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Bruno Johnson #1-3
The Bruno Johnson Trilogy
Ex-cop and ex-con Bruno Johnson and the fearless Marie have illegally rescued children from abusive homes and smuggled them to a safe haven in Costa Rica. As the action moves from The Disposables to The Replacements and then to The Squandered, Bruno and Marie are repeatedly forced back to the United States where they face treachery, violence, and looming incarceration. The Bruno Johnson series is fast-paced and relentless, while also heartfelt and authentic, written by a best-selling author whose career has spanned several areas of law enforcement.
922 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2017
114 people are currently reading
145 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 23, 2022
While on vacation I finished the The Bruno Johnson trilogy (books #1-3) in less than two days. Each book presented a brand-new plot and refreshers for us readers about important plot info from the previous book(s). I learned much appreciated information about the penal system, statistics and how stressful it truly is to work in prisons and the streets as a police officer.
Bruno, Marie, Mack, Barbara and co. are all extraordinarily well developed, relatable and interesting characters. The women are portrayed as heroes as much as the men and this is a breath of fresh air.
Mr. Putnam also discusses his personal experiences as a police officer and how his real life work in the field inspired each story - making this exceptional start to the series even more touching and inspiring.
This is the type of series I devour and will be reading on.
Bruno, Marie, Mack, Barbara and co. are all extraordinarily well developed, relatable and interesting characters. The women are portrayed as heroes as much as the men and this is a breath of fresh air.
Mr. Putnam also discusses his personal experiences as a police officer and how his real life work in the field inspired each story - making this exceptional start to the series even more touching and inspiring.
This is the type of series I devour and will be reading on.
September 17, 2017
Really good read. I started reading with the intention of only going through the first book but it grabbed me and held on through the entire trilogy.
The combination of family , legal and illegal adventures made it impossible to put down. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the ups and downs of police fiction.
The combination of family , legal and illegal adventures made it impossible to put down. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys the ups and downs of police fiction.
August 6, 2017
Rocked my world...
This book series totally surprised me - with its storyline, writing style and honesty. I couldn't put it down. My first foray into David Putnam's writing most definitely will not be my last.
This book series totally surprised me - with its storyline, writing style and honesty. I couldn't put it down. My first foray into David Putnam's writing most definitely will not be my last.
June 19, 2018
Ex-cop, ex-con, Bruno Johnson is a modern day crusader. The mean streets of Bruno’s South Central LA are a dark world lit only by Marie and the abused children they are trying to protect. In Bruno's case, protect at all costs. He does what he thinks necessary, legal and not, for his kids. No one else can or will help. Do the ends justify the means? In Bruno's world this question doesn’t make any sense--there is no one qualified to cast the first stone. These novels by David Putnam are gritty, fast-paced and hard to put down.
September 27, 2019
An excellent collection in a must read series.
December 30, 2018
Great read, a good vacation read.
Really enjoyed the realism of a system hiding in plain sight that too few people allow themselves to see.
The reality that life is not fair and never had been. Sheep are sheared every day and most do not wish to accept the reality this author puts forth.
Really enjoyed the realism of a system hiding in plain sight that too few people allow themselves to see.
The reality that life is not fair and never had been. Sheep are sheared every day and most do not wish to accept the reality this author puts forth.
January 15, 2019
This trilogy I didn't think would interest me as much as it did... it was about a cop who had gotten on the wrong side of the law by shooting a bad individual but it was vigilante business... however, this ex-cop, ex-con had great redeeming value and had his mission to take kids from neglectful and abusive homes and give them good homes with his girl friend who was a Physician Assistant, with the help of one fellow police officer who also saw the good in him and was faithful to the end...
At the beginning of each trilogy, I had to really think about whether I wanted to put myself in Bruno's world again, the story and his struggles were so engrossing... he was so honorable and fought the good fight not because it was expected of him, but because all this time he was a fugitive, by kidnapping abused kids and giving them a stable home life, he had a good moral compass although the scrapes he got into was like a roller-coater ride from hell! But a good roller-coater ride... the kinda guy that you want around to keep you safe at night... all in all... I was sorry when the third book ended... not because it was a downer but because I really did enjoy the ride... So I want to thank David Putnam for letting me know that there are guys like that out there!
At the beginning of each trilogy, I had to really think about whether I wanted to put myself in Bruno's world again, the story and his struggles were so engrossing... he was so honorable and fought the good fight not because it was expected of him, but because all this time he was a fugitive, by kidnapping abused kids and giving them a stable home life, he had a good moral compass although the scrapes he got into was like a roller-coater ride from hell! But a good roller-coater ride... the kinda guy that you want around to keep you safe at night... all in all... I was sorry when the third book ended... not because it was a downer but because I really did enjoy the ride... So I want to thank David Putnam for letting me know that there are guys like that out there!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2021
Three great Stories
This box set introduces Bruno Johnson and follows him through the period when he is released from prison. Introduces Marie who plays a major role in his life. Identifies his path which led him to leave his hometown with his father and Marie. The 2nd and 3rd book has him returning and pursuing justice for people who can't including his adopted brother..
Author that you don't want to miss.
This box set introduces Bruno Johnson and follows him through the period when he is released from prison. Introduces Marie who plays a major role in his life. Identifies his path which led him to leave his hometown with his father and Marie. The 2nd and 3rd book has him returning and pursuing justice for people who can't including his adopted brother..
Author that you don't want to miss.
July 1, 2018
Interesting Read
Enjoyed all the police jargon as we are a law enforcement family! Lots of truth about CPS being overwhelmed on every side! I was sure cheering for Bruno and Marie to be safe in Central America with those children! Some of the stunts and near escapes got a bit over the top, but it was fiction after all! I would read more about Bruno, Marie and their"kids"!
Enjoyed all the police jargon as we are a law enforcement family! Lots of truth about CPS being overwhelmed on every side! I was sure cheering for Bruno and Marie to be safe in Central America with those children! Some of the stunts and near escapes got a bit over the top, but it was fiction after all! I would read more about Bruno, Marie and their"kids"!
June 30, 2018
A non stop read
I read a lot of books but this series that I’ve just finished in 3 days has me stunned by the reality and heroics in these pages! I have been there with the characters at every move hardly breathing! It’s a must read!!!
I read a lot of books but this series that I’ve just finished in 3 days has me stunned by the reality and heroics in these pages! I have been there with the characters at every move hardly breathing! It’s a must read!!!
April 22, 2021
Gritty and real. Given this author's background, I feel certain that many of these people and events were actually experienced and then fictionalized. What a way to exorcise demons.
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. 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.
The Replacements, #2 - As intense as The Disposables was, The Replacements exceeds it. A good deed done 25 years previously comes back to haunt Bruno. A great cast of characters; Drago is well done. Interesting story lines; the new blending well with the old. Just enough of the past mentioned to get the story going without having the previous book rehashed. Hard to put down so start this book with plenty of time to finish it in one sitting. Takes place nine months after The Disposables end. Quality paperback with easy to read font, thick pages and the only way to read a book. 5*
The Squandered, #3 - The books just keep getting better! This book is intense. The question is a constant "how are you getting out of this one, Bruno"? Fortunately, the author brings realism, professionalism and well-written story lines to make an interesting, immersing read. There is no fairy godmother and regurgitated hollywood swill. I place this author on par with Ludlum, Follett and the other masters of their craft when writers could spin a yarn and knew their material. This story takes place three months after The Replacements ends. Quality paperback. 5*
The Vanquished, #4 - Best yet, which is saying a lot. Plenty of good writing, good characters, good story lines and a gamut of emotions. Fast-paced. Lot of drama. Marie demands to go back with Bruno was a fine line with me but I saw both sides of that fence. Their decision worked. Quality paperback. 5*
The Innocents, #5 - This book starts in the past to about eight months after Sophia leaves the Sheriff's Department. Her surprise visit changes the lives of Bruno and his dad. I would have liked to read this book before The Disposables, #1, but I am not sure it mattered although I remembered the other books and knew everything. I dislike reading out of order since knowing what happened later spoils the story. Interesting. Hard to put down, rather an addicting series for me, with the good characters and intense story lines. Quality paperback. 4*
The Reckless,#6 - Intense. Interesting. Sad; while many real life experiences and real people are in all of the author's books, there is one character based on a very important person from the author's life. Another hard to put down book. There is so much to say about this book that this review could easily become a book report. Read it to experience it first-hand. Quality paperback. 5*
The Heartless, #7 - It hard to write a review because there is so much to Putnam's writing it is easy to write a book report. Olivia is 15-years-old and a major target of a killer. Pretty intense emotions. Drama aplenty. Good characters, interesting story lines and clean dialog. The author brings his years as a police officer into his books making interesting, intense reads. Hard to put down; a one sitting read always. 5*
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.
October 12, 2023
Fantastic and Compulsive Read!
Three cheers for Bruno! The lives and safety of others, especially children is priority one and something he takes very seriously. I wanted to keep reading until I finished all three books I was so engrossed 8n the story. These books all hook the reader in and make you cheer for the good guys. I highly recommend this book!
Three cheers for Bruno! The lives and safety of others, especially children is priority one and something he takes very seriously. I wanted to keep reading until I finished all three books I was so engrossed 8n the story. These books all hook the reader in and make you cheer for the good guys. I highly recommend this book!
October 19, 2017
A pretty simplistic story. I did enjoy reading it though as maybe an escape from the complexity of today's news cycle.
June 27, 2018
Mindbender
Excess of violence , offensive language , somewhat lacking in reality , but still engrossing until the ending. Makes one wonder this could be the way it really is.
Excess of violence , offensive language , somewhat lacking in reality , but still engrossing until the ending. Makes one wonder this could be the way it really is.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews