Go Find Daddy

Ed Runyon #3

by Steve Goble

A man on the run—can Ed Runyon find him and tell him about his dying daughter?

When a cop is murdered in rural Ohio on Donny Blackmon's property, the case seems open and shut. Donny must've done it—he's a known cop-hater, and he's already fled. Believing her husband is innocent, Donny's wife calls Whiskey River Investigations, the new one-man PI agency run by former sheriff's deputy Ed Runyon, to see if Ed can find her husband.

Ed isn't sure he'll take the case until he visits the Blackmon family home and meets Donny's daughter, who has just been diagnosed with cancer—and Donny doesn't know. When Donny's daughter asks Ed to "go find Daddy," Ed knows he has to find Donny before the police do, whether or not he's innocent.

Ed soon realizes finding Donny won't be an easy Donny trusts no one, and he's gone completely off the grid. But Ed finds something the police have missed and begins piecing the puzzle together. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he finds. But he took the job, so Ed is going to find Donny Blackmon—or die trying.

Perfect for fans of Robert Crais and John Sandford

While all the novels in the Ed Runyon Mystery Series stand on their own and can be read in any order, the publication sequence

City Problems
Wayward Son
Go Find Daddy

Genres: Mystery

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

My first novel, a historical mystery called "The Bloody Black Flag: A Spider John Mystery," was released Sept. 12, 2017, from Seventh Street Books. My second novel, "The Devil's Wind: A Spider John Mystery," was released in the Fall/Winter of 2018. The third, “A Bottle of Rum,” was released in November 2019, and “Pieces of Eight” is coming. Sometime in 2021.

Also in 2021, I will debut a new detective series from Oceanview Publishing. Look for “City Problems” in July.

Learn more at stevegoble.com.

Quarterly newsletter: https://stevegoble.us2.list-manage.co...

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was part of a series but it clearly doesn't matter as we meet P.I. Ed Runyon right away when he is asked to find a man accused of killing a cop on his property and promptly disappeared. Wife Amy desperately wants him found as their daughter Cassie has cancer and needs her father. Ed's on it immediately! He's a great investigator and has a wry sense of humor throughout the book which makes the chase quite enjoyable! I will be interested to read the previous books in the series as Goble has created a character to love!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Go Find Daddy, the third novel involving private investigator Ed Runyon, a local police officer has been found murdered on the rural property of Danny Blackmon. Blackmon has become suspect number one not only for his anti-police views but also because the firearm used to kill the police officer is registered to him and is on the ground next to the victim.

Matters are made worse because largely due to a lucrative bounty upon his head, Blackmon has fled the area and remains in hiding while many search for him, including a violent pro-police group named Blue Fury.

Runyon, a retired sheriff’s department investigator who now specializes in missing child cases, has been contacted by the wife of Blackmon in hopes she can persuade Runyon to find her husband before he most likely will be killed by those searching for him.

Normally, Runyon would not entertain searching for an accused cop killer, but Cassie believes she has a compelling reason to persuade him to do so. The novel then follows the search for Blackmon and the related plotlines woven within the story.

Go Find Daddy is an above-average private detective story fans of writers like Robert Crais and Thomas Perry should enjoy. The Runyon character is a very capable investigator known for his wisecracking and flippant behavior and is similar to the Elvis Cole character found in the novels of Crais.

I accidentally started with the third novel in the series and while it does refer back to previous novels, the plot and developments of Go Find Daddy and the Runyon character are easily followed while not being left with too many unanswered questions about developments in previous novels.

Netgalley provided an ARC upon the promise of a fair review.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining, quickly-read novel (under 300 pages) that, in my mind, was written in a slightly noirish way. It was filled with twists and turns, and the culprit sort of (but not fully) surprised me.

I liked this, and I would have liked it, even more, had the author not stooped to adding politics into the pot. I wish authors would keep their politics to themselves, but in a way, I could see how this might have been germane to the story. I also didn't like the fact that the author could not keep Ed's manner of speaking- consistent.

All in all, this was well worth a read, and had I known then what I know now, I would have picked up the first two books in this series just to get the feel for the characters. It can certainly be a stand-alone, as I had no trouble following things.

A good book for a beach read or a vacation plane ride, just not if you are traveling to Ohio lol.

*ARC supplied by the publisher - Oceanview, the author, and NetGalley.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and Steve Goble for granting me a digital copy of this book.

3⭐ - this is the 3rd story in the Ed Runyon series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is the first book I read in this series and it didn't disappoint, this story is fast-paced, the characters were likeable but I could've done without the politics talk.

[Susan W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 3 in the series but my first. I was pleasantly surprised by the book. I liked the main characters, it moved along quickly and kept me reading. Wasn’t completely blood and gore, but enough to keep it moving along. Would recommend to many people who prefer an easy read. Thank you edelweiss for this opportunity.

[Timothy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern society is a minefield, and was even before Covid-19. But there was a lot of discussion at the height of the pandemic as to how writers should handle such an event. Ignore it?—or plunge into it? Steve Goble elects to skip it, but in doing so he (intentionally) shines a light on the aftermath, and what it means to us going forward. The waning of trust—in institutions, in each other seems to have accelerated to dangerous new levels. A lot of readers were waiting to see how writers would handle Covid and the post-Covid arena. If Go Find Daddy, Steve Goble’s third in his Ed Runyon series is any example, I would say—honestly, straightforwardly, levelly. Which happens to describe his hero, Ed.
Ed has left the force, gotten over (largely) his anger issues, and is trying to make it work as a private detective in small-town Ohio. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy. As he says, “accountants get head-aches from staring at a screen store clerks get head-aches from dealing with assholes all day, I get shot at. No big deal.”
But he’s about to go down the rabbit hole. A cop’s been killed. The main suspect—the only suspect as far as the police are concerned—is a right-wing podcaster who’s made his hatred for cops his brand (thus helping to diminish further our faith in authority), and who’s vanished without leaving a clue, even to his wife and child. Every cop in three states is out for his blood. And now a pro-cop entity online has offered a million dollars for him—dead. No one knows whether the offer is real, whether the organization is real, or a hoax—but it’s drawn every bounty-hunter to the chase.
All of which would have nothing to do with Ed—until he takes on a mission for the fugitive’s wife—to get a vital message to him. If you know Ed, you’ll know why it’s a job he can’t refuse (involving the fugitive’s little daughter) even though he’s going up against the fugitive’s friends and enemies both, all of whom are trigger-happy, none of whom trust each other or can be trusted. Yes. Ed Runyon gets shot at—a lot.
But Ed is a person who can be trusted, a person who holds his integrity dear, a person who can be believed, a doggedly decent man—and that’s the key to the job he’s taken on, and it’s what makes him a hero for this post-Covid age.
This is the third book in the Ed Runyon series. Jump on the bandwagon.

[Marc Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Go Find Daddy," the third installment in the captivating Ed Runyon Mystery Series by Steve Goble, is so good. It's the tale of a man on the run and a desperate race against time by a former sheriff's deputy to find him.. I was captivated by the story.

The story revolves around Ed Runyon, a former sheriff's deputy turned private investigator, who is tasked with finding Donny Blackmon, a man accused of murdering a police officer. Donny's wife believes in his innocence and desperately wants Ed to find him before the police do. However, what sets this case apart is the heartbreaking revelation that Donny's young daughter, who is battling cancer, wants her father to be informed of her condition before it's too late. Ed, driven by compassion and the sense of responsibility, takes on the challenging task of locating Donny, regardless of his guilt or innocence.

The writing style is crisp and engaging, creating a sense of urgency and suspense. I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the plot was really well-structured. There is a good mix of action and introspection, and some of the key plot elements are handled sensitively.

Characterisation is a key strength of the book with Ed Runyon being a complex and relatable protagonist. He's a good investigator and displays genuine empathy and determination to help others. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own unique motivations and flaws. .

As the plot progresses, the suspense intensifies, and the twists and turns kept me guessing.

While "Go Find Daddy" can be read as a standalone novel, this is the third in a series, none of which I've read. I'm sure those who have followed the series from the beginning will appreciate the further development of Ed Runyon's character. However, newcomers to the series can easily dive into this book without feeling lost or disconnected, as I did.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Timothy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern society is a minefield, and was even before Covid-19. But there was a lot of discussion at the height of the pandemic as to how writers should handle such an event. Ignore it?—or plunge into it? Steve Goble elects to skip it, but in doing so he (intentionally) shines a light on its aftermath, and what it means to us going forward. The waning of trust—in institutions, in each other seems to have accelerated to dangerous new levels. A lot of readers were waiting to see how writers would handle Covid and the post-Covid arena. If Go Find Daddy, Steve Goble’s third in his Ed Runyon series is any example, I would say—honestly, straightforwardly, levelly. Which happens to describe his hero, Ed.
Ed has left the force, gotten over (largely) his anger issues, and is trying to make it work as a private detective in small-town Ohio. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy. As he says, “accountants get head-aches from staring at a screen store clerks get head-aches from dealing with assholes all day, I get shot at. No big deal.”
But he’s about to go down the rabbit hole. A cop’s been killed. The main suspect—the only suspect as far as the police are concerned—is a right-wing podcaster who’s made his hatred for cops his brand (thus helping to diminish further our faith in authority), and who’s vanished without leaving a clue, even to his wife and child. Every cop in three states is out for his blood. And now a pro-cop entity online has offered a million dollars for him—dead. No one knows whether the offer is real, whether the organization is real, or a hoax—but it’s drawn every bounty-hunter to the chase.
All of which would have nothing to do with Ed—until he takes on a mission for the fugitive’s wife—to get a vital message to him. If you know Ed, you’ll know why it’s a job he can’t refuse (involving the fugitive’s little daughter) even though he’s going up against the fugitive’s friends and enemies both, all of whom are trigger-happy, none of whom trust each other or can be trusted. Yes. Ed Runyon gets shot at—a lot.
But Ed is a person who can be trusted, a person who holds his integrity dear, a person who can be believed, a doggedly decent man—and that’s the key to the job he’s taken on, and it’s what makes him a hero for this post-Covid age.
This is the third book in the Ed Runyon series. Jump on the bandwagon.

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go Find Daddy is the third Ed Runyon novel written by Steve Goble. Ed is a former police officer who, after a traumatic incident where his actions (as far as I can glean as a first time reader) put his colleagues at risk, decided to quit the force and work alone as a private investigator: "I'm on my own now, and if I make mistakes, I'm the only one who will pay." There's a bit of cross-referral to previous books, but not so much as to become annoying advertorial.

What was a bit annoying however was Ed's voice and constant internal prattle: "I collect facts, dump them all into a bin in my brain and then crank a handle to mix them up." He's cocky without reason: "I remain convinced the internet was not humanity's greatest idea. Prove me wrong." This made it hard for me to sink into the novel. Perhaps it's that Ed is a male protagonist written by a male author for male readers, or at least that's what it seems by his favour-currying obsequious comments about his female partner. Ed's inability to say no (that is, to use good business sense) when a child was involved was also laid on a bit thick.

However Ed sure loves bluegrass, and that will no doubt win the book some fans. Go Find Daddy will likely also appeal to people living in the cornfields of Ohio, as Ed seems to think it's the best place on earth. Don't think I got enough from it to pick up any other books by this author, even the crime and subsequent man-hunt felt a little too far-fetched for me.

With thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for sending me a copy to read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When a cop is murdered in rural Ohio on Donny Blackmon's property, the case seems open and shut. Donny must've done it—he's a known cop-hater, and he's already fled. Believing her husband is innocent, Donny's wife calls Whiskey River Investigations, the new one-man PI agency run by former sheriff's deputy Ed Runyon, to see if Ed can find her husband. Ed isn't sure he'll take the case until he visits the Blackmon family home and meets Donny's daughter, who has just been diagnosed with cancer—and Donny doesn't know. When Donny's daughter asks Ed to "go find Daddy," Ed knows he has to find Donny before the police do, whether or not he's innocent.
Ed soon realizes finding Donny won't be an easy job: Donny trusts no one, and he's gone completely off the grid. But Ed finds something the police have missed and begins piecing the puzzle together. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he finds. But he took the job, so Ed is going to find Donny Blackmon—or die trying."
This is the 3rd in the series, I recommend reading the first two before reading this one, I haven't read the other ones, I may have had a better understanding in the characters and development. Some subject matter I prefer not to read but still finished reading this one. I give it 4 stars.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing, netgalley, and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Published July 11th, 2023.

[Lynda Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private Investigator Ed Runyon was once a cop, so he naturally takes a dim view of félins who kill cops. Despite that, the wife of one such felon - on the run, apparently with blood from a dead cop fresh on his hands - approaches Runyon, not with a view to catching him, but to givo g him a message. About his dying daughter.

Despite everything, despite the dangers, Runyon takes on the case. He searches firstly those places only just coming back to life after the Covid lockdown within the very provincial area he lives in, for possible tracings of the cop killer. Alongside this search, the writer allows us to experience a small-town life with its festivals and musicians, along time small-, town attitudes.

But Runyin has competition. Could it be that some cops would be willing to take the law into heir own hands, should this felon be found?

There are twists and surprises, as Runyon looks to what might have motivated the murderer, as he wades more deeply into danger. This is a community that is protective of its own, requiring not a little circumspection to penetrate. This understanding of rural US life adds depth to this tale. This book can be read as a standalone, but those looking for an interesting detective hero may be pleased to know that there are others within this intriguing series.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go Find Daddy by Steve Goble is a recommended investigative novel and the third book featuring PI Ed Runyon.

Ed Runyon is hired by the wife of a man wanted for murder. She wants Ed to find him. However, the case isn't quite as simple as that. A cop was found murdered in rural Ohio on Donny Blackmon’s property and Donny has disappeared with no way for anyone to find him. His wife needs to find him because she has just learned that their daughter is dying from cancer. Once the young girl asks Ed to find her Daddy, Ed knows he's taking the case.

You can still follow the plot and won't feel as if you are missing too much backstory, but as the third book in the series, it might behoove readers to start with the earlier two novel, City Problems and Wayward Son. Additionally, Ed can be a bit of an annoying character and his personality may not endear him to some readers. All in all, this is a decent PI novel, not a favorite, but not awful. Perhaps I would have liked it more if it was just a story and kept current events out of the plot. This element to the narrative is tiresome and dates the novel immediately, before it is even released.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley.

[Pat Trattles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ed Runyon is a former cop turned PI whose business isn’t going too well. Still he is reluctant to take on a case from a woman who wants him to find her husband Donny, a suspected cop killer. But all reluctance melts away when he meets Donny’s little daughter who is dying of cancer and wants nothing more than to have her daddy home with her. Thus begins an intense manhunt where Runyon is threatened, shot and beaten but somehow survives to save the day. In a note at the end the author thanked the editor for pointing out the excessive use of OK in the narrative. I wish he/she had done the same with the F-bomb which added nothing to the narrative. And it’s continuous use was annoying. Three stars because of the author’s insistence on dropping the F-bomb whenever he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Ed Runyon mystery series, Go Find Daddy by Steve Goble can be enjoyed as a standalone crime thriller. Ed is a Private Investigator asked to find a man on the run who is a suspect in the death of a policeman on his property. Ed is reluctant to get involved until he learns the man’s daughter has cancer and must find the man, who has gone off-grid with a bounty on his head. The manhunt becomes a race with cops keen to get their first to avenge their fellow officer, but Ed is a first-class investigator and will ensure he delivers on his promises. A folksy modern western tale and enjoyable rural noir, with a flawed hero that is a four star read rating. With thanks to Oceanview Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series book centered on a prickly private investigator who used to be a cop. He's hired to find a suspect in the murder of a policeman, hopefully before the police find him. The suspect disappeared right after the body was found on his farm. There is an intensive manhunt but noone has seen him for several months. As our PI digs deeper he finds clues that point to several suspects, but the police do not want to hear or see anything that doesn't fit their hunt. Steve Goble has done a decent job of building the characters and surrounding them in a back story full of clues and questions. I can see significant character growth since the first book in the series. I'll be sure to pick up the next one to make sure my first opinions are right. Recommending to my mystery/ thriller reading circle. I'm sure they will like it too.

[Enchanting Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go Find Daddy is a perfect addition to the mystery and thriller genre. It had everything I want in this type of book - it was suspenseful, easy to read, and had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. What really shocked me in this book is how funny some part of the dialogue had. While it was a serious book, I was surprised to find myself laughing at times. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to other fans of the genre.

3.5/5
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before publication.

[Kathy Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I enjoyed it but I must say it’s not a favorite. This story is about a cop turned private eye. He doesn’t want to take on this case at all. The man he’s after has a young daughter with cancer and he doesn’t know lt. The only reason he took the case was because of the daughter. This is not an open and shut case as was thought by the other cops. There are strange characters involved here. The rookie cop wants to get to the bottom of it before turning it over to the FBI.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the series, can be read as a standalone.
Former sheriff's deputy Ed Runyon runs a one-man PI agency. When a cop's body is found on the land of known cop-hater Danny Blackmon, many feel he is the murderer. When Ed is asked by Danny's wife to find
Danny and pass on a letter . While Ed is at first reluctant to take the case, Danny's
ill young daughter changes his mind. As he investigates, he begins to doubt Danny's guilt. Will Ed find Donny before he is killed for the bounty reward?
Enjoyable read - I've ordered the first two books in the series.
#GoFindDaddy #NetGalley

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second book with an adorable little girl in just a few days. Ed, former Detective at the Sheriff's Office, now PI.

An off duty officer is found dead on the rural farm of Donny Blackmon -the assumption is Donny killed him but the facts just don't add up. Enter Ed, he is asked by Donny's wife to find him, give him a letter which will inform Donny that his little girl has cancer. Ed is reluctant until the little one asks him to "Go Find Daddy".

Soon enough Ed is convinced Donny had nothing to do with the death and is more than determined to find him. He just misses him a few times, gets beat up and shot at but ultimately delivers the letter and finds the real killer.

[David Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of Steve Goble’s books I’ve read, and I enjoyed it. I will cycle back to the earlier two Runyon books, I’m sure.

I appreciated the main character’s humanity as he weighed his responses to various situations through the value-based lenses most people will relate to. Ed Runyon is a capable Investigator, not a super hero, and that’s a welcome contrast to many series headlined by morally ambiguous inhuman heroes.

I read a pre-release version courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest rating and review.

[Ganesh Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a riveting detective thriller that keeps you totally engrossed and makes you want more of it. It is the third book of the Ed Runton series, a PI who works in rural Pike County in Ohio. he is tasked with finding the father of a girl, who has run away and is accused of murdering a local cop. The clues make it improbable and Ed takes up the case and with diligent investigations finds the actual culprit. The story is well crafted and keeps you guessing all the time and shows the value of meticulous investigation. This is a book well worth reading, preferably in one sitting.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, not really a thriller or a mystery -- I'd say more of a crime drama. Ed Runyon was thoughtful, masculine, and pretty realistic. I liked him. I enjoyed the rural Ohio setting, and the references to hillbilly and bluegrass music. The book kept my interest, and I would certainly read more from the author.

I thought the cover was very well done.

Thank you to Oceanview Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Find Daddy is a hard-boiled, page-turning detective story for those who appreciate crime novels with empathetic, flawed protagonists. More than that, the story features a strong sense of heart, intense action, current and relatable issues, and genuine suspense. This is the third in the Ed Runyan and I’m looking forward to more to come.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go Find Daddy is the 3rd book in the Ed Runyon series, I found this to be a quick and easy read that was entertaining. Ed is hired to find her husband who is the prime suspect in a murder, but his daughter has cancer and needs him to be there for her. I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent manhunt as circumstances point to a cop killer. But did he really do it? That’s the question facing the protagonist as he leads the search.I really an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the people and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy is on the run and has not been in touch with his family. He doesn't know his daughter is sick. A PI has been hired to find him and tell him to call home. The story is interesting as we follow the hunt and why he is on the run. I enjoyed the story.

[Alicia Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder mystery that had me guessing all the way through. Ed Runyon is a great writer and pulls you in so far that you feel like you are there watching everything go down. Now I have to go read the rest of the series because it was that good!! Happy reading!

[Amber K · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by this author and 3rd in this series. I had no trouble picking up and enjoying this story. Plot twists, mystery, action, and great writing. I really enjoyed this book!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good read. There were some area that I started losing interest but it picked right back up. Over all a good read.

[Glady · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Go Find Daddy is the third Ed Runyon novel about a former big city cop turned rural private investigator. Runyon has a soft spot for kids in need. Hired by the wife of a suspected cop killer, Runyon agrees to find her fugitive husband because their child is sick with cancer. He just wants to bring the daddy home but soon realizes the case against the suspect is suspicious and there are too many unanswered questions.

Goble's knowledge of bluegrass music adds a nice element to this story.