Tuesday 14 January 2014

DAVID PUTNAM - THE DISPOSABLES


Synopsis/blurb.......

Bruno Johnson, a tough street cop, member of the elite violent crime task force, feared by the bad guys, admired by the good, finds his life derailed when a personal tragedy forces him to break the law. 

Now he's an ex-con and his life on parole is not going well. He is hassled by the police at every opportunity, and, to make matters even more difficult, his former partner, Robby Wicks, now a high-ranking detective, bullies him into helping solve a high profile crime--unofficially, of course. 

Meanwhile, Bruno's girlfriend, Marie, brings out the good, the real Bruno, and even though they veer totally outside the law, he and Marie dedicate themselves to saving abused children, creating a type of underground railroad for neglected kids at risk: disposable kids. What they must do is perilous as they take matters into their own hands, battling a warped justice system and Bruno's former partner, who has his own evil agenda.

"I really loved The Disposables. It's raw, powerful and eloquent. It's a gritty street poem recited by a voice unalterably committed to redemption and doing the right thing in a wrong world. I'll be first in line for the next one from David Putnam."
Michael Connelly, New York Times best-selling author of The Gods of Guilt

"What do you get when you give a veteran sheriff's deputy a talent for storytelling and a computer?  In this case you get David Putnam's 'The Disposables,' a dark and disturbing insider's novel that may not make you feel safer on the mean streets of L.A. Dark, disturbing and all too believable, this is the tale of one man's quest for atonement in a world where innocence is a liability."
T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times best-selling author of "The Famous & the Dead," and "The Jaguar"

Another day, another Net Galley book and another new author to check out; this latest being David Putnam’s debut novel.

Well, I perhaps wasn’t as taken with this quite as much as the two crime fiction heavyweight authors above, but it was fast and relentless, with a well-described main character in Bruno Johnson. Johnson a big, black and angry ex-cop/ex-con has with his girlfriend decided to dedicate themselves to rescuing abused children. Marie, with her job in the ER department at the “Killer King” Hospital sees the repeat child victims of parental abuse and neglect. Bruno having suffered a loss the consequences of which saw him imprisoned is a willing accomplice. If he has to commit a few crimes to finance an escape to an alternative lifestyle and provide for the children’s future far away from LA’s dark streets, he’s willing to take that risk.

Bruno and Marie’s mistake is to save a child that is the son of a wealthy foreign businessman, the product of a liaison with a prostitute. The business man wants to care for his child, which brings them to the attention of the FBI, who becomes involved after pressure is applied on high. The FBI liaise with Bruno’s old boss, Robby Wicks, which in turn leads to Bruno’s activities coming under closer scrutiny.

We have a fair few twists and turns along the way.....Bruno’s job, some unrelated crimes that bring Bruno back into an uneasy and unwilling partnership with his former colleague and friend and his double life, the criminal aspect which he keeps hidden from his girlfriend, necessary in his eyes to bankroll the dream of escape and sanctuary for Marie and the rescued children.  

Fast, brutal, relentless.........if not a little bit too busy in the final quarter, as the net closed on Bruno and he tried to formulate an escape route for them all.

The Disposables was an interesting book, which highlighted an important issue of child welfare and the inadequacies of a broken system where those most vulnerable can often fall through the cracks, especially when they are the product of damaged individuals with severe addictions and problems.  
I’d be interested in reading a second book from the author, perhaps at a slightly slower pace, maybe 80 mph as opposed to the full pedal to metal experience here. Putnam is worth keeping an eye out for though.

Overall a 4 from 5


Acquired again from Net Galley. (I’ll read one of my own books soon!)

17 comments:

  1. An antihero in an unusual plot theme—I might give this a shot, Col.

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    1. I think it's still available over on Net Galley, go for it! I want to see how you feel about it, if you have the chance to read it.

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  2. When I saw David Putnam I thought it was the film produced (he might be Puttnam) but I'm guessing not. I like books about rescues and making people disappear, but I'll probably wait till you find a 5-star one for me...

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    1. Hmm, probably a good idea to hold fire.........a good, solid read, but not a spectacular one.

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  3. Col - I know what you mean about breakneck speed. Fast-paced is one thing; full throttle perhaps another. Still, it sounds as though it addresses some interesting and important issues. Thanks for the review.

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    1. Yes, thought provoking definitely....and an extreme solution to helping the children in this one. Realistic, hmm...... perhaps a bit stretched, but hey it's fiction so everyone makes stuff up - it's in the job description!

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  4. A cop gone roque is not one of my favorite narratives at all even if it's to save abused children and it does remind me just a little tiny bit of Andrew Vachss anti-hero in the Burke series of which I've only read one book but Burke was never a cop but more of a scam artist...so not exactly in the same league but still. I'm not averse to anti-heroes in general as you well know but this storyline would give me fits. One last thing: "Killer King hospital." Seriously?

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    1. Keishon, I was reminded of Vachss' Burke as I read it. If you put them side by side I would go for Vachss, but it is only a debut book, which means I would expect him to construct a better book next time around.
      (I was also reminded of your difficulties with the first Burke book you tried. I think I was in stitches reading the linked review.I'm smiling now!)

      Killer King was the local nickname ascribed to the Martin Luther King Hospital which is in the locale where the novel takes place. I was too lazy to properly reference it in my review - shakes head wistfully - I'm unaware if it exists in reality and is correctly nicknamed, or made up shit - I'd like to think the former, but hey.

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    2. Wait until you see the next review - can you picture the sidebar toilet?

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    3. Oh okay I thought the author was being funny or something.

      I've been encouraged to try Vachss again and will. Hopefully with some success next time. Can't wait to see what you have for tomorrow. Of course since I have the morning shift I won't get to see until late. Cheers.

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    4. When I have time I'm going to try and re-do the Vachss/Burke trip from the beginning.....probably when hell freezes over....at this rate.

      Don't work too hard......what's the time difference between us? 4.30pm in my neck of the woods.

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    5. Ok, I'm 6 hours ahead of you - just trying to get a fix in my head.

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  5. Sounds interesting, I like fast paced, but still probably too edgy and tense for me. I will wait until you review another one by this author.

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    1. No problem Tracy, I will try and find something for you soon!

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    2. I tried to add another comment at the previous post but it seemed like it did not take it. (I agreed that a skull on the cover would have made a difference.) So I am trying here to see if I hit the wrong button or something.

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    3. Hmm....a couple of times last week the same thing happened. Note to self - find some skull covers!

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