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Goon
Six-foot-nine and four hundred pounds, GOON is a one-man gore-machine of the Wrestling Conference. Police captain Philip Straker isn't a wrestling fan. The bodies pile up like dirty laundry: sex-obsessed tramps used as playthings by some unspeakable creature. Straker is determined to solve the rash of rape and mutilation murders with trimmings that beggar description. Reporter Melinda Pierce will do anything to find out, by offering herself up in order to infiltrate the arcane and lust-drenched warrens of backstage wrestling. This human juggernaut, this masked rack of guts, muscle, and mayhem...
Is Goon just a wrestler gone insane? Or is he something hideously worse?
Illustrated by noted artist Micah Hayes. Original Cover Art by Erik Wilson. This edition completely re-typeset and the authors' preferred edition.
Is Goon just a wrestler gone insane? Or is he something hideously worse?
Illustrated by noted artist Micah Hayes. Original Cover Art by Erik Wilson. This edition completely re-typeset and the authors' preferred edition.
138 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
7 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Edward Lee
267 books1,450 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 15, 2016
I am almost ashamed that I laughed out loud a few times at some of the nasties in here. Almost. Not quite. It’s Edward Lee, man. What do you expect? Inappropriate on so many levels. It wouldn’t even be Edward Lee if you didn’t throw up in your mouth a little. Goon is no exception. Trust me.
February 11, 2021
Well that was a fun read. This was my first time reading Edward Lee and I really don't know why I've never read anything by him before because I really dig the way he writes. This story wasn't as violent as I thought it would be but didn't matter cuz I thought The story was awesome. The character and dialogue were good and pulled me in with all the craziness. The way that he described shit made me crack the hell up...... Yeah there is something wrong with me 😂😂😂😂. This story kicked ass I mean what's not to like wrestling, sex, violence demons I mean hell that's a good time. I also like his name play he used in the naming of the wrestlers... Just awesome I am definitely going to read more Ed Lee
March 19, 2018
I love horror. I love Ed Lee. I LOVE wrestling. So, I thought this book was a lot of fun. The thinly disguised names of ACTUAL wrestlers (Hark Hogan, Dare instead of 'Flair', Dick Dude, instead of Rick Rude, etc) was great. However, this was NOT the greatness of Lee's other works. Maybe because of the collaboration...? The ending came out of nowhere, did not make sense with the rest of the book, and was NOT well developed or explained...for 95% of the book, our 2 MCs follow a serial killer professional wrestler, then in the last 4 pages the authors tried to hammer home a satanic/occult version of the tale that fell flat. Hence, 3 stars. --Jen from Quebec :0)
February 13, 2013
I don't know exactly what to say about Goon. The word "like", here, seems a bit fetishist. Especially since the book is as rancid as a bag of cum-stained whortel sheets. How does one find something utterly disgusting and repulsive, yet be, dare I say, turned on by it? It wasn't gross, puke prose, or weird in that weird way you might think. It surprised me. The twist. Surprising. And funny. Weirdly touching, in that creepy old uncle way. You will probably hate this book because it's sick and disgusting, but that's exactly why I liked it.
October 28, 2016
Read 06/13, listened to 10/16
A relatively short Edward Lee novel that isn't at all short on gross. Not as disgusting as The Bighead but not far from it. It's everything I hope for in an Edward Lee story and the new Audible edition is excellent. You'll never think about corn on the cob the same way again. You've been warned.
I received a free copy from audiobookboom in exchange for an honest review.
A relatively short Edward Lee novel that isn't at all short on gross. Not as disgusting as The Bighead but not far from it. It's everything I hope for in an Edward Lee story and the new Audible edition is excellent. You'll never think about corn on the cob the same way again. You've been warned.
I received a free copy from audiobookboom in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2018
Relying less on anatomically imaginative acts of rape and mutilation than in Header and The Bighead, enfant terrible Edward Lee puts his talent for depicting cartoonish depravity to use in this novella of professional wrestling and gross-out sex. Goon is a tag-team effort between Lee and John Pelan, the two showing a sizable familiarity with the ins and outs of indy circuit wrestling that informs the manhunt for the titular masked heel who after hours sates his infernal hunger with hapless groupies. Though this drives the story, the lion's share of the narrative is concerned with the comedy of humiliation as a pudgy, constantly tumescent state investigator pines after a lithe and sexually cavalier undercover reporter. En route to the inevitable showdown with the Goon, the two must first suffer through cunnilingus on an unhygienic giantess and prolonged sex in the missionary position that is as gratifying as being bludgeoned by a metronome. As always with Lee, despite its preponderance of pornographic episodes, The Goon still delivers a punchy last act that should titillate fans of offbeat horror. Trigger warning, etc.
August 24, 2020
Сега.
Тук се чувствам леко длъжен да се отклоня от книгата за няколко изречения.
Нееднократно съм се опитвал да поведа дискусия за сплетъра като литературен жанр. За съжаление болшинството хора са тотално незапознати с тази литература и след един два наизустени довода става ясно, че не са чели нищо по въпроса и разговорът става безсмислен. Не че ги виня, преведените произведения в жанра се броят на пръстите на едната ти глава (ако мога да цитирам Пратчет), а псевдолитературния морал е толкова дълбоко вкоренен в дълбините на родната литература, че трябва карта и компас да се открие и тротилов взрив да се изкара. Пък и горчивите му плодове са толкова отдавна в менюто на критиците, че дори обикновените читатели ги набиват като глиган лански желъди. Естествено, че читателя се чувства много по-безопасно в топлата, вече леко сенилна прегръдка, на Кинг, където щастливия край е гарантиран, а чудовищата не могат да се срещнат на улицата. Естествено, че отвратителното заложено вътре в човека се преглъща само като част от нещо отминало и далечно. Всеки може да чете за злите ацтеки, хуни, монголи, нацисти, съвети, да оправдава или заклеймява насилието когато е далечно и не те засяга пряко. Естествено е сплетъра да не е популярен. Мъжете и жените в този жанр взимат грозното от всекидневието – от улицата, от телевизора, от твоето общество. И на всичкото отгоре го екстраполират до гротеска, която крещи, кара те да се замислиш и най-вече плаши, ужасява.
Ама нямам намерение да развивам апология на жанра, защото съм го правил нееднократно и колкото и да ми е странно, няма ефект. „Ваша воля, господине. Щом не щете, тъй да е“, както е казал един известен продавач на кюмур.
Към книгата:
Много малко са авторите, които литературно експлоатират отвратителното като Едуард Лий. Дори съм напълно съглесан с предговора, че Кетчъм и дьо Сад почти изчерпват списъка. Ала стилът на г-н Лий се различава от на двамата, колкото и техните един от друг. Гротеската в произведенията на Лий е издигната до едни сладко-горчиви висоти от които всеки самоуважаващ се жител на Содом и Гомор леко би си повърнал в устата при четене. Отвратителното като цел (не като самоцел, но това е друг спор, който съм водил хикс пъти) е издигнато на пиедестал. И точно това служи за отдушник, без който прозата просто би ти увредила главата.
Самият аз избягвам най-популярните, респективно най-бруталните писания на Едуард Лий. Обикалям по края на творчеството му – колаборации, пастиши и прочие, и събирам смелост да се гмурна в дълбокото.
„Гаменът“ е писана в съавторство с Джон Пелан – автор, който ми е напълно непознат. Книжката едва достига обем за роман и хвърля читателя в света на второразрядните кеч федерации в дълбокия юг. За пореден път се убеждавам, че Лий пише страхотно, а гнусното определено не прикритие за писателска немощ. Като оставим на страна сплетър елемента, получаваме доста добър и информативен полицейски трилър, ала няма как да отстраним сплетър елемента.
Капитан Старкър е полицейски инспектор, разследващ поредица от брутални убийства на, както си мисли, проститутки. Убиецът прикрива следите си доста умело, но прави грешка. Капитанът разбира, че извършителят е борец в малка южняшка кеч федерация и му се налага да влезе под прикритие заедно с много атрактивна журналистка. Потапянето в света на махленските кечаджии е шокиращ за куката пуритан, а труповете се трупат експоненциално. В течение на разследването става ясно, че в уравнението има нещо повече от чисто човешка жестокост, а Старкър успява да хлътне кораво по колежката си, на която не ѝ е особено чиста работата.
Тук се чувствам леко длъжен да се отклоня от книгата за няколко изречения.
Нееднократно съм се опитвал да поведа дискусия за сплетъра като литературен жанр. За съжаление болшинството хора са тотално незапознати с тази литература и след един два наизустени довода става ясно, че не са чели нищо по въпроса и разговорът става безсмислен. Не че ги виня, преведените произведения в жанра се броят на пръстите на едната ти глава (ако мога да цитирам Пратчет), а псевдолитературния морал е толкова дълбоко вкоренен в дълбините на родната литература, че трябва карта и компас да се открие и тротилов взрив да се изкара. Пък и горчивите му плодове са толкова отдавна в менюто на критиците, че дори обикновените читатели ги набиват като глиган лански желъди. Естествено, че читателя се чувства много по-безопасно в топлата, вече леко сенилна прегръдка, на Кинг, където щастливия край е гарантиран, а чудовищата не могат да се срещнат на улицата. Естествено, че отвратителното заложено вътре в човека се преглъща само като част от нещо отминало и далечно. Всеки може да чете за злите ацтеки, хуни, монголи, нацисти, съвети, да оправдава или заклеймява насилието когато е далечно и не те засяга пряко. Естествено е сплетъра да не е популярен. Мъжете и жените в този жанр взимат грозното от всекидневието – от улицата, от телевизора, от твоето общество. И на всичкото отгоре го екстраполират до гротеска, която крещи, кара те да се замислиш и най-вече плаши, ужасява.
Ама нямам намерение да развивам апология на жанра, защото съм го правил нееднократно и колкото и да ми е странно, няма ефект. „Ваша воля, господине. Щом не щете, тъй да е“, както е казал един известен продавач на кюмур.
Към книгата:
Много малко са авторите, които литературно експлоатират отвратителното като Едуард Лий. Дори съм напълно съглесан с предговора, че Кетчъм и дьо Сад почти изчерпват списъка. Ала стилът на г-н Лий се различава от на двамата, колкото и техните един от друг. Гротеската в произведенията на Лий е издигната до едни сладко-горчиви висоти от които всеки самоуважаващ се жител на Содом и Гомор леко би си повърнал в устата при четене. Отвратителното като цел (не като самоцел, но това е друг спор, който съм водил хикс пъти) е издигнато на пиедестал. И точно това служи за отдушник, без който прозата просто би ти увредила главата.
Самият аз избягвам най-популярните, респективно най-бруталните писания на Едуард Лий. Обикалям по края на творчеството му – колаборации, пастиши и прочие, и събирам смелост да се гмурна в дълбокото.
„Гаменът“ е писана в съавторство с Джон Пелан – автор, който ми е напълно непознат. Книжката едва достига обем за роман и хвърля читателя в света на второразрядните кеч федерации в дълбокия юг. За пореден път се убеждавам, че Лий пише страхотно, а гнусното определено не прикритие за писателска немощ. Като оставим на страна сплетър елемента, получаваме доста добър и информативен полицейски трилър, ала няма как да отстраним сплетър елемента.
Капитан Старкър е полицейски инспектор, разследващ поредица от брутални убийства на, както си мисли, проститутки. Убиецът прикрива следите си доста умело, но прави грешка. Капитанът разбира, че извършителят е борец в малка южняшка кеч федерация и му се налага да влезе под прикритие заедно с много атрактивна журналистка. Потапянето в света на махленските кечаджии е шокиращ за куката пуритан, а труповете се трупат експоненциално. В течение на разследването става ясно, че в уравнението има нещо повече от чисто човешка жестокост, а Старкър успява да хлътне кораво по колежката си, на която не ѝ е особено чиста работата.
August 29, 2025
When countless bodies are being found all around town, people are starting to have questions. Goon is a 400 pound beast of a wrestler. When police captain Straker starts to look for him because he thinks he’s involved, he meets Melinda a reporter who wants to find goon just as bad if not more than he does.
This was such a fun read. I really loved all the wrestling moves and different wrestlers that were described this was a really good time! As most of Lees stories I was really surprised by the end! I was not expecting that in the slightest!
This was such a fun read. I really loved all the wrestling moves and different wrestlers that were described this was a really good time! As most of Lees stories I was really surprised by the end! I was not expecting that in the slightest!
August 8, 2015
Unfortunately Goon is not the kind of book you can break down in-depth, and I think that even Edward Lee would agree with me on this. It's definitely Lee; obscene, gross as hell and genuinely bizarre. I will say that the scene with one hick cop regaling another with a series of increasingly insanely gross anecdotes actually had me burst into laughter at its conclusion--it was that over-the-top and nauseating. The thing that definitely hurt this novel the most was probably the MASSIVE ENDING SPOILERS AHEAD entire ending sequence. I was super into the crime setting Lee had going with his detective protagonist and then it turns into some dumbass demon shit? I was genuinely interested in seeing what motivated Goon and at the end it turns out he's some fucking run-of-the-mill supernatural entity? Fuck no. I did laugh at the climactic wrestling match between the demons, though. Hilariously stupid stuff.
February 20, 2013
I dont know anything about john pelan except that a search of his name here on goodreads just came up with a list of anthologies that he edited, I dont know if he edited this book or wrote half of it but if he wrote half I cant tell which half it is. For being one of edward lee's more extreme gross out type of books I am definitly impresed with anyone who can write on his level. This is a fairly short novel but the size seemed perfect to tell the story, it had a bit of graphic violence but was mostly sex and gross out material. All in all it was a fun and fast read.
March 9, 2021
Uhm, okay...
Before we start this review I'm going to state that I'm giving this one a 2 1/2 star rating, round it up to three stars on Goodreads and Amazon.
So, what is this story about, you may ask? Well, it's about this officer named Straker who is looking over the case of a dead woman that was physically disassembled, possibly by a wrestler that goes by the alias Goon. He meets a reporter that is going to help him find Goon, named Malinda, and together the story really kicks off.
I didn't care for this one. Maybe it just wasn't for me. I don't know. At times this book felt like a comedy more so than a horror story. The gross out scenes felt very unnecessary, forced and, honestly, the story never really succeeded at grossing me out. And throughout the whole book there really isn't any murder or bloodshed. It just didn't tickle my horror fancy, ya know?
Oh, and don't get me started on that out of left field ending. It just came out of nowhere and just felt very, very forced, like the authors had no clue how to wrap it up and said "Screw it," and manufactured that climax.
So yeah, that's my review of Goon by Edward Lee and John Pelan. I have another book that features both authors that I'm willing to try as well, but I'm now weary going into it. The book is called Family Tradition. It sounds great, so I'll still give it a chance. Also, this is my second Edward Lee book, my first being The Stickman, which was really good, but again it wasn't horror. So, I'm looking forward to reading my first REAL Edward Lee horror story. I don't know when that day will come, but I'm thinking about just reading his more popular stuff like Header and see how I do with that. If I do, I'll continue seeking out his books.
2 1/2 stars. Sorry Mr. Lee and John Pelan.
Before we start this review I'm going to state that I'm giving this one a 2 1/2 star rating, round it up to three stars on Goodreads and Amazon.
So, what is this story about, you may ask? Well, it's about this officer named Straker who is looking over the case of a dead woman that was physically disassembled, possibly by a wrestler that goes by the alias Goon. He meets a reporter that is going to help him find Goon, named Malinda, and together the story really kicks off.
I didn't care for this one. Maybe it just wasn't for me. I don't know. At times this book felt like a comedy more so than a horror story. The gross out scenes felt very unnecessary, forced and, honestly, the story never really succeeded at grossing me out. And throughout the whole book there really isn't any murder or bloodshed. It just didn't tickle my horror fancy, ya know?
Oh, and don't get me started on that out of left field ending. It just came out of nowhere and just felt very, very forced, like the authors had no clue how to wrap it up and said "Screw it," and manufactured that climax.
So yeah, that's my review of Goon by Edward Lee and John Pelan. I have another book that features both authors that I'm willing to try as well, but I'm now weary going into it. The book is called Family Tradition. It sounds great, so I'll still give it a chance. Also, this is my second Edward Lee book, my first being The Stickman, which was really good, but again it wasn't horror. So, I'm looking forward to reading my first REAL Edward Lee horror story. I don't know when that day will come, but I'm thinking about just reading his more popular stuff like Header and see how I do with that. If I do, I'll continue seeking out his books.
2 1/2 stars. Sorry Mr. Lee and John Pelan.
May 9, 2011
This was my first book of Edward Lee.
A true page-turner with funny images on every alinea.
A reporter and a detective are trying to get in touch with (6 feet 9) amateur-wrestler Goon, who is a suspect of homicides. But this isn't as easy as it seems. Reporter Melinda uses her body to come closer to Goon, via other amateur-wrestlers. While detective Straker is accompanied by the most sexy woman he can imagine. It's the only way for both to come near Goon, who is seen barely in public.
This is quite a short story, but full of bizarre happenings. Mostly sarcastic, a lot of (nasty) graphic sex-scénes. (Which is what you get when Lee admits that his work was inspired by de Sade).
Even though this all seems very gross, compared with his other books, it's not.
A true page-turner with funny images on every alinea.
A reporter and a detective are trying to get in touch with (6 feet 9) amateur-wrestler Goon, who is a suspect of homicides. But this isn't as easy as it seems. Reporter Melinda uses her body to come closer to Goon, via other amateur-wrestlers. While detective Straker is accompanied by the most sexy woman he can imagine. It's the only way for both to come near Goon, who is seen barely in public.
This is quite a short story, but full of bizarre happenings. Mostly sarcastic, a lot of (nasty) graphic sex-scénes. (Which is what you get when Lee admits that his work was inspired by de Sade).
Even though this all seems very gross, compared with his other books, it's not.
June 10, 2019
Wow! What a brilliant idea for a horror novel! Wrestling is near and dear to my heart, so this was a pleasant surprise. A quick, perverse read that I couldn't put down. The art work was hysterical and I was so pleased that it had it throughout. I hope to find more low brow horror like this in Lee's collection. Loved it!
July 5, 2015
Wieder mal ein genialer Festa Extrem Band, der nur so vor Brutalität, Sex, Gewalt und Blut trift.
Die beiden Autoren wissen wie man die Leser zum zittern und mitfiebern bringt.
Genialer Roman den ich allen Horrorfans ans Herz legen kann. Aber vorsicht: Nichts für Schwache Nerven.
Die beiden Autoren wissen wie man die Leser zum zittern und mitfiebern bringt.
Genialer Roman den ich allen Horrorfans ans Herz legen kann. Aber vorsicht: Nichts für Schwache Nerven.
December 1, 2021
Rock 'em, sock 'em sex-fuelled romp, the Goon doesn't disappoint. Bonus if you are a fan of 80's wrestling.
June 27, 2013
Edward Lee's stories from his rural Appalachia mythos (eg Creekers, Goon, The Minotauress, etc) are like cotton candy. Everyone knows the formula, everyone knows what to expect when they pick it up, and ultimately it's hard to recollect where one book starts and another ends. The writing is solid enough to not call any attention to itself, they're each easy to read and hard to put down. As far as I can tell, there's no real specific timeline to the mythos, and thus there's not any particular order to read them.
Keep in mind, however, that what other reviewers have said about Edward Lee's spectacularly depraved imagination and the depths of filth, gore, perversion, violence, misery and casual disrespect for the vast majority of the victims in his stories is absolutely true. Edward Lee's Appalachia books are not for those proud of their delicate sensibilities, nor for the horror fan who is looking for "bump in the night" chills. These books are for readers looking for fun, easy to read splatterpunky stories that focus on creating vivid imagery to the detriment of wildly involved plots or Impressive Metaphors About The Human Condition.
Cotton candy for the crowd of jaded readers looking for outlandish prurience and cheap escapism. We know who we are, and we love Mr. Lee for providing us such wonderful entertainment.
I've read a number of books from this mythos in the last couple of years, and I'm going to copypasta this review into each of them. With five stars each.
Keep in mind, however, that what other reviewers have said about Edward Lee's spectacularly depraved imagination and the depths of filth, gore, perversion, violence, misery and casual disrespect for the vast majority of the victims in his stories is absolutely true. Edward Lee's Appalachia books are not for those proud of their delicate sensibilities, nor for the horror fan who is looking for "bump in the night" chills. These books are for readers looking for fun, easy to read splatterpunky stories that focus on creating vivid imagery to the detriment of wildly involved plots or Impressive Metaphors About The Human Condition.
Cotton candy for the crowd of jaded readers looking for outlandish prurience and cheap escapism. We know who we are, and we love Mr. Lee for providing us such wonderful entertainment.
I've read a number of books from this mythos in the last couple of years, and I'm going to copypasta this review into each of them. With five stars each.
December 22, 2016
Goon is 148 pages of simple entertainment. It tells the story of a mysterious wrestler dwelling in the bottom rung of competition. He takes a beating like no other a beating that would kill other mere men.
It also tells the story of a trail of women showing up dead cut up with all identifying features missing. The trail of death points toward a connection with this dead end wrestling competition with its has been wrestlers and groupies.
This is a fast paced book that is a great short read. It may not be for everyone because it is quite graphic in some parts. But if you have a strong stomach I recommend you give it a go.
It also tells the story of a trail of women showing up dead cut up with all identifying features missing. The trail of death points toward a connection with this dead end wrestling competition with its has been wrestlers and groupies.
This is a fast paced book that is a great short read. It may not be for everyone because it is quite graphic in some parts. But if you have a strong stomach I recommend you give it a go.
December 18, 2023
A mutilated body on the morgue slab, missing feet, hands, all their teeth knocked out, eyes removed, brutally cut to pieces, nipples bitten off, all orifices full of cum, abused after death. The wrestler Goon, 350 pounds of muscle on muscle, gargantuan, red and black mask, deadpan eyes glaring out the holes, a complete animal, loves pain. Skulls gets slammed with chairs and wood. Melinda is a drop dead gorgeous ringrat who loves getting laid by wrestlers. She will get involved with a police detective to catch a crazed serial killer dumping women and guys getting their dick chomped off. The wrestling scene slamming, diving through the pages. Signed copy.
August 23, 2013
It's ok. Funny more than sick. And the "reveal" was not fantastic. Of the limited books I've read from Edward Lee, The Bighead and Creekers were much better.
If you're a pro wrestling fan it's worth it, otherwise, steer clear.
If you're a pro wrestling fan it's worth it, otherwise, steer clear.
November 16, 2008
This book was way more fun than I was expecting! If you're into hardcore horror, this book is a must-read.
July 1, 2016
it was okay but i was hoping for more. i wanted the EDWARD LEE style. Not enough gore.
March 7, 2025
Goon is another classic of extreme splattersmut by Edward Lee. It’s a fast read and I went from being grossed out to laughing and crying the whole time. Lots of over the top fun in this one.
December 31, 2018
Goon is a short novel about crime in a city big on wrestling. Mutilated bodies with severed limbs turned up in a dump every now and then and Officer Straker was assigned to the case. Together with the drop dead gorgeous reporter, Melinda, they set out together to solve it.
There was a short commentary before the start of the book. It was one thing he said that I fully agree with. You can only read so much horror and gore before you get bored and jaded to the guts. But Edward Lee's novels really make you come back for more. He just has the knack to write stories that reach into your insides and twist them a little. It's psychotic, it's pervertic, and sometimes it's even funny. Best of all, it is refreshing.
This novel was no exception. Full of scenes that made me grimace and then laugh at the end. The scene with Hays and the scene with Straker and Ghoula had me smiling to myself. "Best corn on cob ever!". The book even had a very cute ending with Straker fulfilling his dreams to stay by Melinda's side forever.
Why I still gave this a 3 star though was because some parts didnt make sense. With Melinda's skills and expertise, and of course being who she is, why couldnt she just stake out Goon herself instead of having to team up with Straker? And did she really need to go through all that trouble of blowing security guards in order to get information? She could have just picked a night to corner Dare.
There was a short commentary before the start of the book. It was one thing he said that I fully agree with. You can only read so much horror and gore before you get bored and jaded to the guts. But Edward Lee's novels really make you come back for more. He just has the knack to write stories that reach into your insides and twist them a little. It's psychotic, it's pervertic, and sometimes it's even funny. Best of all, it is refreshing.
This novel was no exception. Full of scenes that made me grimace and then laugh at the end. The scene with Hays and the scene with Straker and Ghoula had me smiling to myself. "Best corn on cob ever!". The book even had a very cute ending with Straker fulfilling his dreams to stay by Melinda's side forever.
Why I still gave this a 3 star though was because some parts didnt make sense. With Melinda's skills and expertise, and of course being who she is, why couldnt she just stake out Goon herself instead of having to team up with Straker? And did she really need to go through all that trouble of blowing security guards in order to get information? She could have just picked a night to corner Dare.
November 13, 2023
Edward Lee and John Pelan is a collaboration I've previously read before with their short novella 'Family Tradition' which honestly I found to be a really fun yet disturbing read that had me turning the pages curious as to what would happen next. They had written a few novellas before Pelan's passing and Goon is another one of theirs.
Straker has been put in charge of investigating a series of murders believed to have been caused by a local wrestler by the name of Goon. But somebody else is interested in the masked serial killer and she will stop at nothing to find him.
Goon is a novella with a pretty decent idea at its core of a masked, mysterious wrestler killing and butchering women in the shadows with the help of his manager, and the humor at times in this story is pretty funny too. But there's not much else I can say that I liked here, it's a story with an interesting idea that doesn't really go anywhere and is instead full of very uncomfortable imagery and extremely unlikable characters whom I didn't much care for, despite that being the intention. The humor didn't always work and the climax was very contrived.
I also wasn't a fan of the illustrations by Micha Hayes either, they made the read even more uncomfortable at times and were just a little too simplistic for my liking.
Overall: I personally wouldn't recommend this one myself, but some people will definitely like it. This one just really wasn't to my tastes, unfortunately. 2/10
Straker has been put in charge of investigating a series of murders believed to have been caused by a local wrestler by the name of Goon. But somebody else is interested in the masked serial killer and she will stop at nothing to find him.
Goon is a novella with a pretty decent idea at its core of a masked, mysterious wrestler killing and butchering women in the shadows with the help of his manager, and the humor at times in this story is pretty funny too. But there's not much else I can say that I liked here, it's a story with an interesting idea that doesn't really go anywhere and is instead full of very uncomfortable imagery and extremely unlikable characters whom I didn't much care for, despite that being the intention. The humor didn't always work and the climax was very contrived.
I also wasn't a fan of the illustrations by Micha Hayes either, they made the read even more uncomfortable at times and were just a little too simplistic for my liking.
Overall: I personally wouldn't recommend this one myself, but some people will definitely like it. This one just really wasn't to my tastes, unfortunately. 2/10
June 19, 2019
I'm not sure where to even really begin. At first I thought, "This book is do over the top sexually, violently, cliched, etc. that it was a worthless read". Then I stopped and took a breath. This is Edward Lee. He is a pro at this type of book so I was willing to overlook some things. I actually learned some things about a subject (wrestling) that I heretofore had no knowledge of. Granted, I didn't fact check any of this but some of it seemed plausible! The book progresses from a standard serial killer motif to a ridiculous supernatural serial killer motif. Along the way, we have copious amounts of exhaustive, over the top sexual descriptions. Also, we get educated in what Edward Lee actually thinks what people from the south are like. It is a little irksome as I am from the south and no one I know talks anything like he depicts. I am willing to let all that go to try to enjoy a quick paced, lite and satirically amusing read.
November 18, 2024
I didn't like that much at all. I was looking for Edward Lee books through my local library and Goon and one other that didn't have great reviews are the only books available. I chose Goon because I can dig wrestling and I figured there would be some good fight gore. Fight gore there was not. The only descriptive parts in this book are really only about women and their hygienically neglected genitalia. I gave it one extra star for the surprise twist at the end. I really didn't see that coming. But overall, this was advertised to be something it wasn't and I would not recommend.
March 1, 2025
Goon combined two things I love, professional wrestling & extreme horror. While Goon wasn’t AS “extreme” as some of Edward Lee’s book, it was still a fun ride.
I enjoyed how Lee changed the names of real wrestlers, but did it in a way so you knew who was talking about.
I don’t know that I’d call the ending a “twist,” even though it came out of nowhere. In some ways it didn’t make sense, but it was a story about professional wrestling, which is a world that doesn’t always make sense. Trust me, I’ve been behind the curtain of that world.
I enjoyed how Lee changed the names of real wrestlers, but did it in a way so you knew who was talking about.
I don’t know that I’d call the ending a “twist,” even though it came out of nowhere. In some ways it didn’t make sense, but it was a story about professional wrestling, which is a world that doesn’t always make sense. Trust me, I’ve been behind the curtain of that world.
January 31, 2019
This shit packs a punch! I have been a fan of Lee for a long time, and have to say, this was one of the most twisted of his stories I've read to date. Right up there with The Bighead and Teratologist! Not at all for the faint of heart or easily grossed out, we have some of the most depraved sex and gore here. Add to that a cool but somewhat predictable storyline, you have Goon. Can you guess whodunit?
October 2, 2019
Exciting
An exciting read this one. It has you waiting and wanting more which you get in droves. I love how it twists with all the wrestling and each person ends up being more than first thought. Like at first glance you are someone and think what they are like by there looks and behaviour but the real them is just behind a thin veil. I love how Melinda turned out and how it ended. A great little story .
An exciting read this one. It has you waiting and wanting more which you get in droves. I love how it twists with all the wrestling and each person ends up being more than first thought. Like at first glance you are someone and think what they are like by there looks and behaviour but the real them is just behind a thin veil. I love how Melinda turned out and how it ended. A great little story .
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