The Obessions of Harvey Usher is a book like no other. With a quirky and adorable main character and a shady hot bombshell with a secret, it was such a fun read you won'twant to miss !!! 💫💫💫💫💫


Harvey's story goes back into the past and shows us a glimpse of his choices and a few misdeeds. It also tells the beautiful love story between him and the love of his life, Sylvia. The story is so entertaining and packed with humor, bad decisions, twists, and some violence that makes this story truly fun and entertaining.
Thank you, Netgalley and Level Best Books/IBPA, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

The story in a few words:

At eighty years old, Harvey Usher lives a quiet, reclusive life, still grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Sylvia. But when a stunning redhead named Rita shows up, claiming to be his wife of two years, Harvey's carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Then starts a cat and mouse game where long buried truths come to light. What true motives does Rita have? Harvey must decide who he can trust….

My thoughts:

I was very intrigued at first and enjoyed how tense and clever the plot was. But as it progressed it grew repetitive and dragged a lot. The dual timelines of past and present with change in the characters name simply added confusion. Around page 100 I was totally bored, this story had lost my interest and never regained it. Even with the sluggish pacing and the lack of clarity I managed to lumber along and eventually make it to the very last word. “ouf” I made it….

Do misdeeds from the past comes back to haunt you? Was Rita a Trojan horse place by Harvey’s enemies? Was Harvey suffering from dementia and fooled by a charming temptress? I leave it to you to find out.

A final note:

Some reviewers acknowledged that overall story was strong and kept them engaged. The mix of crime, personal history, and emotional depth had resonated well with them. Maybe you will feel the same?

This moves on dual time lines to tell Harvey's story and that of the women in his life. I gotta admit that I got confused-there's Delores who Harvey calls Rita and his first wife Sylvia/Lois and then there's other things that are clearly meant to make you wonder about Harvey's mental status. This had potential but it lost me and I DNF. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this delightful eARC.

I wanted to mention, I especially LOVED this book's gorgeous cover; which immediately grabbed my interest!

David Putnam's The Obsessions of Harvey Usher is a wonderful thrill ride of a book, and I loved the interplay between Harvey and "Rita" (apparently Harvey's wonderfully seductive 2nd wife who he forgot - just READ THIS BOOK). Putnam dares to explore the tender landscape of lost love (lost due to death) as well as organized crime and it's endless resources. The result is a noir-tinged character study that reads like a classic yet humorous mob story as well as a profound love story - with a mirror held up to the soul.

Rather than coasting on plot twists or action sequences alone, Putnam crafts a story that moves inward as it moves forward...

Harvey Usher—a former numbers guy for the mob who is haunted by personal loss and burdened by moral ambiguity—serves as a vessel for themes of love, friendship, and honor. Harvey has a compulsion to chase the truth even when it can be deadly.

Readers familiar with Putnam’s earlier Bruno Johnson series may expect grit, but here it’s more internalized. This novel is paradoxically layered—like a minimalist painting you realize is full of haunting brushwork the longer you stare.

Putnam’s prose is clean and direct—almost surgical in its precision. There’s little wasted motion in the storytelling, which makes the story quickly move forward. The dialogue crackles, with flair, levity, emotion and humor which is typically evident in Dave's books (just one reason for his loyal fan base). The pacing is deliberately atmospheric: not sluggish, but meditative, like descending a staircase into a forgotten basement.

Harvey’s "obsessions" go beyond a single issue—they're metaphorical specters. He becomes a character navigating the blurred boundaries between justice and vengeance, self-preservation and self-destruction. In a genre that often fetishizes resilience, The Obsessions of Harvey Usher is bold enough to interrogate the fragility of aging.

Putnam also weaves in questions about legacy, responsibility, and whether people can truly atone for their pasts—or if they can only learn to carry them with a little more grace.

The Obsessions of Harvey Usher is a quiet storm of a book—powerful in its restraint and devastating in its emotional honesty. It’s the kind of crime novel that lingers because of its expertly crafted humanity. For readers who crave thrillers with existential weight, this one delivers a descent into moral complexity.

If you enjoy works by Don Winslow or books with the psychological nuance of Tana French, you’ll likely find Harvey Usher a worthy companion. I loved it, I am a huge fan of David Putnam, and this is my favorite book of his to date! I am buying multiple copies for family members as soon as it is released.

The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by David Putnam is a recommended thriller set in two timelines.

Harvey Usher, 80, is shocked when he wakes up and a young Rita Hayworth look-a-like named Dolores is making him breakfast. Harvey's beloved wife of 50 years, Sylvia (Lois) passed away years earlier. Now Dolores, who he starts calling Rita, is claiming they've been married for two years. She is concerned that he is losing his memory, and lovingly continues to care for him.

First Harvey calls the police, but Dolores has a driver's license with her married name and address as well as a marriage license. The police are wondering if Harvey needs to go into long term care. Then Harvey turns to his neighbor, Esther, and a PI named Eddie Gurski to help him prove who Rita is so he can determine what con game she is playing. Things get much more complicated when people start dying.

The plot unfolds in two timelines, 1968, when Harvey met Lois, and the present. There is a connection with organized crime dating back to the 1960s timeline. Events become complicated when past actions come forward years later and it is difficult to know who he can trust. There are some exciting moments and twists along the way. The narrative starts out intriguing but then began to lose my full interest when events from the past began to unfold.

I never really liked Harvey or any of the characters in the novel, which did make it difficult to care about what was happening in either timeline. Those who appreciate organize crime novels may like this one more. Thanks to Level Best Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I was pleased to receive an early edition of The Obsession of Harvey Usher from NetGalley and the publisher. I had read and enjoyed six books by its author, David Putnam, and some scored a high 5-star rating from me. This book had an intriguing premise, but I was disappointed. I struggled with the past storyline and the alternate names of the main characters. I am not a fan of stories involving organized crime and its violence, and the changing names made it confusing, resulting in the characters being less engaging. I regret that I failed to finish and continued skimming the pages.

The protagonist is Harvey Usher, age 82. He has led a quiet, reclusive life since his long-time marriage ended when his wife died. One morning, he finds a gorgeous younger woman in his house, busily making his favourite breakfast. She is stunning, resembling Rita Hayworth. She insists they were married a couple of years ago, refusing to leave when Harvey tries to evict her. She expresses concern that Harvey is losing his memory. Refusing to admit that his memory is failing, he believes she is part of a scam. She can produce a marriage certificate and other ID items. Are they forgeries, and why would anyone plan such an elaborate fraud when Harvey is not financially secure? What is she after?

A friendly neighbour put him in touch with a troubled man acting as a private detective. He is tasked with determining her identity, past life and associates. This is difficult for the so-called detective who cannot be out at night and must use the computer in the library. Harvey is being charged $500 per day fr the investigation, which he can barely afford. When Harvey called the police to order 'Rita' out of his home, they believed that, as his wife, she belonged there and suspected that Harvey might need institutional care.

While I found the early part of the book tense, clever, and puzzling, I did not enjoy the latter part, which attempted to explain the mystery. Unfortunately, the book was not for me, but I am in the minority here. Other readers may enjoy it more than I did.The date for publication is July 8/2025.

A darkly intriguing psychological study. The pacing was uneven, but the central character’s descent was haunting and well-drawn. Creepy without being over-the-top. A compelling look at obsession, secrecy, and unraveling minds.

Thanks ro Netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Harvey Usher is in his 80s and his longtime wife has been dead for a couple years. There’s a young attractive woman in his house claiming she’s his wife and she even has the ID to prove she lives there. What could be going on?

This sounded like an interesting premise and it started out being fairly interesting. But somewhere lost steam for me and I DNF’d at 50%. I found that I was confused to some extent by the different names used for the same people. I also didn’t really like the turn. the book took with Harvey’s past in the recounting of it. Unfortunately, when I put this one down, I had a hard time picking it back up and finally decided to call it. I have liked other books from this author, but this one just wasn’t for me.

There might be a good story here but I found the first 25 pages irritating and I stopped reading. Mostly it was that IMO the attempt to portray Harvey Usher as possibly demented or possibly being hornswoggled was not adequately done.

I was initially drawn into The Obsessions of Harvey Usher by its intriguing opening, where an octogenarian is gaslighted by a captivating Rita Hayworth-like figure. The setup promised a suspenseful thriller, but unfortunately, the story lost its spark as it dragged on. The premise, while engaging at first, grew repetitive and failed to maintain momentum.

The introduction of past and present timelines added to the confusion. The interchangeable character names—Rita and Delores seeming to be the same person, as well as Sylvia and Lois—made it hard to follow who was who. I was also unsure whether Harvey Usher and Harvey Dortmund were the same character. This lack of clarity disrupted the narrative flow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Ultimately, I DNF’d the book at 34%.

While I didn’t finish, I can see how some fans of this type of fiction might appreciate the atmospheric elements. However, the confusing character identities and sluggish pacing didn’t work for me. Two stars.

I was invited to read a DRC from Level Best Books through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my thoughts and opinions.

A standalone crime mystery, The Obsessions of Harvey Usher (2025) by David Putnam has an octogenarian protagonist. Harvey Usher wakes up one morning to discover a well-dressed middle-aged woman has made him breakfast. Believing he is being scammed, he calls the police, only for Rita to provide a driver’s licence with his address and a marriage certificate from 2 years earlier. Harvey’s neighbour and friend tries to help but Harvey is seen to be forgetful and Rita’s bonafide story accepted. The narrative then switches back and forth between current day happenings and 1968, when Harvey was a young man. A low-key thriller with deception and a bloodied confrontation, makes for a three star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Level Best Books and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

THE OBSESSIONS OF HARVEY USHER by David Putnam

This was a good tale but there was too much bouncing back and forth from the past to the present. It was easy to get lost. The fact that it was a good story was the only thing that kept me reading it. Harvey is a poor soul pulled into the world of t thuggery and mayhem.
Stereotypical accountant, Harvey, discovers love, loses love, finds pain and humiliation, and searches for redemption.
Some entertaining characters move the story along. Rita is a temptress, and Harvey’s wife, or is she? Ester, Lisette, Eddie, Jackie the nose, assorted thugs, country club folks, and beautiful women are all sautéed in a sauce of treachery, abuse, and perfidy.
I enjoyed the book.

This story has a bit of a quirky loveable character in Harvey. A good light read for the most part.

Harvey is 80 years old, and his wife Sylvia of many years died a few years back. One day, a woman Delores claiming to be his wife of 2 years turns up at home. She says they were married and he is forgetting. He takes to calling her Rita (after the actress Rita Hayworth). When Harvey calls the police, Delores produces a driving license (with a shared last name & address) and a marriage certificate. Harvey then hires one Edward Gurski as a detective to check on what the story is. Harvey is puzzled since he does not think his modest savings warrant such an elaborate ruse, if it is that. There are sections which take you to Harvey’s past, and how he and Sylvia got married.

Harvey is a well-developed and loveable character. Though it is somewhat clear how the story could progress, Delores’ character fits well in the story. There is a convergence between Harvey’s past and current events, which I found to be weak and forced. I liked the glimpses of Sylvia’s character we get to see when the past is recounted, though here too the later stages lack imagination.

Overall, an easy read, which could have been much better. Recommended for Harvey’s character!

My rating: 3.5 / 5.

Who says crime doesn't pay? It seems to have for Harvey and Lois although I wouldn't like to live my life constantly looking over my shoulder. I can't help but wonder how different their lives could have been had Lois not been singled out for Georgio. The undercurrents in this story run deep, and Harvey is not the only one obsessed.

Instances of child abuse; organised crime; rape; abduction; coersion; money laundering; robbery and murder occur within these pages. The author's years in law enforcement show in his writings. The characters, their actions, the 'cause' and 'effect' all feel 'real', which makes for an excellent reading experience.

I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Obsessions of Harvey Usher through NetGalley and have chosen to leave a review.

Despite its ugly and somewhat silly cover, the novel is decidedly entertaining and capable of conveying profound reflections. In this “senior citizen” thriller, memories and misdeeds from the past return to haunt the present despite a life of caution. Unrevealed secrets lead to new, bad choices and a cascade of remorse and regret. Yet, underlying it all, there is a love story so profound that its final sparks illuminate the life of an 82-year-old man, to the point of making him appreciate, almost love, even the explosive redhead that his enemies from the past have placed in his home as a sort of Trojan horse. And it is these last glimpses of an ancient love that lead to a peaceful ending, full of good intentions but not banality. The writing, which leads the reader between past and present, with its self-critical comments by the protagonist, is tinged with subtle humour, making the novel, which is also punctuated by violence and death, truly enjoyable.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

This pulp fiction noir told over two different timelines didn't ever grab me. The story was somewhat convoluted, the pacing a little slow, and the characters were pretty one dimensional. The pace picked up in the second half but I just wasn't engaged with any of the characters to care how it turned out. I think there is an audience for this book, but it wasn't me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for an advanced reader copy.

My first David Putnam novel but definitely not my last. This was absolutely packed with secrets, lies and family ties. And the characters were fantastic! Great storytelling.
Thank you NetGalley, David Putnam and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read and review this book

I always hate to start a review with, “I struggled with this book.” But there’s no other way to state it. The writing, plot, dialogue, and characters left me wanting to close the book and move on.

I liked seeing an older character in the book, but Harvey wasn’t strong enough to carry, in my eyes, an impossible story.

Not many books fall into my DNF category, but I only made it halfway through this one.

I'm rating it 3 stars because I think it's one of those stories you like or don't like. You may like it.

David Putnam's latest novel follows a familiar pattern: an accessible narrative that begins unassumingly, progresses steadily, and intensifies in the latter half. The central figure is Harvey, an eighty-year-old widower who is unexpectedly confronted by a woman claiming to be his wife of the past two years, coinciding with the death of his first wife. The narrative structure employs alternating chapters that reveal details of Harvey's life in both the past and present. As a bookkeeper for the mob, Harvey engages in creative accounting to legitimise illicit funds. His early love, Sylvia, is compelled to marry the son of the Mafia boss for whom Harvey manages accounts. The ensuing plot involves numerous complications as Harvey orchestrates an act of revenge and ultimately reunites with Sylvia. While the inclination of authors to resolve all plot threads and conclude with a positive outcome is sometimes perplexing, this novel proves to be a captivating read, rendering it difficult to set aside once commenced.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed herein are my own.