I read this some time ago, but for some reason did not write a review at the time. Matt Coyle was a new author to me and I had not read the previous two books in the series. This was not a problem. The book stands alone well and the storyline is easy to follow without having to know the detailed background of the characters. However, I love books that are written in a series and it would definitely be my preference to read them in the order they are written.

Rick Cahill is a private investigator. He has a difficult relationship with the local police and believes that the Chief of Police thinks he is responsible for a local murder. So when someone knocks his door and asks him to investigate a death which has seemingly been dismissed by the police, he is reluctant to get involved. Both of these storylines gradually unfold throughout the book, making it a really good read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love some good PI!!

Months behind on his rent, the Chief of the PD on his behind, and a willing country and western star. You guessed it life in the SD. Good read

“Dark Fissures” is part of Matt Coyle’s Rick Cahill series. While it is not necessary to have read the previous two books in this series, it would be beneficial because prior events and people are an integral part of this novel. The author does provide information about previous events and relationships when needed throughout the book. This helps new readers fill in relevant background, but it really takes the whole book to fit the previous events into the context of the current story.
Rick Cahill, former police officer and current persona non grata is in debt. He takes on a “client” to get money or his mortgage payment, and his situation continues to go downhill from there. The action is fast-paced with the beach, cars, guns, and bad people at every turn. The characters are believable but distinctive, and the supporting cast is well developed. The problem for Rick Cahill is that there is no clear delineation between the good guys and the bad guys, and his friends and enemies constantly jump back and forth between the two extremes.
When it comes right down to it, every action in the past has consequences in the present that must be settled or controlled. Sometimes the result is good, and sometimes not so good.
NetGalley gave me an advanced copy of “Dark Fissures” in exchange for my honest review, and I loved this book. I have read others in the series, and I admit that once I find a series or author that I like, I read everything from that author and eagerly anticipate the next in the series. This book was no exception; Rick’s story is not finished by a long shot.

I just really couldn't get into this book, which was rare for me.

It took me awhile to get into this book. Half way through, I realized that I was reading the 3rd book in a series, and although he brings you "up to speed" it feels like something is missing. I didnt understand why Rick was so worried about being arrested. Did he kill his wife or the guy in the beach?. It's never clear.

The book picks up speed &'there are enjoyable points in the story, especially after he figures out who's done what. I thought the ending was ridiculous though. It was rushed & he didn't end up with Brianne. I understand the author is making this a series, but come on. Also, Rick is on hock up to his neck, but he doesn't take any money for his work or for the song? Really? .Now he has morals? It struck me as wrong. I loved the dogs in the book, although whenever there are pets in books I worry for their safety. It was nice of the author to tell us his dog is alive & well at the end.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a free copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Things are not going well for La Jolla PI Rick Cahill. He fears losing his house to a bank foreclosure and the town’s police chief, Tony Moretti, is preparing to arrest Rick for murder in a case involving missing person Eddington as soon as he gets enough evidence. Meanwhile, country singer Brianne Colton believes her estranged husband Jim's suicide was really murder. Rick is unconvinced, but the mortgage has to be paid and agrees to investigate. Colton worked for the La Jolla police which puts Cahill in a tough position. But each new piece of evidence convinces Cahill that Brianne is right. The trail goes from a mysterious phone call Colton made to the FBI, and to Colton's former SEAL team members. Cahill also breaks his number one rule and falls for Brianne even, as he begins to question her true motives. This book had a thrilling, unpredictable plot with lots of action and intriguing characters and is highly recommended.

PI and former cop Rick is a few weeks away from losing his house when a woman shows up asking him to investigate her husband's death. The police have ruled his death a suicide and his friends when questioned think she's trying to have the autopsy results reversed for his insurance money. He has a lot of enemies himself including his old boss who's the Chief of Police and is trying to have him arrested for the murder of a missing man. He finds out people can't be trusted involved in the case and begins to become suspicious of the wife who he is starting to have feelings for. This was a fast paced thriller that had plenty of action to engage me throughout.

It took me the better part of a month to get through Dark Fissures by Matt Coyle, not because it was bad - but more likely it was my mood. I thought I was in the mood for "dark," but perhaps not? Anyway, this is the third book in a series about Rick Cahill, a former cop suspected by nearly everyone of murdering his wife. Now a private investigator, Rick is barely eking out a living (the bank is thisclose to foreclosing on his house) when Brianne Colton hires him. The cops say that her estranged husband, a former Navy SEAL turned cop, committed suicide. Brianne doesn't buy it. Rick's not sure he does either, but the fact that the dead man worked for the La Jolla Police Department, whose chief is, at best, corrupt and, at worst, gunning for Rick, complicates matters.

This series very much fits the mold of California crime noir. The archetype of a lone hero (almost anti-hero) fighting a corrupt system has been around forever for a reason. For the first half of this story I was ready to declare it stood alone from the "series baggage" well - but that ultimately changes. Events in the preceding book definitely come into play, so starting the series here will put newcomers at a disadvantage. I liked the suspense angle, but had a harder time with the pacing. By the time I got to around 80% on my Kindle I was thinking, "Wow, he's going to need to wrap this up quick or else it's Cliffhanger Ahoy!" I'm happy to report there's no cliffhanger, but the result is a rushed, almost mad-cap ending, and the world's most jarring epilogue. I felt a bit hungover after it all. The author wraps up some dangling threads (namely the police chief bent on bringing down Rick) but it's dashed off in a few sentences. It felt really fast, especially after the deliberate pace set forth during the first 80% of the book. I enjoyed it, as I do most lone wolf noir novels, but the ending really brought it down a notch. I've enjoyed this series to date, but this one was weaker than the first two books.

Final Grade = B-

For a book that is over 400 pages it was a surprisingly fast-paced mystery. When I began reading I didn’t know it was part of a series because it works very well as a stand-alone with one caveat. There are details from the other books that get dropped in without context so you just have to accept them at face value.

Coyle has a good writing style and knows how to deliver a thrilling, elaborate plot line with an edge of your seat feeling that will keep you hanging there til the very end. His character development will make you sympathize with Rick Cahill as Coyle nicely balanced character with action in a synergetic relationship to get the most out of his story. The fun only continues with the rest of his diverse range of characters.

Coyle really is a talented author and belongs in the class of Baldacci, Connelly, and Childs.

Thank you NetGallery for the opportunity to read Dark Fissures. This is my first novel by Matt Coyle. This book reminded me of a Phillip Marlowe mystery. It is dark and is a police thriller. Sometimes predictable, but mostly enjoyable. Good Reading..

Another winner by Matt Coyle-this time the protagonist, Rick Cahill, with a long list of past problems and tragedies and down on his luck agrees to take on a case just to help pay the bills. His client believes her estranged husband's suicide was actually murder. Needless to say Cahill ends up falling for his client on his way to discovering the truth. At the same time Cahill, having once been a cop, is still being pursued by police chief Tony Moretti for a previous murder he believes Cahill may be guilty of. This is a great read with plenty of action and danger. You will feel sorry for all of Cahill's problems and will root for him as I did.

Another P.I. to add to my list of must reads

Private Investigator Rick Cahill fears being arrested for murder, as La Jolla Chief of Police Tony Moretti is convinced he killed a missing person despite no body having been found. With Moretti on his tail with evidence against him and the bank about to foreclose on his house, Rick takes a paying case that will stave off the bank, but pits him against Moretti and the La Jolla Police Department. Brianne Colton, a beautiful country singer, is convinced her estranged husband’s suicide was really murder and each new piece of evidence convinces Rick she’s right. He falls for Brianne, even as he begins to question her motives and evil forces emerge from the shadows who will do anything, including torture and murder, to stop Rick from uncovering the truth.

This is the third book about Rick Cahill and I very much enjoyed it despite not having read the other two. One of the main reasons as to whether I enjoy a book is its main character and here is one that I empathized with. Once a successful investigator who worked for a big agency without financial problems, our hero is currently in a difficult situation. He is a one man-firm owner without clients and as a result, is without money to pay the mortgage. Couple this with being the chief suspect in a murder and I really wanted Rick to come out smelling of roses! I obviously won't write here if that happened or not.

This novel is a gripping fast-paced, page-turner that hooked me from page one and did not let go until the very last page. It is high-adrenaline stuff with a nice balance between character development and action. This is simply a great storyline, the plot kept me eagerly following the character's as the scenes came together and it kept me on my toes trying to guess the outcome, the sign of a great novel.

Coyle really knows how to keep the reader entranced and involved with his well-thought-out and complex plot. The book delivers plenty of twists and turns, with a large cast of characters who are deep and complex, real people and not flat caricatures. The hero has a self-deprecating wit, intelligence, and a guarded vulnerability and these are all rolled up with a crackerjack of a plot. This book is very much recommended to all crime/mystery/thriller lovers.

Digger 95

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review