Hesitant, unsure, purposeful, and determined, Dave Beckett has all the hallmarks of a rookie cop in 1979.
His initial days on the job are marred by a difficult call, a suicide. It’s not the only disturbing call of that nature that he responds to in those early years.
Forward eight years, Beckett is now a homicide detective in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He’s a different man and a different cop in 1988. He has a five year old daughter and a marriage that’s on the rocks.
A physical scar reflects his interior status for he’s rough, angry, walks a thin line of corruption, and is disavowed from his better nature.
I initially put this book aside as the beginning was too light for my noir nature. I’m glad I picked it up again, for the naivete of Beckett’s early years is a necessary passage to whom he becomes as he takes on the murders that formed his first years on the job. Well recommended.
~ June Lorraine Roberts
Murder in Common is #33 on the Feedspot Top 100 Crime Novel Website
11 responses to “David Putnam: A Fearsome Moonlight Black”
Nice attention grab opening.
Thanks AoC 🙂
Hmm…the beginning was too light for your noir nature, that has me a little worried, but it’s seldom that you get eloquent and gritty done right, so I may give it a shot.
I do recommend it Pam. AND I’m happy to see you back blogging…you were missed 🙂
Always nice to be missed. Thanks, June.
Thank you for a great review June. I am so grateful for our police men and woman but I don’t know how they deal with all they have to see.
sounds like a good read
What a great title! And I am fine with a light start that builds character.
I loved the title too Laurie 🙂
I liked the title too Laurie
It sounds like an interesting ‘inside’ look at a cop’s life and career. I like the sound of the character’s growth.