The interesting thing about having spent a lot of time in a place is that it really gives a sense of perspective. When it is LA or NY or something similar, it becomes a fully shared experience. Santa Barbara as a rule of thumb is a much smaller community. Creating a modern noir on the American Riviera and still making it feel local and not elitist is a hard balance to come by. "Lost Tomorrows" [Matt Coyle/Oceanview/368pgs], even though many times it deals too much in absolutes, has a great through line running through it. While likely not a great recruiting tool for the police department, its sense of geography down to even a phone booth shows an undeniable aspect of details. While it lays into fairly cliche territory at times, the pulp ideal of its fiction works pretty well, especially in the aspect of Rick Chaill, a PI with smarts who at times is too stupid for his own good because he can't come to terms with his own psyche. All the different characters work well and have their own reasoning even though you hate most of everyone in the end but they all have their own reasons for being the way they are. In that way it does feel like a thriller in a similar way to "Basic Instinct" but without the full sexualized background of that. The lead character Cahill comes back to Santa Barbara after being vilified and accused of his wife's murder many years before. He returns when his former partner and one time lover on the force (Krista) seemingly gets killed by a drunk driver on State Street. Cahill becomes embroiled with her sister Leah whom Cahill seems to see a lot of his perceptions in. There are many plot strands that aren't completely balanced along with certain motivations but it still moves. And Cahill's approaches to crimes and morally progressive actions at times don't jive with what the story could be. That said, it is undeniably entertaining and its resolution expected when you think about it but not exactly what one would think. In that way it knows what it is, paints a world but also draws you into the characters head space, however misaligned it is. B

By Tim Wassberg

Fabulous plot which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to other fans of this genre!! Matt Coyle has done it again!!

The sixth in a series and I started here without reading any of the previous books, which is very unlike me!

Rick Cahill is a "retired" police officer who is now a private investigator and has moved away from Santa Barbara, the city that is full of bad memories for him. He must return as a former partner has died and he wants to pay his respect. While there her sister asks for his help because there are whispers that her death was possibly not an accident. And thus he is roped into both drama from the present and from the past.

There were just a handful of times where I felt out of place and was regretting starting at book six, but I felt as though the author easily brought me up to speed most of the time in a gentle way. It was easy to keep the car accident with Krista Landingham separate from the clues that were also coming the very outdated investigation of his wife who was murdered many years ago.

Rick was a great character to follow because as a reader you could trust his skills as he had been an officer and is now an investigator. BUT I felt as though there were a few times where he got a bit whiny and irritating. He repeated things a few times and I wanted to tell him that he needed to get over a few things and start moving forward!

After finishing the book, I am drawn to go back to the beginning and start this series. I may just have to do that this year!

A solid mystery set in two of my former hometowns: San Diego & Santa Barbara. The author got the setting just right. The mystery was very well done. My only quibble is the characters were not as developed as fully as I thought they could have been. Otherwise, a solid mystery.

Lost Tomorrows by Matt Coyle is a highly recommended noir whodunit featuring a troubled private investigator and the sixth book in the series.

San Diego P. I. Rick Cahill receives a phone call learning that his former partner on the Santa Barbara Police Department, Krista Landingham, is dead. When Rick goes to the funeral, his past is ever present and thrust into his face by the officers attending the funeral. His wife, Colleen, was murdered in the city and Rick was considered guilty by the police, but certain key people, like his former partner, knew he could not have been the guilty party. Now Leah, Krista's sister, wants Rick to assist another P.I. and look into her sister's death. She thinks Krista's death was murder, not an accident. Rick soon begins to wonder if Krista's death is somehow linked to Colleen's death because she had just reopened and started investigating the cold case.

This is my first Rick Cahill mystery and I could easily follow the backstory of the first person narrative without reading the other books in the series. What happened in his past is either explained if it is important to the plot and/or hinted at if it involves his character and background. The premise is set up immediately and the action escalates. The case is carefully presented and you can follow the twists and leads clearly as the investigation unfolds. The chapters are short and concise, helping move the plot along quickly.

Rick is a well-developed character and Coyle presents all his strengths and flaws. He is likely clinically depressed, but he is also an intelligent, attentive investigator who will follow any leads. Rick shows vulnerability and a hesitation to open himself up to any relationship as he doesn't think he deserves any happiness. This book could easily entice readers to read the previous books in the series to try an unlock more of what caused Rick's damaged psyche.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Oceanview Publishing.

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While this book was clearly part of a series, it provided enough background information that I was quickly able to get into the story. Rick, a former police officer turned PI, returns to the city where he lost his wife to investigate the sudden hit and run death of his former partner at the request of her sister Leah. He quickly discovers there are connections to his wife's murder. He struggles over the question of vengeance versus justice as he pursues those responsible.

OK, but not my favorite book Good development of characters and storyline. 3 1/2 stars. A good mystery but not so much a thriller.

Rick Cahill is called back to Santa Barbara when his partner from the days when he was a cop is killed by a hit and run driver. She was still on the force and looking into his wife's murder fourteen years ago. Are they connected? His partner, Krista's sister hires him to help find out what happened to her sister. Rick thinks he knows who the culprit is and wants to make sure he is dead before Tick goes home to San Diego. Could he be wrong? Can he find out in time before he does something he shouldn't?

When Rick Cahill learns that his former training officer, Krista Landingham, has been killed in a hit and run accident he reluctantly returns to Santa Barbara to pay his respects. He left Santa Barbara and the force after being accused of his wife’s murder…a murder that has never been solved. Krista’s sister, Leah, doesn’t believe that her sister’s death was an accident and asks Rick to investigate. When clues lead Leah and Rick to believe that Krista’s death was not an accident the investigation turns deadly. Someone doesn’t want the truth of Krista’s death to be revealed, could this same person be responsible for his wife’s death? An exciting mystery as Leah and Rick try to learn the truth leading to an exciting and dangerous conclusion. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Lost Tomorrows by Matt Coyle Rick Cahill is a flawed, stubborn but likeable character. In this fast paced, action filled, emotionally charged suspense novel, he finally finds out the identity his wife's killer. After the 14 year mystery is solved is this possible end of the series?

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

What happens to a man's humanity when he thinks he's lost everything? Does he take justice into his own hands, becoming judge and jury, or does he allow a little doubt to slow the path to self-destruction? These are the questions that came to me when reading this new mystery/thriller novel. The main character is obviously flawed but he's still likeable. The closer to the end I got the more I wanted him to consider other options. You'll have to read this one to find out if that's possible.

Finally. In a tense, emotional , and suspense filled story, Rick Cahill discovers who killed his wife years earlier. Part of me is excited and grateful for an end to this long running mystery.... while another part of me is sad to see the conclusion to this storyline. I've developed a love of this character and these books and I certainly hope it's not the last we see of Rick. A good book ALWAYS affects you emotionally, and this one definitely has. Thank you Matt for creating such an interesting and engaging, and real person on the pages of the Rick Cahill books.