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Bruno Johnson #5
The Innocents
Booklist sums up Putnam's Bruno Johnson series: "Bruno Johnson believes so passionately in justice that he'll lie, cheat, and steal to achieve it--and he'll pulverize anybody who gets in his way."
Bruno Johnson, a newly minted LA County Sheriff Violent Crimes detective, gets the worst assignment possible--infiltrate a Sheriff's narcotics team that may be involved in murder for hire. Gain their trust and be brought into the scheme. If he succeeds, he will have to arrest and testify against his fellow deputies--if he lives that long.
To make matters worse, before Bruno leaves home on the first day of this assignment, he answers the door to find an ex-girlfriend. Without explanation, she hands him a baby girl only weeks old. The child is his. Stunned and terrified, he now faces immediate fatherhood as well as the traitor-like charge to take down his colleagues.
Juggling his complex home life, Bruno tackles his assignment to discover that no one is whom they seem to be and that his own boss, Lieutenant Wicks, might be involved. His mission is further complicated when an attractive female deputy, recently transferred from Public Affairs, is also put on the case. She has no street experience and Bruno carries the extra burden of watching her back--a tough assignment made tougher by personal attraction.
As Bruno gets deeper and deeper into the corruption, he doesn't know who to trust, and in the end, confides in the wrong person.
Bruno Johnson, a newly minted LA County Sheriff Violent Crimes detective, gets the worst assignment possible--infiltrate a Sheriff's narcotics team that may be involved in murder for hire. Gain their trust and be brought into the scheme. If he succeeds, he will have to arrest and testify against his fellow deputies--if he lives that long.
To make matters worse, before Bruno leaves home on the first day of this assignment, he answers the door to find an ex-girlfriend. Without explanation, she hands him a baby girl only weeks old. The child is his. Stunned and terrified, he now faces immediate fatherhood as well as the traitor-like charge to take down his colleagues.
Juggling his complex home life, Bruno tackles his assignment to discover that no one is whom they seem to be and that his own boss, Lieutenant Wicks, might be involved. His mission is further complicated when an attractive female deputy, recently transferred from Public Affairs, is also put on the case. She has no street experience and Bruno carries the extra burden of watching her back--a tough assignment made tougher by personal attraction.
As Bruno gets deeper and deeper into the corruption, he doesn't know who to trust, and in the end, confides in the wrong person.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2018
84 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
About the author
David Putnam
20 books2,054 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 87 reviews
February 13, 2018
Bruno Johnson #5. Bruno Johnson, a newly minted LA County Sheriff Violent Crimes Detective, gets the worst assignment possible - infiltrate a Sherriff's narcotic team that may be involved in murder for hire. He needs to gain their trust and be brought into the scheme . If he succeeds, he will have to arrest and testify against his fellow deputies - if he lives that long. Before Bruno leaves home on his first day of his assignment, he answers the door to find an ex-girlfriend. Without explanation she hands him a baby girl who is only weeks old. The child is his. Stunned and terrified, he now faces immediate fatherhood as well as the traitor - like charge to take down his colleagues.
This is a gripping read and an insight to the younger Bruno Johnson. It is full of suspense, action packed with lots of twists to keep you guessing. The cover is a little misleading though. The characters are complex, of which some will get under your skin. This is a well written police procedural.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing and the author David Putnam for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a gripping read and an insight to the younger Bruno Johnson. It is full of suspense, action packed with lots of twists to keep you guessing. The cover is a little misleading though. The characters are complex, of which some will get under your skin. This is a well written police procedural.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing and the author David Putnam for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2023
Really enjoyed this! David Putnam has created a character that is both compelling and believable (Bruno Johnson) and we are immersed in his world (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Team). The tightrope walk many in law enforcement have to walk (work and private life) is drawn from the extensive experience David Putnam had in law enforcement. What really impressed me was that this was a crime thriller that really drilled down to bedrock issues of law and ethics - highly recommended!
April 26, 2023
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I finished it in two days. This story is so intriguing. Bruno Johnson a newly recruited LA County Sheriff Violet Crimes detective gets a new assignment with a narcotics team. He doesn't know who to trust. He ends up trusting the wrong person. They get his dad locked up for crimes he didn't commit as a threat to Bruno. There are illegal weapons used and illegal actions taking place. Bruno cannot trust anyone. He is a guy that goes by the rules, but is working with a team that goes against the rules of law enforcement. He doesn't know who he can trust and is afraid he might talk to the wrong person about what is going on. He also ends up with a six week old daughter that he didn't know about until his ex girlfriend drops her off at his apartment for him to raise. He is lucky he has a loving dad that is there for him and his daughter. The mother never gave the baby girl a name so the hospital has her name listed as Baby Girl Johnson. They have a month to get a name put on the birth certificate. Grandma finally gives the beautiful baby girl a name. Bruno has so much on his mind with a new baby and a new job that is full of corruption. The ending is really exciting and shocking. You never know who you can trust. A must read. Highly recommended.
September 4, 2020
'The Innocents', 5th in the Bruno Johnson series, is a prequel and takes readers back to the beginning. Bruno's a relative newbie, moved up quickly to a detective role, who's asked to join another team to go undercover. Not undercover on the street mind you, but on his new team, members of which having been suspected of some extremely bad acts. As this reluctant transition is occurring, he's surprised to have a baby, a daughter he didn't know he had via an affair that ended abruptly, literally and permanently dropped in his lap by his ex. That's a lot of pressure for a guy to handle, but fortunately his father is around to offer some support.
Bruno's clandestine assignment doesn't go particularly well, as he's in with some brutal teammates and violence seems to be ever-present. Deception, duplicity, and lying seem to be common across the team, yet he shows a level of maturity that allows him to deal with some tremendously difficult issues while making progress on what seems to be a moving target. He has no idea who he can trust but, in the end, the good guy(s) survives.
The Innocents is an exciting view of Early Bruno, where we get a feel for how he performed when he first began and what his values are. David Putnam's writing is fine, as his pace matches the breakneck action in the story. The intrigue in the plot was expertly woven into the story line and seemed very real, which I assume is testament to the author's extensive background in law enforcement. The characters are nicely drawn but the dialogue seemed a bit unrealistic at times- not a major complaint, just an area I think can be improved upon. The Innocents is a fine addition to an exciting series.
Bruno's clandestine assignment doesn't go particularly well, as he's in with some brutal teammates and violence seems to be ever-present. Deception, duplicity, and lying seem to be common across the team, yet he shows a level of maturity that allows him to deal with some tremendously difficult issues while making progress on what seems to be a moving target. He has no idea who he can trust but, in the end, the good guy(s) survives.
The Innocents is an exciting view of Early Bruno, where we get a feel for how he performed when he first began and what his values are. David Putnam's writing is fine, as his pace matches the breakneck action in the story. The intrigue in the plot was expertly woven into the story line and seemed very real, which I assume is testament to the author's extensive background in law enforcement. The characters are nicely drawn but the dialogue seemed a bit unrealistic at times- not a major complaint, just an area I think can be improved upon. The Innocents is a fine addition to an exciting series.
September 2, 2020
This was the best one yet! I am enjoying the Bruno Johnson series immensely. I have been reading the books in the order in which the author wrote them. In this one, #5 in the series, we travel back in time with Bruno to see how his career in the LA County Sheriff's Department began. We also learn how his unique family got its start.
As with all the previous installments, each is more exciting than the one before. Both action- and character-driven, the writing is stellar, the characters are so well-described you could be in the same room with them as the action unfolds. And unfolds and unfolds and unfolds. And twists and turns and u-turns again.
Just when you think you (and Bruno himself) have figured out who has set him up, both of you have to think again. And again. And....well, you get the idea.
I recommend these books very highly.
As with all the previous installments, each is more exciting than the one before. Both action- and character-driven, the writing is stellar, the characters are so well-described you could be in the same room with them as the action unfolds. And unfolds and unfolds and unfolds. And twists and turns and u-turns again.
Just when you think you (and Bruno himself) have figured out who has set him up, both of you have to think again. And again. And....well, you get the idea.
I recommend these books very highly.
January 11, 2023
This book goes back to the beginning where he acquires his daughter, Olivia, as an infant. It's about Bruno's life and what happens as he begins his life with another life that is dependent on him. This is more my style of reading where the book starts at the beginning and goes straight through, not jumping back and forth from the present to the past.
October 12, 2017
Deputy Bruno Johnson is a man striving to make a difference in a world full of corruption, drugs, and EVERYONE FOR HIMSELF!! An early morning knock on the door brings Bruno the delivery of a newborn daughter with the mother disappearing before the door is shut. Great start to this crime drama even though the baby plays very little in this story. The frilly buggy on the cover is really misleading. Anyway that being said; Putnam moves Bruno through changes in his police career that includes gun fights, stake outs, dirty cops; one who is a hot head danger to everyone around. A fast moving plot. Would have liked more pages of the baby and Bruno's Dad who took over her care. Some characters in the neighborhood took a spot light to make this a realistic en devour. "A copy of this book was provided by Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read and the comments here are my honest opinion."
February 12, 2022
4.5
My favorite in the series so far....
My favorite in the series so far....
December 20, 2017
Readers first encounter Bruno Johnson in the shower with his boss’s curvaceous, red-headed secretary, who hears a knock. Bruno tears himself away, despite his shower mate’s wheedling objections, and throws open the front door to discover the red-head’s apparent predecessor, holding a two-week-old baby. The dripping secretary struggles into her dress, grabs her bra and panties, and heads out the door exclaiming “You’re a real asshole, Bruno Johnson,” followed moments later by the baby mama, who pauses long enough to hand off the bundle of joy —“She’s all yours.” This, all in the first four pages.
A bit over the edge, maybe, a bit Hollywood sitcomish, but probably intriguing enough to encourage even cynical readers to suspend disbelief long enough to keep turning pages. We’ve already learned the setting is 1980s Compton—with all that implies. The redhead’s “Get that cute little black ass back in here before I cool down” has confirmed that Bruno is African-American. Will Bruno become a black “Manny,” like the Justin Hartley character from “This is US”?
In fact, Baby Girl Johnson gets handed off to Bruno’s dad: wise and with a ready solution to every problem—the sort of father figure most men struggling into adulthood would like to have. Detective Johnson is largely free to return to the gritty world of street crime and police corruption, where he is most at home. He’s still young in this book, with his own strong sense of particular moral values, but not a deep thinker. He sounds immature and naive—don’t expect much philosophizing in his minimally complex world. But since this is a prequel, perhaps that makes sense: he may grow up in the sequels. As Johnson dashes from crisis to crisis there’d hardly be time for deep thoughts, anyway. The fact that the author chooses not to delve very deeply beyond fast-moving surface events means that readers impatient to get on with the story will find nothing to quibble about.
Both the author and Bruno are at their best when operations are going down. (Putnam’s deft scripting of such moments calls to mind the virtuosity of Bernard Cornwell’s medieval battle scenes.) The larger plot seems like a framework onto which to hang a compelling series of take-downs, in fact, and they are fun to read: there is no boring downtime in this police procedural. Readers careen through two snappy and convincing take-downs before eventually hitting the crux of the plot. By then Bruno has also tracked down a hit-and-runner, following a trail of physical evidence, down on his knees on the pavement, in a manner reminiscent of Joe Leaphorn, but at fast-forward speed.
The author’s thirty years of police work (much touted in cover and after blurbs) make it all plausible. A parolee’s suicide by cutting his own throat, rather than face recapture, turns out to be based on Putnam’s own experience. Readers more readily accept a faintly surreal (but fun) scene of cops arresting druggies who show up at a drug house, then showing them movies and feeding them hamburgers to keep them quiet while the cops wait for bigger fish—is that, too, based on real life? (In some such scenes, however, the author’s ghetto speech suggests his characters learned a little too much in high school English class.)
Like many books in this genre, the exciting, action-packed denouement is overwhelmingly eventful. And little time gets wasted wrapping things up afterwards. But I quickly finished the book (which I received as an ARC), ready to track down the sequels to this prequel.
A bit over the edge, maybe, a bit Hollywood sitcomish, but probably intriguing enough to encourage even cynical readers to suspend disbelief long enough to keep turning pages. We’ve already learned the setting is 1980s Compton—with all that implies. The redhead’s “Get that cute little black ass back in here before I cool down” has confirmed that Bruno is African-American. Will Bruno become a black “Manny,” like the Justin Hartley character from “This is US”?
In fact, Baby Girl Johnson gets handed off to Bruno’s dad: wise and with a ready solution to every problem—the sort of father figure most men struggling into adulthood would like to have. Detective Johnson is largely free to return to the gritty world of street crime and police corruption, where he is most at home. He’s still young in this book, with his own strong sense of particular moral values, but not a deep thinker. He sounds immature and naive—don’t expect much philosophizing in his minimally complex world. But since this is a prequel, perhaps that makes sense: he may grow up in the sequels. As Johnson dashes from crisis to crisis there’d hardly be time for deep thoughts, anyway. The fact that the author chooses not to delve very deeply beyond fast-moving surface events means that readers impatient to get on with the story will find nothing to quibble about.
Both the author and Bruno are at their best when operations are going down. (Putnam’s deft scripting of such moments calls to mind the virtuosity of Bernard Cornwell’s medieval battle scenes.) The larger plot seems like a framework onto which to hang a compelling series of take-downs, in fact, and they are fun to read: there is no boring downtime in this police procedural. Readers careen through two snappy and convincing take-downs before eventually hitting the crux of the plot. By then Bruno has also tracked down a hit-and-runner, following a trail of physical evidence, down on his knees on the pavement, in a manner reminiscent of Joe Leaphorn, but at fast-forward speed.
The author’s thirty years of police work (much touted in cover and after blurbs) make it all plausible. A parolee’s suicide by cutting his own throat, rather than face recapture, turns out to be based on Putnam’s own experience. Readers more readily accept a faintly surreal (but fun) scene of cops arresting druggies who show up at a drug house, then showing them movies and feeding them hamburgers to keep them quiet while the cops wait for bigger fish—is that, too, based on real life? (In some such scenes, however, the author’s ghetto speech suggests his characters learned a little too much in high school English class.)
Like many books in this genre, the exciting, action-packed denouement is overwhelmingly eventful. And little time gets wasted wrapping things up afterwards. But I quickly finished the book (which I received as an ARC), ready to track down the sequels to this prequel.
August 14, 2024
Before L.A. cop Bruno Johnson had to break numerous laws, become a fugitive from the U.S. government to save the lives of a dozen children, and flee to Costa Rica with his girlfriend and elderly father, he was just a young, tough, idealistic cop in the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.
The fifth book in David Putnam's excellent series to feature his protagonist Johnson, "The Innocents", is actually a prequel, diving into Johnson's background, illustrating how and why he became the man he became in subsequent books.
It's the first day of his new assignment in the L.A. County Sheriff Violent Crimes Unit, and Johnson awakens to find a life-changing surprise on his doorstep. An ex-girlfriend that he hasn't seen in about a year shows up at his home with a baby girl, a daughter that Johnson didn't know he even had. She hands the infant off to Johnson and is gone, asking that he doesn't try looking for her.
As if it wasn't stressful enough to be saddled with a newborn, Johnson's new assignment is to go undercover in a narcotics unit where some of the cops are secretly being paid by drug cartels to assassinate competitors on the street. Johnson's job is to ingratiate himself with these bad cops, find hard evidence that would build a case, and report back to the select few superiors in the know. The problem? Some of the very superiors he is reporting to may actually be in on it.
Johnson's life is fucked, and the prospect of enjoying his role as a new dad may be short-lived if he can't figure out how to get out of this mess.
People underestimate Johnson, though. Sure, he's big, tough, and a hothead, but he's also a lot smarter than people give him credit for.
Another excellent action thriller from Putnam, a former cop himself who uses his own experiences on the streets to create authentic and ultra-suspenseful cop stories.
The fifth book in David Putnam's excellent series to feature his protagonist Johnson, "The Innocents", is actually a prequel, diving into Johnson's background, illustrating how and why he became the man he became in subsequent books.
It's the first day of his new assignment in the L.A. County Sheriff Violent Crimes Unit, and Johnson awakens to find a life-changing surprise on his doorstep. An ex-girlfriend that he hasn't seen in about a year shows up at his home with a baby girl, a daughter that Johnson didn't know he even had. She hands the infant off to Johnson and is gone, asking that he doesn't try looking for her.
As if it wasn't stressful enough to be saddled with a newborn, Johnson's new assignment is to go undercover in a narcotics unit where some of the cops are secretly being paid by drug cartels to assassinate competitors on the street. Johnson's job is to ingratiate himself with these bad cops, find hard evidence that would build a case, and report back to the select few superiors in the know. The problem? Some of the very superiors he is reporting to may actually be in on it.
Johnson's life is fucked, and the prospect of enjoying his role as a new dad may be short-lived if he can't figure out how to get out of this mess.
People underestimate Johnson, though. Sure, he's big, tough, and a hothead, but he's also a lot smarter than people give him credit for.
Another excellent action thriller from Putnam, a former cop himself who uses his own experiences on the streets to create authentic and ultra-suspenseful cop stories.
October 10, 2019
Took me sometime to finish this book. Had a copy of it then misplaced it and had to go to the library to get a copy. Bruno Johnson a LA county Sheriff Violent Crimes detective gets the worst possible assignment infiltrate a sheriff's narcotics team that maybe involved in murder for hire. Gain their trust and be brought into their scheme. If he succeeds he will have to arrest and testify against his fellow deputies if he lives that long. Before Bruno leaves home on the first day of his assignment he answers the door to find an ex girlfriend she hands him a baby girl only weeks old. The child is his. Stunned and terrified he now faces immediate fatherhood as well as the traitor like charge to take down his colleagues. Bruno tackles his assignment to discover that no one is who they seem to be and that his boss Lieutenant Wicks might be involved . His mission is further complicated when an attractive female recently transferred from Public Affairs is also put on the case. Bruno carries the extra weight of watching her back. As Bruno gets deeper and deeper into the corruption he doesn't know whom to trust and in the end confides in the wrong person. A fast paced story I could not put down!!!!
January 24, 2018
“The Innocents” by David Putnam is part of his Bruno Johnson series, but it is not necessary to have read the other books to enjoy this one. Those who have not read the previous books can jump right in without any problem. In fact, this is the perfect place to start for a new reader because it is a prequel, set in 1988.
Bruno Johnson is a new detective on the L. A. County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Team, and this book is his first person narrative. This book is filled with action and drama that starts with a surprising revelation in chapter one, and goes on to chronicle all that Johnson has to deal with over the next few days in his personal and professional life.
The action is non-stop and runs the gamut from the mundane to the incredibly complex. It is hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys, especially since some people are both. Johnson has to juggle training a new partner, dealing with unreliable coworkers, uncovering possible corruption in the department, and solving violent crimes all in a few days. Oh, wait! We must not forget that little "personal complication" that cannot be ignored.
The book is narrative driven, and we learn about the cast of characters as Johnson sees them. We share Johnson’s thoughts, question, and fears in every situation. The conversations are realistic and revealing. Page after page is filled with suspense, action, and non-stop twists and turns. Johnson has a busy few days that come to a surprising end.
I received a copy of “The Innocents” from David Putnam, Oceanview Publishing, and Net Galley in exchange for an impartial review. This is a book filled with realistic conflicts, complicated relationships, and non-stop action. I highly recommend it.
Bruno Johnson is a new detective on the L. A. County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Team, and this book is his first person narrative. This book is filled with action and drama that starts with a surprising revelation in chapter one, and goes on to chronicle all that Johnson has to deal with over the next few days in his personal and professional life.
The action is non-stop and runs the gamut from the mundane to the incredibly complex. It is hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys, especially since some people are both. Johnson has to juggle training a new partner, dealing with unreliable coworkers, uncovering possible corruption in the department, and solving violent crimes all in a few days. Oh, wait! We must not forget that little "personal complication" that cannot be ignored.
The book is narrative driven, and we learn about the cast of characters as Johnson sees them. We share Johnson’s thoughts, question, and fears in every situation. The conversations are realistic and revealing. Page after page is filled with suspense, action, and non-stop twists and turns. Johnson has a busy few days that come to a surprising end.
I received a copy of “The Innocents” from David Putnam, Oceanview Publishing, and Net Galley in exchange for an impartial review. This is a book filled with realistic conflicts, complicated relationships, and non-stop action. I highly recommend it.
January 23, 2018
Excellent Read. LA Sheriff Bruno Johnson goes undercover as a drug squad cop to investigate rumored police misconduct. The corruption he finds tests his own rationale for justice. This story was engrossing, the writing concise and impactful, and Bruno is a compelling character. THE INNOCENTS is a fast, thrilling joyride into the world of crime and policing from an author who knows his stuff. Highly Recommended.
April 6, 2019
While this book is listed as #5 in the Bruno Johnson series, it can easily be read first as it is a prequel to the other four. The story opens when an ex-girlfriend drops off a two-week-old daughter that Bruno did not know existed and says she can't take care of her. An attention-grabbing opening but then strangely the baby is hardly ever mentioned and this is truly a police drama. Bruno is a young detective on a special task force and struggles with who he can trust. Cop stories aren't really my thing but this one is fast-paced with plenty of action and keeps you guessing as to who are the good guys and bad guys.
At times I thought some of it over the top but the author's note is very interesting. He has a long background in law enforcement and states that all the incidents in the book were similar to actual things he encountered on the force. Perhaps all those incidents would not have taken place in the time frame of the book but reading that made the story a bit more realistic for me. The chapters are short which makes the story move along quickly but some of the chapter breaks seemed to be for the convenience of length rather than a natural break in the story.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
At times I thought some of it over the top but the author's note is very interesting. He has a long background in law enforcement and states that all the incidents in the book were similar to actual things he encountered on the force. Perhaps all those incidents would not have taken place in the time frame of the book but reading that made the story a bit more realistic for me. The chapters are short which makes the story move along quickly but some of the chapter breaks seemed to be for the convenience of length rather than a natural break in the story.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
January 22, 2018
A crackling good read! I think the cover is a little misleading; this is a fast paced, gritty, police novel with some excellent twists and heart stopping moments. There are a few very sweet reflections on new parenthood--which only serves to make the protagonist LA Sheriff Bruno Johnson more likeable--but for the most part this is a straight up story of a cop who goes undercover. I found it extremely believable and part of that is due to the author's own experiences. This book reads like a Robert B Parker Spenser book in that the chapters are short, power-packed, dialogue is whip smart, and along with your mystery you'll get some insights into humanity that really resonate.
I highly recommend this author and this book. Can't wait to read more!
I highly recommend this author and this book. Can't wait to read more!
October 1, 2017
(I was given an Advance Reading Copy of this book with no expectation of a review.)
The Innocents depicts a young Bruno Johnson, a newly minted LA County Sheriff Violent Crimes detective, who has to go undercover to investigate internal corruption. But right from the beginning, things get complicated. Exactly who is corrupt--the supervisor who assigns him, the cops he surveils, or somebody higher up the chain...and will Bruno end up as corrupt as the target?
This is a great story. The action is well-paced, the characters are distinct and authentic, and the drama is intense, but there's another level, something I treasure in a novel: a character's introspection as he or she evolves. In the case of Bruno Johnson, we see a young detective being forged in the dark fires of undercover internal affairs. The fact that the book was written by a career law enforcement professional makes it that much more authentic. It feels real.
Bruno wants to do good and be good, but he's a hunter of men, and there's a part of him that lives for the hunt. This good man has his dark side, and as he alternately gives rein or reins in, we so identify with the rage, terror, and regret. The sense of extreme danger is relentless in this story. You can feel what it would be like to be there, and you just can’t relax. The dramatic suspense never lets up, and you cannot stop reading.
There are no super powers here. Bruno is us. He's a regular human, not a TV hero who can MacGuyver his way through the rough spots. As he sweats a life-threatening situation, you feel as if you are there. It’s sobering to think this author was in such (or similar) situations, or if not he, his colleagues.
Here's Bruno, a thinking cop who wonders about human motivation as he fears his own corruption. In this case, he’s pondering a bad, scary, evil coworker: "I wanted to know how it felt to kill two human beings, what it did to his soul. It had to tear off a big chunk, a piece never to return, bringing his soul closer to the edge of extinction...How much soul did one person have to risk? And how much did (my coworker) have left?"
Bruno can see the good in bad people, and vice versa. David Putnam is really good at writing nuanced characters, and in doing so, he keeps us from being able to figure out the answers. Which is where Bruno finds himself. Is the bad guy really at fault, or is he being set up by the “good” guys? What’s the right move? Is Bruno a hero or a chump? As with real life, sometimes you don’t know until the end, or until it’s too late.
Here's another example, where Bruno considers doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. As he sits in a sweaty office trailer where he’s in extreme danger, Bruno is thinking of going outside the law. He gets "...the sudden and bitter taste of revenge, and I fought it, a battle of right and wrong that didn't last. I slipped that much closer to the other side, to the evil I'd dedicated my life to chasing."
The ending is perfect. I enjoyed this younger version of Bruno Johnson very much, and I hope Putnam will continue writing about him.
The Innocents depicts a young Bruno Johnson, a newly minted LA County Sheriff Violent Crimes detective, who has to go undercover to investigate internal corruption. But right from the beginning, things get complicated. Exactly who is corrupt--the supervisor who assigns him, the cops he surveils, or somebody higher up the chain...and will Bruno end up as corrupt as the target?
This is a great story. The action is well-paced, the characters are distinct and authentic, and the drama is intense, but there's another level, something I treasure in a novel: a character's introspection as he or she evolves. In the case of Bruno Johnson, we see a young detective being forged in the dark fires of undercover internal affairs. The fact that the book was written by a career law enforcement professional makes it that much more authentic. It feels real.
Bruno wants to do good and be good, but he's a hunter of men, and there's a part of him that lives for the hunt. This good man has his dark side, and as he alternately gives rein or reins in, we so identify with the rage, terror, and regret. The sense of extreme danger is relentless in this story. You can feel what it would be like to be there, and you just can’t relax. The dramatic suspense never lets up, and you cannot stop reading.
There are no super powers here. Bruno is us. He's a regular human, not a TV hero who can MacGuyver his way through the rough spots. As he sweats a life-threatening situation, you feel as if you are there. It’s sobering to think this author was in such (or similar) situations, or if not he, his colleagues.
Here's Bruno, a thinking cop who wonders about human motivation as he fears his own corruption. In this case, he’s pondering a bad, scary, evil coworker: "I wanted to know how it felt to kill two human beings, what it did to his soul. It had to tear off a big chunk, a piece never to return, bringing his soul closer to the edge of extinction...How much soul did one person have to risk? And how much did (my coworker) have left?"
Bruno can see the good in bad people, and vice versa. David Putnam is really good at writing nuanced characters, and in doing so, he keeps us from being able to figure out the answers. Which is where Bruno finds himself. Is the bad guy really at fault, or is he being set up by the “good” guys? What’s the right move? Is Bruno a hero or a chump? As with real life, sometimes you don’t know until the end, or until it’s too late.
Here's another example, where Bruno considers doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. As he sits in a sweaty office trailer where he’s in extreme danger, Bruno is thinking of going outside the law. He gets "...the sudden and bitter taste of revenge, and I fought it, a battle of right and wrong that didn't last. I slipped that much closer to the other side, to the evil I'd dedicated my life to chasing."
The ending is perfect. I enjoyed this younger version of Bruno Johnson very much, and I hope Putnam will continue writing about him.
April 18, 2020
He comes from the ghetto. He has street smarts and a temper. Bruno Johnson is working his way up from a street cop to being a violent crime sheriff detective. Bruno has been given a special undercover assignment and he will need to use his common sense. He tries to do things right and he does not always succeed. He lets his emotions come into play on the job and with his family.
This book is a prequel to the other books, so you should read this one first. This book is full of action, mystery, and hold your breath moments. I enjoyed this book very much. You will not guess or know the ending, until the END. So hold on......
I also read "The Squandered" and it was also a 5 star read.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion. Thank You Goodreads for putting me onto this author.
This book is a prequel to the other books, so you should read this one first. This book is full of action, mystery, and hold your breath moments. I enjoyed this book very much. You will not guess or know the ending, until the END. So hold on......
I also read "The Squandered" and it was also a 5 star read.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion. Thank You Goodreads for putting me onto this author.
February 15, 2018
this is an exceptional thriller because the characters are so realistic. They are not super beings and struggle with all the problems that beset us all. The dialogue is also realistic and makes the story seem much more real. I have read so many books in this genre, so it is a real pleasure to find one that is different in many ways. The style of writing is simple and very straightforward, making it an easy read, but very engrossing. It is easy to relate to Bruno and the problems he is facing. His father is an outstanding character and provides the steadiness needed to keep things on track. I know you will enjoy this book.
December 28, 2017
The Innocents is a top-notch fast paced action-filled tale of police corruption, backstabbing, double-dealing and trust and distrust. Putnam has given us a tale that starts with a slight comedic bent and simply pours on the action fast and furious with the twists and turns coming so fast Deputy Bruno Johnson has no idea which way to turn or who to trust. Drop Frank Serpico into Lynwood and into the Sheriff's Department and you have a taste of this tale. Bring on the rest of the series!
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for providing a copy for review.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing for providing a copy for review.
December 9, 2017
Detective Bruno Johnson is thrown into some challenges and decisions within a matter of days. I enjoyed the story line and felt it was really engaging. However, I felt there was almost too much going on right off the bat and at times things are repeated. However it all shakes out in the wash with a few unseen twists. I would read more by this author. I received a free advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 8, 2017
"The Innocents” is a wonderful roller-coaster ride, full of twists and turns on every page that will keep readers holding their breaths to the very end!
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 22, 2019
Thanks to Mary Putnam for sending me a copy of this book. This is a gritty fast paced novel with lots of twists and turns. The plot will keep you guessing to the end. David depicts an LA area full of gangs, drugs and low life based on his own experiences. His characters are believable and the action moves fast making this a difficult to put down read.
September 1, 2020
Heart pounding
Bruno is amazing, authentic, and smart. He's a great cop/ sheriff. Somehow manages to get a lot of bad guys, and make it out alive. His relationship with his father, and new daughter is an uplifting part of this story. Bruno has to consider the consequences to them, before he let's his temper take control. Great read!
Bruno is amazing, authentic, and smart. He's a great cop/ sheriff. Somehow manages to get a lot of bad guys, and make it out alive. His relationship with his father, and new daughter is an uplifting part of this story. Bruno has to consider the consequences to them, before he let's his temper take control. Great read!
May 11, 2020
Holy smokes, this blew me away!! David Putnam has walked the walk and can talk the talk!! Extremely hard to put down!!
February 19, 2018
This is my first encounter with David Putnam's Bruno Johnson. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was first rate. I was surprised to find that it is a prequel to other Bruno Johnson novels. We first encounter Bruno having a shower after a night of sex with a vivacious redhead, secretary to one of the other characters in the novel. A loud banging on his door disrupts their play. When he opens the door his former girlfriend Sonja comes rushing in with a baby in tow. She informs him that the baby is his and that she cannot cope with it and the baby is now his to care for. After her abrupt departure Bruno wrestles with his new dilemnna. He is due at work on the Violent Crimes squad. What to do about the baby? Fortunately his dad who lives alone comes to his assistance and enlists the help of a next door neighbor who can baby sit the baby while Bruno and his Dad are at work.
Bruno reports to the Violent Crimes squad where he and a colleague are assigned to assist two narcotics cops (Big Blue and Thibodeaux) in apprehending a gang of robbers who have been preying repeatedly on customers at a gas station. During the takedown a major gunfight ensues and most of the robbers plus the customer are killed. Blue turns out to be a ruthless and fearless bad-ass with no respect for police protocol.
Bruno is then invited to a BBQ at his boss Wicks's residence. When he arrives there he is only the guest. Later the Deputy Chief appears. Bruno is asked to go undercover by joining the narcotics squad and keeping a careful eye on their activities. Wicks and the Deputy Chief suspect that Blue and Thibodeaux are contract killers for a person or persons unknown. It appears that many of their encounters with criminals are arranged in such a way as to take out someone they have been hired to kill.
When Bruno reports for duty he finds another person, a female detective named Chelsea, is also being assigned to the squad. She claims to be from Public Relations looking for some real police action. Bruno begins to suspect that she is not who she claims to be but is not sure whether she is a potential ally or enemy.
A number of takedowns occur as the team hunts for a narcotics king known as Mo Mo. The momentum builds to a crescendo until Bruno gets a tip which gets him to a location that Mo Mo sometimes frequents. Bruno tries to avert the contract killing by luring Mo Mo to that location. But then all hell breaks out as Mo Mo resists and Blue and Thibodeaux appear on the scene with their ideas as to how this should end. A couple of surprise appearances by two other characters who finally reveal their true colors result in a free-for-all which Bruno survives to participate in another adventure.
A very well written and plotted police tale. Definitely not your usual whodunit. This was an ARC via Net Galley.
Bruno reports to the Violent Crimes squad where he and a colleague are assigned to assist two narcotics cops (Big Blue and Thibodeaux) in apprehending a gang of robbers who have been preying repeatedly on customers at a gas station. During the takedown a major gunfight ensues and most of the robbers plus the customer are killed. Blue turns out to be a ruthless and fearless bad-ass with no respect for police protocol.
Bruno is then invited to a BBQ at his boss Wicks's residence. When he arrives there he is only the guest. Later the Deputy Chief appears. Bruno is asked to go undercover by joining the narcotics squad and keeping a careful eye on their activities. Wicks and the Deputy Chief suspect that Blue and Thibodeaux are contract killers for a person or persons unknown. It appears that many of their encounters with criminals are arranged in such a way as to take out someone they have been hired to kill.
When Bruno reports for duty he finds another person, a female detective named Chelsea, is also being assigned to the squad. She claims to be from Public Relations looking for some real police action. Bruno begins to suspect that she is not who she claims to be but is not sure whether she is a potential ally or enemy.
A number of takedowns occur as the team hunts for a narcotics king known as Mo Mo. The momentum builds to a crescendo until Bruno gets a tip which gets him to a location that Mo Mo sometimes frequents. Bruno tries to avert the contract killing by luring Mo Mo to that location. But then all hell breaks out as Mo Mo resists and Blue and Thibodeaux appear on the scene with their ideas as to how this should end. A couple of surprise appearances by two other characters who finally reveal their true colors result in a free-for-all which Bruno survives to participate in another adventure.
A very well written and plotted police tale. Definitely not your usual whodunit. This was an ARC via Net Galley.
December 26, 2017
David Putnam uses his decades of law enforcement experience to write authentic police thrillers. This fantastic novel is based on real life accounts that Putnam experiences early on in his career. This is the first book I have read in the Bruno Johnson series, and it did not disappoint. Bruno Johnson is all set to begin his career as a detective in the LA County Sheriff's Violent Crimes Division. On his first day he receives a bombshell as his daughter, which he knew nothing about, is dumped on his doorstep. But Bruno's problems are just beginning. The department brass develop a plan to use Bruno to infiltrate a narcotics team that is infected with dirty cops.
Along the way Bruno encounters some dangerous people and situations, and his dad and daughter are always in the back of his mind as he performs his job. Bruno soon senses that things aren't quite right when it comes to the details that have been shared with him. He struggles to make sense of the investigation as he figures out who exactly he can trust in this game.
This book has a complex cast of characters. Some will definitely rub you the wrong way, and others you will find yourself rooting for. The nature of the work that Bruno is tasked with and the characters combine to keep the tension ratcheted high, leading to an explosive conclusion that you won't see coming. I will eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series as it is sure to pack the action and suspense that this book delivers.
I would recommend this book to fans of police procedurals, thrillers, and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Oceanview Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Along the way Bruno encounters some dangerous people and situations, and his dad and daughter are always in the back of his mind as he performs his job. Bruno soon senses that things aren't quite right when it comes to the details that have been shared with him. He struggles to make sense of the investigation as he figures out who exactly he can trust in this game.
This book has a complex cast of characters. Some will definitely rub you the wrong way, and others you will find yourself rooting for. The nature of the work that Bruno is tasked with and the characters combine to keep the tension ratcheted high, leading to an explosive conclusion that you won't see coming. I will eagerly anticipate the next installment in this series as it is sure to pack the action and suspense that this book delivers.
I would recommend this book to fans of police procedurals, thrillers, and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Oceanview Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2018
Bruno Johnson, newly assigned as a Los Angeles Sheriff Violent Crimes detective and tasked with infiltrating a narcotics team believed to be involved in murder for hire, is reluctant to trust anyone. Will he find a way to stop the killers or will his efforts end his career?
But Bruno has more than work on his mind. He’s just learned that he has a newborn daughter . . . when her mother handed him the baby and left. So he’s on the fast track for learning how to care for an infant and discovering how having a child changes both his life and his perspective.
But there’s still the officers that may well be contract killers. And Bruno needs to find the answers before it’s too late.
Fast-paced, gritty, and filled with suspense, this well-drawn police procedural offers believable characters, a twisty plot, and an insight into the dangers faced by those who choose law enforcement careers. Although this is the fifth in the Bruno Johnson series, it looks back to the early days of his career. Readers will find much to appreciate in Bruno’s introspective musings as he struggles with his assignment. The ever-increasing tension leads to an unexpected reveal late in the story; readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before reaching the final page.
Recommended.
But Bruno has more than work on his mind. He’s just learned that he has a newborn daughter . . . when her mother handed him the baby and left. So he’s on the fast track for learning how to care for an infant and discovering how having a child changes both his life and his perspective.
But there’s still the officers that may well be contract killers. And Bruno needs to find the answers before it’s too late.
Fast-paced, gritty, and filled with suspense, this well-drawn police procedural offers believable characters, a twisty plot, and an insight into the dangers faced by those who choose law enforcement careers. Although this is the fifth in the Bruno Johnson series, it looks back to the early days of his career. Readers will find much to appreciate in Bruno’s introspective musings as he struggles with his assignment. The ever-increasing tension leads to an unexpected reveal late in the story; readers will find it difficult to set this one aside before reaching the final page.
Recommended.
July 4, 2018
Dog Heavy
This novel goes dark and darker but includes enough humanity and levity to keep it out of darkest as it delves into the inner workings and failings of modern police work and the frailties of humans on both sides of the law. At its heart is Bruno, carefully reared and with a strong moral compass but a barely controlled temper in the face of injustice, something that can set him at conflict with his calling as a sheriff. However, the story starts out as almost a romantic farce, with his ex-girlfriend dumping his weeks-old daughter--of whose existence he had been completely unaware--into his arms before disappearing. So now we can throw nascent fatherhood into the mix of conflicting priorities!
You won't know until "the last reel" which are the good guys and which the bad--and for some you may still not be sure. The intensity will pull you along despite misgivings about the moral center of a number of the players, and rationalizing bad decisions seems to be the order of the day.
This novel goes dark and darker but includes enough humanity and levity to keep it out of darkest as it delves into the inner workings and failings of modern police work and the frailties of humans on both sides of the law. At its heart is Bruno, carefully reared and with a strong moral compass but a barely controlled temper in the face of injustice, something that can set him at conflict with his calling as a sheriff. However, the story starts out as almost a romantic farce, with his ex-girlfriend dumping his weeks-old daughter--of whose existence he had been completely unaware--into his arms before disappearing. So now we can throw nascent fatherhood into the mix of conflicting priorities!
You won't know until "the last reel" which are the good guys and which the bad--and for some you may still not be sure. The intensity will pull you along despite misgivings about the moral center of a number of the players, and rationalizing bad decisions seems to be the order of the day.
May 30, 2018
Bruno Johnson get assigned to LA Sheriff’s violent crimes division and then is sent to the narcotics division to infiltrate what could be a murder for hire within that department. But before all this happens, his ex-girlfriend drops of his daughter (one he did not know about) because she can’t handle the newborn. So now not only does he have to take care of his daughter he must spy on other cops. Relying hard to keep his honor and integrity, he doesn’t know who to trust or what to believe.
This is my first encounter with the Bruno Johnson novels, and although at times it is a little over the top (great for an action movie), it is a great read. Characters with depth, intense situations and a fast-paced narrative makes me want to read more. It certainly kept me on the edge.
This is my first encounter with the Bruno Johnson novels, and although at times it is a little over the top (great for an action movie), it is a great read. Characters with depth, intense situations and a fast-paced narrative makes me want to read more. It certainly kept me on the edge.
August 29, 2020
Gripping and authentic
What sealed my 5-star review of this book was the author's endnote that this was based on real incidents during his service on the police force. I could relate to the protagonist and liked that he wasn't perfect. I do wish that more loose ends were clearly tied up, but maybe that's for the next book
What sealed my 5-star review of this book was the author's endnote that this was based on real incidents during his service on the police force. I could relate to the protagonist and liked that he wasn't perfect. I do wish that more loose ends were clearly tied up, but maybe that's for the next book
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