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.

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.

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.

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..

Dark Fissures is an engaging read. I liked Rick Cahill and the way he did business. The book is full of interesting characters and unique plot twists. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

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

This is my first exposure to Matt Coyle and the wonderful character of Private Investigator Rick Cahill, but it won't be my last. Coyle really knows how to keep the reader entranced and involved with his well-thought-out and complex plot, and his fast-pace. The book delivers plenty of twists and turns from first page to last! There is a large cast of characters who are deep and complex - these are real people, not flat caricatures.

Cahill is an ex-cop who now runs a one-man PI firm. Down on his luck, the bank is about to foreclose on his home when Briana Colton appears, asking him to investigate her husband's supposed suicide. Her husband was also a policeman with the La Jolla Police Department, and Chief of Police, Tony Moretti, has closed the case and refuses to reopen it. But there are too many things that don't make sense. Moretti wants to see Rick behind bars, and taking on this case and antagonizing Moretti won't help Rick's chances of staying free. Yet he can't help but become involved.

This is the third book of a series, but reads well on its own. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

PI Rick Cahill is still struggling with his demons in Matt Coyle’s latest gritty, character- driven complex crime series-DARK FISSURES. (Cover love)!

From Yesterday’s Echo #1 and Night Tremors, #2--- Cahill learns decisions have consequences, no matter how small. How long will he be haunted and will he ever escape the past?

Rick Cahill has suffered many tragedies in his life. He had been unlucky in love. He had been shot and a couple of times and survived. He had bones broken and bent. However, he could still walk. His dog had been poisoned and shot at; fortunately, he is still his faithful friend and remains by his side (love this dog). He has a job and a home (for now). Plus after this book, he has a country song about him.

Will the past ever stay buried? Will he ever be free? He is always under the radar.

La Jolla Chief of Police Tony Moretti is still out for him. He knows why. He knew the weight of the badge. How it could find a crack in your character and chip away at it until a dark fissure ran through your soul. He had been stripped of his badge long ago. He had lost his friends, his job. He had found the truth.

“Sometimes the truth is what everyone thinks it is.”

He had worked for a large agency in LaJolla. Now he worked on his own. He always looked over his shoulder for a knock on his door from a cop holding a warrant for his arrest-Murder.

He had to keep going in order to pay his mortgage. His office now is Muldoon’s Steak House in LaJolla. He had spent seven years as its manager and now it got him a table in the bar or dining room whenever he had to meet with a client.

His new client is Brianne Colton , a beautiful country singer. She is convinced her estranged husband’s suicide was really murder. She wants the truth. The worst- Jim was a cop!

She reminded him of his own wife being murdered eleven years ago and getting away with it. He was her last hope. His problems could land him in jail for the rest of his life. Everyone had problems. Her instincts about Moretti were good.

He had already caught him in a coverup once. Now Brianne says Jim never trusted corrupt, Chief Moretti. Why would someone kill her husband and stage it as a suicide?

He had been a Navy SEAL. They do not quit. He would only quit if he was asked to do something dishonorable or his superior was behaving dishonorably and Jim could not stop him.

Rick knew SEAL’s were the best. The toughest. Mentally and physically. Jim had led the Crime Impact Team. (CIT) He was an independent contractor for the CIA. Five days before Jim died, on his phone bill was the number to the FBI office. Why?

Was Moretti corrupt enough to murder someone to keep things quiet? Maybe Jim Colton had found the leverage Rick needed to keep Moretti away from his front door.

The missing phone. The call to the FBI. Moretti. He takes the case. Each new piece of evidence convinces him she’s right. He breaks his number one rule and falls for Brianne, even as he begins to question her motives.

Hi-adrenaline, fast paced, a series with non-stop danger and action and a troubled PI, to love. What an adventure! You put yourself in Rick’s place and sympathize with his situation. A nice balance between character and action. They compliment one another, as Cahill’s character shines through.

“Sometimes you have to do what’s right, even when the law says it’s wrong.”

As I have mentioned from the first book, Coyle is a talented author to follow! Powerful plot planning, and rich character development. Cahill loves to live on the edge and push the limits.

For fans of Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch), David Baldacci, and J. Carson Black (Cyril Landry) will enjoy this well-written series. Highly recommend reading all the books in the series, for the full background of the highly entertaining Rick Cahill. Can't wait for the next ride.

A special thank you to Oceanview and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

JDCMustReadBooks

Dark Fissures By Matt Coyle is a mystery and thriller read.
Private Investigator Rick Cahill fears the next knock on his door will be a cop holding a warrant for his arrest. For murder. La Jolla Chief of Police Tony Moretti is convinced Rick killed a missing person. No body has been found, but the evidence that’s piling up says murder and it all points to Rick. With Moretti on his tail 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. Rick is unconvinced, but the mortgage has to be paid. Each new piece of evidence convinces him she’s right. He breaks his number one rule and falls for Brianne even, as he begins to question her motives.
As Moretti cinches the vise tighter, with Rick unable to trust the FBI, evil forces emerge from the shadows who will do anything, including torture and murder, to stop Rick from uncovering the truth.
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. This one did have me thinking. Full of twists and plots. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

La Jolla Chief of Police, Toni Moretti, is convinced that Private Investigator Rick Cahall killed a missing person. Even though no body has been found, the evidence that's gathered points the finger at Rick.

With the Bank about to foreclose on his home Rick takes on a new case. Brianne Cotton's convinced her estranged husband suicide was really murder. With each new piece of evidence Rick is beginning to think Brianne is right.

This is an action packed, action packed page turner.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing and the author Matt Coyle for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced and very violent, this is a roller coaster. A damaged hero, besieged by his on guilt and driven by ethics, he searches for truth, justice and the American way. More traditional heroes, duplicitous women, and dogs keep the action going. It is pretty easy to keep the large cast straight.
I liked this book, lots of action, people get around quickly. The description of corruption in the police force and the nasty tactics they employed rang all too true. The level and nature of the physical violence is disturbing, though.

I have a weak spot for PIs in need. like .Rick Cahill. Once a successful investigator who worked for a big agency without financial problems, he is currently in a difficult situation: a one man-firm owner without clients and as a result- without money to pay the mortgage.

However, the worst thing of all, is that a chief of the La Jolla Police Department is convinced that Rick committed murder of a missing person some years ago. He squeezes Rick where he could and threatens with a new emerged evidence he got that seems serious enough to re-open the case and to bring Rick behind bars. An every knock on the door can mean for our MC a warrant for his arrest.

Not the best conditions to run into trouble with LJPD.

It is why when a widow of Jim Colton contacts him to find the TRUTH about her ex-husband's death, his first reaction is to turn away and run.

BUT:

Rick needs money and clients don’t stay in line for his services.

Something doesn’t seem right in this suicide’s theory that LJPD sticks with.

An ex SEAL who didn’t fear anything and cared about his family committed suicide knowing that his son would be the one who would find him?

A few months before two-years-clause for his life insurance would expire?

Jim Colton hung himself with a climber rope even if he never climbed, but had legally a whole arsenal of all possible weapons at home?

And where is his mobile phone that disappeared without a trace, and from that he made some calls shortly before he committed suicide, among others also to FBI?

So yes, Rick Chill will take the case and his instincts won’t disappoint him.

Of course I don’t have a weak spot for PIs like Rick because they are miserable and unsuccessful and need a lot of hugs to survive, but because they have principles, they are fair, loyal, honest and ready to risk their lives in the name of justice. They are just good guys that make our planet better. Even if sometimes they don’t get all respect and attention they deserve.

I really enjoyed this quick paced mystery and the characters. Alone the fact that I needed only 3 days for an over 400 pages-long novel speaks for itself, I’m normally not a slow readers, but unfortunately I don’t have too much times for reading currently.

I did not know that it was part of the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone.
If you can accept that some details from the previous life of our MC will be mentioned but won’t be explained completely, and you have just to believe that Rick tells truth.
I didn’t have any problem with it.
He is a wonderful strong (and sexy) character.

The writing is very good, solid and convincing. It looks like Matt Coyle (a new for me author) knows the genre pretty well and knows exactly how to delivers a thrilling plot, that will keep you on the edge of your seat up to the VERY END of the story.

There is a romance in it, but I won't qualify it as a romance novel, it is in the first place a well-done mystery.

Recommended reading post schedule for release day at Januarygray.net

My second five star review in three years, really on the sheer class of the writing which reads like an updated version of Raymond Chandler. Yes it is that good!
The story revolves around down-on-his-luck P.I Rick Cahill (aka Phillip Marlowe). This man is scraping along with the mortgage lender about to foreclose on his property, no money in the bank and the La Jolla police force making his life a misery over a long standing feud with their chief of police.
As per Chandler, a beautiful woman appears, this time to ask Cahill to investigate the death of her ex-Navy SEAL husband, which she is convinced was not suicide.
The beautifully constructed plot follows Rick's long and painful pursuit of the truth. Superbly realised detail of place and time and brilliant dialogue, allow Cahill's integrity to be revealed and a real hero, but one who is not heroic, gradually emerges. Coupled with a rich cast of characters ( corrupt cops, bent attorneys - even suspect FBI agents) this is a brilliant book. I would urge you to read this and, if you've read Chandler, you'll know the odds of a happy ending and a neat tying-up of all the plot threads.

A good mystery with lots of twists and turns. I like the characters.

I really enjoyed this book. Matt Coyle has done a fabulous job with this very interesting and well put together story. The plot is elaborate and suspenseful, with a diverse range of characters. Private Investigator Rick Cahill hasn’t had a good time of it lately. Now that he’s working for himself and has no clients, he’s three months behind in his mortgage repayments. Plus the La Jolla Chief of Police Tony Moretti has him in his sights, and has his officers making Rick’s life difficult. So when Brianne Colton turns up asking Rick to investigate her ex-husbands supposed suicide, he’s happy to receive the work. Brianne believes that Jim her ex-husband was murdered, and there’s no way he would have killed himself. However with the La Jolla Police Department deeming it suicide, and what they think of Rick, he’s going to have his work cut out for him. It seems a bit unreal that an ex-Navy Seal like Jim Colton would allow himself to be murdered. Five days before he died Jim was on the phone to the FBI for 17 minutes, and his mobile phone seems to have disappeared. Then there’s Jim’s previous job to consider when he worked for the “Global Response Staff” who were contracted to the CIA. Jim was working in the Middle East in Benghazi when some important people were killed, and ever since then he hasn’t been himself. The more Rick investigates the more dangerous things become. I really enjoyed that this book as it kept me guessing. The story moves along at a good pace, with plenty of things happening, all the way through to a great ending. Well worth a read.

This is the first of the series that I've read and I thought it was pretty good. It had a good balance of character development and action, and a nice twist at the end. My only criticism would be of the frequent mentions of the lead's past and constant worry about having the past catch up with him. I thought this thread was an unnecessary intrusion on the current story. It kept coming up and then never went anywhere. However, overall I thought this book was well done and I would be open to reading more in this series.

This latest installment of the Rick Cahill series is a great continuation of this magnificent series. I love the character of Rick Cahill and the well written personal issues he struggles with and the way he deals with each situation. I love Matt Coyle's writing style and this amazing series! Can't wait for the next installment! Well done Mr Coyle!

Riveting, fast paced thriller. several different plot threads to follow. The characters are well developed, realistic and mostly likeable. Corrupt cops, Navy Seals and a PI who works out of a steak house. Thoroughly enjoyable, couldn't put it down.

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.