P. I. Perfection
So, I have to say this book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Now do not get me wrong if you have read my reviews then you know I love mysteries so this is not a stretch for me but what is surprising is I read this in one sitting and can see myself going backwards and reading the books between one and seven. This novel starts with Rick waking up in a dark void. Rick was apparently shot in the face at the end of the last novel. The tissue around his optic nerves was damaged and swelled resulting in his blindness. What I loved about this novel is that Rick has a love interest and is not alone. In the first novel Yesterday’s Echo’s I felt so bad Rick because he was so crushed over his wife’s death that he did not really have a love interest but more of a fling. While his girlfriend does split her time between La Jolla and Santa Barbra where she has her business, I felt that their connection was extremely genuine good job Mr. Coyle with that aspect.

The novel starts off with Rick getting a knock at the door from his P.I friend Moira and she asks for assistance on a case that she has been asked to work. Rick is extremely reluctant and even though his P. I. license is good for another year he is unsure if he wants to continue a job in this field. The only reason he agrees to go with Moira is because the case involves his old friend Turk. Moira needs Rick to be there for the initial meeting so that she can get a feel for if Turk is being truthful.

What unfolds after that initial meeting is a great story. Rick and Moira tail Turks girlfriend to see if she is cheating on him and a few days into their investigation the girlfriend is found dead and Turk is in the middle of it all. Along with finding out if Turk in fact killed his girlfriend what I loved about this novel is that Rick was able to find a purpose for himself. Another aspect that is beautifully well written is Rick’s blindness and how it impacts the case. You can really tell that research went into all the details. Like I previously mentioned this is not a standalone novel there are clearly previous plot points weaved into this story but I never once felt lost or confused in the slightest all I felt is that I would enjoy the rest of the previous books. All and all a 4.5 read. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good cop read or a mystery. ( )

This was the first book I ever read by Matt Coyle and it will definitely not be the last. I recommend reading some of the other books in the series to learn more about all of the things that happen to Rick Cahill but I enjoyed the story even though I had not read any others. Rick starts this book with a huge handicap that makes it hard for him to help his friends. There are a lot of twists and turns so it is not easy to know who really is the murderer. I really like that. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Blind Vigil by Matt Coyle is a very highly recommended classic PI novel and the seventh in the Rick Cahill series.

Private investigator Rick Cahill was blinded by a gunshot wound to the face nine months ago while on his last case (Lost Tomorrows, #6 in the series). Now he is trying to learn to live without sight at his home in San Diego and, perhaps, find a new direction to his life. When his friend and sometimes partner Moira MacFarlane asks for his help on a case, he acquiesces. Apparently Moira is interviewing Rick's estranged friend, Turk Moldoon, and she wants Rick to sit in on her interview of Turk about the case. She is sure Rick will be able to tell if Turk is telling her the truth or not, something that is important to her after a previous case turned out disastrously. Turk wants Moira to follow his girlfriend, Shay, to find out if she is having an affair. Rick is sure Turk is telling the truth, so Moira takes on the case. Then Shay is killed, Turk is the main suspect, Moira is furious with Rick, and Rick is determined to discover the truth behind Shay's murder and defend his friend. And who is the man Rick keeps smelling as he follows Rick?

First, you can jump into Blind Vigil without having read the previous novels. I have read the previous novel, Lost Tomorrows, but I'm sure anyone could read Blind Vigil as a stand-alone. The writing is straightforward, the investigation is logical, and the pace is quick. This really is an entertaining, engaging, fast read that will also holding your attention from start to finish. If you like classic noir PI novels, you really need to check out this series.

Personally, I like the way Coyle portrays his hard boiled detective in this series and Rick Cahill is a great character. Rick is compelled to discover the truth no matter the cost and with his current lack of sight this compulsion may put him in danger. He may also be putting any chance of personal happiness at risk with his girlfriend, Leah, as they try to make a long distance romance work. As he investigates the case on his own with some help from Moira due to his impairment, he makes very logical connections and observations, putting the pieces together while trying to prove Turk is not guilty.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Oceanview Publishing.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/11/blind-vigil.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3651803674 ( )

Great story, great series. Love Rick Cahill. ( )

Rick Cahill series # 7

What a great read this turned out to be. Although this is the 7th book in the series I had no trouble getting into it from the get-go Matt Coyle gives us snippets of what happened to his protagonist without lingering on his past and has masterfully moved forward his storyline with a blend of hard-boiled, noirish and a breath of fresh life to the PI tradition.

Blinded by a gunshot wound to the face while working as a PI nine months ago Rick Cahill is still trying to start a new life. But when his one-time partner Moira MacFarlane asks for his help on a case he couldn’t refuse...as always when Rick is involved things always turns deadly....

Mr. Coyle captured masterfully Cahill dealing with the loss of his eyesight and how he carries himself in the dark: he counts steps and is reliant on his others sense to move around. The mystery if told from the point of view of a blind person. I do have a weak spot for a first person narrative definitely my preferred style by a long shot.

Without a murder we wouldn’t have a captivating mystery Oh yes, Shay gets killed and Turk, Cahill’s best friend is the main suspect ...but he doesn’t believe his friend could do such a thing...and we have police, lawyers, suspects, friends and oh yes the Invisible Man with the Dove underarm smell...all in the fray... to entertain us and they do captivate till the very last page.

“Blind Vigil”, is well-written, fast-paced, has amazing and diverse characters and is a page turner very hard to put down. Excellent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )