Goble up for national award with latest book, 'Go Find Daddy'

Seven books in, Steve Goble thinks he has done his best work.

The Private Eye Writers of America agree.

Goble, a former journalist who spent many years at the News Journal, is nominated for a Shamus Award for outstanding achievement in private eye fiction for his novel, "Go Find Daddy."

"It's pretty cool, actually," the Ashland resident said. "It's good to know that a lot of people who read this kind of book, who really appreciate this genre, decided that mine was one of the five best they read this year."

Goble's category is best original hardcover PI novel. "Go Find Daddy" will be available on paperback this month.

The protagonist of his latest book is Ed Runyon, who left the New York Police Department to work as a detective for a sheriff's office in rural Ohio.

In "Go Find Daddy," Runyon has become a private detective.

"He runs his own agency, which is really just him and a website. He doesn't have an office," Goble said.

In his latest case, Runyon is contacted by a woman whose husband, Donny, has run away and gone off the grid.

"He's run away because a police officer was killed on his farm property," Goble said. "Everybody in the world thinks her husband killed the guy."

Donny writes a blog in which he complains about police, calling them "jack-booted thugs" and "agents of the immoral government."

At the beginning of "Go Find Daddy," Donny already has been on the run for three months. He has no credit cards and no cellphone.

While police are looking for him, so is an online group that has put a bounty on his head.

Donny's wife wants to hire Runyon, who is reluctant given his police background. He tells the woman if he finds Donny, he will bring him back to face trial.

"The reason that she wants to hire Ed is that their young daughter has cancer, and he doesn't know," Goble said. "He sees the little girl. Ed has always had a soft spot in his heart for kids.

"It kind of pulls at your heartstrings. I think it's my best plot."

That's what happens to an author who has two series going on at the same time. In addition to three books on Runyon, the Waverly native also has penned four books about Spider John Rush, who solves mysteries while he tries to leave behind his life as a pirate.

"You learn a little bit with every book you do," he said. "You always want to feel like you're getting better, and I kind of feel like I am.

"This one (book) more focused than some of the previous books. It's got a very straightforward plot that runs through it."

While Spider John has been put on the shelf for the time being, Goble doesn't rule out another Ed Runyon tome. For now, though, he is formulating a new detective series, one that will be focused more on humor and fun.

The protagonist becomes a private eye because he doesn't know what else to do. He also has gigs as a standup comedian and a bass player on weekends to make ends meet.

First things first. Goble will find out in August if he wins a Shamus Award.

"This recognition makes me feel like maybe I'm finally getting it," he said.

Goble, who wrote a weekly craft-beer column called Brewologist while at the News Journal, lives in Ashland with wife Gere and child.

mcaudill@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Goble up for national award with latest book, 'Go Find Daddy'