I started reading this book and all I could think of was, "What possessed me to request this?" The book is about a 75-year-old woman who was released from prison 2 years prior for killing her husband. She maintains it was an accident. Soon after, three men turn up dead in her living room, also from gunshot wounds. Two of them happen to be mafioso types and now she has to watch her back.

The main character in this book is incredibly unlikeable for me. All she does is smoke and gripe and her weirdo voice in her head does not help. I found the dialect strange and it is unclear why but the book appears to be set in the 1970s, which also does not add much to my liking the book.

Again, I am pondering why I would ask for such a title, unless I was thinking this was a women's fiction title and not, well, whatever it turns out to be.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Imogene waiting to meet with her probation officer. She has been staying in a seedy motel over the last two weeks since her home was declared a crime scene. It seems that there was a situation where three people were killed. Her visit was with a new person and she was concerned. At the visit, this person was suspicious of Imogene and told her that he was going to be watching her and if things got out of hand, he would put her back in prison. After her meeting she wound up going to a deposition because she was giving the book publisher trouble. She eventually signed an agreement where she would let them publish her book.

The next day things got worse. It seems like some unknown party was threatening her and as a result, she wound up taking part in an unknown event. The event was planned for the 4th of July, a few days away.

Read along and learn what steps were being taking to involve other individuals to cooperate. Discover what actions Imogene took to protect herself in addition to the others. Find out who was behind the event and how it all worked out in the end.

The ending was something that I didn't expect. Definitely worth the read.

I didn’t realize prior to reading this that this is the second book. I really liked this one so I’ll definitely be going back to read it. Imogene is an amazing character and had me so entertained. I can’t wait to see where this series goes!

I believe that this is the second book of a trilogy about 75 year old Imogene.. It’s a quirky read but I found myself again invested in the main character Imogene and her back story. I’m still not sure if she is a goodie a baddie or a victim of circumstance.. What’s going on in her head. I hope that it will all come to a satisfactory conclusion in the final book. Meanwhile, I have ideas of my own but will they be the same as the authors?

'Imogene's Grand Fiasco' is a light yet predictable read. However, the title character of Imogene Taylor is the saving grace. The character development and dialogue of Imogene keeps the reader's interest. The fiasco of the book is the predictability of the plot and the introduction of supporting characters without much development.
The main character is followed from her visit with her parole officer since her release from prison for murder to her encounter with the mob to her inner dialogue with her cellmate 'Ange' and various interactions with other characters that enter her life. The varying 'fiascos' within the story start to overlap with frequent introduction of other supporting characters during these fiascos. Eliminating some of the unrealistic fiascos and focusing on Imogene and her life story would have been more enjoyable.
Imogene Taylor, her inner dialogue with herself and 'Ange' and interactions with other characters in the story makes the fiasco readable. Without Imogene, the story falls short of an entertaining read. Imogene resembles a person in every reader's life or acts in a way they wish they could at times in life. Her relatable nature brings the reader to the next chapter not what will happen next in the plot.
Though it is a humorous read, David Putnam offers valuable life lessons through Imogene. Imogene states during one of her fiascos, "I just adjust to the world as it changes around me. It's the law of the jungle. You adapt or get run over. And I won't get run over" in Chapter Ten. When speaking of her deceased husband and his chair within the home they shared together, "That was his place in her world. A place he always sat. He was always there. Even when he wasn't". Glimpses into Imogene's life and past offer life lessons that are relatable and thought provoking.

IMOGENE'S GRAND FIASCO, #2 - She's released and she's in a bind, or two, or three. She just wants to smoke her Marlboros and watch the world pass by her divan perch, but someone else has nefarious plans for her and another ex-con. Plenty of humor, smoking, planning, kidnapping, and mistakes as Imogene strives to remain an ex-con. Source: Netgalley. 4*

THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE, #1 - Totally, an enjoyable read, filled with a bit of everything from romance to murder, tragedy and humor. In the author's notes, Putnam explains how the book came together. Well written story lines and interesting characters make for an easy to read, hard to put down entertainment. Source: Netgalley. 5*

THE BRUNO JOHNSON SERIES:
I cannot put these books down. They are so intense, well written and well thought out, realistic with a variety of characters and dialog, and interesting story lines; the new blending well with the old. At the end of each book, the author explains some of the real life events that actually happened to him, which transform into the life and career of Bruno Johnson.

There is very little cursing, and rarely vulgar language, mainly character related. Similar to the pre-60s movies, there is no graphic or detailed violence or sex acts, maybe some bad acting.

In each book, there is just enough of the past mentioned to get the story going without having the previous book(s) rehashed. There is no fairy godmother and regurgitated hollywood swill. I place this author on par with Ludlum, Follett and the other masters of their craft when writers could spin a yarn and knew their material.

Also, the series is broken down into Young Bruno and Older Bruno. Since I have read these books in published order I am not sure how to recommend the reading order, published or chronological. The Young Years are The Innocents, The Relentless, The Heartless and The Ruthless, books numbers 5 - 8. While the first four books are Older Bruno, which give spoilers to the Young set. BUT the published order gives you background that makes the Young set more intense and hard to put down since there is more to the story. The impacts are probably reduced to ho-hum if read chronological. On second thought, stick with the published sequence.

Quality paperback with easy to read font, thick pages and the only way to read a book. The Disposables I read as an ebook. See the individual book for its complete review. These have been edited for length. 5*

THE DISPOSABLES, #1 - Awesome read! Realistic action. 5*

THE REPLACEMENTS, #2 - As intense as The Disposables was, The Replacements exceeds it. A good deed done 25 years previously comes back to haunt Bruno. Drago is well done. Takes place nine months after The Disposables end. 5*

THE SQUANDERED, #3 - The books just keep getting better! This book is intense. The question is a constant "how are you getting out of this one, Bruno"? This story takes place three months after The Replacements ends. 5*

THE VANQUISHED, #4 - Best yet, which is saying a lot. A gamut of emotions. Fast-paced. Lot of drama. 5*

THE INNOCENTS, #5 - This book starts in the past to about eight months after Sophia leaves the Sheriff's Department. Her surprise visit changes the lives of Bruno and his dad. I would have liked to read this book before 4*

THE RECKLESS,#6 - Intense. Interesting. Sad; while many real life experiences and real people are in all of the author's books, there is one character based on a very important person from the author's life. Read it to experience it first-hand. 5*

THE HEARTLESS, #7 - It hard to write a review because there is so much to Putnam's writing it is easy to write a book report. Pretty intense emotions. Drama aplenty. 5*

THE RUTHLESS, #8 - Awesome! The truth about several things comes out in this book. 5*

THE SINISTER, #9 - A lot of happenings. Picks up two months after The Vanquished, #4, ends. Still recovering but ready to leave when trouble rears its ugliness in plain sight and Bruno is back at it. 5*

THE SCORNED, #10 - A tangled mess and Bruno wants to slap someone. OK, shoot someone but whom? The new father is back in the muck and with the help of Drago is putting a stick in a lot of spokes. 5*
THE BRUNO JOHNSON SERIES end.

A FEARSOME MOONLIGHT BLACK - A new series by Mr. Putnam that rivals his Bruno Johnson Series. The author brings his past as a law officer into the story(ies) blending fact well with fiction. Do not expect graphic gore, graphic sex, etc. The cursing is plain ole cussing used infrequently and for emphasis. Mr. Putnam is a talented storyteller. Well written and well thought out story lines along with a variety of characters make it difficult to put down this book, or any of Bruno's. Since I read the Bruno series, I recognized when fact came into the story and I thought I was reading Putnam's autobiography. I heartily recommend the work of Mr. Putnam and look forward to more of his books. If you enjoyed the books of Wambaugh, you will enjoy Putnam. 5*


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6608494513
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3886774259





ORIGINAL:

The Bruno Johnson Series:

The Disposables, #1 - Awesome read! Interesting story lines, good characters and a good pace keeps the reader immersed in the book. Believable people and dialogue. Realistic action. Well written and thought out. 5*

The Replacements, #2 - As intense as The Disposables was, The Replacements exceeds it. A good deed done 25 years previously comes back to haunt Bruno. A great cast of characters; Drago is well done. Interesting story lines; the new blending well with the old. Just enough of the past mentioned to get the story going without having the previous book rehashed. Hard to put down so start this book with plenty of time to finish it in one sitting. Takes place nine months after The Disposables end. Quality paperback with easy to read font, thick pages and the only way to read a book. 5*

The Squandered, #3 - The books just keep getting better! This book is intense. The question is a constant "how are you getting out of this one, Bruno"? Fortunately, the author brings realism, professionalism and well-written story lines to make an interesting, immersing read. There is no fairy godmother and regurgitated hollywood swill. I place this author on par with Ludlum, Follett and the other masters of their craft when writers could spin a yarn and knew their material. This story takes place three months after The Replacements ends. Quality paperback. 5*

The Vanquished, #4 - Best yet, which is saying a lot. Plenty of good writing, good characters, good story lines and a gamut of emotions. Fast-paced. Lot of drama. Marie demands to go back with Bruno was a fine line with me but I saw both sides of that fence. Their decision worked. Quality paperback. 5*

The Innocents, #5 - This book starts in the past to about eight months after Sophia leaves the Sheriff's Department. Her surprise visit changes the lives of Bruno and his dad. I would have liked to read this book before The Disposables, #1, but I am not sure it mattered although I remembered the other books and knew everything. I dislike reading out of order since knowing what happened later spoils the story. Interesting. Hard to put down, rather an addicting series for me, with the good characters and intense story lines. Quality paperback. 4*

The Reckless,#6 - Intense. Interesting. Sad; while many real life experiences and real people are in all of the author's books, there is one character based on a very important person from the author's life. Another hard to put down book. There is so much to say about this book that this review could easily become a book report. Read it to experience it first-hand. Quality paperback. 5*

The Heartless, #7 - It hard to write a review because there is so much to Putnam's writing it is easy to write a book report. Olivia is 15-years-old and a major target of a killer. Pretty intense emotions. Drama aplenty. Good characters, interesting story lines and clean dialog. The author brings his years as a police officer into his books making interesting, intense reads. Hard to put down; a one sitting read always. 5*

The Ruthless, #8 - Awesome! The truth about several things comes out in this book. The series is broken down into Young Bruno and Older Bruno. Since I have read these books in published order I am not sure how to recommend the reading order, published or chronological. The Young Years are The Innocents, The Relentless, The Heartless and The Ruthless, books numbers 5 - 8. While the first four books are Older Bruno, which give spoilers to the Young set. BUT the published order gives you background that makes the Young set more intense and hard to put down since there is more to the story. The impacts are probably reduced to ho-hum if read chronological. On second thought, stick with the published sequence. 5*

The Sinister, #9 - A lot of happenings. Picks up two months after The Vanquished, #4, ends. Still recovering but ready to leave when trouble rears its ugliness in plain sight and Bruno is back at it. Intense. Interesting. 5*

The Scorned, #10 - A tangled mess and Bruno wants to slap someone. OK, shoot someone but whom? The new father is back in the muck and with the help of Drago is putting a stick in a lot of spokes. He has to figure out truth from fiction, and good from bad before he can put his solutions to work and end it all. While looking for a missing child, he has the burden of leaving his new born son behind. Then Marie recovers from the birth to find the still recovering Bruno gone, again. 5*
The Bruno Johnson Series end.


---------------------
A Fearsome Moonlight Black - A new series by Mr. Putnam that rivals his Bruno Johnson Series. The author brings his past as a law officer into the story(ies) blending fact well with fiction. Do not expect graphic gore, graphic sex, etc. The cursing is plain ole cussing used infrequently and for emphasis. Mr. Putnam is a talented storyteller. Well written and well thought out story lines along with a variety of characters make it difficult to put down this book, or any of Bruno's. Since I read the Bruno series, I recognized when fact came into the story and I thought I was reading Putnam's autobiography. I heartily recommend the work of Mr. Putnam and look forward to more of his books. If you enjoyed the books of Wambaugh, you will enjoy Putnam. 5*

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I just finished a fun new book. Imogene’s Grand Fiasco by David Putnam is coming this summer. It’s a don’t miss read.

Imogene Taylor is back with even more problems than in the first novel of this series. Imogene has spent the last few weeks in a cheap motel while the police search her house for evidence from the three murders that occurred there. She finds herself summoned to the parole office and she's been assigned a new parole officer. He threatens her and she knows that he would like nothing more than to send Imogene back to finish out her sentence in prison. Imogene finds herself being followed and the man following her tells her that she needs to show up at his pawn shop for a job. She goes and discovers that several parolees have been put together to pull off a crime. Imogene has no desire to return to prison and sets out to untangle the web that the person she labels the puppet master has put together. Soon, the people she cares the most about are in danger and she is willing to do anything to keep them safe. I enjoyed this second book about Imogene, but the book just seemed to stop, so I would like to assume that another installment of Imogene's story is coming.

"Imogene's Grand Fiasco" by David Putnam is a rollicking, darkly comedic crime novel that proves age is no barrier to adventure—or trouble. The story follows 75-year-old Imogene Taylor, a sharp-witted, no-nonsense grandmother who just wants to enjoy her Marlboros and peace. But when her new job at a pawn shop lands her in the middle of a dangerous criminal conspiracy, Imogene’s quiet retirement plans go up in smoke.

Imogene quickly finds herself caught between warring mobsters, corrupt cops, and a shadowy mastermind orchestrating a daring heist on the Bank of the West during the town’s Fourth of July parade. With her parole hanging in the balance and innocent lives at risk, Imogene must rely on her street smarts, prison-honed instincts, and a .380 pistol tucked in her purse to navigate the chaos. Adding to the mix is Ange, the voice in her head offering dubious advice, which only complicates matters further.

Putnam’s writing is fast-paced, witty, and full of unexpected twists, making "Imogene's Grand Fiasco" a page-turner from start to finish. Imogene is a refreshing and unforgettable protagonist—a tough-as-nails grandmother with a sharp tongue, a quick trigger finger, and a heart of gold. Her dry humour and resilience in the face of danger make her a character readers will root for, even as she finds herself in increasingly absurd and perilous situations.

The novel is a perfect blend of crime thriller and dark comedy, with a cast of eccentric characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The small-town setting, with its Fourth of July parade and simmering tensions, adds a layer of charm and tension to the story. As the stakes rise and the body count grows, Imogene’s determination to set things right becomes a race against time, culminating in a explosive finale that lives up to the book’s title.

"Imogene's Grand Fiasco" is a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to take a stand—or to get caught up in a grand fiasco. With its mix of humour, action, and heart, this novel is a must-read for fans of quirky crime fiction and unconventional heroes. David Putnam delivers a story that is as entertaining as it is unpredictable, proving that sometimes, the most unlikely people can make the biggest difference.

Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

My first by this author, and I have to say it was OK. I'm not bowled over by it, but it was a way to spend a few hours.
There are so many things left to be cleared up with the writing. It was a bit untidy and frustrating at times.
I'm still trying to figure out why Ange was there. She didn't really add much to the story, and Thelma's back story was so bizarre that I didn't get it. Perhaps I'm missing the point - in which case, the story needed more clarity.
As for the ending, abrupt and a bit rushed, which makes me think there's more to come?

DNF

The story and concept was interesting, but the book itself definitely needed to be polished.
The amount of grammar issues prevented me from enjoying the story. I enjoyed the characters and Imogene’s personality.
Once this story gets a couple of edits and is polished to perfection, I think the potential for it to be a fun read is definitely there.