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Bruno Johnson #3

The Squandered

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The Squandered propels Bruno into an emotionally charged high-speed chase as he and Marie leave their rescued kids in Costa Rica and risk returning to the U.S. at the request of Bruno’s terminally ill father. Bruno’s estranged and incarcerated brother needs Bruno to help rescue his abducted young grandchildren, children that Bruno hadn’t known existed.


Bruno cannot deny his father, and Marie will not let Bruno go alone. As fugitives, they return to the U.S. to face not only imminent arrest, but also to confront ruthless kidnappers, drug dealers, and government agents who will stop at nothing to keep a secret from the past buried forever.


Glimpses of Bruno’s law enforcement past shed light on the mayhem they encounter once they are discovered in L.A. It seems that Bruno’s brother, Noble, has inadvertently kicked a hornet’s nest of criminals, both in and out of prison, and among various law enforcement agencies looking to find a long missing load of nine million dollars’ worth of cocaine. And Noble’s grandchildren are caught in the crosshairs.


The chase, the brutality, and the emotional stress tests Bruno and Marie’s relationship and forces them to define family—what’s okay to forgive, and what should never be forgotten. Armed with a new moral code, will they live long enough to put it into practice? 

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2016

29 people are currently reading
640 people want to read

About the author

David Putnam

20 books2,044 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Jean.
1,819 reviews806 followers
August 9, 2020
This is book three of the Bruno Johnson Series. Bruno and Maria have returned to the Los Angeles Area to help his brother and nephew. Bruno is still a wanted man and has been living in Costa Rico so the entry back to the U.S. is dangerous for him.

The book is well written and is fast paced. There is a lot of action and suspense. We learn a bit more about Bruno’s family and his childhood. The book was hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading book four in the series.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Daniel F. Purcell does a good job narrating the story. Purcell is an actor and voiceover artist as well as an audiobook narrator.
Profile Image for Aisling.
Author 2 books117 followers
September 29, 2019
Definitely one of the best of the series. Not as much humor as some but the action/plot twists and awesome characters are all there. If you read this series because you adore straight shooting, no holds barred Bruno....well, wait for it....now there's another Bruno Johnson--the nephew he never knew. A really fantastic read. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes Michael Connelly or Lee Child's books. 5 enthusiastic stars.
Profile Image for Scott Rhee.
2,333 reviews169 followers
February 12, 2024
As if Bruno “Bad Boy” Johnson didn’t have enough tragedy in his life, his father gives him news that flips his already-overturned life upside down.

Johnson is a former LAPD cop living in Costa Rica with his girlfriend, Marie, his father, and ten kids that he kidnapped from toxic and/or deadly home situations. He is wanted by the FBI and numerous other federal agencies for kidnapping (hence the living in Costa Rica part), so coming back to the U.S. is a dangerous proposition for him.

Then, his father tells him that he has a nephew that he didn’t know he had. Decades ago, Bruno put his own brother, Noble, in prison for murder. Now, Noble’s grandchildren have been kidnapped. It’s the first Bruno’s heard about Noble’s kid or grandkids. When kids are involved, Bruno has an insatiable desire to do what’s right, and these kids are his own blood, so it’s no question: he has to go back to the U.S.

Thus begins David Putnam’s third adrenaline-rush-in-the-form-of-a-novel, “The Squandered”, in which we learn a little more about Bruno’s tragic past and how much of a strong moral center he truly has.

Once again, the action never lets up, as Bruno and Marie sneak back into the states to help break Noble out of prison, find Noble’s grandkids alive and well, stop the bad guys, and sneak back out without getting arrested or killed. Oh, and they’re doing all this on their honeymoon.

As always, Putnam cleverly finds ways to incorporate some scathing social commentary within the mix of action and suspense. In this book, Putnam skewers the American prison system, a system that does more harm than good in terms of “rehabilitation” and yet, in some cases, gives career criminals better treatment than our nation’s homeless.

I’m absolutely hooked on Putnam’s series featuring Bruno Johnson, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Keep writing more, Putnam!
Profile Image for Sophie.
108 reviews84 followers
April 8, 2020
This was a very exciting novel. Mistaken identities, car chases, some violence and shootings, but nothing too disturbing. TBH, I was a bit confused at first because of all the Bruno Johnsons (there really were only two). Once I got all the Johnsons (there were other than just the two Brunos) straight, I enjoyed the story very much. It was nice to see the family expanding, but I missed the older Bruno's dad. I am starting to consider these characters as friends and was a bit sad when I finished this episode. Luckily, I have the rest of the series to enjoy!

I was given this ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.


1,803 reviews7 followers
August 4, 2017
An enjoyable read as the three previous book. I recommend consideration
Author 2 books10 followers
February 12, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed The Squandered, the third of David Putnam’s Bruno Johnson thrillers. The story alternates between the 1980s when Bruno was an LA County Sheriff’s Deputy, and present day, where Bruno is a wanted fugitive. Back in the 1980s, a drug deal gone bad touched the lives of Bruno and his brother Noble, and sent reverberations into the present that threaten not only these two men, but their families as well. Family relationships, especially that between Bruno and his estranged brother Noble, take center stage, in a complex plot involving former spooks, crooked politicians, and cops on both sides of the law. As with the previous two books, the action is non-stop and there are many surprising plot twists. The descriptions of police procedures are spot on, reflecting Putnam’s 30-plus years in law enforcement. I highly recommend The Squandered. Note: I received an advanced reader copy of the book.
Profile Image for Joan.
481 reviews51 followers
August 29, 2020
This is the third book in the Bruno Johnson series and this one us even more exciting, suspenseful, and action-packed as the previous books.

This time Bruno and Marie, who have taken refuge in Costa Rica with ten abused and neglected children, return to Los Angeles at the request of Bruno’s brother.

I was riveted thought the story and really enjoyed the focus on Bruno’s family. Bruno is a hero of epic proportions and I can’t wait to start on book four.
Profile Image for Elite Group.
3,116 reviews53 followers
January 21, 2016
An interesting thriller which focuses on wasted lives
This is the third novel in Putnam’s Bruno Johnson series, and having missed out on Bruno’s detailed back-story I found myself a little confused at times. However, by the end I had more or less caught up.

Bruno is a man of passion in everything he does – he is passionate about saving children from abusive homes, he hates with a passion, he is passionately loyal, when he was a Los Angeles policeman he was passionate about his job, but most of all he is passionate about his partner, Marie.

Marie and Bruno live in Costa Rica with Bruno’s father, where they fled from the law, after illegally removing children from homes where they were abused; they now live a modest lifestyle with a total of ten rescued children who Bruno supports from his bar work.

Bruno’s brother Noble Johnson is in jail serving a life sentence for murder. The brothers haven’t been in touch for twenty-five years, when suddenly Noble writes asking for Bruno to visit him in prison to make amends for their estrangement. Reluctantly, persuaded by his father, Bruno and Marie travel to Los Angeles where, on visiting Noble, Bruno finds that his brother doesn’t just want to put their differences to rest, but needs more practical help.

What follows is a fast-paced thriller which ticks all the boxes: kidnapping, tick, GBH, tick, drug gangs, tick, murder, tick, attempted murder, tick, stolen diamonds, tick, a righteous hero – OH YES! Oh, and I forgot, Bruno’s previous police friends who are prepared to back him up. There is even plenty of love interest; Bruno may be rough and tough, but where Marie is concerned he is a romantic pussycat!

As well as all the action, the main characters are well developed and feel satisfyingly real even when perhaps they do act against character from time to time. The plot is complex with many twists and turns which I didn’t see coming, and the ending is a real surprise.

Bruno does seem to have an unlikely charmed life, managing to visit the city of angels where there is a warrant out for his arrest, without losing his freedom. But hey! This fiction, and very enjoyable fiction too!!

Pashtpaws

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Profile Image for Coleen.
1,022 reviews51 followers
July 21, 2016
While I had not read any of the Bruno Johnson series previously, I would definitely jump at the chance to read some more. After reading the summary of the book, I doubted that I could follow what the story line seemed to be. But it started out easily and I understood the plot without any difficulty. Good characters, great writing by Putnam.

I was the lucky winner of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
6,270 reviews80 followers
February 25, 2016
I won a copy of this novel in a goodreads drawing.

Bruno returns to LA to help his brother. His brother, a drug dealer during the heyday of crack cocaine, wrote a book where he both made an inadvertent murder confession, but also revealed he had a vast sum of money cached somewhere.

Brno has to break his brother out of prison, and rescue the grand nephew and niece he didn't even know he had.

Reminiscent of Donald Goines, but these characters pack around a lot more guilt.
445 reviews5 followers
June 19, 2017
I love reading David Putnam because he has been there and done that. He knows the talk because he has walked the walk and it comes through in his novels. Fast paced and great characters. I love Bruno, main character, and his many challenging experiences. Can't wait to start turning the pages in Putnam's next adventures with Bruno Johnson.
1 review1 follower
February 26, 2019

I highly recommend The Squandered to fans of action. David Putnam’s genius writing style and storytelling pulls the reader out of their comfort zone and into the mind of Bruno Johnson. The chapters in this book are like scenes you would see in a modern action movie. The kidnapping of Bruno’s brother's grandchildren reminds me of the Taken series of movies. The action scenes in this book are thrilling. You get to know exactly what is going through Bruno's mind as every punch, kick, stab, or gunshot is fired. His combat is no way near the likes of a raw recruit. He thoroughly scans his opponent and their attacks. Bruno knows how to counter their hits or follow up with his own. He lives up to his name as “Bruno the Bad Boy Johnson.” This book strips the innocence off of you and shows you the horror of real life. You get to feel the gravity of every important decision Bruno has to make in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend picking it up for a thrill ride.
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
2,318 reviews164 followers
October 6, 2023
In The Disposables, things become very personal for Bruno Johnson when his brother’s grandchildren are kidnapped. Children Bruno never knew existed because he had been estranged from his incarcerated brother. Why is always the big question. As they dodge arrest, kidnappers, drug dealers and government agents, secrets will be exposed and we know some will go to any lengths to keep them under wraps. I twisted and turned with the characters as the danger dogs their every step. Bruno and Marie’s relationship will be tested, but I have confidence they will stand together. The action and suspense is nonstop. I was frantically turning the pages, on pins and needles, as I was gulping down words.

513 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2018
Another in the saga of Bruno Johnson, a good man just trying to live his life. Not only are there kids in LA that need help, but this time it's not just about the kids, it's about family. What happened in the early 70s and why are children being held hostage now? Read on. You'll be glad you did. As always, believable situations, engaging characters, and a plot that just doesn't stop until the very end. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but it will be easier to follow and more enjoyable if you read the books in order.
Profile Image for Trina.
828 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.

I can't say that I enjoyed this book. It got off to a pretty good start but my attention began to lag around the halfway mark. Although I know this is a work of fiction, some of it was just too farfetched. I hope that this was this author's first book (that's what it reads like anyway) and that he get better in the future. On to my next read...
Profile Image for Janet Newport.
471 reviews120 followers
August 15, 2017
Thank you Netgalley.

Solid entertaining & escapist reading.

Likable characters and good pacing. Maybe it was just my mood at the time, but I found most of the action really stretching the limits of credibility.

Nothing really new....disgraced cop....wants to be a hero.... I would read additional books by this author if I tripped over them, but doubt I would seek them out.
300 reviews
November 13, 2019
Another great fast paced Bruno Johnson novel, with some surprise twists right at the end. I’ve not been reading these books in order, but there’s enough back story included to ensure it stands alone. This one isn’t as humorous as some of the others I’ve read, but it’s still big on action and corruption and was easy to devour.
447 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2018
Received this book from Good Reads and it was excellent. I have read two of these Bruno Johnson and thought that they were both good. Would like to read the ones in between the two that I have read.
Profile Image for Barbara Hughes.
302 reviews6 followers
September 28, 2019
Bruno and his wife are back in the US and being chased, beaten, shot at, all that stuff again. But it ends in a shocking revelation.
Profile Image for Kerryn Forsyth.
158 reviews5 followers
August 12, 2020
Bruno Johnson and his Marie once again put their lives on the line to help rescue children in danger. Fast-paced and action-packed with some surprising twists and turns.
115 reviews
December 10, 2019
This was a complex story that moved along quickly. Bruno was his usual irascible self, and in all the action he took enough blows to the head to qualify him for an NFL pension. He's the "energizer bunny" of slightly offbeat lawmen. There were lots of plot and family surprises along the way and I enjoyed them all. I learn something every time I read one of Putnam's fast-paced, tightly-plotted books and this one was no different. Well done again.
927 reviews10 followers
April 7, 2020
Another great read in the Bruno Johnson series!! Thanks David for another wild ride!! I really look forward to the next book in this series!!
Profile Image for Cristin Grenier.
113 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2022
As always, Putnam delivers an intriguing installment to the Bruno Johnson series. I love how every time I think I have learned all I can about Bruno, I am thrown another curve ball. Bruno is contacted by a long lost relative (trying real hard to keep spoilers out of this) that desperately needs his assistance with his kidnapped grandchildren. Is that all there is to this request?

Marie and Bruno head to the States to assist with the recovery of the two small children. With the help of their old friends and some new ones will they be successful at their task? Fingers crossed. I will say that, you will be guessing where this will end up right up until the last chapter.

As a side note, I did listen to this book on audible. Purcell (The narrator) is the third one that Putnam has used in the series. His voice is a big change from the previous two and a bit raspy and gruff. By 50% of the way through though, I decided that he is the true voice of Bruno. I loved this book and love this series. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for these characters.

Profile Image for Cheryl.
268 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2021
Unfortunately I couldn't find the first 2, so this is the 3rd. Very exciting story and great characters. Way to go David (I went to high school with the author!). I look forward to reading more, hopefully the first 2!
Profile Image for Ashley.
538 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2021
This was another fast-paced book in the Bruno Johnson series. This time, Bruno return to the United States when asked by his brother to help find kidnapped children. There is a lot more going on which comes out during the course of the book. This was another good book in the series.
Profile Image for Bill1971.
100 reviews
December 27, 2020
Another great book. David Putnam knows how to keep the story engaging and to keep the pages turning.
1,489 reviews30 followers
August 7, 2022
The Disposables, #1 - Awesome read! Interesting story lines, good characters and a good pace keeps the reader immersed in the book. Believable people and dialogue. Realistic action. Well written and thought out. 5*

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

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

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

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

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

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

Books #5 thru #8 are the four novels in the young Bruno prequels. I though originally that book #5 should have been read before The Disposables, book #1. I have since changed my mind, read them anyway you want, it does not matter. It will be an interesting, intense ride no matter the book order selected. The prequel novels are The Innocents, The Reckless, The Heartless and The Ruthless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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