The Vanquished - David Putnam - A Short Summary and Review

The Vanquished - David Putnam - A Short Summary and Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Red-themed thriller graphic for The Vanquished by David Putnam featuring the book cover and text reading “A Short Summary and Review.”

A cop goes rogue for all of the right reasons.

A short summary:

In The Vanquished, law enforcement collides with personal conscience when a cop steps outside official channels to pursue justice. When the system stalls or, worse, fails, he chooses to act, knowing that every decision may cost him his badge, his reputation, or more.

As the investigation deepens, loyalties blur, and danger escalates. What begins as a righteous impulse spirals into high-stakes maneuvering where trust is scarce and survival depends on thinking one step ahead. This is not a quiet procedural; it’s a battle between legal boundaries and moral conviction.

My favorite quote from the book:

"I knew better than to say anything. My dad didn't raise any fools."
- David Putnam, The Vanquished

Red-toned cityscape at dusk with streetlamp silhouette and quote by David Putnam reading, “I knew better than to say anything. My dad didn’t raise any fools,” with #RiteOfFancy

Questions to ponder while reading:

Are law and justice the same?

Can you want to help too much?

My review:

This novel moves. The pacing rarely lets up, pulling the reader into a momentum-driven narrative filled with escalating stakes. Each chapter feels like another climb on a roller coaster,  tense, fast, and designed to keep you gripping the safety bar.

The twists come steadily, sometimes unexpectedly, and just when you think you see the path forward, the ground shifts. If you enjoy crime fiction that blends action with ethical gray areas, where the hero’s choices are complicated and the consequences feel real, The Vanquished delivers an entertaining, high-energy ride all the way to the end.


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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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