Goble wins national award for his latest book “Go Find Daddy”

After seven books, Steve Goble believes 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 investigation fiction for his novel “Go Find Daddy.”

“It’s actually pretty cool,” the Ashland resident said. “It’s good to know that a lot of people who read these kinds of books and really appreciate this genre decided that my book was one of the top five they read this year.”

Goble’s category is best original hardcover detective novel. Go Find Daddy will be released in 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 basically 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 disappeared from the scene.

“He ran away because a cop was killed on his farm,” Goble said. “Everyone in the world thinks their husband killed the guy.”

Donny writes a blog complaining about the police, calling them “thugs in combat boots” and “agents of the immoral government.”

At the beginning of “Go Find Daddy,” Donny has already been on the run for three months. He has no credit cards and no cell phone.

In addition to the police, an online group is also looking for him and has put a bounty on his head.

Donny’s wife wants to hire Runyon, but he is hesitant because of his police background. He tells the woman that if he finds Donny, he will bring him back and bring him to justice.

“The reason she wants to hire Ed is because her little daughter has cancer and he doesn’t know about it,” Goble said. “He sees the little girl. Ed has always had a heart for children.”

“It kind of touches your heart. I think that’s my best act.”

That’s what happens with an author who writes two series at once. In addition to three books about Runyon, the Waverly native has also written four books about Spider John Rush, who solves mysteries while trying to leave his life as a pirate behind.

“With every book you read, you learn a little bit,” he said. “You always want to feel like you’re getting better, and somehow I feel like that’s the case.”

“This (book) is more focused than some of the previous books. It has a very straightforward plot that runs through the whole book.”

While Spider John has been put on hold for now, Goble hasn’t ruled out another Ed Runyon work. Right now, however, he’s working on a new crime series that will be more humorous and fun-oriented.

The protagonist becomes a private detective because he doesn’t know what else to do. To make ends meet, he also performs as a stand-up comedian and bassist on weekends.

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

“This recognition makes me feel like maybe I finally understand,” he said.

Goble, who wrote a weekly craft beer column called “Brewologist” during his time at the News Journal, lives in Ashland with his wife, Gere, and child.

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This article originally appeared in the Mansfield News Journal: Ashland resident nominated for national crime fiction award