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Dave Beckett #2
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun
Dave Beckett, a homicide detective who doesn’t color within the lines, is regulated to the lowest job in the division and is known by his peers as The Bone Dick. He handles all “bag of bone” cases found in San Bernardino County’s twenty thousand square miles, at present, count 256 pending unsolved. It’s a boring, mundane job…until it isn’t. In A Fearsome Blood-red Sun, Beckett is called to a house far out in the desert where a dog has brought a bone to the back door. Beckett investigates and discovers the victim, two years dead, is someone he knows. Beckett, with his usual verve and colorful methods, tracks the killer. The trail leads through a warren of dead ends until he discovers a most unlikely suspect hiding in plain sight.
A Lonesome Blood-red Sun is fiction melded with true-life incidents that makes for a non-stop thriller of the first order.
A Lonesome Blood-red Sun is fiction melded with true-life incidents that makes for a non-stop thriller of the first order.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
10 people are currently reading
8769 people want to read
About the author
David Putnam
20 books2,036 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 126 reviews
March 14, 2023
Author David Putnam lends more than an air of authenticity to his novels, having spent a career in law enforcement covering narcotics, violent crime, criminal intelligence, SWAT and hostage rescue, to name but a few. This is book 2# in his Dave Becket series, which is shaping to be another winner, after his successful Bruno Johnson series!
Beckett is called to a house way out in the desert where a dog has brought a bone home to his owner - turns out the bone belongs to a person who disappeared two years ago, and not only that but it was that someone Beckett knew.
Beckett has a somewhat unorthodox style of law enforcement but of course that makes him much more interesting as a character. The storyline is exactly what it should be, terrifying at times, full of suspense and a real page turner. Some amusing incidents are thrown in for good measure. This is one tough cop, but believe me there are lots of emotions on show here, because tough cop or not, personal issues will out! Definitely recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Level Best Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Beckett is called to a house way out in the desert where a dog has brought a bone home to his owner - turns out the bone belongs to a person who disappeared two years ago, and not only that but it was that someone Beckett knew.
Beckett has a somewhat unorthodox style of law enforcement but of course that makes him much more interesting as a character. The storyline is exactly what it should be, terrifying at times, full of suspense and a real page turner. Some amusing incidents are thrown in for good measure. This is one tough cop, but believe me there are lots of emotions on show here, because tough cop or not, personal issues will out! Definitely recommended!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Level Best Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
October 25, 2023
EXCERPT: I was a minor celebrity over the OIS, Officer Involved Shooting. The one where six years earlier I was in the slit trench next to the little girl, with the suspect throwing dirt on top of us. I came to after being hit in the face with a shovel. And while being buried alive, I pulled my back-up ankle-carry pistol and shot the suspect five times.
I didn't consider myself a hero.
The crook got away and was still on the loose. Because of my failed marksmanship the little girl continued to follow me around in my nightmares asking me, 'Why?'
ABOUT 'A LONESOME BLOOD-RED SUN': Dave Beckett, a homicide detective who doesn’t color within the lines, is regulated to the lowest job in the division and is known by his peers as The Bone Detective. He handles all “bag of bone” cases found in San Bernardino County’s twenty thousand square miles, at present, count 256 pending unsolved. It’s a boring, mundane job…until it isn’t. In A Fearsome Blood-Red Sun, Beckett is called to a house far out in the desert where a dog has brought a bone to the back door. Beckett investigates and discovers the victim, two years dead, is someone he knows. Beckett, with his usual verve and colorful methods, tracks the killer. The trail leads through a warren of dead ends until he discovers a most unlikely suspect hiding in plain sight.
MY THOUGHTS: A lot of the incidents described in A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun are true, having happened to the author when he was on the force. Some have been modified to fit the story and, occasionally, they are pure fiction.
I loved the first book in this series, however this one fell a little short for me.
A Fearsome Blood-Red Sun is written in two halves, the first taking place while Dave Beckett is still a detective, the second after his demotion to 'the bone detective'. There seems to be a gap of several years in between the two halves which isn't explained. I can't honestly say I preferred one half to the other, but there's not much detail provided about Dave's work as the bone dick.
Dave is a maverick; he's a loner, restless, hot-headed, angry at any number of things, and is constantly ignoring orders from his superior officers. His personal life doesn't fare much better - he's still angry and alone. As a cop who could track an armed and dangerous crook five miles across the desert on a moonless night, he's a man who can't figure out how to talk to a woman who attracts him without stepping on his tongue. He's recently reconnected with his father who was in jail for a large part of Dave's life. Just as they are beginning to settle into their relationship his father once again disappears, as does a younger female officer Dave has been helping and feels attracted to. This second disappearance is the main focus of the novel, although we learn about the disappearance in retrospect.
While I enjoyed A Fearsome Moonlight Black more than this, it is still a good, if somewhat disjointed, read with plenty of thrills, spills and scrapes to keep the reader's interest.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#ALonesomeBloodRedSun #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: 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 the publisher for providing a digital ARC of A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun by David Putnam for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I didn't consider myself a hero.
The crook got away and was still on the loose. Because of my failed marksmanship the little girl continued to follow me around in my nightmares asking me, 'Why?'
ABOUT 'A LONESOME BLOOD-RED SUN': Dave Beckett, a homicide detective who doesn’t color within the lines, is regulated to the lowest job in the division and is known by his peers as The Bone Detective. He handles all “bag of bone” cases found in San Bernardino County’s twenty thousand square miles, at present, count 256 pending unsolved. It’s a boring, mundane job…until it isn’t. In A Fearsome Blood-Red Sun, Beckett is called to a house far out in the desert where a dog has brought a bone to the back door. Beckett investigates and discovers the victim, two years dead, is someone he knows. Beckett, with his usual verve and colorful methods, tracks the killer. The trail leads through a warren of dead ends until he discovers a most unlikely suspect hiding in plain sight.
MY THOUGHTS: A lot of the incidents described in A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun are true, having happened to the author when he was on the force. Some have been modified to fit the story and, occasionally, they are pure fiction.
I loved the first book in this series, however this one fell a little short for me.
A Fearsome Blood-Red Sun is written in two halves, the first taking place while Dave Beckett is still a detective, the second after his demotion to 'the bone detective'. There seems to be a gap of several years in between the two halves which isn't explained. I can't honestly say I preferred one half to the other, but there's not much detail provided about Dave's work as the bone dick.
Dave is a maverick; he's a loner, restless, hot-headed, angry at any number of things, and is constantly ignoring orders from his superior officers. His personal life doesn't fare much better - he's still angry and alone. As a cop who could track an armed and dangerous crook five miles across the desert on a moonless night, he's a man who can't figure out how to talk to a woman who attracts him without stepping on his tongue. He's recently reconnected with his father who was in jail for a large part of Dave's life. Just as they are beginning to settle into their relationship his father once again disappears, as does a younger female officer Dave has been helping and feels attracted to. This second disappearance is the main focus of the novel, although we learn about the disappearance in retrospect.
While I enjoyed A Fearsome Moonlight Black more than this, it is still a good, if somewhat disjointed, read with plenty of thrills, spills and scrapes to keep the reader's interest.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#ALonesomeBloodRedSun #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: 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 the publisher for providing a digital ARC of A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun by David Putnam for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 7, 2023
The first half of this book seems to concentrate on Dave Beckett's escapades as a sheriff's deputy in San Bernardino County, Ca in 1984 with occasional flashbacks to a case which haunts him. We see glimpses of his relationship with his father but no mention of his mother who played a more prominent role in the first book. Too bad because I quite liked her. The second half seems to take place after the events in Book #1 when Dave becomes known by his colleagues as the Bone Dick.
This book, although an interesting read, seems more like just a recital of all the cases Dave has solved and I was waiting and waiting for a hint as to what the story is actually about. I never did figure that out. People keep disappearing from his life - his father, his deputy buddy, the female acting detective he's developed feelings for - and all except the acting detective remain disappeared at the end. To me Dave's actually not very likeable in this book and seems to have a real anger management problem as well as a resistance to authority. There's a lot of action and I was entertained by the book although not as much as the first one. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series. 3.5 Stars rounded down.
Thank you to Level Best Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication: October 17, 2023
This book, although an interesting read, seems more like just a recital of all the cases Dave has solved and I was waiting and waiting for a hint as to what the story is actually about. I never did figure that out. People keep disappearing from his life - his father, his deputy buddy, the female acting detective he's developed feelings for - and all except the acting detective remain disappeared at the end. To me Dave's actually not very likeable in this book and seems to have a real anger management problem as well as a resistance to authority. There's a lot of action and I was entertained by the book although not as much as the first one. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series. 3.5 Stars rounded down.
Thank you to Level Best Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication: October 17, 2023
October 3, 2023
It was only after reading the reviews I discovered that this book is the second part of a trilogy, but I had no problems whatsoever to read it as a standalone.
The first 20% were a bit difficult for me to read. The writing was good, but the way Dave lives and works were so very strange to me. I call it ‘too American’. Not to offend Americans, but just because the author describes such different people, such a different lifestyle, it was a bit hard to get a grip on what was happening here, and what information was important and what was not.
Luckily, the story drew me in and I finished the book easily. It’s a harrowing story at times. Dave is not always sympathetic or honest, but still, I liked the way the thought and operated. The author cleverly used his own experiences for some of the scenes and therefore the felt more real than similar scenes I’ve read recently.
Although I requested this book based on the blurb, I wish someone would rewrite it. It’s got almost nothing to do with what really happened in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for this review copy.
The first 20% were a bit difficult for me to read. The writing was good, but the way Dave lives and works were so very strange to me. I call it ‘too American’. Not to offend Americans, but just because the author describes such different people, such a different lifestyle, it was a bit hard to get a grip on what was happening here, and what information was important and what was not.
Luckily, the story drew me in and I finished the book easily. It’s a harrowing story at times. Dave is not always sympathetic or honest, but still, I liked the way the thought and operated. The author cleverly used his own experiences for some of the scenes and therefore the felt more real than similar scenes I’ve read recently.
Although I requested this book based on the blurb, I wish someone would rewrite it. It’s got almost nothing to do with what really happened in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books for this review copy.
October 10, 2023
Publication: 10/17/2023 by Level Best Books
Page Count: 333
Ride along in the shoes of Homicide Detective Dave Beckett, as he daily experiences and contends with violence and mayhem, and sense how it shapes and molds his life and future. Dave Putnam unravels a gritty street poem that blossoms from a police procedural into an action-packed crime thriller. Putnam melds his fiction into a woven tapestry of true-life incidents imbuing an intense feeling of authenticity.
Dave Beckett is a maverick and never worries about stretching the boundaries of rules and regulations in his quest to apprehend the criminal element. At times his behavior is misconstrued as insubordination. There are two distinct parts of this tale. The first part firmly establishes his thought processes, methods, and his views on life, justifying his assault on his criminal adversaries. It chronicles his life after the divorce from his beloved wife, Beth … and his continual longing for his daughter. We experience his inner monologue when he reunites with his long estranged father, as they enter a symbiotic relationship. Dave’s inner angst is experiences with his unsuccessful attempt to save the soul of his partner, Ben Siderites. Ben is severely emotionally injured after being first on the scene of a murder-suicide. He entered a blood filled room with three dead fellow officers on the floor. The overwhelming grief has claimed a chunk of his soul, making him an emotional cripple. Dave repeatedly tries to be supportive to no avail. Siderites disappears…. takes a patrol car and rides off into the desert. He could not heal his troubled friend from drowning in grief and booze.
This however, did not stop him from befriending and aiding a young female street cop, “Jimmie” (Judith) Poe. She enlisted his aid and advice on an onerous situation that she was facing. Poe was deeply distressed that Nico Sumter was going to get away with another crime. Four years ago he stalked and raped Jessica Purdue, a high school senior at the time. He was convicted an sentenced for fourteen years. However, his sentence was reduced and he was roaming the streets after six years. Jessica was recently abducted into a van by a man wearing a black ski mask … held for hours and repeatedly raped. She was convinced that this heinous act was perpetrated by Nico.
The second part of this immersive tale occurs four years later. Dave has been sanctioned for his adversarial behavior and controversial methods. He is now tasked with the position of being “The Bone Dick.” Dave makes the most of this supposed punishment. He puts his heart into investigating any bone found in the desert … occasionally linking them to a murder. A bone discovery occurs every two of three weeks in San Bernardino County (usually discovered by a dog) … the largest county in the US …. covering nearly twenty thousand square miles of desert. Dave’s methods frequently took him to the brink of adhering to the rules of conduct. His life was turned upside down when the desert yielded a leg bone and a desiccated swatch of skin, containing a tattoo that he recognized from the past. The case immediately suggested the possible murder of a highly regarded friend and officer … that disappeared under usual circumstances. During the course of Dave’s continuing investigations he continues to experience a haunting nightmare from a past unresolved case. He finds himself in a ditch, face to face staring into the dead eyes filmed over of the missing girl, Jessica DeFrank. A shovel to the face renders him briefly unconscious. His next recollection is of dirt raining down upon his and Jessica’s bodies. He has the resolve to reach for his ankle pistol, sit up and fire five shots at the shadow yielding the shovel. Dave cannot understand or explain his poor marksmanship. This same scenario replays itself on an endless loop in his brain.
As Putman muses: “Cops were merely immunologists or surgeons, who excised the malignant growths from society, or quarantined the most infectious ( in prison ) from the rest of us. The cops tried to keep the virus from spreading.” David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves multiple plot lines into a startling narrative with unexpected twists and reveals. This gritty street tale unfolds in a cascade of intricate and convoluted intertwining events that benefits from a cast of multidimensional characters. The finely honed protagonist of Dave Beckett is firmly ingrained in your memory long after the last page is turned. This tale is obviously told through the eyes of one who has lived the life. David Putnam has had a long and storied career in law enforcement, that oozes through the pages. This compelling police procedural escalates into an immersive mystery thriller that obviously is an authentic depiction of life on the street. Hopefully Putnam will continue to add to the lore and life of Detective Dave Beckett, rivaling his finely crafted Bruno Johnson series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and David Putnam for providing me with an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ....
Page Count: 333
Ride along in the shoes of Homicide Detective Dave Beckett, as he daily experiences and contends with violence and mayhem, and sense how it shapes and molds his life and future. Dave Putnam unravels a gritty street poem that blossoms from a police procedural into an action-packed crime thriller. Putnam melds his fiction into a woven tapestry of true-life incidents imbuing an intense feeling of authenticity.
Dave Beckett is a maverick and never worries about stretching the boundaries of rules and regulations in his quest to apprehend the criminal element. At times his behavior is misconstrued as insubordination. There are two distinct parts of this tale. The first part firmly establishes his thought processes, methods, and his views on life, justifying his assault on his criminal adversaries. It chronicles his life after the divorce from his beloved wife, Beth … and his continual longing for his daughter. We experience his inner monologue when he reunites with his long estranged father, as they enter a symbiotic relationship. Dave’s inner angst is experiences with his unsuccessful attempt to save the soul of his partner, Ben Siderites. Ben is severely emotionally injured after being first on the scene of a murder-suicide. He entered a blood filled room with three dead fellow officers on the floor. The overwhelming grief has claimed a chunk of his soul, making him an emotional cripple. Dave repeatedly tries to be supportive to no avail. Siderites disappears…. takes a patrol car and rides off into the desert. He could not heal his troubled friend from drowning in grief and booze.
This however, did not stop him from befriending and aiding a young female street cop, “Jimmie” (Judith) Poe. She enlisted his aid and advice on an onerous situation that she was facing. Poe was deeply distressed that Nico Sumter was going to get away with another crime. Four years ago he stalked and raped Jessica Purdue, a high school senior at the time. He was convicted an sentenced for fourteen years. However, his sentence was reduced and he was roaming the streets after six years. Jessica was recently abducted into a van by a man wearing a black ski mask … held for hours and repeatedly raped. She was convinced that this heinous act was perpetrated by Nico.
The second part of this immersive tale occurs four years later. Dave has been sanctioned for his adversarial behavior and controversial methods. He is now tasked with the position of being “The Bone Dick.” Dave makes the most of this supposed punishment. He puts his heart into investigating any bone found in the desert … occasionally linking them to a murder. A bone discovery occurs every two of three weeks in San Bernardino County (usually discovered by a dog) … the largest county in the US …. covering nearly twenty thousand square miles of desert. Dave’s methods frequently took him to the brink of adhering to the rules of conduct. His life was turned upside down when the desert yielded a leg bone and a desiccated swatch of skin, containing a tattoo that he recognized from the past. The case immediately suggested the possible murder of a highly regarded friend and officer … that disappeared under usual circumstances. During the course of Dave’s continuing investigations he continues to experience a haunting nightmare from a past unresolved case. He finds himself in a ditch, face to face staring into the dead eyes filmed over of the missing girl, Jessica DeFrank. A shovel to the face renders him briefly unconscious. His next recollection is of dirt raining down upon his and Jessica’s bodies. He has the resolve to reach for his ankle pistol, sit up and fire five shots at the shadow yielding the shovel. Dave cannot understand or explain his poor marksmanship. This same scenario replays itself on an endless loop in his brain.
As Putman muses: “Cops were merely immunologists or surgeons, who excised the malignant growths from society, or quarantined the most infectious ( in prison ) from the rest of us. The cops tried to keep the virus from spreading.” David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves multiple plot lines into a startling narrative with unexpected twists and reveals. This gritty street tale unfolds in a cascade of intricate and convoluted intertwining events that benefits from a cast of multidimensional characters. The finely honed protagonist of Dave Beckett is firmly ingrained in your memory long after the last page is turned. This tale is obviously told through the eyes of one who has lived the life. David Putnam has had a long and storied career in law enforcement, that oozes through the pages. This compelling police procedural escalates into an immersive mystery thriller that obviously is an authentic depiction of life on the street. Hopefully Putnam will continue to add to the lore and life of Detective Dave Beckett, rivaling his finely crafted Bruno Johnson series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and David Putnam for providing me with an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
.... Published at MysteryAndSuspenseMagazine.com ....
October 12, 2023
David Putnam has written a gritty crime novel based on true-life incidents and his experiences in law-enforcement. It doesn't get more real than this. His character, David Beckett, is working for the Sheriff's department in San Bernardino County. His style is a headache to his superiors but he gets the job done.
In book one, he seems to enjoy tormenting the Lieutenant of one division named Cordova and befriends a young woman deputy named Jimmie Poe, helping her solve a couple difficult cases and get promoted. Both have a goal of making it to homicide detective.
Book two continues four years later (1988). Beckett has made it to homicide on the lowest rungs, investigating bone cases found in the desert. Unfortunately one such case turns out to be someone he knows, someone who'd gone missing almost three years earlier.
Beckett comes across as a real guy, a bit rough around the edges, and trying to learn from his mistakes, if only he can control his urges long enough. He's loyal and smart and seems to have great instincts when it comes to solving crimes. The story is definitely gritty but has lots of laugh-out-loud humor sprinkled in too. The 'whodunit' keeps the reader guessing till the surprising and satisfying ending. Highly recommend for an entertaining read.
I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
In book one, he seems to enjoy tormenting the Lieutenant of one division named Cordova and befriends a young woman deputy named Jimmie Poe, helping her solve a couple difficult cases and get promoted. Both have a goal of making it to homicide detective.
Book two continues four years later (1988). Beckett has made it to homicide on the lowest rungs, investigating bone cases found in the desert. Unfortunately one such case turns out to be someone he knows, someone who'd gone missing almost three years earlier.
Beckett comes across as a real guy, a bit rough around the edges, and trying to learn from his mistakes, if only he can control his urges long enough. He's loyal and smart and seems to have great instincts when it comes to solving crimes. The story is definitely gritty but has lots of laugh-out-loud humor sprinkled in too. The 'whodunit' keeps the reader guessing till the surprising and satisfying ending. Highly recommend for an entertaining read.
I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
June 26, 2023
I've sighed, I've frowned and I've sighed some more.
I couldn't get into the very juvenile mindset of the protagonist, David Beckett, detective in the blood hot desert of San Bernardino County. The cops are crooks not abiding the law, the crooks are of the worst kind, and some brave citizens then take justice in their own hands. It's the wild wild west, guns and rifles spit their lead all the way, and although it might very well be the way it is in that neck of the woods, I found it very over the top.
Cops are not getting arrested for drunk driving, destruction of property or battering a suspect under the adage "boys will be boys" or "they are just having a hard time". Really? From then it was really difficult to get any sense of sympathy for the main character. To make things worse, he works without any regard to laws and regulations and creates his own set of rules to play and work by. I'm absolutely certain there is a large crowd that will love this kind of non-conformist maverick behavior, but it just wasn't doing it for me.
Also, there is the very strange time-lapse in the middle of the book, where the story jumps three years forward. Some threads that I considered important in the first part were loosely closed with just one sentence. And I have so many questions still, as some behavior isn't make any sense to me.
Anyway, time to close this book and on to the next one. A sincere thank you to NetGalley, Level Best Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn't get into the very juvenile mindset of the protagonist, David Beckett, detective in the blood hot desert of San Bernardino County. The cops are crooks not abiding the law, the crooks are of the worst kind, and some brave citizens then take justice in their own hands. It's the wild wild west, guns and rifles spit their lead all the way, and although it might very well be the way it is in that neck of the woods, I found it very over the top.
Cops are not getting arrested for drunk driving, destruction of property or battering a suspect under the adage "boys will be boys" or "they are just having a hard time". Really? From then it was really difficult to get any sense of sympathy for the main character. To make things worse, he works without any regard to laws and regulations and creates his own set of rules to play and work by. I'm absolutely certain there is a large crowd that will love this kind of non-conformist maverick behavior, but it just wasn't doing it for me.
Also, there is the very strange time-lapse in the middle of the book, where the story jumps three years forward. Some threads that I considered important in the first part were loosely closed with just one sentence. And I have so many questions still, as some behavior isn't make any sense to me.
Anyway, time to close this book and on to the next one. A sincere thank you to NetGalley, Level Best Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2023
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is the second book in the Dave Beckett series by best-selling American author, David Putnam. In 1984, Deputy Dave Beckett is working as a patrol cop out of Hesperia Station, catching crooks, unofficially mentoring rookies, covering for PTSD-affected colleagues, failing to stay under the radar of brass that dislike him, and hoping the standard of his work will count towards becoming a homicide detective. He has a case with a perpetrator still at large, one whose victim haunts him, one that he wants to follow up.
On top of that, his marriage has broken up, he’s reconnected with the father who left when he was young, and he’s trying to generously support his ex and their daughter financially. Despite a brutal divorce, he still has feelings for his ex, but those are tested when a pretty young Deputy from Victorville Station begs for his help. Together, he and Jimmie Poe make surprise arrests in two cases deemed “go-nowhere”. Unfortunately, this time Dave’s penchant for immature pranks blows back onto Jimmie.
Four years on, Dave’s dubious methods for getting arrests has seen him relegated to Bone Detective, investigating the finds in the desert around San Bernadino, a popular place for body disposal. His preoccupation with arresting a drug-dealing murderer leads to a delay in following up a bone find. When he does, checking with neighbours in the area leads to a grisly find: the true fate of sweet Jimmie Poe, presumed to have abandoned her deputy job a few years earlier. But will his captain let him take part in the investigation?
The author’s former career as a policeman certainly informs his work and the first part sometimes reads more like a memoir than a novel: a string of incidents that tend to paint the protagonist as impulsive and rather arrogant, if effective. The bullying, petty jealousies and use of questionable methods ring true, as does the unprofessional behaviour of some of his colleagues and the tacit approval of his immediate superiors, given his success rate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this police procedural, and lots of action building up to a nail-biting climax and ending with and a hefty body count, but there are unresolved issues, unexplained but significant incidents, and the major unresolved issue from the previous book is summarily dismissed with a few short lines. This ARC does have quite a lot of spelling errors and continuity issues that have, hopefully, been corrected for the final print version. Still very readable American crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Level Best Books.
On top of that, his marriage has broken up, he’s reconnected with the father who left when he was young, and he’s trying to generously support his ex and their daughter financially. Despite a brutal divorce, he still has feelings for his ex, but those are tested when a pretty young Deputy from Victorville Station begs for his help. Together, he and Jimmie Poe make surprise arrests in two cases deemed “go-nowhere”. Unfortunately, this time Dave’s penchant for immature pranks blows back onto Jimmie.
Four years on, Dave’s dubious methods for getting arrests has seen him relegated to Bone Detective, investigating the finds in the desert around San Bernadino, a popular place for body disposal. His preoccupation with arresting a drug-dealing murderer leads to a delay in following up a bone find. When he does, checking with neighbours in the area leads to a grisly find: the true fate of sweet Jimmie Poe, presumed to have abandoned her deputy job a few years earlier. But will his captain let him take part in the investigation?
The author’s former career as a policeman certainly informs his work and the first part sometimes reads more like a memoir than a novel: a string of incidents that tend to paint the protagonist as impulsive and rather arrogant, if effective. The bullying, petty jealousies and use of questionable methods ring true, as does the unprofessional behaviour of some of his colleagues and the tacit approval of his immediate superiors, given his success rate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this police procedural, and lots of action building up to a nail-biting climax and ending with and a hefty body count, but there are unresolved issues, unexplained but significant incidents, and the major unresolved issue from the previous book is summarily dismissed with a few short lines. This ARC does have quite a lot of spelling errors and continuity issues that have, hopefully, been corrected for the final print version. Still very readable American crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Level Best Books.
October 24, 2023
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun by David Putnam, the second book in the trilogy featuring Dave Beckett, offers a gritty and realistic take on homicide investigations in the unforgiving backdrop of Southern California's Mojave desert. I hadn't realised that this was the second book in a series though, until I had already received this ARC, but that didn't take away my enjoyment from the book.
This story opens in 1984 with a young and impulsive Beckett, a rookie sheriff's deputy driven by his relentless pursuit of justice. His determination to ascend to the homicide division is challenged by his audacious disregard for the rules and his propensity to speak his mind. Alongside his partner, struggling with their own traumas, Beckett faces harassment from a senior officer. The narrative then leaps four years ahead, with Beckett now working alone and still haunted by his past. When a leg bone discovered in the desert turns out to be someone he was close to, Beckett becomes consumed by the need to find their killer.
While I found the pacing a bit uneven and at times felt like a series of anecdotes piecing together late in the story, Beckett's irreverent attitude and constant defiance of authority were somewhat off-putting. His selective enforcement of the law, such as arresting someone he doesn't like for a crime while aiding a friend in a similar situation, made it difficult to fully empathize with him.
Nonetheless, what truly shines in this novel is Putnam's masterful use of language. His writing is sharp and evocative, far superior to many crime writers. The storyline is terrifying at times and is full of suspense that has you at the edge of your seat. A lot of the incidents described in the book are inspired by true events, most of which the author has experienced himself when he was on the force and that's why he captures the essence of the weariness and cynicism that comes with a career in law enforcement.
The resolution of the various mysteries within the story is well-executed, and Putnam skillfully leaves some storylines open for exploration in the final installment of the trilogy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and David Putnam for gifting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This story opens in 1984 with a young and impulsive Beckett, a rookie sheriff's deputy driven by his relentless pursuit of justice. His determination to ascend to the homicide division is challenged by his audacious disregard for the rules and his propensity to speak his mind. Alongside his partner, struggling with their own traumas, Beckett faces harassment from a senior officer. The narrative then leaps four years ahead, with Beckett now working alone and still haunted by his past. When a leg bone discovered in the desert turns out to be someone he was close to, Beckett becomes consumed by the need to find their killer.
While I found the pacing a bit uneven and at times felt like a series of anecdotes piecing together late in the story, Beckett's irreverent attitude and constant defiance of authority were somewhat off-putting. His selective enforcement of the law, such as arresting someone he doesn't like for a crime while aiding a friend in a similar situation, made it difficult to fully empathize with him.
Nonetheless, what truly shines in this novel is Putnam's masterful use of language. His writing is sharp and evocative, far superior to many crime writers. The storyline is terrifying at times and is full of suspense that has you at the edge of your seat. A lot of the incidents described in the book are inspired by true events, most of which the author has experienced himself when he was on the force and that's why he captures the essence of the weariness and cynicism that comes with a career in law enforcement.
The resolution of the various mysteries within the story is well-executed, and Putnam skillfully leaves some storylines open for exploration in the final installment of the trilogy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books, and David Putnam for gifting me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 4, 2023
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is the second book in a planned trilogy about Dave Beckett, the “Bone Dick”, a homicide detective charged with investigating cold cases from the bones uncovered in Southern California‘a harsh Mojave desert. I’ve read and loved several of the author’s Bruno Johnson books, and A Fearsome Moonlight Black - the first in this trilogy - was one of my Top 5 books of 2022. It’s helpful but not essential to have read that one - if I’d had more time I would’ve reread it, just to remind me of the background, but this is a complete story that more or less stands alone. The books are based on Putnam’s real life experiences of working in law enforcement, which brings a gritty realism to his descriptions and a sobering reminder of the toll the job takes on its servants. The afterword explains which elements were based on real events.
Beginning in 1984, this has rookie sheriffs deputy Beckett, now divorced and living with his ex-con father, battling his disregard for the rules and tendency to mouth off to all and sundry with his desire to hunt down criminals, no matter what it takes, and be promoted to the homicide division. His friend and partner is struggling after being first on scene at a tragedy involving their colleagues, they are both being persecuted by one of the senior officers, and then Beckett is drawn to Jimmie Poe, another young deputy. Then the story jumps forward four years, with Beckett now working alone, still mourning, but now more experienced and with it more headstrong and impulsive. When a leg bone found in the desert turns out to be someone he was close to, he will stop at nothing to find their killer.
I didn’t love this one as much as the last, partly due to the pacing - this felt like a series of anecdotes which only come together quite late on, and partly due to the overly irreverent attitude of the hero and his wilful disobedience almost just for the sake of it. His hypocrisy in arresting someone he doesn’t like for drink driving, at the risk of threatening his colleagues’ careers, when he cynically helped his friend get away with the same offence, didn’t endear him to me, although he justifies it to himself. There’s a lot of police procedure which could be confusing when you don’t understand the American system (I should, I’ve read enough thrillers featuring Californian detectives, but they all tend to assume that readers just know the reasons for it.)
The standout feature of these books is the writing - Putnam has a piercing way with words far superior to most crime writers: “Law enforcement years were like dog years. You experienced life seven times faster, saw the world unfettered in all its soiled glory. A world where moral decay and violence rules and the good of heart are trod upon.” You really feel the world weary cynicism of someone trying hard to do what is right in a system governed by politics and money, and stay sane and human, when most of the people you’re dealing with are long past either.
“The expression, one of shock, one that said life as we knew it no longer applied to either one of them. That murder and tragedy both have rotten, black hearts that stink to high heaven and forever, indelibly imprint the memory of those who survive. If surviving was what you called it.”
I liked the way the different mysteries were resolved, and the story completed while leaving some storylines open for the final book, which I’ll be on the lookout for next year. Thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is published on October 17th 2023.
Beginning in 1984, this has rookie sheriffs deputy Beckett, now divorced and living with his ex-con father, battling his disregard for the rules and tendency to mouth off to all and sundry with his desire to hunt down criminals, no matter what it takes, and be promoted to the homicide division. His friend and partner is struggling after being first on scene at a tragedy involving their colleagues, they are both being persecuted by one of the senior officers, and then Beckett is drawn to Jimmie Poe, another young deputy. Then the story jumps forward four years, with Beckett now working alone, still mourning, but now more experienced and with it more headstrong and impulsive. When a leg bone found in the desert turns out to be someone he was close to, he will stop at nothing to find their killer.
I didn’t love this one as much as the last, partly due to the pacing - this felt like a series of anecdotes which only come together quite late on, and partly due to the overly irreverent attitude of the hero and his wilful disobedience almost just for the sake of it. His hypocrisy in arresting someone he doesn’t like for drink driving, at the risk of threatening his colleagues’ careers, when he cynically helped his friend get away with the same offence, didn’t endear him to me, although he justifies it to himself. There’s a lot of police procedure which could be confusing when you don’t understand the American system (I should, I’ve read enough thrillers featuring Californian detectives, but they all tend to assume that readers just know the reasons for it.)
The standout feature of these books is the writing - Putnam has a piercing way with words far superior to most crime writers: “Law enforcement years were like dog years. You experienced life seven times faster, saw the world unfettered in all its soiled glory. A world where moral decay and violence rules and the good of heart are trod upon.” You really feel the world weary cynicism of someone trying hard to do what is right in a system governed by politics and money, and stay sane and human, when most of the people you’re dealing with are long past either.
“The expression, one of shock, one that said life as we knew it no longer applied to either one of them. That murder and tragedy both have rotten, black hearts that stink to high heaven and forever, indelibly imprint the memory of those who survive. If surviving was what you called it.”
I liked the way the different mysteries were resolved, and the story completed while leaving some storylines open for the final book, which I’ll be on the lookout for next year. Thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is published on October 17th 2023.
April 20, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, David Putnam and Level Best Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second novel in the Bone Detective trilogy. For a complete understanding of the intended story, I highly recommend reading A Fearsome Moonlight Black, the first novel in the series. I have not read the first novel, and I feel like I would have had a better idea of the back story and Dave’s character if I had.
This is not my usual novel genre, but I wanted to try it. There were times I couldn’t connect with the characters. However, this is probably because this lifestyle is so far removed from mine. It is very interesting to see how the author incorporates his real-life experiences into his writing. We get to see from the inside what it is like to hold a job few of us could handle or would want to do.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, action-packed cop story.
This is the second novel in the Bone Detective trilogy. For a complete understanding of the intended story, I highly recommend reading A Fearsome Moonlight Black, the first novel in the series. I have not read the first novel, and I feel like I would have had a better idea of the back story and Dave’s character if I had.
This is not my usual novel genre, but I wanted to try it. There were times I couldn’t connect with the characters. However, this is probably because this lifestyle is so far removed from mine. It is very interesting to see how the author incorporates his real-life experiences into his writing. We get to see from the inside what it is like to hold a job few of us could handle or would want to do.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, action-packed cop story.
March 30, 2023
This was solid 4 stars for me. Fiction mixed with true life incidents from a life of a homicide detective. I often giggled at author’s humor sprinkled throughout this entertaining and fast-paced read. Detective Beckett does not follow the rules, but gets the results. Then his friend disappears and the captain sends unofficially his bloodhound Beckett to solve the crime.
March 12, 2023
This was really good.
Dave Beckett certainly doesn’t do things by the book. He does things before he actually thinks them through, even though he is telling himself to listen to that little voice in his head. He has a remarkable way of spotting a crime, sometimes before it’s about to happen, they just seem to fall into his lap.
He makes some really badass decisions, if only he would listen to his inner head and his Captain things may move along a bit more smoothly.
I enjoyed this second book of Dave Beckett and will definitely be following his career.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the chance to read the eARC. This is my voluntary review.
Dave Beckett certainly doesn’t do things by the book. He does things before he actually thinks them through, even though he is telling himself to listen to that little voice in his head. He has a remarkable way of spotting a crime, sometimes before it’s about to happen, they just seem to fall into his lap.
He makes some really badass decisions, if only he would listen to his inner head and his Captain things may move along a bit more smoothly.
I enjoyed this second book of Dave Beckett and will definitely be following his career.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the chance to read the eARC. This is my voluntary review.
October 24, 2023
I requested a copy of the ARC from the publisher, Level Best Books, on NetGalley and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.
If you prefer video/audio format, I do have a non spoiler review that you can find here.
Ouch.
I can count on one hand how many times I've given a book a 2 star rating, so this was not given lightly. I use the CAWPILE review method and unfortunately, none of the elements were strong enough to pull a higher rating than this.
The characters lacked depth and development. The setting, the desert of San Bernardino County, was described fairly well, but the author used the word 'desert' so many times (87 times, in fact) that it became annoying and frustrating. The writing style and slow pacing was not a combination that worked for me at all.
The book description is misleading. It talks about Detective Beckett, known as The Bone Dick, gets a call about a bone that someone's dog had brought up. Now, this does occur, but not until you're halfway through the book. The first half is Detective Beckett bouncing around, seemingly aimless, helping other officers solve their cases, while dealing with PTSD from a violent case he'd had prior to the book's beginning.
A choice the author made at the halfway mark was to JUMP ahead 4 YEARS. Just skipped right over apprehending a murderer who played a big role in the first half and an important character from the first half has disappeared. This disappearance is a big deal and the fact that we get the beginning of the character's story at the start of the book, it's a huge part of the second half, it made zero sense to skip over when this character disappears. I was absolutely baffled. It made me think the author couldn't figure out how to make the story work otherwise.
There is a metric ton of cop jargon that could have been removed from the narrative so that it would flow better. I understand if you have an officer/deputy calling in over the radio - sure, use the correct jargon there - but leave that out when the main character is thinking to themselves or talking to someone else. To put the acronym and then go through the trouble of spelling out what it means in parenthesis got clunky with the amount of times it occurred.
A lot of the events that happened in the line of duty felt incredibly convenient, yet when I read the author's note at the end, almost every single instance was a true account. It makes me think that there's no such thing as good policework, just dumb criminals who catch themselves.
In closing, this author's writing style is not for me. I won't be continuing the series or reading more from David Putnam. I reckon I've been spoiled by Evan Smoak, Jack Reacher, and Jason Bourne.
You can find this review and many more on my website, https://www.thenerdynarrative.com or if you prefer video format, you can find those on my BookTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/thenerdynarra...
If you prefer video/audio format, I do have a non spoiler review that you can find here.
Ouch.
I can count on one hand how many times I've given a book a 2 star rating, so this was not given lightly. I use the CAWPILE review method and unfortunately, none of the elements were strong enough to pull a higher rating than this.
The characters lacked depth and development. The setting, the desert of San Bernardino County, was described fairly well, but the author used the word 'desert' so many times (87 times, in fact) that it became annoying and frustrating. The writing style and slow pacing was not a combination that worked for me at all.
The book description is misleading. It talks about Detective Beckett, known as The Bone Dick, gets a call about a bone that someone's dog had brought up. Now, this does occur, but not until you're halfway through the book. The first half is Detective Beckett bouncing around, seemingly aimless, helping other officers solve their cases, while dealing with PTSD from a violent case he'd had prior to the book's beginning.
A choice the author made at the halfway mark was to JUMP ahead 4 YEARS. Just skipped right over apprehending a murderer who played a big role in the first half and an important character from the first half has disappeared. This disappearance is a big deal and the fact that we get the beginning of the character's story at the start of the book, it's a huge part of the second half, it made zero sense to skip over when this character disappears. I was absolutely baffled. It made me think the author couldn't figure out how to make the story work otherwise.
There is a metric ton of cop jargon that could have been removed from the narrative so that it would flow better. I understand if you have an officer/deputy calling in over the radio - sure, use the correct jargon there - but leave that out when the main character is thinking to themselves or talking to someone else. To put the acronym and then go through the trouble of spelling out what it means in parenthesis got clunky with the amount of times it occurred.
A lot of the events that happened in the line of duty felt incredibly convenient, yet when I read the author's note at the end, almost every single instance was a true account. It makes me think that there's no such thing as good policework, just dumb criminals who catch themselves.
In closing, this author's writing style is not for me. I won't be continuing the series or reading more from David Putnam. I reckon I've been spoiled by Evan Smoak, Jack Reacher, and Jason Bourne.
You can find this review and many more on my website, https://www.thenerdynarrative.com or if you prefer video format, you can find those on my BookTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/thenerdynarra...
August 22, 2024
Another solid entry into the Dave Beckett (Bone Detective) series. I am enjoying this character, and cant want to see the next installment.
October 10, 2023
I like story featuring a strong underdog and this is a good one. I had fun and appreciated the solid mystery and the well developed characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 28, 2023
Well written - read as a stand alone -Homicide Detective Dave Beckett is determined to solve his cases - he doesn't always follow orders which make for an interesting read - some of the story is based on real cases mixed in with fiction - a mystery thriller with a Surprise ending.
May 14, 2023
I have been on the lookout for the next great detective series, and I think I have found it! I didn't realize this was the second in the series. I will have to go back and read the first one now. I was attracted to this book bc it sounded like it was going to be like another cold case series I read. It is and it isn't. Which is a good thing, This takes place in California, which is always a setting unto itself. It has the feel of the old gum-shoe style detective series, with the detective not always following protocol, and, at times, at odds with his superiors. But had a more modern "police procedural" feel about it. Unlike a lot of detectives who are lonely people, he has to contend within a relative from the past, which complicates his life. This is a well- crafted story, based on true events. The author moves things along at a brisk pace. It's definitely a page- turner!Thanks Net Galley for this opportunity!
April 1, 2023
This was the first book by David Putnam that I have read. I initially struggled with the pace of the book but once I got to the core story of the book I had a hard time putting the book down. This book follows a cop who is trying to get into homicide as we begin the book and after a time time he has made it and the first third part of the book becomes more important. This was the part of the book I had difficulty with the pacing and why I was reading as it felt there was no defined plot. Boy, was I wrong. I may not have been as invested in the characters or story if I hadn’t read this part of the book. The story was interesting and intriguing at its core and I look forward to reading more about this character and from this author. I would recommend this book to friends who like crime thrillers.
March 19, 2023
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun follows Detective Dave Beckett, also known as The Bone Detective while he works to solve cases revolving around bones that are usually found in the desert.
I had a bit of a love hate relationship with this book (but love won out in the end). It is a fast paced story with dynamic characters and it is an easy read. I did get frustrated with Dave Beckett's choices and methods but I guess that was probably part of the desired effect. But ultimately despite his unique way of going about things it was obvious that he worked from his gut and got results.
I haven't read the first book in this series so I will probably go back and do that eventually.
Anyone who enjoys a good, fast paced cop story would probably enjoy this book.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
I had a bit of a love hate relationship with this book (but love won out in the end). It is a fast paced story with dynamic characters and it is an easy read. I did get frustrated with Dave Beckett's choices and methods but I guess that was probably part of the desired effect. But ultimately despite his unique way of going about things it was obvious that he worked from his gut and got results.
I haven't read the first book in this series so I will probably go back and do that eventually.
Anyone who enjoys a good, fast paced cop story would probably enjoy this book.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
April 20, 2023
Brilliant novel that grabs the reader and doesn't let go until the final page. Exceptional writing and explosive story combine to excite and thrill the reader. Impossible to put down with twists and turns that shock and surprise. Accolades to David Putnam for this remarkable novel that is well worth of five stars.
August 26, 2023
Dave Beckett book #2
With a tone of a cop on the beat this second book continues the day to day life of officer not like any others. He acts and thinks in ways no one can predict and by doing so gets himself in trouble with his superior Lieutenant Cordova whom he loves to call Lieutenant Cordoba to annoy him. Taken from his life experiences the author does marvel in creating scenes and doesn’t hold back. Through the eyes and voice of Beckett we are treated with the perspective of a patrol officer. The first person narrative works perfectly here.
This novel is split in two parts: one is set in 1984 when Beckett was a patrol officer and the second part in 1988 when he was promoted to bone detective. For those hating dual time this story is easy to follow.
The plot is slow moving and it takes a while before action sets in but when the upper crust takes revenge and assign Beckett on “bone cases” way out in the dessert it is the just punishment they take pleasure in giving him....but when the bone found turnout to be one of their own...Beckett goes to no end to find the killer. Then the action picks up and this mystery turns out to be an exiting ride till the end.
What a gritty police adventure this novel turned out to be. I enjoyed the writing style although it took awhile to get used to it but at the end my mind was tuned in and I enjoyed the unpredictable drama this “whodunit” mystery provided. Well-done.
My thanks to the publisher Level Best Books and Netgalley for this ARC
With a tone of a cop on the beat this second book continues the day to day life of officer not like any others. He acts and thinks in ways no one can predict and by doing so gets himself in trouble with his superior Lieutenant Cordova whom he loves to call Lieutenant Cordoba to annoy him. Taken from his life experiences the author does marvel in creating scenes and doesn’t hold back. Through the eyes and voice of Beckett we are treated with the perspective of a patrol officer. The first person narrative works perfectly here.
This novel is split in two parts: one is set in 1984 when Beckett was a patrol officer and the second part in 1988 when he was promoted to bone detective. For those hating dual time this story is easy to follow.
The plot is slow moving and it takes a while before action sets in but when the upper crust takes revenge and assign Beckett on “bone cases” way out in the dessert it is the just punishment they take pleasure in giving him....but when the bone found turnout to be one of their own...Beckett goes to no end to find the killer. Then the action picks up and this mystery turns out to be an exiting ride till the end.
What a gritty police adventure this novel turned out to be. I enjoyed the writing style although it took awhile to get used to it but at the end my mind was tuned in and I enjoyed the unpredictable drama this “whodunit” mystery provided. Well-done.
My thanks to the publisher Level Best Books and Netgalley for this ARC
April 16, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
David Bennett is a police officer in the high desert in the USA. He likes nothing better than the chase and capture of the bad guys. He is a tortured soul his family life laid bare, his best friend and police colleague disappears, he is divorced from his wife and his wayward father comes in and out of his life. His aspiration to be a homicide detective dented because he doesn’t play by the rules and often raises the ire of his police commanders. Especially Cordova who is seriously out to get him and his new police woman friend Jimmy Poe sacked.
This is a fast paced book both in word and deed and often the jargon is difficult to keep up with. The book is in 2 parts almost a before and after . In the second part Dave Bennett has fulfilled his dream of homicide however his nature as ever puts him on a collision course with his commanding officers and he is delegated to the task of identifying the bones of the many victims found in the desert. One day he makes a horrific discovery and his whole police career is put on the line. He needs to find out who the victim is , how they died and who did it and fast .
A good mystery crime read 4 stars
David Bennett is a police officer in the high desert in the USA. He likes nothing better than the chase and capture of the bad guys. He is a tortured soul his family life laid bare, his best friend and police colleague disappears, he is divorced from his wife and his wayward father comes in and out of his life. His aspiration to be a homicide detective dented because he doesn’t play by the rules and often raises the ire of his police commanders. Especially Cordova who is seriously out to get him and his new police woman friend Jimmy Poe sacked.
This is a fast paced book both in word and deed and often the jargon is difficult to keep up with. The book is in 2 parts almost a before and after . In the second part Dave Bennett has fulfilled his dream of homicide however his nature as ever puts him on a collision course with his commanding officers and he is delegated to the task of identifying the bones of the many victims found in the desert. One day he makes a horrific discovery and his whole police career is put on the line. He needs to find out who the victim is , how they died and who did it and fast .
A good mystery crime read 4 stars
May 16, 2023
Honest Book review given following copy of pre published ARC by Netgalley and the publisher, thank you. I havnt read any books written by David Putnam so a fresh talent to get my eyes over, a US cop crime thriller based upon the authors past job where insights into a cops life and the weaving in real life events created a well crafted read. Not easy to get into as it lacks an addendum explaining 'cop language' with the codes they use over the radio but you soon pick up some of the common ones, did make it a realistic read. The cop David Beckett was not a lovable cop or loveable rogue, irritating and annoying at times but with a heart to get around by any means the stifling laws protecting criminals. I found the story had a few tendrils weaving through the book, on the whole a series of events many sad, frustrating and shocking on the loss of life. Worth a read.
April 4, 2023
I truly believe that this series should be a movie. The way it is written I can 'see ' the characters and the plot being done. David Beckett is finally a homicide detective. It has been a long hard struggle, but he has made it...kind of. It seems his way of doing things rubs the upper crusts too much, so while he is still a homicide detective, he is given 'bone cases' that are found in the desert. The bottom of the barrel as far as homicide was concerned. He has earned himself the nickname of "The Bone Dick". But when a bone turns out to be from one of their own, Beckett is out to find the killer--at any cost. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book, looking forward to another one in this series...please!
October 17, 2023
David Putnam has taken events and incidents from his real life history and woven them into the story of Dave Beckett, SBPD detective. This is book #2 in Beckett's series. As a homicide detective, Beckett considered policy and procedure as suggestions, which tended to irritate his co-workers and commanders. So this book finds our "cowboy" lawman working the myriad cases where human remains are found, usually when the dog digs them up. A unique story line that Putnam skillfully spins into some very interesting case investigations. Det Beckett still has some minor problems following those pesky policies and procedures so he's constantly working to avoid any more consequences. A great book that is not like most of the serial detectives on the shelves. Well worth your reading time.
July 29, 2025
A review from a fan:
My bookmark just finished being in David Putnam's A LONESOME BLOOD RED SUN. This is the second book is in A Bone Detective series about Dave Beckett who is a homicide detective who's been put on the "bone patrol" because he's been a bit of a pain in the ass to his superiors.
Beckett had excellent detective skills, but he is not above tweaking people he doesn't like on the force, and this does make him enemies.
In this book there are really two distinct stories - the first is about Beckett assisting a female patrol officer - Jimmie Poe - who aspires to being a detective. She comes to him with two different crimes and he helps her close both cases. It's funny and interesting, and shows how sometimes both good routine and luck can combine to close a case.
The second story is about a "bone" case. Beckett works in San Bernardino County, which includes miles of desert with very little population, and a perfect place to dispose of a body. People and dogs are forever finding human bones in the desert, and these are the cases that Beckett works. At the start of this story he has 256 pending unsolved murders from these types of finds.
Then one case turns up when a local dog keeps bringing bones and other matter from the desert to his owner and others in the area. One of the dog's finds clearly leads to a specific murder, which Beckett is driven to solve.
The book, as always, is fierce, funny, dark and heartbreaking. I love Putnam's books, and I find the Bone Detective novels fascinating reading.
My bookmark just finished being in David Putnam's A LONESOME BLOOD RED SUN. This is the second book is in A Bone Detective series about Dave Beckett who is a homicide detective who's been put on the "bone patrol" because he's been a bit of a pain in the ass to his superiors.
Beckett had excellent detective skills, but he is not above tweaking people he doesn't like on the force, and this does make him enemies.
In this book there are really two distinct stories - the first is about Beckett assisting a female patrol officer - Jimmie Poe - who aspires to being a detective. She comes to him with two different crimes and he helps her close both cases. It's funny and interesting, and shows how sometimes both good routine and luck can combine to close a case.
The second story is about a "bone" case. Beckett works in San Bernardino County, which includes miles of desert with very little population, and a perfect place to dispose of a body. People and dogs are forever finding human bones in the desert, and these are the cases that Beckett works. At the start of this story he has 256 pending unsolved murders from these types of finds.
Then one case turns up when a local dog keeps bringing bones and other matter from the desert to his owner and others in the area. One of the dog's finds clearly leads to a specific murder, which Beckett is driven to solve.
The book, as always, is fierce, funny, dark and heartbreaking. I love Putnam's books, and I find the Bone Detective novels fascinating reading.
October 15, 2023
A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is a gritty story, sprinkled with a dash of humor and authentic case details pulled from Putnam's personal experiences in law enforcement. It is set in the mid-1980's and told in the first person by David Beckett, a sheriff's deputy in the California desert of San Bernardino County, California, Driven by his instincts and a sense of justice, Beckett doesn't always follow the rules, but he gets the job done. At times, the story seems to just be a bunch of interesting but random cases, sprinkled with insights into the harder, emotional parts of the job, but every case has a role in the over-arching story (which I don't want to give away). The writing style worked for me: I found it easy to get into the story right away, and even if there were times that I wasn't sure where the story was going, it was always interesting. The writing was a little weak when it came to Beckett's relationships, but overall I really enjoyed the book. While it's book 2 in what is intended to be a trilogy, you don't need to have read #1 before you read this one: I haven't and I never felt like I was missing information because of it. That being said, I'll definitely be going back to read A Fearsome Moonlight Black!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Level Best Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Level Best Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 30, 2023
Dave was a really interesting character. He was a deputy but you have a lot of problems. He thought it was an old-fashioned cop. And he would go through all these different things. Here's out in the desert and one of they are cops called CO. D be easy and was at another station and he did not like him at all.. This was like a love story morgan mystery all rolled into one. He fell for this woman named jennifer and he was trying to help her with different cases, but he was also divorced. His father ran a little hole in the wall diner. He had interesting passes well he got out of jail. There's a story behind this as well. And you'll find this out at the end of the book. Everybody had a story behind their past in this book. Especially like when they started to talk about different murders in the book. This was both written because you never knew what was gonna pop up and how everything was tied together and some organized fashion. This Dave guy was such a character. I really felt in love with him. He was just an ordinary guy but everybody liked to Mess with him. You never got to be detective because you kept making mistakes. And his mouth always got him to trouble.
March 8, 2023
Detective Dave Beckett is a cop riding the edge of the law. He's just enough on the right side to do his job, but with some questionable methods. He has a gut instinct like other and it won't let him rest until he gets a case solved. He manages to screw things up spectacularly but still come out on top. The brass is putting the squeeze on him though. He either starts following the book, or he's on desk duty. This book is not just one case, but many that are linked together brilliantly. I cannot begin to summarize it, because it won't do justice to the beautiful way it is written.
This book was absolutely mind blowing. I love Dave's recklessness because he's doing it for the right reasons. I was completely enraptured throughout the entirety. The story is so compelling and I'm more shocked to find out most of the basis is real. David Putnam is a brilliant writer. I will absolutely be looking for more of his books from now on!
This book was absolutely mind blowing. I love Dave's recklessness because he's doing it for the right reasons. I was completely enraptured throughout the entirety. The story is so compelling and I'm more shocked to find out most of the basis is real. David Putnam is a brilliant writer. I will absolutely be looking for more of his books from now on!
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