It's 1973 and seventy-five year old Imogene Taylor is on parole for the murder of her husband. In compliance with her parole, she has a job at Dentco, a store that sells damaged groceries and dry goods. Ever since she got out of prison, Imogene likes her routines, work, home, sit on the divan, smoke the rest of her daily allotment of cigarettes, and fantasize about her neighbor. Her across the street neighbor, Suz, is her best friend, even though Imogene is old enough to be her grandmother. One day, a man she nicknames The Cigar, shows up at Dentco demanding protection money which sets off a strange series of events that might get Imogene's parole revoked. While trying hard to both not go back to prison and stay alive, Imogene's relationship with the sitting president is revealed. While inside, Imogene sent many threatening letters. She didn't really think the Secret Service would take her seriously, but now, every time the president comes to the area, an agent named Eugene, takes her to lunch. As events continue to unfold, Imogene has to juggle a dead woman's body found in a box in Suz' garage, continuing threats from The Cigar, and a publisher determined to publish the book Imogene wrote after her release. A sweet and funny novel of friendship, love, and murder.

A madcap adventure featuring a 75 year old female ex-con. Imogene just needs to stay out of trouble for her remaining years working at a local Dentco. That is a store that sells expired or damaged food. But fate through the likes of a local gangster, nasty PO officer, an unrequited love, and the finding of a body threaten to undo Imogene's less than happy parole, if not peaceful life.

Though oftentimes there was an over the top silliness to it all, many of the ideas came from the author's own youth spent in areas featured in the book. As I also lived near most of the places during the early 1970's, it was a fun story to hear about these towns and citrus groves from back in the day.
Filled with colorful characters and a couple of story arcs, Blind Devotion will appeal to fans of author Tim Dorsey.

Thank you to Swell Media for the offer of an electronic copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Just finished this book, this evening and I could have read it in one sitting if time had allowed. It's a great story, fast paced with multiple storylines. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one in the trilogy to come out.
We follow Imogene who has been paroled from prison after shooting her husband dead, 12 years ago. She works in Dentco, a discount food shop and this story follows her and what she gets involved in. She is such an interesting character and I love that we hear her inner monologue constantly.
Would recommend this to lots of different people - thriller lovers, humour lovers and general fiction.

As a self-proclaimed fan of elderly women solving crimes, I was very eager to read "The Blind Devotion of Imogene." In the book, seventy-five year old Imogene Taylor is fresh out of a stint in prison and just trying to keep her parole officer off of her back. However, when a local member from an organized crime group starts threatening the strip where Imogene works, it leads Imogene and a cast of characters down a rabbit hole involving unsolved murders and threats of murder itself. Meanwhile, Imogene has both her parole officer and the Secret Service on her tail. Additionally, she is still trying to grapple with the murder of her husband twelve years earlier.

I thought that this was an extremely creative premise for a book and certainly deviated from other books with similarly-aged main characters. Imogene is... complicated... to say the least and while she had some funny moments, it could be difficult to root for her at times. I also felt that while the storyline was interesting, there were too many competing storylines. Along with the organized crime threat, Imogene has a history of making threats to the President of the United States, she finds a dead body in her neighbor's garage, and she relives the history of the incident that landed her in prison in the first place. Each of these were interesting plot points, but combining them all reduced the weight of any single plot.

I would also highly recommend that the Goodreads description leave out a few details, several of the twists in the book are revealed in the description.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read and I would potentially consider reading the sequel. However, I would like to see a more focused mystery that really allows for the characters to shine through.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had everything that I was looking for in a historical mystery genre. The characters were everything that I was looking for and worked with the historical period. David Putnam does a great job in writing this and left me wanting more.

Thanks to Netgalley, I was able to honestly review this book. Unfortunately, it was definitely not to my liking. Very slow moving without much of a storyline. It appears I'm definitely not with the majority of few people who took the time to review it. I wouldn't really classify the book genre as a mystery. I can honestly say that if this were a series I would not be reading them. I guess if are into bizarre plots and occurrences along with over the top and unbelievable characters you may have a different view of the book.

Oh boy. I did not enjoy this book at all. There were just too many bizarre occurrences and over the top characters. I found the story stilted and disjointed, and the characters unlikable. The Blind Devotion of Imogene was definitely not my cup of tea.

Imogene is a 75 year old ex-con on parole for killing her husband. Now working at a dollar store, her sole purpose is to stay out of prison. Unfortunately for Imogene, events keep conspiring to derail that wish. The Blind Devotion Of Imogene is an off-beat, stream -of-consciousness type story, filled with enough quirky characters to fill several books. There’s so many different things happening here, and Imogene (and the reader) has her hands full trying to juggle all the balls, while keeping her eye on the prize (remaining free), and that holds your interest as the plot courses through different situations. This is an enjoyable, (if unlikely read), perfectly suitable for a beach day, cocktail in hand! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mr. Putnam blends humor with murder in this story. I can actually visualize the characters and their surroundings in this story. It does have some 'old time' things going on in it. I was surprised by Imogene's neighbor that she had a massive crush on in the end. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Imogene is in her 70's, just paroled from spending twelve years in prison for killing her husband, and working a job in a low scale store. As the story unfolds, we learn a lot about Imogene, how her husband died, and all of her quirky neighbors. When a crime boss tries to extort money from Imogene in order to offer protection to the store, Imogene refuses. This puts her on his radar. While Imogene was in prison, she sent threatening letters to the president, this put her on their radar. Because she on parole, she is being followed by her parole officer who is trying to get her back in jail. And when her best friend and neighbor Suzie finds a dead body in her garage, Imogene helps her buying it in her backyard. A lot of crazy, humorous events, with a few gun fights thrown in, makes this a fun and fast-paced read.

The blind devotion of Imogene by David Putnam.
Publication date July 9,2024
Wow what a funny, twisty and comical novel!! Thank you for the opportunity to read this one early! If you love a book drama filled with some mixed up comedy this one is for you. It was a quick read for me. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one. I truly enjoyed it.

From the author of the fantastic Bruno Johnson series, comes this standalone ‘The Blind Devotion of Imogene’.

It’s the year 1973 when we meet 75 year old Imogene Taylor. Twelve years ago she was imprisoned for the murder of her husband Wayne. She loved Wayne deeply and said his death was an accident.

She’s now out on parole and working at Dentco, a store that sells dented goods to those less fortunate. She hates the fact that her parole agent constantly turns up at work out of the blue, but part of her parole conditions is that if she has a job, she has to keep it, and also that she stays out of trouble, so she definitely needs to keep her nose clean in order to comply and retain her freedom. This however, is going to be very difficult to achieve considering what awaits her in the coming few weeks!

All manner of mayhem and madness are about to take place, tempered with lots of humour, and it makes for a great read.

2.0. Although humorous in a low brow way, this book was not a good read. It is the story of a 70 yo woman who is an ex-con trying to avoid being re-incarcerated for violating her parole. Involves some criminal activity, surprising friendships and relationships, but is totally unbelievable to this reader. Enjoyed and laughed a little at the beginning, but from the middle to end, it was a slog. Do not recommend.

I have no idea how I can have such a different response to this book than every other reviewer, but I could not get into this one at all. It felt like a hot mess of all over the place to me... I love the cover and was highly intrigued by the concept, and the title is fabulous. Unfortunately once I started reading, all of that interest fled almost immediately. I could not connect with the characters, the plot, or the pacing. This was definitely not the right book for me...

Thank you NetGallery,Level Best Books and author,David Putnam for the ebook novel,The Blind Devotion of Imogene. Book on sale,July 09,2024. I loved the quirky story! It was a fast read and all characters were funny and a bit off the wall.It takes place in 1973 in So.Calif when 75 year old,Imogene,has recently been paroled after many years in prison,for mistaking her beloved husband as a robber in her dark bedroom and kills him. She’s a two pack a day cigarette smoker and beer guzzler who has conversations in her head with her former cell mate when she gets stressed out which is constant.Her day to day experiences are quite funny happening to a 75 year old and her memories of her late husband are bittersweet. There is a bit of mystery and romance too. The story was written by a former police officer and much of it is based on his true relatives and storyof a true crime that he knew about and said you may Google,if interested. This is a first of a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the next two.

Alice/aka Imogene had a life with Wayne, the husband she adored, but who had his faults. When a neighborhood burglary takes place and the police are hunting for the suspect, Imogene tries to wait up for Wayne to return from the bar, but falls asleep instead. Upon waking in the dark, she sees a huddled form hiding in the corner of her bedroom and fires a warning shot. Unfortunately, the victim is Wayne, not the burglar. Sent to prison for killing her husband, Imogene spends ten long years before she is released with a parole officer on her tail just waiting for her to make a mistake and get sent back to prison.

Filled with unique characters, (based on real relatives according to the author's note) readers will be kept wondering if some of these characters are real or just figments of a 75-year-old, beer swilling, cigarette smoking, ex-con's imagination. Imogene is a survivor and she isn't about to take any crap from anyone. When a body is discovered in a crate in her neighbor's garage, buried under years of trash, Imogene must figure our who is in the box, why they are in the box and who put them there before the perpetrator figures out exactly what Imogene and her friend Suz know and comes gunning for them.

With descriptions of people and places so vivid that you feel that you're in the scene with them, this novel will keep you turning the pages to the very end. Will Imogene wind up back in prison? Read and find out!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In David Putnam's novel, "The Blind Devotion of Imogene: The Misadventures of Imogene Taylor," readers are treated to a delightful blend of mystery, humor, and unexpected twists. Imogene Taylor, a seventy-five-year-old ex-convict, finds herself embroiled in a series of misadventures that will keep you turning the pages.

Plot Summary:
Imogene, on parole for murder, works at a store selling dented canned goods. But her life takes an unexpected turn when she sends threatening letters to sitting Presidents during her prison stint, catching the attention of the Secret Service. Her novel, "Peekaboo POTUS" , about the assassination of a US President, lands her in a web of intrigue.

As if that weren't enough, the local mobster, known as "The Cigar," extorts protection money from the store where Imogene works. The entire strip center faces the threat of firebombing. Meanwhile, Imogene's neighbor dies, leaving behind a hoarder's mess. Imogene and Suzanne, the neighbor's daughter, discover a hidden box containing a long-dead woman. Imogene must navigate an overzealous parole agent while dealing with the corpse in the garage. But she can't report it to the police—after all, she's on parole for murder.

Imogene and Suzanne suspect the dead woman is Suzanne's estranged mother. Rather than expose Suzanne's father as the probable killer, Imogene convinces her to bury her mom under the avocado tree in the backyard. But when Thelma, Suzanne's mother, reappears after reading her own obituary, the race to uncover the real killer begins.

What Makes It Stand Out:

- Imogene's Unconventional Charm: Imogene is no ordinary protagonist. Her quirky personality, sharp wit, and unapologetic attitude make her a refreshing departure from typical mystery heroines.

- Humor and Heart:
Putnam weaves humor into the darkest moments, creating a unique blend of suspense and laughter. Imogene's interactions with the parole agent, the mobster, and the dead woman's unexpected return add layers of depth to the story.

- Layered Mystery:

The novel isn't just about solving a murder; it's about Imogene's redemption, her relationships, and the secrets buried in the past. The plot unfolds like a well-crafted puzzle, keeping readers guessing until the end.

Final Verdict:

"The Blind Devotion of Imogene" is a captivating read that defies genre conventions. If you enjoy mysteries with unconventional protagonists, witty dialogue, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read. Imogene Taylor's misadventures will leave you both amused and intrigued.

I loved Imogene, and I highly recommend this book, it is a breath of fresh air, from an extremely talented and imaginative author.

This book, first in a series, is hard to characterize. Murder mystery, comedy of errors, mayhem, social commentary? That and more. There is a lot happening all the time. It’s not hard to follow but as I was reading, I was thinking it was too much, too fast, and it made me lose interest. The characters are in a constant state of upheaval, under threat by a variety of forces. Really over the top.

Imogene is a 75-year-old ex con on parole, convicted for killing her husband. She served ten years and when the story begins, she has been out for two years. She works in a store that sells dented cans and surplus damaged goods. Her nasty parole officer is determined to find her committing an offense that will put her back in jail. She has a best friend Suz, whose father has just died and while Imogene helps clean out the garage, they find a body in a box. Rather than reporting it to the police, they bury it in Imogene’s yard.

At the same time, mafia type hoods are threatening hers and neighboring businesses to pay weekly protection. On top of this, Imogene is involved with the secret service for activity while in jail, she has an infatuation with a neighbor, and her friend Suz’s long lost mother shows up to create more confusion. And if that is not enough, Imogene has a voice in her head that may be that of her former roommate in jail or not. I won't even try to tell you about her back story.

Threaded throughout is commentary about the law since the author is former law enforcement.

All in all, it was an exhausting read and I can’t imagine what this character will be up to in future books.

I’m giving it three stars. It was not for me but if you are someone who likes to read zany, fast moving plots with many twists and turns, real and absurd, then you might like this book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Level Best Books to read and honestly review this ARC.

How to give a review on this all engaging delightful book about Imogene! You have to read it to understand my review. I truly could not understand where David Putnam came up with the novel’s content ….. until I read his notes at the end of the book. A comical , often crazy, charming and gratifying read. I was fully entertained!

What an engrossing and interesting story. I was wondering how the author thought of all this mayhem and drama and then I read the author’s note at the end. The cadre of characters are delightful, malevolent and funny. If you want a light, out of the ordinary book to read, pick this one up for sure! Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books and Lisa from Swell Media for granting me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #TheBlindDevotionofImogene, #NetGalley.