When Kevin Tipple sent his review of Steve Goble’s latest book, Wayward Son, I recognized Goble’s name immediately. I haven’t read the Ed Runyon books that Kevin is reviewing, but way back in 2017, I reviewed Goble’s debut novel, The Bloody Black Flag. It was a bloody, compelling novel of pirates, filled with historical details. You can find my review here. https://tinyurl.com/354pfpx7
Knowing of Goble’s past writing, I was all the more eager to read Kevin’s review. Thank you, Kevin.
Wayward Son by Steve Goble
Picking up a few months after City Problems and shortly before the Covid outbreak in the United States, Ed Runyon is no longer a Mifflin County Sheriff’s Deputy. He has started Whiskey River Investigations and, as a private investigator, will focus on missing kids. Missing kid cases are important to him and a major reason why he left New York.
Jimmy Zachman is missing. His parents, Tammy and Bob Zachman meet with Mr. Runyon and are doing everything they can to hold it together. The 15-year-old has been missing around 24 hours and they have no idea why he left. While they claim they have no idea, but Ed Runyon sees a couple of possible reasons right from the start. But, he is not there to discuss religion or politics. He is there to find their missing son.
The search for Jimmy will take Runyon far from Jimmy’s home on Poplar Street in Ambleton, Ohio. It will involve technology, a chess app, and a lot more, in a complex case where nothing is as it seems.
As this the second book in the series that began with City Problems, it would be best to have read that book first. Not only do several of the recurring characters return here, time has passed, and some situations have changed a little bit. Additionally, events of the first book are referenced repeatedly and ultimately play a role here, so read in order.
Wayward Son: An Ed Runyon Mystery is a good one. Like City Problems, the read is highly recommended.
My reading copy came from the Kleberg Rylie Branch of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
The Spider John Mysteries comprise a 4 book series. After the first, none of the rest made any impact. I don’t think I ever saw one out in the wild.
I won an ARC of book #2 in that series, and a chess app features in that book as well.
That’s a shame, Glen, because that first one was so intriguing. Sorry to see the others didn’t have the same impact.
While none of his books seem to have an audio version, much less an e-audio, I cannot be the only library user who still likes e-audio in MP3 format. I like this format because it is so compact and is great when I’m working in the yard (a forever job) or taking a walk. So I am sorry to see MP3s disappear at the end of this month. I don’t know what this means – whether all the MP3s will be magically gone from the library or if there will never be new books available in MP3, or something else.
Surely I cannot be the only library user still wedded to ‘old technology’ and want to alert others of the coming shut off. Thanks.
We do have a limited number of users for our MP-3 formats, Emma. We haven’t discontinued them in our library system, but we’re not putting much money into them.
Speaking of old technology, I wish cars still had cd players.
The “death” of MP3 officially occurred in 2017, if I recall correctly. I have three little MP3 players and still have a large downloaded library of Audible audiobooks in that format, some of which I haven’t listened to yet. It’s a shame this wonderful and convenient format has been abandoned by content makers.
Thank you for letting me guest again, Lesa.
For folks interested in this series, the third book titled, GO FIND DADDY, is up on NetGalley and currently scheduled to come out July 11th. I have it here via NetGalley as well as as the first book in the new series from Reed Farrel Coleman, SLEEPLESS CITY. That also comes out the same day. Unhelpful, as it makes it impossible to run both reviews on their publication day.
Kevin, I’m always happy to have one of your guest posts. Thank you!