Book Talk: Ohio detective series pursues ‘Wayward Son’
“Wayward Son” is second in a commendable detective series by Steve Goble.
In the first book, “City Problems,” Ed Runyon is a detective in the sheriff’s office in fictional Mifflin County in northern Ohio, where they drink Commodore Perry ale and root for the Browns. His job with the New York City Police Department came to an abrupt end after a case involving a missing teenage girl ended in tragedy; here, a similar case comes close to crushing him and results in his turning in his badge and opening a private office.
Book Talk:‘Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake’ turns up heat
It's the right decision, both for Goble and Runyon. In “Problems,” Runyon’s investigation into the missing girl is sidetracked by a noise complaint, a hostage situation and a suicidal prostitute, each losing him valuable time and bringing him closer to a breakdown.
In “Wayward Son,” Runyon has set up his practice and is hoping for some viable clients. His first call is a boorish man whose fed-up wife has left him, but the second is the case he’s been waiting for: A 15-year-old boy has disappeared, apparently a runaway. The police are working on it, but as Runyon knows well, “their attention is somewhat divided at times.” Runyon finds that the boy may have had good — and secret — reasons to run away, but pledges to find him and bring him home safely.
Runyon gets a lead on contacting Jimmy through a chess-playing app, but actually finding him is not so easy, and the case expands to include drug trafficking and cybercrime. Jimmy’s parents and Runyon have vastly different philosophies, but he believes that they love the boy. He learns that being a private investigator is no less dangerous than being a police detective, but the assistance of a well-developed cast of supporting characters comes to his aid again and again.
Goble gives Runyan a combination of tenacity, humor and enough shortcomings to keep a series viable in a “one-bar town” in Ohio.
“City Problems” (336 pages, $26.95) and “Wayward Son” (320 pages, $27.95) are available in hardcover from Oceanview Publishing. Steve Goble also is the author of the recommended four-book “Spider John” pirate adventure series.
‘A Tribute to Mom’
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is only the beginning. With a decline in memory comes confusion, a disruption in daily life and possible personality changes. In “What a Woman with Alzheimer's Disease Never Forgot: A Tribute to Mom” by Susan Wells of Cuyahoga Falls, it also brought admirable humor and faith.
Wells and her four sisters accompanied their parents to an assessment in 2004 and received the diagnosis the same day. Her mother, Kathleen, reacted with prayerful acceptance, believing that God had a plan for her.
Wells explains that the family began doing memory exercises and singing together, taking Kathleen to physical therapy and support sessions, but the essence of the book is, as its title says, a tribute to Kathleen’s life. One chapter is titled “A Virtuous Woman,” and Wells shows the truth of it, as well as the enviable qualities of a “merry heart” and “living in the present.”
“What a Woman with Alzheimer's Disease Never Forgot: A Tribute to Mom” (176 pages, softcover) costs $22.49 from online retailers. Susan Wells founded a cancer ministry and also wrote “Spiritual Boot Camp for the Brave Cancer Soldier.”
Events
Hudson Library & Historical Society: Anthony Sattin talks about “Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World” in a Zoom event at 7 p.m. Monday. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, actor William Shatner talks about “Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder”; at 7 p.m. Thursday, journalist Eugene Linden discusses “Fire and Flood: A People’s History of Climate Change, from 1979 to the Present.” Register at hudsonlibrary.org.
Akron-Summit County Public Library (Green branch, 4046 Massillon Road): Terry Pluto talks about Cleveland sports and signs his many books, including “Vintage Browns: A Warm Look Back at the Cleveland Browns of the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and More,” 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Register at akronlibrary.org.
Stark County District Library (Perry Sippo branch, 5710 12th Street NW, Perry Township): Author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand reads from his storybook “Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story,” 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Register at starklibrary.org.
Geauga County Public Library (Middlefield branch, 16167 E. High St.): Naomi Mullet Stutzman signs “A Basketful of Broken Dishes,” about the history of her large Amish family, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Register at geaugalibrary.net.
Cuyahoga County Public Library (Parma-Snow branch, 2121 Snow Road): Michelle Knight discusses “Life After Darkness: Finding Healing and Happiness after the Cleveland Kidnappings,” 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Visible Voice Books (2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland): The “One Full Wit” reading series features Conor Bracken, X.P. Callahan, K.C. Cerankowski, Kortney Morrow and Genevieve Santos-Miller, 7 p.m. Thursday.
Don Umerley Civic Center (21012 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River): The Page & the Pen Author Event brings 32 authors to sign their work, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Names include Janet Beard, Jean Daigneau, Julie Anne Lindsey, James Renner and Jane Ann Turzillo; see the list at rrpl.org.
Learned Owl Book Shop (204 N. Main St., Hudson): J.T. Tenera signs “Erift’s Journeys: Secrets of the Sealed Forest,” his adventure fantasy for young adults, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Cleveland Public Library (Fleet branch, 7224 Broadway Ave.): Darnice Johnson signs “Our Storm,” her memoir of domestic violence, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Loganberry Books (13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights): Jacqueline Little signs her novel “The Narrative of the Life of Theresa: Memoir of Marriage,” 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Mentor Public Library (8215 Mentor Ave.): Murder Most Cozy brings cozy mystery authors Kylie Logan (Jazz Ramsey series) and Shelley Costa (Tuscan Cooking School series) to talk about the genre and sign their work, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Register at mentorpl.org.
Masonic Auditorium (3615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland): Advance notice for an event sure to sell out: At 5 p.m. Oct. 24, Jeff Kinney will launch “Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17: Diper Överlöde” with a concert, karaoke and trivia games. The $7.50 tickets include a signed copy of the book, the day before the official release. Tickets are at masoniccleveland.com.
Email information about books of local interest, and event notices at least two weeks in advance to BeaconBookTalk@gmail.com and bjnews@thebeaconjournal.com. Barbara McIntyre tweets at @BarbaraMcI.
Book Talk:Akron doctor writes medical thriller
Book Talk:Family secrets bared in ‘Where Wild Peaches Grow’
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Wayward Son’ is new chapter in Ohio detective series
