The Innocents
by David Putnam
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Pub Date Feb 06 2018 | Archive Date Feb 27 2018
Description
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.”
The Early Years: Book One
Bruno Johnson, a newly minted L.A. 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 who they seem to be and that his 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 whom to trust, and in the end, confides in the wrong person.
Michael Connelly says Putnam’s crime fiction is: “. . . a gritty street poem recited by a voice unalterably committed to redemption and doing the right thing in a wrong world.”
While all of the novels in the Bruno Johnson Crime Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence is:
The Disposables
The Replacements
The Squandered
The Vanquished
The Innocents
The Reckless
The Heartless
The Ruthless
The Sinister
Advance Praise
"The Innocents is a terrific read reminiscent of the best of Joseph Wambaugh. David Putnam provides an insider's knowledge of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. His characters and settings are rich and authentic, and his dialogue is spot on accurate. A great novel for lovers of the mystery genre that blurs the line between good and evil and will keep you guessing until the final pages."
—Robert Dugoni, New York Times best-selling author
"Putnam has again come up with a winning combination, a page-turning story and Bruno Johnson, his everyman hero intent on doing the right thing no matter what. Bruno is the guy you want on your side when the chips are down. Do yourself a favor: read this book."
—Harry Hunsicker, Shamus and Thriller Award nominee
"The Innocents tells a story so fast and so taut it never touches the ground, and the people stay with you long after you put it down. David Putnam is one of the few writers who can bear comparison to Joseph Wambaugh."
—Timothy Hallinan, Edgar, Shamus, Macavity, and Lefty Award nominee
Marketing Plan
Marketing & Publicity Plan Highlights:
• ARC distribution to trade, major book reviewers, and targeted long-lead publications
• Digital ARC distribution to 6,000 + digital preferring reviewers, librarians, independent bookstores
• National PR outreach/media coverage
• Local media PR outreach/coverage in: Los Angeles & Southern California
• Digital Advertising
• Eblast to 6K subscribers
• PRWeb release distribution with relevant keywords
• Radio tour to include: Authors on the Air, Author2Author, and more
• Social media influencer campaign
• Goodreads group reading, giveaway campaign
• Author speaking/signing events
• Author social media
• Lead title in catalog
• Advertising in trade publications (PW)
• Submission to major, regional & genre book awards
• Digital review copy available
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781608092574 |
| PRICE | $26.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 336 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Judy G, Reviewer
The incredibly fast-paced, tense storyline kept me guessing until the end. Bruno is very likeable. I'd like to see him in a sequel.
Kyle R, Reviewer
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.
Dave W, Reviewer
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!
Angie T, Reviewer
I really enjoyed reading this book I thought it was gritty and realistic.I liked the main character he wasn't perfect he had anger management issues but I could relate to that in his position so would I.The book was clever and kept me guessing ,the plot was good with plenty going on and it could have crossed the line and become too macho but it didn't it kept me invested I don't like macho superhero types but this book while providing a good story with interesting and believable characters had a realistic main man.I wasn't surprised to learn that the author was an experienced cop it showed in the authenticity of the writing and was all the better for it.I would recommend this book it stands out from the crowd and I am grateful to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC
Nancy W, Reviewer
Bruno Johnson is a new detective with the LA Co Sheriff's special violent crimes unit. The same day there is a knock at the door and suddenly he is a father taking care of a small unnamed baby which he had not known about. Thank goodness for his father and the help he can provide. After only a couple of days Bruno finds himself undercover with a narcotic group. This is an up & down situation. Who is doing "assassin for hire" work on the side. They are using the job to get close to part time job and Bruno is not sure who is on which side. Can he follow this to the conclusion and keep his family safe? That is the question.
Louise W, Reviewer
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.
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