Coyle, Matt

Coyle’s sixth “Rick Cahill” novel (following Wrong Light) will please noir enthusiasts with its staccato prose, evocative descriptions, and hard-nosed protagonist. Readers new to the series can still enjoy this book as a compelling stand-alone mystery, and enticingly vague references to previous books make a strong case for checking out Rick’s past adventures.

Coyle's latest hard-boiled series entry provides plenty of fast-paced action and smart sidekick repartee from Rick's part-time partner Moira. While some background would have been nice, its absence does not hinder enjoyment of this solid book for new readers.

Coyle doesn't disappoint in this sophomore entry after the Anthony Award-winning Yesterday's Echoes. In this tale we find all the elements that garnered the first book such high praise: complex characters, snappy dialog, a fast-paced plot, and a clever blending of crime noir tropes with today's culture. The gods seem to take delight in persecuting Rick Cahill, but readers will relish this fast-paced and complex whodunit.

Coyle does a superb job of drawing the reader in and keeps a steady pace of action along with solid character development. This celebration of the crime noir novels of old with a modern sensibility in Rick Cahill as hero will strongly appeal to fans of classic hard-boiled PI novels.