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Robert Payne #1
Blood Moon
Hired by the seductive Nora Conners to find the maniac who killed her young daughter, FBI agent Robert Payne uncovers the sordid secrets of New Hope, Iowa, surrounding a televangelist, an abused wife, and a beautiful police chief. Reprint.
308 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2012
14 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Ed Gorman
469 books121 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 17, 2015
This was a good, not great Ed Gorman novel. As always, his prose is fantastic, an absolute joy to read. The book falls a little short here and there in the plot department, getting maybe a little too twisty turny for its own good. Everything comes together in an extremely gruesome climax that seems more at home in a horror novel than in your average detective fare. Fans of Gorman, check it out, and everyone should be a fan of Gorman, by the way.
March 13, 2024
DNF @ 72%.
This started off great but then it became boring and confusing. The constant switch between the prison story and Robert's was another thing that I really didn't like. Plus, the main character is a profiler but all I saw was him going around town having mundane conversations with people. Lastly, this author had a fixation with describing every female character in terms of attractiveness and all had negative relationships with the men in their lives.
This started off great but then it became boring and confusing. The constant switch between the prison story and Robert's was another thing that I really didn't like. Plus, the main character is a profiler but all I saw was him going around town having mundane conversations with people. Lastly, this author had a fixation with describing every female character in terms of attractiveness and all had negative relationships with the men in their lives.
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August 14, 2011FANTASTIC book...not a boring part in it, ever! Ed Gorman introduces us to Robert Payne, who worked in the FBI as a profiler, and it's a thrill ride from start to finish. Good start to the series, and a high recommend!
November 17, 2013
couldn't put this down....exceptional writing....feverishly waiting on the next Ed Gorman :-)
August 11, 2025
decent detective/mystery novel nothin too grandiose but I liked it well enough,it has some disgusting shit that the nain killer does obviosuly cause the guy is a monster but it makes me feel hella bad especially regarding what he does to dogs and little girls,pretty shitty guy and if you see the cover you may know what his commupance is,and pretty poetic indeed felt bad for his dad tho,give it a try quite a fun read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
Robert takes over a case of a young girl having been murder. The mother gives him a big check to find the killer. More secrets are found in this sleepy Iowa town, of a serial killer, kidnapping. A plot that keeps you on the toes to the end. Enjoyed the audio with good narration. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
August 3, 2023
Excellent, a page turner, and keep you guessing until the surprise ending.
I engrossed myself in the settings and charcters, it switch quiet often yet I was able to keep up and wonder who the culprit might be. Set in Iowa, but it read like you where in NY or LA. as far as events. I recommend to all readers who like "who don its. You will be surprised at the ending.
I engrossed myself in the settings and charcters, it switch quiet often yet I was able to keep up and wonder who the culprit might be. Set in Iowa, but it read like you where in NY or LA. as far as events. I recommend to all readers who like "who don its. You will be surprised at the ending.
January 23, 2022
Retired FBI agent Robert Payne in this atmospheric mystery, that takes place in small town in Iowa. A chilling and gripping tale.
June 13, 2023
Really refreshing mystery novel, that is not driven by violence and sex.
April 1, 2024
Engaging read. Killer is a dark & disturbed individual.
January 25, 2025
I did like a lot of the story but Ed Gorman’s need to torture puppies to make his point makes me not want to read any more of his stories
November 29, 2009
Former FBI forensic psychologist Robert Payne takes on a case that the previous investigator had died in the middle of, run down by a hit and run driver. The woman says the wrong person, a teenager, was arrested.
The case is to find out who killed her twelve year old daughter, one of a number of young girls found with broken necks and mutilate bodies. The woman had received a letter from the man a couple of days after his death detailing his investigation to that point. Three suspects had been developed.
That's all Payne had to go when he started.
The case gets more complex when he gets pulled into looking for a kidnapped eight year old girl that may be connected. Needing to keep the police oblivious, it isn't easy as there is a woman police chief he's becoming close to(and vice versa).
Sprinkled throughout are chapters told from the viewpoint of this unknown killer talking about his days in prison and the escape planned with one of those women enamored of convicts.
The author keeps you guessing all the way through, throwing in several plot twists that turns the case around, right up to the bloody finale.
The case is to find out who killed her twelve year old daughter, one of a number of young girls found with broken necks and mutilate bodies. The woman had received a letter from the man a couple of days after his death detailing his investigation to that point. Three suspects had been developed.
That's all Payne had to go when he started.
The case gets more complex when he gets pulled into looking for a kidnapped eight year old girl that may be connected. Needing to keep the police oblivious, it isn't easy as there is a woman police chief he's becoming close to(and vice versa).
Sprinkled throughout are chapters told from the viewpoint of this unknown killer talking about his days in prison and the escape planned with one of those women enamored of convicts.
The author keeps you guessing all the way through, throwing in several plot twists that turns the case around, right up to the bloody finale.
May 1, 2016
I listened to this one on Audible. I may have enjoyed it more had it been narrated by someone else. I just didn't care for the voice and it didn't seem to "fit" with the main character. This book reminded me of a somewhat typical gum-shoe detective novel. Only, the detective in this one is a former FBI profiler. The characters are mostly one dimensional, and the story line a little hard to follow at times - but probably because I listened to it. I was a little surprised by the ending, so for me that's a good story.
September 18, 2008
BLOOD MOON - NR
Gorman, Ed - 1st in Robert Payne series
Psychological profile investigator Robert Payne is hot on the trail of a psychopath, with only one clue: the suspects named by the last private detective on the case, before he was killed.
It's a well-woven story, but extremely brutal.
Gorman, Ed - 1st in Robert Payne series
Psychological profile investigator Robert Payne is hot on the trail of a psychopath, with only one clue: the suspects named by the last private detective on the case, before he was killed.
It's a well-woven story, but extremely brutal.
February 20, 2014
Good book as Robert Payne is hired to find out who among three suspects is actually a psychotic serial killer. When his employer is killed he is determined to solve the mystery, with the help of a pretty sheriff lady. Exciting, well written, a little brutal, this is recommended to fans of murder mysteries.
March 25, 2015
I got this audiobook on sale on Audible. It was a nice surprise. An easy listen, but kept my attention. It's not often anymore that I'm surprised by "who dunnit" but this book kept me guessing all the way to the end. I like the author's love of history, Iowa and his love of strong women.
January 20, 2015
Started out so promising, ended up a complete disappointment.
February 6, 2016
I really like his writing. Some gross parts re: the killings but overall it was very suspenseful!
July 23, 2008
Very good.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews