A great surprise! This is the first book that I read by Matt Coyle and I really enjoy it! There's a good plot, some mystery, and lots of action, but besides
there's the unwavering trust between friends that the truth will prevail and the culprit will be found. There's also the journey of a lonely man with a strong will to improve his health condition and his capacity of doing good. Really entertaining!

I was offered this galley from the publisher, and was really pleasantly surprised. I wasn't sure what to expect. But it turned out to be a pretty good read. The characters were likeable and well written. The story was interesting and pulled me in. It was a good surprise!

4/5 Stars

P.I. Navigates His Latest Investigation Without Sight in “Blind Vigil”

By Joanna Poncavage


Still blind.

Every morning for the last nine months, Rick Cahill has opened his eyes to total darkness.

Shot in the face while solving the cold case murder of his wife, the private investigator now counts his steps from room to room and ponders what his next act will be. There’s nothing less useful than a blind private eye, or so he thinks.

That is until Moira, his old partner, knocks on his door and asks for his help on a case. Rick’s former best friend and one-time restaurant business partner, Turk, has hired Moira to shadow his girlfriend. Turk says she’s been distant lately, lying about where she’s been. Moira just wants Rick to accompany her when she meets with Turk to get a read on his motives.

When Turk’s girlfriend, Shay, is brutally murdered, Turk becomes the prime suspect.

A TRIANGLE OF INNOCENCE, GUILT AND LIES
At the heart of Matt Coyle’s Blind Vigil (Oceanview) is a tense triangle between Rick, who believes Turk is innocent; Moira, who thinks he’s guilty; and Turk, who isn’t always … as forthcoming as he could be.

Who was Shay meeting in the hours before her death? What was she celebrating with champagne and chocolate cake? Who was she before she came to San Diego from Idaho, where her mother was bilked out of close to a million when she sold the family ranch?

As he gets back in the game, Rick comes to realize how his remaining senses can be just as helpful as sight, sometimes even more so. When danger comes up from behind, was it the same man following him? Or just another man wearing the same deodorant?

Coyle’s seventh novel featuring private investigator Rick Cahill boils with tension on every page, every detail leading to the next, not a word wasted.

It’s a fast-paced procedural that takes us along on stakeouts, to police interrogation rooms, press conferences pitting Turk’s defense attorney against dirt-hungry reporters, and inside Rick and Moira’s reasoning as they follow their clues to the truth. There’s Rick’s very helpful black Lab named Midnight, too.

NEWLY-HONED SKILLS AND RETURNING SIGHT
Just as exciting is the gradual return of Rick’s sight. First, a faint lightening at the periphery of blackness, then dark blobs, then shades of gray. Rick keeps his limited sight a secret, all the better to know what’s going on.

Books in Coyle’s Rick Cahill series have received multiple award nominations. The first novel, Yesterday’s Echo, won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel, while Lost Tomorrows (Cahill #6) won the Shamus Award and the Lefty Award for Best Mystery. According to Coyle’s website, an eighth book is in the works.

Whether Rick fully recovers or not by this next installment, his newfound sleuthing skills serve him well and make for a unique and compelling development in the series’ story arc as well as the PI genre.

For more about Matt Coyle, visit his BookTrib author profile page.

Shot in the face and left blinded, PI Rick Cahill is flailing, trying to figure out where his life is going. When a friend asks him for advice on a case she’s been asked to take by Rick’s old friend Turk, he jumps at the chance to feel useful again. Only it’s not even a day later that Turk’s girlfriend is found murdered - and Turk is right in the frame for her murder.

Rick is dealing with an awful lot here. He’s a dogged type, though, and even dealing with the major disability of his blindness, he manages to figure out what’s really going on. This is the seventh book in the author’s series about Rick Cahill, and there’s obviously a lot of history here (not least the incident in which Rick was shot and blinded) that I, as someone who hasn’t read the rest of the series, am not privy too. Nevertheless, I didn’t have too much trouble following along and getting a pretty good feel for Rick’s character, as well as those closest to him.

The only thing I found disappointing was that Rick recovers from his blindness at the end of the story and resumes his life as a PI, making this a ‘one-off’ story about a case he has to work while dealing with his disability. It’s not a magical cure, but I would definitely be more interested in reading more in the series about a blind PI who still manages to figure out ways to solve cases - even if he’d just ended up as legally blind rather than totally. This was still a good story in and of itself, though, so I’ll give it four stars.

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.

True to my usual form I picked up Blind Vigil by Matt Coyle which is #7 in the Rick Cahill series.. Yep ... well along in the series.

Rick Cahill is a PI. In this instalment Rick has been blinded following a gunshot wound to his face. He has significant scarring and wears dark glasses to hide his disfigurement. Rick is "adjusting" to his new normal. At the best of times Rick is an ornery character - he's somewhat recovered after a period of convalescing but being blind does nothing to soften his resolve to get things done. When his work colleague Moira approaches him to attend a meeting with her new client, Rick's good friend and former boss Turk Muldoon, who wants Moira to investigate whether his girlfriend is having an affair. Moira wants Rick to tag along and assess whether Turk is being straight up with her, Rick knowing Turk as he does.

When Turk's girlfriend winds up dead not long after the meeting, Rick and a less-than-enthusiastic Moira seek to determine if Turk is guilty.

The reader sees Rick navigating his relationships and workflow without his sight. There are subtle references to the views of others with varying degrees of consideration for those who are vision impaired. Ultimately this book is also about friendship and Rick's dogged determination. Stubborn and unyielding, he remains a force to be reckoned with.

I’m not fussed with Moira but I need to het the backstory to flesh her out a little.

Rick Cahill is the best! Nothing keeps him down. It’s easy to understand why this author keeps winning awards. This series just keeps getting better! You really don’t want to miss this installment. It’s riveting!

I haven't read previous books in this series but this book works perfectly well as a stand alone. And now I know what I've been missing!! I loved this book! Rick Cahill is a wonderful character - very real and sympathetic (even when he's acting recklessly). Coyle did a masterful job of making the reader feel how Rick dealt with his blindness - the nuts and bolts of his everyday living as well as how he felt. The rest of the characters rounded out the cast very well and the plot was intriguing. I'm giving it 5 stars!

I was new to this ongoing series and apparently missed some major drama in previous episodes: private investigator Rick Cahill has recovered from a recent gunshot wound to the face but is now blind. He’s called by his former partner, Moira, to sit in on an interview with Turk, his estranged best friend, a man who now walks with a cane as a result of having taken a bullet to save Rick’s life. That’s a lot of backstory, but the author gets new readers up to speed without bogging down the current novel. Rick is a vaguely Spenser-like tough-guy PI, navigating his surroundings as a newly blind person but unwilling to abandon old loyalties even when it is physically difficult and his help is unwanted. The plot moves swiftly along, with lots of dramatic tension—at every turn Rick is in some kind of danger, or involved in some kind of fight, or in some kind of conflict with one of his friends. The heightened awareness of smell that Rick experiences is a bit too convenient, but I was enjoying the story so much I didn’t really care. The characters are appealing and made me look forward to reading more books in the series. The great thing is that when you discover a terrific series after seven books, you don’t have to wait a year to read the next one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview publishing for a digital advance review copy.

A slam-dunk murder?

Rick Cahill is slowly coming to terms with his blindness following the almost fatal bullet wound he received solving his last case. Rick is somewhat surprised when his friend and a fellow Private Investigator Fiona McFarland calls asking him to partner her as Turk Muldoon, a long-time friend of Rick’s has asked her to investigate his girlfriend, Shay. Shay seems to be keeping a lot of secrets from Turk and disappearing on “dates”.

Not two days into their investigation, Shay is found murdered, and Turk is the prime suspect. Rick is convinced that Turk is incapable of murdering anyone. Fiona disagrees and refuses to help him with his attempt to prove that there is a killer on the loose hell-bent on setting up Turk to take the blame.

The storyline is easy to follow. The plot is unique and characters well-drawn. All these factors would typically get five-stars from me. However, the book seemed to drag, meaning that I started to lose interest.

I was genuinely looking forward to reading this, the latest Matt Coyle book, and feel somewhat let down by the slow pace.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

Rick Cahill #7

Blinded by a gunshot wound to the face while working as a private investigator nine months ago, Rick Cahill is now only sure of one thing: he has to start a new life and leave his old one behind.

Moira MacFarlane, his onetime partner, asks for his help on a case she's taken for Rick's former best friend. The case is simple and Moira only needs Rick for one interview. Wary of waking sleeping demons, Rick reluctantly agrees to help. It's not long before the case turns deadly.

There's some vulgar language in this story that some readers might find offensive, but it's a quick and easy book to read. Not even blindness stops Rick. The suspense builds from the beginning and I was hooked straight away. The plotline is believable and the characters are complex. I haven't read all of the books in this series but this book can be read as a standalone.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #OceanviewPublishing and the author #MattCoyle for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Although this is the 7th book in this series, it is, in fact, my first book of Rick Cahill and reads well as a stand-alone book. I liked how the author managed to give so much information about the main character in the story, as a bit of a ‘this is how we got here’ sort of thing right at the start of this book.

Cahill is a man to be admired. He used to be a Private Investigator before he was shot in the face nine months earlier and blinded. Cahill had become confident getting around his home and still keeps a fitness routine going each day, working out in his garage. His dog is super, he isn’t a trained helper dog but Rick’s pet, but he has adapted to Rick’s needs and dangers around them.

When his old partner comes to see him, it is to offer him a little work as a PI but only in a consulting way, as a case she has taken on is for someone that Rick knows very well. The man who saved Rick’s life. It should have been easy, judge his state of mind and assess if he is stable and not likely to blow a fuse and do anything rash. But life is never that simple is it?

I was mesmerised with this story as it was told through the senses that Rick experienced, the background things that we don’t often notice because we use the obvious one, sight. Rick could recognise someone’s gait, an aroma and that feeling that someone is almost close enough to touch but just keeping out of reach. All things he could use to his advantage. The story kept me on my toes with directions that I hadn’t known were coming. The story ties up all the loose ends to the case so hopefully ready for another outing for Rick and co soon.

I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Rick Cahill, former restaurant manager and police officer, now private investigator, is dealing with the results of being shot in the face on his last case. He's completely blind and learning to live without his sight. This forces him into early retirement as a PI, until his sometimes partner Moira MacFarlane has a case she'd like the help of his ears. Rick's former best friend, Turk, has hired her to follow his girlfriend, Shay because he believes she might be up to no good. After Shay is murdered one evening, Turk is arrested for the crime, and Rick determines to free his friend using the senses he has left - his ears and nose.

Blind Vigil is the seventh book in this series, and can be read as a stand alone. However, I don't say this much, but I think I would rather read the previous ones first. There was a lot of backstory that was explained, but I enjoyed the writing and suspense so much, I'd have loved to enjoyed those books instead. Intense, intriguing, and smart, this is not your average mystery. With surprising twists, I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish.

Blind Vigil is the seventh instalment in the Rick Cahill Private Investigator Crime series, set in and around San Diego, California. Having sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound to the face during his last case after coming face to face with his wife's killer, which left him blind, Rick is trying to adapt to life as best he can along with his trusty sidekick and pooch Midnight. He is unsure exactly how he can remain a superb PI without the use of his sight but his understandable action of wallowing in self-pity is placed aside when fellow PI and friend Moira MacFarlane asks him for help on a case she's just been hired for. Restauranteur and Rick's ex-best friend, Turk Muldoon, is looking for proof his girlfriend, Shay, is cheating on him. Having discovered she has met with someone else, Moira takes Rick along in the hope that he'll know how to calm Turk’s distress. It's premature to assume she's seeing the guy at this stage and Moira vows to continue surveillance the following morning and report back. But when the pair arrive at Shay's the next morning to begin their stakeout, they discover a crime scene with a large police presence and an intensive investigation underway. They see Shay's limp body being taken away and Turk in handcuffs.

Rick, having knowing Turk several years, believes him to be innocent and sets out to prove it despite his difficulties of late. He manages to get himself into some dangerous scrapes while on the job due to his inability to see and manages to rope a reticent Moira back in but only because she hopes to see her friend complete another case successfully regardless of his disability. This is a compulsive and exciting thriller with a whole lot of action, a believable plot and a cast of engaging characters. I love Rick as a protagonist as he's a strong, independent guy who knows his own mind, gets results and is nobody's fool, and you really feel for the situation he is in right now. It's well written, perfectly paced and is an unadulterated slice of pure escapism. Entertaining and compelling from the very beginning, I couldn't stop myself racing through its pages. Usually, a book can be described as either plot or character-driven, but I must admit that this does a pretty good job of being both. There are ample twists and turns and a great use of red herrings/misdirection with Coyle really pulling out all of the stops by ratcheting up the tension towards the end culminating in a spectacular conclusion. Highly recommended.

Blind vigil by Matt Coyle.
Rick Cahill #7.
I really enjoyed this book. I do love this series. I love Rick. Lots of action. Great story. Surprised at the end. 5*.

Well written mystery. Great plot and character dynamics. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Matt Coyle knocks it out of the park again. I've read about half of this series, and I absolutely love it! Rick is caring and hardworking. Any case he works on, you can guarantee he is going to put his heart and soul into it. If you love a good P.I. novel, you will definitely not be disappointed with this one. I started this series thinking it couldn't get any better, but it sucks me in every time!

What a wonderful read Matt Coyle has delivered to his readers in Blind Vigil, another in his Rick Cahill series!

Rick is recovering from being shot in the face after taking on his wife's killer in the culmination of years of looking for him. Now he spends his days with his dog Midnight, wondering how to pick up the pieces of his life. It's not like he left on good terms with the police, and it's tough to be a good private eye when you can't see. Leah, his long-time girlfriend, wants him to move to Santa Barbara with her, but San Diego is his home, his job is/was his life, and he's not ready to let it go yet.

Moira MacFarlane, a good friend and private investigator herself, tells him she needs his help on a case she's just been hired for. Turk Muldoon, restraunteur, and Rick's former best friend, wants to know if his girlfriend, Shay, is seeing someone else. Moira's last domestic inquiry ended in tragedy, and Moira doesn't want to take the chance of it happening again. Moira is convinced Rick will be able to give her a good gauge on how Turk takes her report. So with Rick along, she meets with Turk, telling him Shay did meet with someone, but they don't know who or why yet. Cahill senses no danger in Turk, and Rick and Moira tell him that they will continue their surveillence the next morning to bring him the answers he seeks.

When Moira and Cahill arrive at Shay's the next morning, they find an active police investigation going on, with Shay's body being taken away and Turk in handcuffs. Moira wants no part of Turk, but Rick is certain of his innocence and sets out to prove it. It's even easier to walk into trouble when you can't see it coming, and Cahill finds himself in danger multiple times. Rick calls in some favors from Moira, who grudgingly agrees to help, not because she believes Muldoon is innocent, but because she wants her friend to live to work another case.

The book is filled with twists and turns as Moira, Rick and Turk try to find the truth that will set Muldoon free. An engaging read, this book is pure escapism and I loved it! In fact, I became annoyed when my life kept interfering and made it put it down again and again. I couldn't wait to get back and find out the conclusion!

I love the character of Rick Cahill, a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-he-sees-it guy, gruff, but with a soft center for his friends. I love the way he interacts with Moira and Turk, a man who gave him his start, and even saved his life, but who also broke their friendship seemingly forever. This novel is a good blend of personalities and action.

My thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing who allowed me to read an ARC copy of this novel which is scheduled to be published 12/1/2020.

His last case left private investigator Rick Cahill recovering from a gun shot to the face and the loss of his sight. He is managing with the help of his dog Midnight and being precise with everything in his home. P.I., Moira McFarland asks for his help with a case for his former best friend, Turk Muldoon. Turk believes his girlfriend is cheating on him and wants her followed. Even though he can’t see, Rick realizes due to his enhanced sense of smell that someone is following them. When Turk is charged with murder, Rick and Moira will have to step up the investigation to prove Turk’s innocence. Rick begins to notice a change in his vision; is his sight returning? When he is attacked in his own home, will he be able to count on his training to save him from the man who plans to kill him? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)