David Putnam’s "The Blind Devotion of Imogene" is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that delves deep into the complexities of loyalty, justice, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. Set against the backdrop of a gritty Southern California landscape, Putnam weaves a tale that is as heart-pounding as it is thought-provoking.

At the center of the novel is Imogene, a fierce and determined young woman whose loyalty to her troubled brother, Smiley, leads her down a dangerous path. When Smiley becomes the prime suspect in a brutal murder, Imogene’s unwavering belief in his innocence sets her on a relentless quest for truth, even as it puts her own life at risk.

Putnam’s skillful storytelling captivates from the first page, drawing readers into Imogene’s world with vivid descriptions and palpable tension. The pacing is relentless, with each twist and turn driving the narrative forward, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Imogene herself is a standout character—complex, resilient, and deeply human. Putnam portrays her with empathy and authenticity, exploring her inner turmoil as she confronts the harsh realities of betrayal and deception. Imogene’s unwavering determination to uncover the truth makes her a compelling protagonist, driving the emotional core of the novel.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each character contributing to the intricate web of relationships and motives that propel the plot. Putnam deftly navigates themes of family bonds, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of past actions, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

In addition to its compelling characters and suspenseful plot, "The Blind Devotion of Imogene" also shines in its exploration of social issues and moral dilemmas. Putnam raises questions about justice, redemption, and the blurred lines between right and wrong, challenging readers to consider the complexities of human behavior and motivation.

Overall, "The Blind Devotion of Imogene" is a masterfully crafted thriller that will leave readers breathless. David Putnam’s adept storytelling, coupled with rich character development and a compelling narrative, solidifies this novel as a standout in the genre—a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction.

Color me a brand new David Putnam fan. My first of his books but definitely not my last. The characters were fantastic and of course I have a soft spot for Imogene. What a fun and great leading lady. This book had all the feels. Mystery, intrigue, action and oh the emotions.
All round great read and can’t wait to read the next one.
Thank you NetGalley, David Putnam and Swell Media for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The life of a 75-year-old woman on parole for murder is the basis of David Putnam’s crime thriller, The Blind Devotion of Imogene (2024). It’s a romp of a read that reveals the complexity of the circumstances of Imogen’s life, as she works in a dented canned goods store, deals with her overzealous parole officer and has an organised crime gangster extorting protection money. Then, somewhat bizarrely, Imogene’s situation worsens while helping her neighbour clear out the garage when she discovers a woman’s body in a box. A gentle but truly engaging story of a fascinating character and an integrated tale of the calamity of Imogene Taylor’s life, with a four and a half stars read rating. Hopefully, there will be more rockling adventures of this endearingly colourful and eccentric crime-fighting hero. With thanks to Level Best Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

I really enjoyed this crazy cozy mystery. I love that the main character, Imogene, is seventy-three and still very active. I loved all the twists and turns in the story as we learn about Imogene’s past and the present. I loved this roller coaster ride of a story. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Excellent book, great characters!
full review on Murder in Common: https://murderincommon.com/2024/07/14/david-putnam-the-blind-devotion-of-imogene/

When Imogene was sixty-three she killed her husband. She called it an accident. The court called it murder and sent her to prison. Now at seventy-five she is out on parole and working at a store that sells damaged goods. She spends her day sitting behind the register smoking her cigarettes and her evenings at home on her divan with a beer. Suz is the young girl who lives next door. When her father dies, she asks Imogene to help clean out the huge pyramid of boxes that her father, a hoarder, kept in the garage. At the bottom is a sealed box with warnings not to open it. Inside is a woman’s body. Suz thinks it is her mother, who went missing years earlier. Imogene is afraid that a body could be used as a reason to sent her back to prison. Her solution is to bury the box in her back yard under a huge tree, but when Suz’s mother suddenly returns, the body’s identity becomes a problem.

Imogene is a woman with an attitude who is a magnet for trouble and kept me laughing out loud. Her parole officer, Nancy Do-Right, is out to get her sent back to prison. The shopping center where she works is being extorted for protection by a gangster that she calls The Cigar.. she had a hard time adjusting to prison. Her cellmate advised her to find someone to blame for her incarceration. She chose the President of the United States. Her threatening letters to POTUS over the years now requires a Secret Service agent named Eugene to visit her whenever the President is in the area. The good news is that she used this experience to write a book that has been accepted by a publisher. The bad news is that the publisher decided to visit her with a contract during a showdown with The Cigar, his henchman, Suz and the person who killed the woman in the box. As tough as Imogene sometimes seems, it is hard not to fall in love with her. This is the first book in David Putnam’s series and I can not wait to see Imogene return. I would like to thank NetGalley and Level Best Books for providing this book.

I've read many of the Bruno Johnson books and enjoyed them all. So it is no surprise that THE BLIND DEVOTION OF IMOGENE is an entertaining thriller/ mystery that will make instant David Putnam fans of anyone who reads it.......and of course, Imogene Taylor fans too. There are few 75 yr olds who would face this history and keep pushing forward, much less saving the day for one and all. Putnam's characters are immensely likeable, how they manage to get in and out of trouble makesothers feel great about their days, but they keep on going with a smile (?) on their face and a determination to make the real bad guys pay for their trouble. I hope we will see Imogene again.

Imogene is a senior citizen ec-con, and her life could be a lot better. She's getting by working at a dented can store in Chino, California, has a Parole Officer who spends most of her time getting her clients put back into prison, and the highlight of her life is having a nice lunch with a Secret Service agent. Well, maybe she shouldn't have sent all those threatening letters to the President, but at least she's getting a free meal every time the President comes to Los Angeles.

And darn it---Ange, her cellmate from the Chino Women's Prison isn't responding to her mail!

Life is pretty much a drudge for Imogene.

And then it gets interesting...

Thugs running a protection racket threaten the dented can store with future immolation, and if the store goes up in flames, so does Imogene's parol. It's time for Imogene to get clever, get outrageous, and deal with the thugs, as permanently as the California Criminal Code allows.

It's a wild ride, and you'll find yourself rooting for Imogene and the friends she picks up along the way. If you live or ever lived in the Orange/Riverside/San Bernardino county triangle you'll recognize some of the scenery along the way, which makes it even more enjoyable. If you're familiar with David Putnam's other works, you'll also be treated to a fairly fierce indictment of the judicial and correctional "businesses" are run along the way.

The Blind Devotion of Imogene, Highly recommended, four stars

I'm not quite sure how to review this book. On the one hand, I loved all the eccentric characters and can't wait to read the next book in the series. On the other hand, I usually read a book like this in a day or two but the slow pace of this story made it easy to put it down. So if you're looking for a character driven novel, with lovable, eccentric characters, this is the book for you. Strongly recommended

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

Wow! What a book! This book was a roller coaster ride! Ups and downs, twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. I loved the Imogene and her neighbor. I loved Nancy. I’m not sure I was crazy about the ending. It seemed like it left too many questions unanswered. I’m hoping for a part two!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC. The opinions are my own.

I really enjoyedImogene is quite the character and I enjoyed the author David Putnams style of writing.Will be recommending this and looking forward to reading more by the author.#netgalley #Theblinddevotionofimogene.

I have read some of Putnam's Bruno Johnson series, intense mysteries, so this novel was a complete surprise. While Putnam excels in retired police adventures this time he has a paroled convict as a heroine. And what a heroine she is. The character development is superb in this novel. I was soon rooting for Imogene and the troubles she faced. Beer drinking and two pack a day, she became a woman I really admired. The supporting characters were well presented too, from a mean parole officer to a gossipy neighbor. They added depth to the narrative. There is a bit of humor included to lightened the atmosphere of the story.

The plot was enjoyable. I like how Putnam makes us wait to find out why Imogene was convicted of murder. I liked the clever way a potential murder next door to Imogene turned out to be something entirely different than she expected. I liked the extra pressure on Imogene by the gangster fellow. The final scene, though suspenseful, might have been a bit convenient. Nonetheless, I was greatly entertained by this novel and will be watching for the next in the series with more adventures for Imogene.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Swell Media. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Level Best Books for this ARC.

Imogene is a 75 year old parolee working at a Dentco, smoking her life away hoping not to violate her parole and end up back in prison. Her younger neighbor and best friend Suz, calls her E and enlists her help in cleaning out her father's garage after his passing. The two women find more than they bargained for with a dead body in a large crate. Is this Suz's long run off mom? or someone else entirely?

I am still not sure what I think about this book. The way it ended left a lot of unanswered questions and loose ends. It is the first of a 3 story series according to the authors note at the end, so that makes more sense with how it ended. It definitely set it up for the story to continue, but I honestly expected another chapter after the last page and was surprised when it was done.

I found myself skipping the Ange parts pretty quickly- just didn't feel like they added to the story and were kind of unnecessary filler. It adds to the mystery of if Imogene is of sane mind or not. The dead body... well the twist at the end of who they believe is the body and who the killer was just seems far reaching to me. Would the thug The Cigar really be working these small town shops? Shouldn't he be in a bigger city where they would be producing more money?

Overall, it was okay I'll give it 3 stars.

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.

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.

- 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.

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.

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.

"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.

The Blind Devotion Of Imogene by David Putnam this book is about 75-year-old ex felon Imagene Taylor. She makes it day today with the advice in her head from her ex cell mate, Ange . There’s really nothing in the book that isn’t in the summary so I will just focus my review on my opinion are usually do not like books who go for the lowest hanging fruit but there is something about the way this book is written that I just gelled with and totally enjoyed. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I really couldn’t get a good grasp on Imogene‘s character on one hand she would totally ignore people and then on the other she would seem like a nice normal person and irregardless of the question about her mental health I still couldn’t make sense of the type of person she was supposed to be but having said that I would still recommend this book it is funny I’m not gonna lie I laughed out loud so many times I Love books with elderly protagonist and with great supporting characters this is definitely one that should be read. The fact that David Putnam took the characters the set up in the house from his own life just made me love the book that much more.#LevelBestBooks, #NetGalley, #DavidPutnam, #TheBlindDevotionOfImogene,

David Putnam's The Blind Devotion of Imogene is a thrilling and intricately woven story of crime and redemption. Set in 1973, the novel follows 75 year old Imogene Taylor, who after serving time for the murder of her husband, finds herself entangled in a web of threats and secrets. As Imogene navigates these threats, she uncovers a shocking mystery, a dead woman hidden in her neighbor's garage. The author blends multiple storylines, each filled with tension and unexpected twists. Imogene is a captivating, intelligent, and resilient character. I loved the suspense and dark humor!

If I had had a print copy of this book I would have thrown it against the wall more than once. I did not connect with the characters, especially the repetitive main character. The quirkiness of the characters seemed rather stylized and not organic. The plot, although convoluted, makes sense, but I just didn’t care. Obviously this one wasn’t for me, but I suspect it’s one of those books that some people will love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky ride with Imogene Taylor, a 75 year old out on parole for murder. After serving 10 years in prison for killing the love of her life, she is trying to walk the straight and narrow. Her parole officer Nancy is always up her ass. Imogene is diligently trying to stay out of trouble, but so many wrenches get thrown her way. She’s dealing with an organized crime gangster, extortion, a dead woman discovered in the neighbors garage and more. The misadventures are comical and the characters lovable. I am all in for installment two, Imogene’s Grand Fiasco. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

Imogene is an interesting character but this one left me breathless with exhaustion because it's just too too. Campy, over the top, mad cap- it just didn't work for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

The Blind Devotion of Imogene by David Putnam is a highly recommended character-driven 70's noir.

It's 1973 and seventy-five year old Imogene Taylor is out of prison and on parole. She works at Dentco, a store that sells dented canned goods, and enjoys her Marlboro Reds, and Schlitz beer. She also tries to avoid her parole officer, Nancy Do-Right. Due to some letters she wrote to the President while in prison, Eugene, a Secret Service agent, takes her to lunch on the government's dime if the president is in the area. The last thing she needs is some gangster called The Cigar trying to extort Dentco for protection money. After her neighbor Suz's father dies, Suz asks for Imogene's help cleaning out the garage and this adds another big problem.

Set your expectations and disbelief aside while reading this entertaining, comedic noir novel set in Southern California. The tone to the novel is rather bleak and forlorn even when comedic elements are added to the narrative. The action and plot twists can feel a bit excessive and could result in eye-rolling, but that seems to be the whole point of the plot. There are some flashbacks which serve to strengthen and round out Imogene's character as well as provide background information about her life.

The Blind Devotion of Imogene features Imogene and a cast of quirky characters. All of them are caricatures of a type of person, which serves to enhance the humor embedded in the narrative. The nicknames Imogene gives to everyone also adds to the amusement as well as a description of them.

The author's notes at the end of the novel should not be skipped as they provide some interesting information pertinent to the story. This is the first novel of a new series so be forewarned: everything is not resolved and wrapped up at the ending. 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.