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Cold Blue Midnight
In Indiana, the condemned die at midnight - men like Peter Tappley, a killer born to privilege and wealth, who lived in his mother's shadow and visited his hatred on trusting young women. Six years after his execution, his ex-wife Jill, a prominent Chicago photographer, is still trying to live down his crimes. But out there in the chilly autumn night, there is someone who still blames her for her husband's terrible deeds - someone determined to make her pay in blood.
Enter Mitch Ayers, a homicide detective and former lover of Jill's, and Marcy Browne, a private eye. Both try to discover who is stalking Jill. What they find, though, may cost them their lives as well.
Enter Mitch Ayers, a homicide detective and former lover of Jill's, and Marcy Browne, a private eye. Both try to discover who is stalking Jill. What they find, though, may cost them their lives as well.
282 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1996
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Ed Gorman
468 books122 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 13, 2025
A solid little novel this one, some very graphic scenes and scary parts, fairly enjoyable overall.
May 26, 2013
This was definitely a thrill ride of a novel. And one that I greatly enjoyed, even more so considering that most of the books I've been reading lately have been slow and tedious.
The novel follows Jill Coffey, a photographer and ex-wife to Peter Tapley who was a rich millionaire that liked murdering women. Jill's life take the proverbial turn for the worse when Peter Tapley's mother tries to get revenge on Jill because it was Jill's fault that Peter became a murderer.
Yes, the logic there is twisted but then so is the mother. And for that matter, so are many of the characters. Gorman does a superb job of showing us just how twisted most of the characters are; they are very much alive and able to be pictured in your mind. The only negative that I found with the novel was that one of the detectives was allowed to investigate a case in which he had a personal involvement. Having worked at a police department before and from countless TV shows and movies, I know that this would definitely not happen. A minor point though that does not take away from the novel. Definitely one that I would recommend.
The novel follows Jill Coffey, a photographer and ex-wife to Peter Tapley who was a rich millionaire that liked murdering women. Jill's life take the proverbial turn for the worse when Peter Tapley's mother tries to get revenge on Jill because it was Jill's fault that Peter became a murderer.
Yes, the logic there is twisted but then so is the mother. And for that matter, so are many of the characters. Gorman does a superb job of showing us just how twisted most of the characters are; they are very much alive and able to be pictured in your mind. The only negative that I found with the novel was that one of the detectives was allowed to investigate a case in which he had a personal involvement. Having worked at a police department before and from countless TV shows and movies, I know that this would definitely not happen. A minor point though that does not take away from the novel. Definitely one that I would recommend.
February 25, 2015
A batshit insane thriller from Ed Gorman. Old Ed throws just about everything but the kitchen sink into this one. Its a fun read, no doubt, but the ending is a little... ridiculous. I mean, the whole book is kind of ridiculous, but that ending.... jeez. Still, you can count on Gorman to deliver a great book and he does here. Its kind of like a crazy fever dream of a novel. I liked it but the ending was just a tad on the too ridiculous side for me. But don't let that stop you. Its worth the read for Gorman's great writing.
August 9, 2015
Well, this is definitely not a book for younger audiences. It has vulgarity, blood and gore. Anyone who is not comfortable with these kinds of things wouldn't last even 10 pages in.
But I had to admit, this felt like watching an indie movie from DIVA, but with so much more details and uncensored scenes as well as little romance.
I don't really care much about the characters. But I did enjoy the suspense of not knowing who will survive in the end. I laughed after finishing this book, about how ironic the villain ended if compared to how psychotic he was throughout the whole story.
This is definitely a diverse book. There are themes such as psychological, sexual preference, greed, loyalty and others which if I had time, I could make a list of.
All in all, it was a fine read.
But I had to admit, this felt like watching an indie movie from DIVA, but with so much more details and uncensored scenes as well as little romance.
I don't really care much about the characters. But I did enjoy the suspense of not knowing who will survive in the end. I laughed after finishing this book, about how ironic the villain ended if compared to how psychotic he was throughout the whole story.
This is definitely a diverse book. There are themes such as psychological, sexual preference, greed, loyalty and others which if I had time, I could make a list of.
All in all, it was a fine read.
July 19, 2012
Fair, but improbable tale of serial killers, revenge, and murder. Gorman is an excellent writer but this is much darker than most of his material. It is also quite violent. His excellent writing skills are the only thing that make this worthwhile.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews