taken out of the United States illegally. He is wanted in the US for this. He has also killed someone and I was not sure what he was wanted for until the middle of the book.
Warning: There is graphic violence.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for sending me this eARC through Edelweiss.
Pros: It is an action packed book with Bruno Johnson and his friend Karl Drago going after a criminal kingpin who traffics children.
Cons: There were so many incidents that happened in previous books that I found it hard to connect with the book.
Bruno Johnson is living in Costa Rica with a family of children that he has taken out of the United States illegally. He is wanted in the US for this. He has also killed someone and I was not sure what he was wanted for until the middle of the book.
Warning: There is graphic violence.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for sending me this eARC through Edelweiss.
June 20, 2023
Exciting!
Bruno Johnson is certainly a hero of injustice regarding children. Drago is my favorite character in this edition of the series. Here we see Drago as a man with intense feelings he isn't familiar with; falling in love.
There is lots of action that kept me feeling the excitement of this story. As always David Putnam has written another great edition to this series.
I recommend this to Bruno Johnson fans and people that are interested in good rough police that go outside the box.
Bruno Johnson is certainly a hero of injustice regarding children. Drago is my favorite character in this edition of the series. Here we see Drago as a man with intense feelings he isn't familiar with; falling in love.
There is lots of action that kept me feeling the excitement of this story. As always David Putnam has written another great edition to this series.
I recommend this to Bruno Johnson fans and people that are interested in good rough police that go outside the box.
December 17, 2022
The Scorned: A Bruno Johnson Novel
David Putnam. Oceanview, $27.95 (352p) ISBN 978-1-60809-494-3
Putnam’s hard-hitting 10th Bruno Johnson novel (after 2022’s The Sinister) finds Bruno and his pregnant wife, Marie, in their idyllic Costa Rican home with the 10 abused children he rescued from South Central Los Angeles. When their obstetrician, Aleck Vargas, sees Marie through a life-threatening birth, the gratitude Bruno feels leads him to agree to accompany the Vargas’s daughter, Layla, back to L.A., where she’s a college student—and rescue her from Johnny, a vicious gang leader who exploits women and children. In addition, Bruno agrees to his father’s request to take his longestranged mother to the States. Once back in Los Angeles, Bruno learns that Jonny has taken the baby he had with Layla. With the aid of his anti-biker man-mountain buddy, Karl Drago, and Drago’s monstrous Rottweiler, Waldo, Bruno searches for Layla’s baby. Driven by hatred for human traffickers and love for those nearest and dearest to him, Bruno surmounts all obstacles with grim wit. Breathless action and a deeply humane hero help make up for unlikely coincidences and reversals. Those seeking a mix of action and dark humor will be satisfied. Agent: Mike Farris, Farris Literary. (Feb.)
David Putnam. Oceanview, $27.95 (352p) ISBN 978-1-60809-494-3
Putnam’s hard-hitting 10th Bruno Johnson novel (after 2022’s The Sinister) finds Bruno and his pregnant wife, Marie, in their idyllic Costa Rican home with the 10 abused children he rescued from South Central Los Angeles. When their obstetrician, Aleck Vargas, sees Marie through a life-threatening birth, the gratitude Bruno feels leads him to agree to accompany the Vargas’s daughter, Layla, back to L.A., where she’s a college student—and rescue her from Johnny, a vicious gang leader who exploits women and children. In addition, Bruno agrees to his father’s request to take his longestranged mother to the States. Once back in Los Angeles, Bruno learns that Jonny has taken the baby he had with Layla. With the aid of his anti-biker man-mountain buddy, Karl Drago, and Drago’s monstrous Rottweiler, Waldo, Bruno searches for Layla’s baby. Driven by hatred for human traffickers and love for those nearest and dearest to him, Bruno surmounts all obstacles with grim wit. Breathless action and a deeply humane hero help make up for unlikely coincidences and reversals. Those seeking a mix of action and dark humor will be satisfied. Agent: Mike Farris, Farris Literary. (Feb.)
January 24, 2023
The Scorned is the tenth book in a series about former Sheriff’s Deputy turned vigilante rescuer of abused children Bruno Johnson. While these books feature adventures from different stages of Bruno’s life, and are designed to be stand alone stories which can be read in any order, I don’t recommend starting with this one if you don’t know the character. I’ve read three of the earlier books and still feel I missed out on a lot of the character development that leads us to this point, which did affect my enjoyment of it. This is another violent action adventure with a highly improbable plot, featuring OTT characters stampeding along the boundary between good and reckless badness.
Set about six weeks after the events of The Sinister, Bruno thinks he can finally settle into life in Costa Rica to process and recover from all the terrible things he has both endured and done. His wife Marie is about to give birth, and his rescued brood of foster children want him to be their father for good. Then two people he can’t say no to, his father Xander and his best friend Dr Aleck Vargas, both ask him to do the one thing he dreads - return to LA. Emotionally fragile for the first time in his life, he wants to refuse, but when Vargas saves Marie and the baby, Bruno feels he must honour his request to go rescue his daughter Layla, who got herself mixed up with a very bad man. Taking his manipulative mother Bea along, Bruno turns to old friend Karl Drago and his monster canine sidekick Waldo for help - but they have no idea of the danger they’re stepping into.
As mentioned, I’ve only read a few of the previous Bruno books, including The Ruthless, (which is the last, for now at least, of the prequels set before he goes to prison,) The Disposables, which picks up afterwards, and The Sinister, which precedes this one. You do get the relevant backstory here, but I struggled a little with the change in Bruno from uncompromising Tough Guy to angsty soft-boiled egg - brittle on the outside and leaking through the cracks. To be fair, he’s put in an impossible situation, and there’s a baby at risk, but when it became clear that all three women involved in this latest mission are lying and behaving abysmally, he would’ve had every right to turn around and go home to his own baby. He brings in Drago to inflict the brutality he’s no longer sure he can impart, and boy does he over-deliver on that front. Karl is a one-man wrecking ball, but I found his disregard for collateral damage chilling in someone who’s supposed to be one of the good guys, eg firebombing the villain’s mansions without care for who might get hurt. A series of unlikely events and inconsistent character decisions build to a high-stakes climactic scene which is resolved rather too easily and then it’s all over. Not my favourite of these books, the previous ones were more exciting as thrillers, but I’m rounding up from 3.5 because I appreciate what the author’s trying to do.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Scorned is published on February 7th.
Set about six weeks after the events of The Sinister, Bruno thinks he can finally settle into life in Costa Rica to process and recover from all the terrible things he has both endured and done. His wife Marie is about to give birth, and his rescued brood of foster children want him to be their father for good. Then two people he can’t say no to, his father Xander and his best friend Dr Aleck Vargas, both ask him to do the one thing he dreads - return to LA. Emotionally fragile for the first time in his life, he wants to refuse, but when Vargas saves Marie and the baby, Bruno feels he must honour his request to go rescue his daughter Layla, who got herself mixed up with a very bad man. Taking his manipulative mother Bea along, Bruno turns to old friend Karl Drago and his monster canine sidekick Waldo for help - but they have no idea of the danger they’re stepping into.
As mentioned, I’ve only read a few of the previous Bruno books, including The Ruthless, (which is the last, for now at least, of the prequels set before he goes to prison,) The Disposables, which picks up afterwards, and The Sinister, which precedes this one. You do get the relevant backstory here, but I struggled a little with the change in Bruno from uncompromising Tough Guy to angsty soft-boiled egg - brittle on the outside and leaking through the cracks. To be fair, he’s put in an impossible situation, and there’s a baby at risk, but when it became clear that all three women involved in this latest mission are lying and behaving abysmally, he would’ve had every right to turn around and go home to his own baby. He brings in Drago to inflict the brutality he’s no longer sure he can impart, and boy does he over-deliver on that front. Karl is a one-man wrecking ball, but I found his disregard for collateral damage chilling in someone who’s supposed to be one of the good guys, eg firebombing the villain’s mansions without care for who might get hurt. A series of unlikely events and inconsistent character decisions build to a high-stakes climactic scene which is resolved rather too easily and then it’s all over. Not my favourite of these books, the previous ones were more exciting as thrillers, but I’m rounding up from 3.5 because I appreciate what the author’s trying to do.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Scorned is published on February 7th.
December 19, 2022
i give it 4* because the story has a lot of heart. it is warm towards its characters, the idea is nice - saving kidnapped children. there is fun in the plot, Putnam is fun with language. but the plot is like a noir spaghetti with sometimes nice suprises around the corner but not more.
January 27, 2023
The Scorned
David Putnam
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Be prepared to immerse yourself in the chaotic crime world of Bruno Johnson as he reluctantly returns for yet another high-octane thriller brimming with mayhem and a high body count. Enter the violent and gritty world of Bruno where his name is spoken with reverence when uttered by his adversaries – known on the streets for his unwavering tenacity and penchant for meting out explosive violence when necessary.
His law enforcement career began almost thirty years ago in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and led to two decades of service on the Violent Crimes Team, hunting down murderers. He even had to do a brief stint in prison for killing his daughter’s murderer. Bruno does have outstanding warrants for kidnapping, which seem to go unchallenged and uncollected. Bruno and his pregnant wife, Maria, have taken sanctuary in Costa Rica along with his cadre of children that they have rescued and “kidnapped” from their abusive and hostile homes. Their efforts have achieved mythic proportions – referred to as the underground railroad for abused children.
On the eve of Maria’s unexpected and complicated delivery he is tasked with two requests that he feels indebted to fulfill. His best friends, Doctor Vargas and his wife, Alisa are visiting when Maria precipitously goes into violent labor. Dr Vargas, under tense and dramatic circumstances, saves the lives of both Maria and the baby boy. They reluctantly ask Bruno to retrieve and rescue their only child, Layla. She is a college student at USC in Los Angeles, and is terrified of a threatening stalker.
Knowing Bruno’s background, they absolutely feel he is the best one to rescue and accompany their daughter safely back home. How can he refuse what should be a 12-hour journey or possibly 24 hours at the most? Earlier in that same day, Bruno’s father entreated him to “forgive your mother” and escort her back to Los Angeles. He has given her one hundred thousand dollars (“his life savings”) and wants to assure her safe passage to a car rental agency. The details and necessity of this request is clouded in murky reasoning. (The details will obliquely unfold in a startling sequence of events.)Dr Vargas, with his many influential contacts has procured Bruno with a passport and Private Investigator’s license in a different name.
Once Bruno arrives in Los Angeles with “his mother” and Alisa in tow, all hell breaks loose.
Both Bea and Alisa soon mysteriously abscond from his presence in the airport. He soon learns that in fact Layla was kidnapped and Alisa is on her way to pay the ransom. Bruno immediately enlists the aid of his long-time friend and motorcycle gang washout, Karl Drago. Karl is a giant of a man, standing six-foot-three and weighing three hundred and fifty pounds with the prowess and skill to complement his size—no one willingly messes with Karl. Part of the package is Drago’s faithful dog, Waldo. Who would argue with a one hundred and thirty pound Rottweiler, who quickly responds to Karl’s multifaceted commands, meted out in guttural German? Bruno and Drago quickly realize they are up against Johnny “Ef” Filmore and his criminal enterprise that exploits both women and children. Gambling and prostitution is the least of their vices, and soon it’s evident that selling minors for sex and even babies is part of the equation. Bruno will not stop or be deterred in his goal of righteous justice.
David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he spins a gritty high octane street tale that is relentless and escalates in an exhilarating denouement. His skill is highlighted by the implementation of his quirky nuanced side characters like Drago and his dog Waldo, and the prison-wise mother, Bea, with a history of expert cons, who feigns the need for a wheelchair.
This gem is obviously penned by one who has “lived the life” on the street. The multilayered plot and characters will be ingrained in your memory long after you’ve turned the last page. Although this is the tenth foray into the world of Bruno Johnson, it can be enjoyed and devoured as a stand alone, as Putnam seamlessly supplies the necessary back story. The exploits of Bruno Johnson rival those of Harry Bosch and Jack Reacher, and certainly will quench the thirst of action-thriller enthusiasts.
Thanks to NetGallery and Oceanview Publishing for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
David Putnam
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Be prepared to immerse yourself in the chaotic crime world of Bruno Johnson as he reluctantly returns for yet another high-octane thriller brimming with mayhem and a high body count. Enter the violent and gritty world of Bruno where his name is spoken with reverence when uttered by his adversaries – known on the streets for his unwavering tenacity and penchant for meting out explosive violence when necessary.
His law enforcement career began almost thirty years ago in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and led to two decades of service on the Violent Crimes Team, hunting down murderers. He even had to do a brief stint in prison for killing his daughter’s murderer. Bruno does have outstanding warrants for kidnapping, which seem to go unchallenged and uncollected. Bruno and his pregnant wife, Maria, have taken sanctuary in Costa Rica along with his cadre of children that they have rescued and “kidnapped” from their abusive and hostile homes. Their efforts have achieved mythic proportions – referred to as the underground railroad for abused children.
On the eve of Maria’s unexpected and complicated delivery he is tasked with two requests that he feels indebted to fulfill. His best friends, Doctor Vargas and his wife, Alisa are visiting when Maria precipitously goes into violent labor. Dr Vargas, under tense and dramatic circumstances, saves the lives of both Maria and the baby boy. They reluctantly ask Bruno to retrieve and rescue their only child, Layla. She is a college student at USC in Los Angeles, and is terrified of a threatening stalker.
Knowing Bruno’s background, they absolutely feel he is the best one to rescue and accompany their daughter safely back home. How can he refuse what should be a 12-hour journey or possibly 24 hours at the most? Earlier in that same day, Bruno’s father entreated him to “forgive your mother” and escort her back to Los Angeles. He has given her one hundred thousand dollars (“his life savings”) and wants to assure her safe passage to a car rental agency. The details and necessity of this request is clouded in murky reasoning. (The details will obliquely unfold in a startling sequence of events.)Dr Vargas, with his many influential contacts has procured Bruno with a passport and Private Investigator’s license in a different name.
Once Bruno arrives in Los Angeles with “his mother” and Alisa in tow, all hell breaks loose.
Both Bea and Alisa soon mysteriously abscond from his presence in the airport. He soon learns that in fact Layla was kidnapped and Alisa is on her way to pay the ransom. Bruno immediately enlists the aid of his long-time friend and motorcycle gang washout, Karl Drago. Karl is a giant of a man, standing six-foot-three and weighing three hundred and fifty pounds with the prowess and skill to complement his size—no one willingly messes with Karl. Part of the package is Drago’s faithful dog, Waldo. Who would argue with a one hundred and thirty pound Rottweiler, who quickly responds to Karl’s multifaceted commands, meted out in guttural German? Bruno and Drago quickly realize they are up against Johnny “Ef” Filmore and his criminal enterprise that exploits both women and children. Gambling and prostitution is the least of their vices, and soon it’s evident that selling minors for sex and even babies is part of the equation. Bruno will not stop or be deterred in his goal of righteous justice.
David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he spins a gritty high octane street tale that is relentless and escalates in an exhilarating denouement. His skill is highlighted by the implementation of his quirky nuanced side characters like Drago and his dog Waldo, and the prison-wise mother, Bea, with a history of expert cons, who feigns the need for a wheelchair.
This gem is obviously penned by one who has “lived the life” on the street. The multilayered plot and characters will be ingrained in your memory long after you’ve turned the last page. Although this is the tenth foray into the world of Bruno Johnson, it can be enjoyed and devoured as a stand alone, as Putnam seamlessly supplies the necessary back story. The exploits of Bruno Johnson rival those of Harry Bosch and Jack Reacher, and certainly will quench the thirst of action-thriller enthusiasts.
Thanks to NetGallery and Oceanview Publishing for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2022
Another good read as Bruno Johnson (David Putnam's rather unique hero) strikes again. He both thrills and appalls me as he does bad to do good.
March 5, 2023
Putnam never disappoints, if you liked the other Bruno books you will enjoy this one too. I do wish he would write a book dealing with Bruno, Dad, Marie and all the kids. Keep them all together and have suspense or murder on the side. This book shows how Bruno hated the violence in his past, I would like a book showing the softer, father side of Bruno.
August 24, 2022
**Thanks to David and Mary Putnam for sending me this ARC, they are wonderful people!!**
This was another gem in the Bruno Johnson series!!
This was another gem in the Bruno Johnson series!!
January 27, 2023
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Be prepared to immerse yourself in the chaotic crime world of Bruno Johnson as he reluctantly returns for yet another high-octane thriller brimming with mayhem and a high body count. Enter the violent and gritty world of Bruno where his name is spoken with reverence when uttered by his adversaries – known on the streets for his unwavering tenacity and penchant for meting out explosive violence when necessary.
His law enforcement career began almost thirty years ago in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and led to two decades of service on the Violent Crimes Team, hunting down murderers. He even had to do a brief stint in prison for killing his daughter’s murderer. Bruno does have outstanding warrants for kidnapping, which seem to go unchallenged and uncollected. Bruno and his pregnant wife, Maria, have taken sanctuary in Costa Rica along with his cadre of children that they have rescued and “kidnapped” from their abusive and hostile homes. Their efforts have achieved mythic proportions – referred to as the underground railroad for abused children.
On the eve of Maria’s unexpected and complicated delivery he is tasked with two requests that he feels indebted to fulfill. His best friends, Doctor Vargas and his wife, Alisa are visiting when Maria precipitously goes into violent labor. Dr Vargas, under tense and dramatic circumstances, saves the lives of both Maria and the baby boy. They reluctantly ask Bruno to retrieve and rescue their only child, Layla. She is a college student at USC in Los Angeles, and is terrified of a threatening stalker.
Knowing Bruno’s background, they absolutely feel he is the best one to rescue and accompany their daughter safely back home. How can he refuse what should be a 12-hour journey or possibly 24 hours at the most? Earlier in that same day, Bruno’s father entreated him to “forgive your mother” and escort her back to Los Angeles. He has given her one hundred thousand dollars (“his life savings”) and wants to assure her safe passage to a car rental agency. The details and necessity of this request is clouded in murky reasoning. (The details will obliquely unfold in a startling sequence of events.)Dr Vargas, with his many influential contacts has procured Bruno with a passport and Private Investigator’s license in a different name.
Once Bruno arrives in Los Angeles with “his mother” and Alisa in tow, all hell breaks loose.
Both Bea and Alisa soon mysteriously abscond from his presence in the airport. He soon learns that in fact Layla was kidnapped and Alisa is on her way to pay the ransom. Bruno immediately enlists the aid of his long-time friend and motorcycle gang washout, Karl Drago. Karl is a giant of a man, standing six-foot-three and weighing three hundred and fifty pounds with the prowess and skill to complement his size—no one willingly messes with Karl. Part of the package is Drago’s faithful dog, Waldo. Who would argue with a one hundred and thirty pound Rottweiler, who quickly responds to Karl’s multifaceted commands, meted out in guttural German? Bruno and Drago quickly realize they are up against Johnny “Ef” Filmore and his criminal enterprise that exploits both women and children. Gambling and prostitution is the least of their vices, and soon it’s evident that selling minors for sex and even babies is part of the equation. Bruno will not stop or be deterred in his goal of righteous justice.
David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he spins a gritty high octane street tale that is relentless and escalates in an exhilarating denouement. His skill is highlighted by the implementation of his quirky nuanced side characters like Drago and his dog Waldo, and the prison-wise mother, Bea, with a history of expert cons, who feigns the need for a wheelchair.
This gem is obviously penned by one who has “lived the life” on the street. The multilayered plot and characters will be ingrained in your memory long after you’ve turned the last page. Although this is the tenth foray into the world of Bruno Johnson, it can be enjoyed and devoured as a stand alone, as Putnam seamlessly supplies the necessary back story. The exploits of Bruno Johnson rival those of Harry Bosch and Jack Reacher, and certainly will quench the thirst of action-thriller enthusiasts.
Thanks to NetGallery and Oceanview Publishing for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
....This review has been published at MysteryandSuspense.com ....
December 9, 2022
I didn’t read all in this series and found it fine on it’s own. This is adult fiction with gang members, drug dealers, brutal and the most despicable of crimes, those involving children.
Bruno is a fugitive hidden in Costa Rica, a wanted criminal, with his long suffering, very pregnant wife, Marie, and is just short of a dozen kids. His Dad is hiding with them along with his wife, Bruno’s recently reappeared estranged Mother. If this isn’t enough, Dad’s asking him to risk being arrested by taking Mom back to the states. Then a local doctor checking on Marie asks Bruno to bring his daughter, Layla, back from college in LA. This is going from bad to disastrous!
Soon after arriving in LA Bruno calls on his old friend, Drago, for some much needed backup. Drago has a very large temperamental Rottweiler. Don’t be judgmental, but I’m not a fan of dogs. That said, my favorite character in the series is definitely Waldo. He kept me giggling even through the tense, bullets flying scenes. We could all use a Waldo.
Layla turns out to be a conniving, naïve, liar who Drago is immediately smitten with. Trouble!!! The complications with taking Layla back home to her parents involve a lot of very bad dudes. The action is hot and heavy with bodies falling and nothing is what it seems. Everyone wants money in exchange for something. Bruno’s Mom is gambling hers away and Layla hides hers.
When you think it can’t get more critical, Bruno’s gone soft, missing Marie and the birth of his child. He’s fumbling to draw a gun and his mind isn’t in the game at hand. A very contrasting side to this rough and tough former detective.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot which kept me altering my theories as I raced through the pages. The softer side of Bruno was unexpected and kept the story fresh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “The Scorned” Bruno Johnson Crime Series #10, by David Putnam and to Oceanview Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.
Bruno is a fugitive hidden in Costa Rica, a wanted criminal, with his long suffering, very pregnant wife, Marie, and is just short of a dozen kids. His Dad is hiding with them along with his wife, Bruno’s recently reappeared estranged Mother. If this isn’t enough, Dad’s asking him to risk being arrested by taking Mom back to the states. Then a local doctor checking on Marie asks Bruno to bring his daughter, Layla, back from college in LA. This is going from bad to disastrous!
Soon after arriving in LA Bruno calls on his old friend, Drago, for some much needed backup. Drago has a very large temperamental Rottweiler. Don’t be judgmental, but I’m not a fan of dogs. That said, my favorite character in the series is definitely Waldo. He kept me giggling even through the tense, bullets flying scenes. We could all use a Waldo.
Layla turns out to be a conniving, naïve, liar who Drago is immediately smitten with. Trouble!!! The complications with taking Layla back home to her parents involve a lot of very bad dudes. The action is hot and heavy with bodies falling and nothing is what it seems. Everyone wants money in exchange for something. Bruno’s Mom is gambling hers away and Layla hides hers.
When you think it can’t get more critical, Bruno’s gone soft, missing Marie and the birth of his child. He’s fumbling to draw a gun and his mind isn’t in the game at hand. A very contrasting side to this rough and tough former detective.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot which kept me altering my theories as I raced through the pages. The softer side of Bruno was unexpected and kept the story fresh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “The Scorned” Bruno Johnson Crime Series #10, by David Putnam and to Oceanview Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.
December 11, 2022
I just enjoyed this book so much and will definitely be reading more books by this author. I could not put this book down it so interesting and a must read by a great author.
August 9, 2022
I have read All of the Bruno Johnson Crime Series books. The Scorned, is the 10th novel. As those of us who have read every book, you know Bruno is big, black, and is now a ex-cop and a ex-con. Bruno is also a big teddy bear who has a endless depth of love for his family. Bruno is currently living as a fugitive in Costa Rica, with his wife and ten children. The children were rescued from abusive homes.
Bruno has been asked by his father to escort his estranged mother back to the U.S. Due to his wife, Marie's difficult labor he now owes a favor to the family doctor, who wants Bruno to escort his daughter from the U.S. back to Costa Rica. This could put his life at risk.
Things start out slow in the beginning with the soft Bruno who seems to be emotional about everything. But things get rolling fast. He teams up with his friend, Drago and his bad doggie, Waldo. Once rolling, he does not color within the lines, as we all know, so it becomes a great read again!
This book was gifted to me, by the author. Thank You.
Bruno has been asked by his father to escort his estranged mother back to the U.S. Due to his wife, Marie's difficult labor he now owes a favor to the family doctor, who wants Bruno to escort his daughter from the U.S. back to Costa Rica. This could put his life at risk.
Things start out slow in the beginning with the soft Bruno who seems to be emotional about everything. But things get rolling fast. He teams up with his friend, Drago and his bad doggie, Waldo. Once rolling, he does not color within the lines, as we all know, so it becomes a great read again!
This book was gifted to me, by the author. Thank You.
November 17, 2022
I've just met Bruno Johnson and found him to be an engaging and complex character. The plot is layered and has twists I didn't see coming. The fact that Bruno's family plays a large part in the story was refreshing. I loved his wacky mother. Bruno's sideline made me fall in love with him; what tough guy loves kids so much?! And his partner for this book, Drago, is hilarious, larger than life. I loved the dog, too! I'm not sure how I've missed the first nine Bruno Johnson novels, but I assure author David Putnam, I'm going back and reading them all. Thanks for gifting me the paperback ARC.
And thanks for delightful conversation at both LCC and Bouchercon this year. Recommend The Scorned to anyone who wants a fresh take on the thriller genre. It's just plain FUN!
And thanks for delightful conversation at both LCC and Bouchercon this year. Recommend The Scorned to anyone who wants a fresh take on the thriller genre. It's just plain FUN!
March 17, 2023
This was my first time reading one of the Bruno Johnson series and I must say I think I will go back and start from the beginning. David does a great job of including those who have not been in onnthe journey from the start and keeping them informed of previous events. The characters of Bruno and Drago are hard on the exterior but both still have some heart deep down that they show throughout the story. Waldo quickly became my favorite of the story and I couldn't get enough of him. Great work by David on this one and he for sure made me a Bruno Johnson fan wanting to know more.
March 19, 2023
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Bruno is excited about being a father. When a doctor asks for his help in bringing his daughter hone, he thinks it will be very simple. When he finds out who his daughters boyfriend is, he knows the situation is not good. I liked the different characters in this book.
March 12, 2023
The Bruno Johnson Series has always delivered raw, gripping police authenticity. The Scorned is no exception, but this one truly touches the heart as hardcore ex-cop and father Bruno Johnson fights for justice in order to return home to his wife, newborn baby, and their many foster children. Right for hard-boiled and softie crime fiction fans.
March 14, 2023
The Scorned by David Putnam. Bruno Johnson is at work in a bar in Costa Rica when he gets a call and an appearance from his dad at his job. Normally his dad doesn't appear at his job unless it is important. He wants him to take his mother to the states but Bruno cannot go back to the US because of arrest warrants. Bruno use to be a detective but is a protector of children who saves them from harm. He and his wife Marie have 11 children they have saved and one on the way. Bruno thinks his mother trying to get money out of his dad. His mother Bea has been in prison and she wasn't around much when Bruno was young. Their friends Dr. Aleck and Alisa comes to their home to ask Bruno for help to bring their daughter Layla home. He doesn't want to do it because Marie is about to have their baby. Marie has a hard labor which Aleck delivers. Bruno changes his mind and leaves with his father, mother and Alisa back to the US under disguise. When he reaches the states he calls Karl nicknamed Drago for help. They have known each other for a long time. Drago is a big dude who has tattoos and don't take any mess. Alisa disappears from the airport to deliver ransom money for her daughter who is involved with this mobster Johnny EF. They find Layla who tells her mom that she has a baby, Her mom is hurt because Layla is involved with this man and does not care about the baby. Bruno does not agree and decides to rescue the baby himself. That is when the action starts. Drago has a rottweiler named Waldo who plays a role in the action. Broun gets help from detective Helen Hellinger because Bruno rescued her child and the child lives in Costa Rica with Bruno and Marie. Bruno gets help from a man named Freemantle who pays him to kill Johnny EF so he can take over. Freemantle is the head of a group of white supremacies called the CCS. Some truths comes out about Layla and Bruno's mother that changes everything he thought about her. This a great read and is hard to put down. I fell in love with Waldo and you will too.
March 19, 2023
Bruno Johnson, once a Los Angeles cop, wanted for murder (but for a good cause) is expecting a first child with his wife, Maria in Costa Rica.
Not the best time for his family, and family doctor, to be insisting on sending him on errands back in his home town. One, to escort his estranged and despised mother to gambling dens. Another, to mind his doctor's daughter, who says she is being stalked.
What could possibly go wrong? After his wife is delivered a son after a difficult birth, he is at least free......
Soon, Bruno, or rather his alias, is in the thick of things as his mother disappears, and doctor's daughter ends up being kidnapped for a substantial ransom. But Bruno has friends, one an ex biker turned like Bruno vigilante, another a cop who is still on his side. Then, there are still his parents.....
Together, they work to vanquish the girl's kidnapper, who is an extortionist of vulnerable young women and children. A true bad guy.....
There is an element of the heroic caped crusader about Bruno and his sidekick, Drago, this is very much a tale of good versus evil To be fair though, one or two of the characters in this rich and varied yarn proves to be much less evil than originally suspected. Los Angeles is painted less as being Gotham City as Sodom however, with many wrongdoers seen as being beyond redemption. Murder for a good cause, then - or at least, the mother of all beatings for the gangsters' perverted customers. Then again, the sanctity of Family seems to be an important theme here, as Bruno's protective paternal instincts come to the fore, not just for his son, but for the adopted children he has rescued. No wonder the hunt to eliminate the bad guys ends up becoming a family effort too!
The plot and pacing are as engaging as can be hoped for in a thriller such as this - it's a highly satisfying and enjoyable read.
Not the best time for his family, and family doctor, to be insisting on sending him on errands back in his home town. One, to escort his estranged and despised mother to gambling dens. Another, to mind his doctor's daughter, who says she is being stalked.
What could possibly go wrong? After his wife is delivered a son after a difficult birth, he is at least free......
Soon, Bruno, or rather his alias, is in the thick of things as his mother disappears, and doctor's daughter ends up being kidnapped for a substantial ransom. But Bruno has friends, one an ex biker turned like Bruno vigilante, another a cop who is still on his side. Then, there are still his parents.....
Together, they work to vanquish the girl's kidnapper, who is an extortionist of vulnerable young women and children. A true bad guy.....
There is an element of the heroic caped crusader about Bruno and his sidekick, Drago, this is very much a tale of good versus evil To be fair though, one or two of the characters in this rich and varied yarn proves to be much less evil than originally suspected. Los Angeles is painted less as being Gotham City as Sodom however, with many wrongdoers seen as being beyond redemption. Murder for a good cause, then - or at least, the mother of all beatings for the gangsters' perverted customers. Then again, the sanctity of Family seems to be an important theme here, as Bruno's protective paternal instincts come to the fore, not just for his son, but for the adopted children he has rescued. No wonder the hunt to eliminate the bad guys ends up becoming a family effort too!
The plot and pacing are as engaging as can be hoped for in a thriller such as this - it's a highly satisfying and enjoyable read.
February 23, 2023
The Scorned is an old-fashioned hard-boiled detective novel but with modern problems. like human trafficking. At first, I was annoyed because most of the women are described as wearing form-fitting dresses. Then I thought, yeah well, that's how the hard-boiled detective novels were. Fortunately, the major women's characters have depth. They weren't just mannequins in tight clothes.
An interesting thing the author does is to make the despicable male characters likeable. That's not easy when your characters enjoy beating people up. One way is that the two men are rescuing women and child victims of trafficking and other abuses. So, the bad guys are really rotten and they're kind of deserving the iron rebar smacking them upside the head. The good guys also have soft spots for their love interests and for children. Well yeah, the good guys do cause a lot of blood to splatter but for a good cause, if blood splattering ever has a good cause. I mean, the villains really needed a can of whoop-ass opened on them.
There is lots of graphic, grim violence. There is child abuse but it is mostly seen off-screen, as they'd say in the movies. I'd go so far as to say some readers may be triggered.
If you like buddy movies, a hard-boiled tinge, some romance, and lots of whoop-ass, this novel will hit the spot, sometimes with a big 'ol' pipe across the nose. Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for allowing me to read and review an eARC of The Scorned.
An interesting thing the author does is to make the despicable male characters likeable. That's not easy when your characters enjoy beating people up. One way is that the two men are rescuing women and child victims of trafficking and other abuses. So, the bad guys are really rotten and they're kind of deserving the iron rebar smacking them upside the head. The good guys also have soft spots for their love interests and for children. Well yeah, the good guys do cause a lot of blood to splatter but for a good cause, if blood splattering ever has a good cause. I mean, the villains really needed a can of whoop-ass opened on them.
There is lots of graphic, grim violence. There is child abuse but it is mostly seen off-screen, as they'd say in the movies. I'd go so far as to say some readers may be triggered.
If you like buddy movies, a hard-boiled tinge, some romance, and lots of whoop-ass, this novel will hit the spot, sometimes with a big 'ol' pipe across the nose. Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for allowing me to read and review an eARC of The Scorned.
February 25, 2023
The Scorned is a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. It kept me hooked throughout and I could not put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for my ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for my ARC.
November 4, 2022
The Scorned by David Putnam -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
ISBN: 9781608094943
I have read all the books in the Bruno series. I have enjoyed them all but this is my favorite. Bruno is planning on a quick trip from Costa Rica where he has made his home to Los Angeles where he is wanted for some past crimes. Nothing goes as he plans. There are bad guys to defeat and good people to rescue.
The characters are the best, unique and colorful, especially Waldo, the tough smart Rottweiler. The plot is sometimes witty, sometimes intense and often surprising. It never slows. Once again Bruno fights in an evil world to save people who need help. There are always children who can not be left in harmful places. Great book. I look forward to more.
Reviewer: Nancy
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
ISBN: 9781608094943
I have read all the books in the Bruno series. I have enjoyed them all but this is my favorite. Bruno is planning on a quick trip from Costa Rica where he has made his home to Los Angeles where he is wanted for some past crimes. Nothing goes as he plans. There are bad guys to defeat and good people to rescue.
The characters are the best, unique and colorful, especially Waldo, the tough smart Rottweiler. The plot is sometimes witty, sometimes intense and often surprising. It never slows. Once again Bruno fights in an evil world to save people who need help. There are always children who can not be left in harmful places. Great book. I look forward to more.
Reviewer: Nancy
February 27, 2023
Bruno Johnson, a former cop who is wanted in the US, has made a life for himself in Costa Rica. His wife Maria is due to have their son at any moment and they have taken in a number of children that they support with the help of their neighbors. As a child his own mother spent time in prison and then abandoned him and his father. Now she is back. His father wants Bruno to forgive her and escort her back to the US, but Bruno is not comfortable going back. When Maria goes into labor it is a difficult birth. Dr. Vargas, who sees her through the delivery, has a request of his own. He asks Bruno to escort his wife to bring his daughter Layla home from Los Angeles. Feeling obligated to the doctor and his father, Bruno relents. It is only twelve hours round trip. He will be back before Maria even realizes he is gone. Arriving at the L.A. airport, both Bruno’s mother and Dr. Vargas’ wife disappear.
Bruno is in for a number of surprises. His mother has his father’s life savings and has run off to a card club to gamble. She uses a wheelchair to gain sympathy, but she can sprint like a pro when she needs to. Dr. Vargas’ wife is actually there to pay a ransom for her daughter. Layla springs her own surprise when she refuses to leave without her baby, a child that she had with the gangster who controlled her. Bruno needs help. He calls on Drago, a large man who settles problems with a lead pipe. Drago is accompanied by Waldo, a dog that is as dangerous as his owner. Bruno’s twelve hours are extended to days as he tries to control his mother, search for Layla’s baby and confront the gangs that are involved.
Bruno survived with street smarts and once built a reputation to be feared. Now he has a wife that he loves and respects and a new child of his own. He has now become more cautious and unsure of his actions. Drago defers to his judgement but is ready to wreak havoc whenever he can. Together with Waldo they make a formidable team. This is the tenth book in David Putnam’s series. I had not read the previous books, but he nicely sets the stage for new readers. His characters are powerful and his twists will leave you stunned. I would like to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing this book or my review.
Bruno is in for a number of surprises. His mother has his father’s life savings and has run off to a card club to gamble. She uses a wheelchair to gain sympathy, but she can sprint like a pro when she needs to. Dr. Vargas’ wife is actually there to pay a ransom for her daughter. Layla springs her own surprise when she refuses to leave without her baby, a child that she had with the gangster who controlled her. Bruno needs help. He calls on Drago, a large man who settles problems with a lead pipe. Drago is accompanied by Waldo, a dog that is as dangerous as his owner. Bruno’s twelve hours are extended to days as he tries to control his mother, search for Layla’s baby and confront the gangs that are involved.
Bruno survived with street smarts and once built a reputation to be feared. Now he has a wife that he loves and respects and a new child of his own. He has now become more cautious and unsure of his actions. Drago defers to his judgement but is ready to wreak havoc whenever he can. Together with Waldo they make a formidable team. This is the tenth book in David Putnam’s series. I had not read the previous books, but he nicely sets the stage for new readers. His characters are powerful and his twists will leave you stunned. I would like to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing this book or my review.
March 30, 2023
Review comingFirst off, The Scorned by David Putnam is Book 10 and I have not read the previous books. The more I read of The Scorned, the more hooked I became and I will be going back to the beginning, The Disposables.
In the opening pages, David Putnam describes something that I find true, living in a tropical climate:
The humidity so thick words hung suspended a moment longer before dissipating.
I love the whole ex-cop, ex-con concept. Books that deal with trafficking in women and children hit home for me. I want to know the villains will get their comeuppance, at least in fiction. All too often, in reality, that does not happen. It does cause all my emotions to come into play.
Bruno Johnson and his bud, Karl Drago will face the villains…head on, raining hell down on them. I felt I knew Bruno, but Karl…it was a pleasure watching him grow and develop into a more complete individual. I would definitely want him on my side…and his crusty dog too.
The characters, even the good ones, do not walk the straight and narrow. Sometimes, to make things right, stepping outside the law is the only answer. Other times, we don’t always have the full story, so rushing to judgment can have you eating crow.
Most of the time, this action packed thriller was full of horrendous happenings, drugged and trafficked women, stolen babies, and meth heads. Other times, the good guys confront them, holding them accountable for their actions, showing no mercy and occasionally, even having some light hearted moments.
The more I read of The Scorned, the more it drew me in, feeling anger and fear, wondering how it will all end and if all my ‘friends’ will remain standing. I missed learning how the characters came to be in the situations we find them in…on the run, evading the law, forced to leave the United States and relocate to Costa Rica, though David Putnam did address it, filling in some of the blanks.
The children…the amazing actions taken to save any and all….
In the beginning, the story had an old time feel to it, the writing style making we wonder if the Bruno Johnson series was really for me. I kept at it and lost myself. I can hardly wait to go back to the beginning, The Disposables, and find out how it all started.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Scorned by David Putnam.
In the opening pages, David Putnam describes something that I find true, living in a tropical climate:
The humidity so thick words hung suspended a moment longer before dissipating.
I love the whole ex-cop, ex-con concept. Books that deal with trafficking in women and children hit home for me. I want to know the villains will get their comeuppance, at least in fiction. All too often, in reality, that does not happen. It does cause all my emotions to come into play.
Bruno Johnson and his bud, Karl Drago will face the villains…head on, raining hell down on them. I felt I knew Bruno, but Karl…it was a pleasure watching him grow and develop into a more complete individual. I would definitely want him on my side…and his crusty dog too.
The characters, even the good ones, do not walk the straight and narrow. Sometimes, to make things right, stepping outside the law is the only answer. Other times, we don’t always have the full story, so rushing to judgment can have you eating crow.
Most of the time, this action packed thriller was full of horrendous happenings, drugged and trafficked women, stolen babies, and meth heads. Other times, the good guys confront them, holding them accountable for their actions, showing no mercy and occasionally, even having some light hearted moments.
The more I read of The Scorned, the more it drew me in, feeling anger and fear, wondering how it will all end and if all my ‘friends’ will remain standing. I missed learning how the characters came to be in the situations we find them in…on the run, evading the law, forced to leave the United States and relocate to Costa Rica, though David Putnam did address it, filling in some of the blanks.
The children…the amazing actions taken to save any and all….
In the beginning, the story had an old time feel to it, the writing style making we wonder if the Bruno Johnson series was really for me. I kept at it and lost myself. I can hardly wait to go back to the beginning, The Disposables, and find out how it all started.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Scorned by David Putnam.
January 4, 2023
4.5 stars, actually.
It's hard not to love hard-scrapping former LAPD cop Bruno Johnson - even though he's killed way more than his share of bad guys, he's got a heart behind his shoulder holster. For the most part, that heart belongs to his family - at this point, he's got a very pregnant wife, Marie, an aging father who's dying of cancer and at least 10 youngsters of varying ages stashed away in a Costa Rica compound. He'd also go to the mat for his even scrappier buddy, Karl Drago, whose best friend is his uber-loyal dog Waldo.
As his local doctor friend and his wife assist with Marie's difficult birth of their son, the wife pulls Bruno aside to ask his help with bringing their college-age daughter Layla, who's being stalked and claims to be in danger, back from Los Angeles. Problem is, of course, Bruno is a wanted man in the states; if he's caught, it's a pretty sure bet he'll spend the rest of his life behind bars. But he's got a debt to settle with the doctor and his wife, so he agrees - with the doctor's good wife and his mostly estranged, con artist mother Bea - who has turned up in Costa Rica but wants to return to the good old US of A.
At this point, I'm quite sure I'd have told both women to buzz off and let me alone, but Bruno, being Bruno, agrees to their demands and off they go (with a promise to a groggy Marie that he'd be back in a couple of days). Once they get on U.S. soil, however, the entire dynamic changes; both mom and the doctor's wife disappear, and Bruno finds out that, among other things, Layla's mother came along so she could bring money to pay kidnappers for her daughter's return. When that plan falls apart - big surprise, the kidnappers want more - Bruno knows he needs to find Layla himself and calls Drago for help. That plan is fraught with danger as well, but they do find Layla alive and telling quite a different story; it's not a stalker she has, but a baby - and the notorious criminal baby daddy doesn't want to give him up.
And it is at that point that I must respectfully bow out; giving out more details would spoil the story for other readers. Suffice it to say that, as is the case with the other books in this very enjoyable series, bodies and body parts dot the landscape like fireflies in the early summer night sky. Almost no one save Bruno and Drago seems to tell the truth, so twists and surprises keep readers turning pages not only to find out who survived the latest go-round, but which, if any, can be counted on in a pinch (or sting).
As I alluded to earlier, it's hard for me to understand how Bruno can so easily rationalize away and even forgive the bad behavior of other people - once burned, twice shy and thrice gone from my life tends to be my motto. Still, the whole thing makes for a great, edge-of-your-seat story - and I've gotta love a pooch who can turn the nastiest of the nasties into slobbering globs of jelly almost with a glance in their direction. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of another of these gems!
It's hard not to love hard-scrapping former LAPD cop Bruno Johnson - even though he's killed way more than his share of bad guys, he's got a heart behind his shoulder holster. For the most part, that heart belongs to his family - at this point, he's got a very pregnant wife, Marie, an aging father who's dying of cancer and at least 10 youngsters of varying ages stashed away in a Costa Rica compound. He'd also go to the mat for his even scrappier buddy, Karl Drago, whose best friend is his uber-loyal dog Waldo.
As his local doctor friend and his wife assist with Marie's difficult birth of their son, the wife pulls Bruno aside to ask his help with bringing their college-age daughter Layla, who's being stalked and claims to be in danger, back from Los Angeles. Problem is, of course, Bruno is a wanted man in the states; if he's caught, it's a pretty sure bet he'll spend the rest of his life behind bars. But he's got a debt to settle with the doctor and his wife, so he agrees - with the doctor's good wife and his mostly estranged, con artist mother Bea - who has turned up in Costa Rica but wants to return to the good old US of A.
At this point, I'm quite sure I'd have told both women to buzz off and let me alone, but Bruno, being Bruno, agrees to their demands and off they go (with a promise to a groggy Marie that he'd be back in a couple of days). Once they get on U.S. soil, however, the entire dynamic changes; both mom and the doctor's wife disappear, and Bruno finds out that, among other things, Layla's mother came along so she could bring money to pay kidnappers for her daughter's return. When that plan falls apart - big surprise, the kidnappers want more - Bruno knows he needs to find Layla himself and calls Drago for help. That plan is fraught with danger as well, but they do find Layla alive and telling quite a different story; it's not a stalker she has, but a baby - and the notorious criminal baby daddy doesn't want to give him up.
And it is at that point that I must respectfully bow out; giving out more details would spoil the story for other readers. Suffice it to say that, as is the case with the other books in this very enjoyable series, bodies and body parts dot the landscape like fireflies in the early summer night sky. Almost no one save Bruno and Drago seems to tell the truth, so twists and surprises keep readers turning pages not only to find out who survived the latest go-round, but which, if any, can be counted on in a pinch (or sting).
As I alluded to earlier, it's hard for me to understand how Bruno can so easily rationalize away and even forgive the bad behavior of other people - once burned, twice shy and thrice gone from my life tends to be my motto. Still, the whole thing makes for a great, edge-of-your-seat story - and I've gotta love a pooch who can turn the nastiest of the nasties into slobbering globs of jelly almost with a glance in their direction. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of another of these gems!
April 8, 2023
Wow!!! David Putnam has done it again and gave us another excellent Bruno adventure! I can’t wait for the next chapter in Bruno’s life!
I always enjoy reading David’s personal notes at the end of the book. I suggest always reading them.
I’ve also decided when I get my Rottweiler puppy I’m going to name him Bruno. Rottweiler’s are loving, loyal and protective of their family and friends, just like Bruno Johnson !!!
I always enjoy reading David’s personal notes at the end of the book. I suggest always reading them.
I’ve also decided when I get my Rottweiler puppy I’m going to name him Bruno. Rottweiler’s are loving, loyal and protective of their family and friends, just like Bruno Johnson !!!
April 8, 2023
Duplicate
August 13, 2022
The latest in the Bruno Johnson series is another great read!! From the moment you turn the first page it is like riding the coolest Merry Go Round, because you’re going up and down and all around in a crazy good ride of excitement! You can’t help but Root for Bruno, his big friend and his friend’s furry companion! They are all so likable! I always feel like I’m riding along on their dangerous escapades thanks to Mr. Putnam’s realistic writing! You don’t want to miss this! Five stars from me!
December 26, 2022
Bruno Johnson book #10
This is my second book I read in this series although I picked this one out of sync in no way did I feel lost not knowing what had happened in the previous books. Mr. Putnam gives us just enough background to situate us without overwhelming us with too many details...so go for it if you wish; this book has a very good story.
In “The Scorned” Bruno lives in Costa Rico with his pregnant wife and 10 recued children from abusing home. When Mary’s obstetrician sees her through a very difficult birth and asked for a favour to accompany his daughter Layla, a college student back to L.A. and deal with Johnny, a vicious gang leader who exploits women and children. In addition to this request, his father asked to bring his mother along back to the States....He couldn’t’ refuse their requests but once on the American turf things turned ugly....
This story deals with a lot and is very exciting. Bruno is a fugitive, a wanted criminal in the U.S. But he has connections and close ties with Drago and his temperamental Rottweiler Waldo. I love how the author depicts the interaction with the animal it made me giggle more than once. We mainly have a lot of action with bodies falling and so many twists and turns to derail everything, nothing is what it seems. The drama starts slow at first but it didn’t take long before things get rolling fast. Poor Bruno, everyone wants money in exchange for something particularly Layla and his mother. A lot goes on in the book. The plot is witty at times, intense at others and often unpredictable. All the characters are great but I loved Waldo the most.
This is another highly entertaining and fabulous novel. The hours I spend reading it was well worth the time.
I received this ARC from Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for my thoughts
This is my second book I read in this series although I picked this one out of sync in no way did I feel lost not knowing what had happened in the previous books. Mr. Putnam gives us just enough background to situate us without overwhelming us with too many details...so go for it if you wish; this book has a very good story.
In “The Scorned” Bruno lives in Costa Rico with his pregnant wife and 10 recued children from abusing home. When Mary’s obstetrician sees her through a very difficult birth and asked for a favour to accompany his daughter Layla, a college student back to L.A. and deal with Johnny, a vicious gang leader who exploits women and children. In addition to this request, his father asked to bring his mother along back to the States....He couldn’t’ refuse their requests but once on the American turf things turned ugly....
This story deals with a lot and is very exciting. Bruno is a fugitive, a wanted criminal in the U.S. But he has connections and close ties with Drago and his temperamental Rottweiler Waldo. I love how the author depicts the interaction with the animal it made me giggle more than once. We mainly have a lot of action with bodies falling and so many twists and turns to derail everything, nothing is what it seems. The drama starts slow at first but it didn’t take long before things get rolling fast. Poor Bruno, everyone wants money in exchange for something particularly Layla and his mother. A lot goes on in the book. The plot is witty at times, intense at others and often unpredictable. All the characters are great but I loved Waldo the most.
This is another highly entertaining and fabulous novel. The hours I spend reading it was well worth the time.
I received this ARC from Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for my thoughts
February 8, 2023
Another exciting story involving Bruno Johnson. He’s a former cop and a former con. Good plot involving kidnapped children. Love the characters and the style of writing.
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