The 9th book in the series finds Bruno and Marie recuperating from wounds suffered at the end of book #8. As they plan to return to their home territory to care for their children, plans change drastically. Bruno and Marie have many children. If a child needs a home, they have space in their hearts for one more and one more and one more. David Putnam has developed an excellent back story and populated it with characters who care for each other, in turn making readers care about them. The stories are full of action and thrills and always keep readers watching for those clues that will lead them back to Bruno's team.

4⭐⭐⭐⭐




- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!

+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity

❤️shaye.read

I love crime novels that involve ex- cops or detectives— someone that doesn’t need to play by police rules but still is aware of police procedures. This book did not disappoint. Full of action, fantastic characters and even made me laugh out loud a few times. I will be going back to read the other 8 since this is my first by Mr. Putnam. Thank you Oceanview Publishing and NetGqlley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review.

This one was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Not my cup of tea and had a really tough time with finishing this one just kind of average.- I wouldn’t recommend someone read it but I wouldn’t dissuaded them either

The sinister- David putnam

I’m sorry I didn’t get to read this title and so it expired therefore I cannot give an accurate review. Sorry

Filled with non stop action, I never wanted to stop reading this book….. even when I got to the last page I didn’t want to put it down. Bruno Johnson is the type of guy every good guy wants in their corner and the kind of guy every bad guy should fear. The characters come alive and you feel as if you are part of the action. Even the dog is full of personality and life. Another must read in this series. I can’t wait for the next book in 2023.

The need to right a wrong

“The Sinister” by David Putnam is part of the “Bruno Johnson Thriller” series. The previous few books in the series were “prequels” so it has been a while since readers were with Bruno Johnson, his wife, and the twelve children in Costa Rica whom they rescued. Little reminders of the horrible events in Los Angeles from the two previous months are dropped into the narrative along the way as a recap for regular readers and as an introduction for new readers. Now, at the start of this book, they are ready to return to Costa Rica, to finally go home.

The story unfolds in Bruno’s first person narrative. The story is driven by conversations, what Bruno says directly to readers, what he says to himself, what he says to the people he encounters, and what people, sometimes harsh, rough, inappropriate people, say to him in the language of the street. Bruno lives a complicated life that gets more complex every day. His past hangs ominously over him, but it is this past that provides the foundation for his life, both his extensive experience in the LA County Sheriff’s department and his experiences outside law enforcement. His specialty is hunting people, and he is good at it.

There is just one little thing Bruno must do before they return home; someone from Bruno’s past needs help. A child was kidnapped; the ransom was paid; the child was not returned, and law enforcement has all but given up. Bruno is no longer a cop, so he can do things differently. He will not be reading people rights; he has no burdensome rules to follow. This child needs the help that only Bruno can give. Things move quickly over the next few days. Events are traumatic; information is unpredictable, and informants are probably unreliable.
“The Sinister” does not quite have buckets of blood running in the street, but this is not a tidy scenario; it is not without distress. It is a “nail biting” pursuit right to the end. I received a review copy of “The Sinister” from David Putnam, and Oceanview Publishing. As always, I recommend reading the “Author’s notes” at the end of the book for the real life inspirations for these fictional escapades.

And, if you ever need a safe word, take a clue from Bruno and use “Get your a$$ in here”

Meet Bruno Johnson and his wife Marie. Bruno is a ex-cop and ex-con (having killed the man who killed Bruno's daughter). He is also wanted in LA County for a cadre of kidnappings that are actually children he and Marie rescued from abusive neglectful homes. Bruno and Marie spirited the children to safety in Costa Rica, ably assisted by his father.

As the book opens, Bruno is recuperating from being shot twice (by his ex-wife) while breaking up a motorcycle gang's meth operation. Been in a too expensive hotel for a couple months running up five-digit bill. He has to stay low because of he has about a dozen warrants for his arrest on kidnapping (those kids) and murder (of a child trafficker). Mostly recovered, the Johnson's are packing up to go back to Costa Rica. The FBI knocks on his door. It's longtime friend and now a Deputy Director Dan Chulack.

Chulack's granddaughter was kidnapped two weeks ago. Two million ransom raised, paid, and lost at the drop/exchange. The FBI's investigation has stalled and Dan knows that no one on his radar knows the LA streets like Bruno. And no one hands out justice like Bruno. When Bruno gets on the scent, blood and bones are going to spill.

A street thug involved in the failed exchange is in county lockup. Bruno's first stop is to question him. But how will a wanted felon get into the jail, see the punk, and get out. An overgrowth of beard and hair while recuperating, some big sunglasses, still walking stooped over from his injuries . . . and a set of counterfeit FBI credentials (friends in high places helps) get him in the door but only under the watchful gaze of the LA detective investigating the kidnapping - Helen Hellinger, an intense and uber tough cop. Bruno sure hopes she doesn't put 2 and 2 together and figures out his real identity.

They meet at the jail to find out that two thugs drop the perp, head first, off the third floor landing in the jail's common area. To make things worse, the two thugs had just made bail. Best Bruno can do is corner one of the thug's cellmates in hope that inmates still love to brag. The cellmate is Whitey, a sleaze ball who could be a cousin to Lethal Weapon 2's Leo Getz (the Joe Pesci character).

Yeah, Whitey knows stuff and he's willing to trade. He'll talk, but he wants out first. The next two days Whitey takes Bruno and Helen into some of the worst areas in LA where beatings are as common as doorbells. Bruno isn't shy about getting what he wants. And there are a couple exit ramps from the main investigation to keep Bruno honest all the while gaining the begrudging respect of Helen.

One of the exit ramps is all Helen. Her sister is a biker bitch with a meth habit and a 4yo daughter. Once she unloads this on Bruno, the hunt branches from looking for Agent Chulack's granddaughter to include getting little Stephanie out. In the best of all worlds, He and Marie will take Stephanie into their home in Costa Rica. And find Chulack's granddaughter, too. But that's getting less and less likely as time drags on.

Turns out this is book #9 in the Bruno Johnson series. And while the publisher (Oceanview - one of my favs) says that each can be read as a standalone novel, it wouldn't hurt to start at the beginning. That could mean two things. Start with book #1 or start with book #6 because Putnam did a recent 3-book backstory run (books 6, 7, and 8). Knowing this, I might start with #6-8 and then do books #1-5. That way the books would be read chronologically. Time to hit that BooksInOrder.com website.

Bruno Johnson is one bad dude. And he's especially bad when the victims are children. You don't want to be in his way when he gets on a roll. Marie is a trained Physician Assistant and those skills come in handy at times. She has the same temperament as Bruno when it comes to abducted/abused children, having recorded a kill of her own in a previous book. She is also a saint for putting up with Bruno's aggression and single-minded pursuit and execution of justice. While the book is a good look at the gutter of LA, it's not quite as good as George Pelecanos' grasp of life on the streets (of DC). Just don't let your guard down when Bruno's around.

Bruno Johnson, convalescing from a gunshot wound to the chest, haunted by an unthinkable personal trauma, and wanted by the police, is approached by a higher-up in the FBI who requests Bruno’s special skills for a personal favor -- finding his kidnapped granddaughter. Bruno’s pregnant wife desperately wants to get back home to Costa Rica to the 12 children Bruno had saved by kidnapping them from abusive homes. Bruno is still weak but can’t say no to investigating the kidnapping, knowing meanwhile that every move he makes puts him at risk of being identified and captured by the authorities or recognized by a thug with a grudge. The supporting characters are strong, opinionated, and capable (extra points for the awesome dog). The action is relentless, and there is danger all around as Bruno takes on criminals and gangs in his pursuit of the child. It’s violent and at times horrifying, but we know that Bruno is trying to do what’s right, even at great personal risk. Make sure you're done with work before reading this one; it's a compelling book that demands to be finished the day you start it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for a digital advance review copy.

Never heard of this author. Great characters and twists will look.forward
To reading more from this author.


Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book

The Sinister by David Putnam—hard-boiled crime fiction that’s written the way it always should be written, with hard edges and buckets of blood and bone.

I’m a reader who always wants to start a series with the first book, yet found myself reading The Sinister by David Putnam even though it’s the ninth novel in the Bruno Johnson crime series. Before picking up this book, I’d never heard of David Putnam or his bestselling series. I only read and reviewed it because the publisher kindly reached out to me by email. But now, after reading my first David Putnam crime novel, I have only one question. How is it that I’ve never heard of this guy before? This book hands down the best hard-boiled crime fiction novels I’ve read in recent memory and the kind of book that’s right in my wheelhouse. The Sinister opens with a bang, and the breathtaking pace continues until the very end.
If Bruno Johnson had any luck, it would probably be all bad. He’s an ex-cop who spent decades on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hunting down the most violent criminal fugitives and a paroled ex-con. When the book opens, Johnson is in nine kinds of trouble.

Recently released from a Los Angeles hospital, he is still recovering from a gunshot chest wound and weak as a kitten. Johnson is also the subject of multiple arrest warrants on kidnapping and murder charges. He’s even made the Los Angeles FBI field office’s local Ten Most Wanted List. He and his pregnant wife, Marie, are holed up in a Glendale long-stay hotel, laying low and hoping to stay off the law enforcement radar until Bruno is well enough for them to travel back to their home in Costa Rica. Additionally, Bruno suffers from nightmares over a horrific experience from his recent past.

Bruno Johnson isn’t a real criminal even with the arrest warrants and his history as a paroled ex-con. Instead, he’s an archetypal knight errant in the mold of Chandler’s Marlowe and Parker’s Spenser. Yes, Bruno is a little on the thuggish side, but with a heart of gold and a strong moral compass. It’s just that he isn’t opposed to crossing the line where the law is concerned when it is necessary to mete out his special brand of street justice to those who have it coming.

As if Bruno Johnson doesn’t have enough troubles of his own, a friend, FBI Assistant Director Dan Chulack, reaches out to dump a load of his troubles on Johnson. Someone kidnapped Chulack’s granddaughter and her nanny and demanded a $2 million ransom. The FBI handled the case but in less than stellar fashion. While they captured one suspect when he showed up at the drop to collect the ransom, the FBI lost the ransom money and failed to get the little girl or the nanny back. Now it seems everyone has lost hope of getting the victims back alive. Well aware of Johnson’s reputation as a man-hunter who always gets his man, Chulack asks Bruno to find the kidnappers and give them the kind of justice he is known for delivering.

Having a soft spot for kids, Johnson agrees to help his friend, though he isn’t in any physical condition to do it. Yet he gives the case his all with the help of his sidekick, Karl Drago, a former motorcycle gang member who is even rougher and more violent than Bruno. Along the way, another sidekick, a tough, hardcore female sheriff’s detective named Helen Hellinger, forces her way onto Bruno’s team. She plays an integral role in searching for the bad guys and saves Bruno’s bacon more than once.

There was much I liked about David Putnam’s writing style and storytelling. He nails it when it comes to writing hard-boiled crime fiction in a way rarely seen these days. His descriptive prose accurately portrays Los Angeles in almost a panoramic way, from the geography to the city’s hard edges to the gritty, noirish shadowy areas.

There are a few implausible situations in The Sinister, something crime fiction enthusiasts don’t suffer gladly. But Putnam more than makes up for these minor literary license detours by offering solid, raw authenticity where it matters most. The genuine “cop-speak” and natural language and descriptions of all things law enforcement-related make the reader realize right away that author has spent time on the mean streets himself. So it was no surprise to learn Putnam is a retired law enforcement officer with broad experience.

This book is long but packed with action. Once you start reading, it’s tough to put down. The plot is intriguing and well-balanced against a mix of likeable and thoroughly unlikeable characters. The combination translates into a riveting read. I’ll certainly be adding some of the earlier Bruno Johnson novels to my to-read list.

The Sinister by David Putnam is hard-boiled crime fiction written the way it always should be written, with hard edges and buckets of blood and bone.

Bruno and Marie find themselves involved in a huge problem when Dan Chulack asks Dan to help his granddaughter who has been kidnapped. Bruno goes back to the violence he had promised to leave and brings that violence nearer to Marie. To make things worse, his long-lost mother reappears and wants to move to Costa Rica with them. Personal life in turmoil, professional life as well, Bruno's days pass on in a kind of haze, as he is still recovering from this last encounter with the motorcycle gang. Will he be able to find the girl? What will he do with his mother? How about Marie, how will she cope with all that is happening?
A plot that thickens by the minute, a child that seems to be dead and lost, a family waiting in another country, and a family possibly in mourning. Great story, full of action and feelings that come forward even though all hell seems to be breaking loose! Very good entertainment!

After a career in law enforcement, David Putnam turned author, has just published his ninth Bruno Johnson book - The Sinister. The story opens with Bruno and his wife in a hotel, still recovering from events presumably detailed in the previous book. An FBI friend asks Bruno to find his kidnapped granddaughter and so an explosive action thriller unfolds. Bruno ‘Bad Boy’ Johnson has a tendency for violence, suffers nightmares, drinks chocolate milk and eats snowball cakes. Yet in stark contrast, his gentle relationship to his wife seems somewhat fanciful. The at times gratuitous violence and the one-man justice crusader trope did not make for such an enjoyable read. Yet, if you want vigilante justice and unrealistic fights against overbearing odds, then this two-star read will knock your socks off. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given, without persuasion.

The Sinister
David Putnam
reviewed by Lou Jacobs



readersremains.com | Goodreads


Your granddaughter is gone and probably dead. The ransom exchange was horribly botched by the FBI and LAPD. There are no leads and the investigation is at a dead end.

Deputy Director of the FBI, Dan Chulack knows what must be done. He knocks on the hotel

door of his friend, Bruno Johnson, to whom he shows a photo of a small, vulnerable five-year-old girl with the sweetest smile and big brown eyes. Kids are Bruno’s achilles heel. He unspools the story of Emily Mosely, his granddaughter, kidnapped two weeks ago, along with her nanny, Lilian Morales. He knows only Bruno could accomplish what others could not. Only with his special type of street smarts and justice could closure be obtained and those responsible hunted down and proper justice be meted out.

Enter the violent and gritty world of Bruno Johnson. His name is spoken with reverence when uttered by his adversaries—known on the streets for his unwavering tenacity and violence while a member of the violent crime task force of Los Angeles. His law enforcement career began almost thirty years ago in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and led to two decades of service on the Violent Crimes Team, hunting down murderers. He even had to do a brief stint in prison for killing his daughter’s murderer.

Bruno finds himself in a weakened and compromised state having just signed himself out of the hospital; he’s still recovering from a bullet to the hip and chest. Chulack finds him at a most inopportune moment. Bruno and his pregnant wife, Marie, are planning to leave tomorrow for Costa Rica, to rejoin their cadre of twelve “saved” children. They have rescued and kidnapped the children from their abusive and hostile homes, and their efforts have achieved mythic proportions—referred to as an underground railroad for abused children. Regardless, Bruno does have outstanding warrants for kidnapping, which seem to go unchallenged and uncollected. Only Bruno can step over into the gray areas of enforcement to take down violent criminals, using whatever force necessary.

David Putnam proves to be a masterful storyteller as he weaves an intricate and convoluted series of catastrophic events together in a twisted and fast paced page-turner, that benefits from a cast of colorful multidimensional characters. In Bruno’s weakened state he needs to enlist the aid of his long-time friend and motorcycle gang washout, Karl Drago. Karl is a giant of a man, with the prowess and skill to complement his size. Karl’s faithful dog, Waldo, is frequently in tow. Who would argue with a one hundred and thirty pound Rottweiler who quickly responds to Karl’s multifaceted commands, meted out in guttural German? And, certainly not forgotten is the weaselly Howard Owsley, known affectionately as the “White Rat.” Known on the streets as “Whitey”, he’s a professional snitch and is an expert at obtaining important info that he readily trades to extricate himself from prison and other “sticky” situations.

This conman plays a very “dangerous game” exceedingly well and reluctantly keeps Bruno on the right path. Many other quirky characters lend this tale authenticity with the goal of righteous justice, rather than vengeance. Be prepared to enter a web of chaos and enjoy Putnam’s expert unravelling skills. This high octane and gritty gem is relentless and escalates in an exhilarating denouement. This gem is obviously penned by one who has lived the life. The finely honed characters will be ingrained in your memory long after you’ve finished the last page.

Although this is the ninth foray into the world of Bruno Johnson, it can be enjoyed and gobbled up as a stand alone, due to Putnam seamlessly supplying the necessary back story.

The exploits of Bruno Johnson rival those of Harry Bosch and Jack Reacher, and will certainly quench the thirst of action-thriller enthusiasts. Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

Up front- I was a little confused when I started this because I'd only read the 8th book in the series, which I now understand was a prequel of sorts. That said, read as a standalone, this is a fast paced thriller with good characters not only in Bruno but most especially in his wife Marie. It's twisty, violent, and emotional. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans.

Ex cop Bruno Johnson is recovering from gunshot wounds, and hiding from the law, with his wife Marie, in a hotel in L.A. They’re hoping to return to Costa Rica where they have rescued 12 children from abusive situations (a kind of Underground Railroad for abused and neglected kids). Not so easy to make the journey home though, not when you’re a wanted man!

Bruno’s friend, FBI Deputy Director Dan Chulack begs him to help find his kidnapped granddaughter, putting Bruno’s plans of returning to Costa Rica on ice.

Ninth in the Bruno Johnson series, and the action never lets up (as we’ve come to expect), and let’s face it, the action is truly authentic too (check out the author’s career within Law Enforcement!) It’s tense and relentless, but there were some poignant moments, as beneath that tough guy exterior, lies a loving heart. Bruno’s mother makes an unexpected appearance, a mother who was absent for most of his life, but things aren’t what they seem. Waldo the dog also makes an appearance, a great big heavy fur ball with more intelligence than some of his human counterparts! If you love crime novels, then you’ll love Bruno!

Book Review: The Sinister (Bruno Johnson #9) by David Putnam
Published by Oceanview Publishing, February 22, 2022

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars) RAVE

Made me laugh! Picture vintage "Cousin Vinnie's" pesky eyes and mischievous smirk. And that's when Book 9's "Whitey" cameo does those "Joe Pesci /Leo Getz in Lethal Weapon 3" classic antics. Reminds me of the time we all could just have a good laugh without fear of being "canceled". And when everyone pitched in to make it work - black, brown, white. And blue.

The Sinister (Bruno Johnson #9)

Hunkered down and lying low from events in Book 8, still reeling in abject remorse from the inadvertent death he'd caused of the son he never knew, Bosco, Bruno Johnson finds himself reunited with the woman who'd abandoned him as a toddler.

His own long-forgotten mom, Bea, sits in a wheelchair in his temporary hotel home, now elderly, forlorn, disabled, and as he finds out, wily, colorful and nestled in a place where appearances can be deceiving.

With the introduction of Bea Elliot, author David Putnam appears to put a pivotal turn to the series, even as the Bruno Johnson team tries to rescue a kidnapped little girl and retrieve yet another from a drug den.

The Team.

Bruno and Marie Johnson, a black couple who'd made it their mission in life to rescue and give refuge to battered children from abusive homes. Far from well-to-do, they manage to find a haven beyond reach in Costa Rica for the children, and for themselves.

Her, a healthcare worker, homemaker and strong female whose opinions are not to be set aside. Him, an ex-cop, ex-narc and ex-con turned vigilante, feared as a legend in both criminal and law enforcement circles; a force to be reckoned with.

Drago and Waldo. Him, a redneck "Sons of Satan" biker gang dropout, who hates motorcycle gangs. He's devoted to the Johnsons, a puppy who constantly seeks the nod and approval of Marie. And it, a 130-pound Rottweiler who never barks, has a bite, and understands and obeys commands from his master - in Deutsch.

The FBI. The LAPD. Drago's friends.

And last but not least, "My Cousin Vinnie" who plays a heroic pivotal role in keeping the posse hot on the trail. Howard "Whitey" Owsley a/k/a the "Owl", ex-con, career criminal, gleefully wagging his tongue. He survives with his wits, street creds, petty threats and banter. And with his chin as a decoy target.

All teamed up against the "Crips", street gangs, biker gangs and drug lords. And, at times, against bent elements within law enforcement ranks and brass.

-----

With uplifting themes of hope and redemption against the dire straits of street, drug and gang violence, David Putnam parleys his years of law enforcement into the palpable authenticity of his writing. Inter-alia, he was with the real Hawaii Five-O, a narc, on an FBI-sponsored team, with a SWAT team and has supervised corrections, patrol, and a detective bureau.

An action-packed entertainment gem to be relished!

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley.

The Sinister is the ninth book in the Bruno Johnson series, about an ex-cop from LA who has done time for murder, and now looks after children he has rescued from horrendously abusive homes. I have only read book 8 (The Ruthless) previously, but have bought books 1 to 3 and plan to read the rest of the series soon, as I really like both the characters and the way Putnam writes. I think this would work fine as a stand-alone, as you get plenty of backstory - the disadvantage is that I will now be spoiled for events in the earlier books. Books 1-4 are about Bruno later in life, while 5-8 are prequels, so if you want to read them chronologically, this one follows number 4, The Vanquished. This review may mention spoilers from that book (which are also present in the blurb.)

Bruno is finally about to return to his large brood of rescued children in Costa Rica with his pregnant wife Marie, after spending months recovering in an upscale hotel, from being shot by members of a biker gang. He’s suffering from PTSD and is physically weak, but when his friend Dan, who happens to be the Deputy Director of the FBI, asks him to step into the stalled investigation of the kidnap of Dan’s grand-daughter, he knows he can’t say no, and must once again step outside of the law to inflict his own form of brutal justice. Then, as if he didn’t have enough problems, a woman claiming to be his long-lost mother shows up…

While obviously I’ve only read two of them, I have to say I’m surprised that this series is not better known, given the popularity of the Reacher series and the like. They’re packed with action, suspense and bad guys getting what’s coming to them. As Bruno reports back to Marie: “The appropriate amount of comeuppance was meted out.” The author has had an extensive career in different aspects of US law enforcement, and his afterword explains which incidents in the book were inspired by real life events. He’s a white man but manages to convey the voice of a hardened middle-aged black man convincingly enough (for this white Englishwoman anyway). I loved the support characters, especially Drago and Waldo, and the hilarious Whitey, as well as two strong but very different women. Be warned that there is a lot of violence, although it’s not gratuitously gory, and mentions of child abuse although we don’t see it happening. The ending was surprisingly emotional, and now I can’t wait to find out what happens next. 4.5 rounded up for all-round great story-telling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
The Sinister is published on February 22nd.

I received this book thru "NetGalley Read Now" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Bruno recovering from injuries he received in the last book. After two months they are about ready to return to Costa Rica when they get a knock on their hotel room door. When Bruno answers it Dan, a deputy director of the FBI, is outside and needs to speak with Bruno. Dan's granddaughter has been kidnapped and after several weeks the FBI has not been able to get any information who was responsible. Bruno after a little thinking agrees to help out. The only information that Bruno is given is that one of the people picking up the ransom was in jail. Bruno states that he will try to get information from him. When Bruno is waiting at the jail, he discovers that this individual has been killed. While Bruno was waiting Helen, a female detective, was trying to get information so that she could find out who killed the person Bruno was asking for. In a short while, Whitey, his cellmate, said he had information that he would give if they got him out of jail. For the kidnapping he gave a tidbit regarding the ransome and in addition provided the names of the people responsible for the jail killing.

Using this information, Bruno and Helen, began working together and were able to track down one person quickly, but before he could provide info about who hired him, he was killed. Whitey was once again helpful, but it came at a price.

To learn what Whitey provided that helped find the other suspect, who was discovered that caused Bruno to feel that Dan's granddaughter was dead, what request Helen made of Bruno and how everything ended, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.