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kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
The seventh book in a series where I have only read book six that centers around a private investigator and former police officer, Rick Cahill. He is living in San Diego and is called in by a friend to help get to the bottom of a mystery behind what he thinks is a cheating significant other. A murder spins this story on its side and Cahill is determined to find the truth.
In this series each book's mystery is self contained, so although I am missing some major plot points when it comes to Rick Cahill's personal journey, I was easily able to read book six and now book seven and feel as though I wasn't missing too much as each mystery happens and is solved within each book.
The seventh book in a series where I have only read book six that centers around a private investigator and former police officer, Rick Cahill. He is living in San Diego and is called in by a friend to help get to the bottom of a mystery behind what he thinks is a cheating significant other. A murder spins this story on its side and Cahill is determined to find the truth.
In this series each book's mystery is self contained, so although I am missing some major plot points when it comes to Rick Cahill's personal journey, I was easily able to read book six and now book seven and feel as though I wasn't missing too much as each mystery happens and is solved within each book.
carolpk's review
I haven't read the first six books in this series. That being said I might have missed something.
The best of the read for me was Private Investigator, Rick Cahill's, struggle with blindness, his descriptions of how he "sees" using his other senses, and his dog, Midnight. Though I'm not enamored by dogs, in this case, Midnight stole the show.
This was just an OK read for me. I was not tempted to go back and read the beginning of the series. However, be certain to read other reviews as many raved about this book. It is also a nominee for a Lefty Best Mystery Novel 2021 Award among other kudos.
The best of the read for me was Private Investigator, Rick Cahill's, struggle with blindness, his descriptions of how he "sees" using his other senses, and his dog, Midnight. Though I'm not enamored by dogs, in this case, Midnight stole the show.
This was just an OK read for me. I was not tempted to go back and read the beginning of the series. However, be certain to read other reviews as many raved about this book. It is also a nominee for a Lefty Best Mystery Novel 2021 Award among other kudos.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
achoward's review against another edition
5.0
This is more like it!
The last (and only) Rick Cahill book I read was Lost Tomorrows, and I found him to be a bit of an Eeyore, constantly mired in guilt about his wife's death.
SPOILER!
He also got shot in the face and that was a helluva way to end things.
He survived, and it's now nine months later. Cahill is blind - with the chance that his eyesight may or may not return - and his girlfriend Leah (you may remember her as the sister of his former partner at the Santa Barbara PD) is splitting time between Santa Barbara and Cahill's place in San Diego.
Moira - a San Diego-based PI - gets in touch with Cahill and wants him to come with her on a job. What job? Turk Muldoon, and old friend of Cahill's, has hired her to spy on his girlfriend Shay, whom he thinks is seeing someone else. Cahill points out he can't see anything, but Moira is more interested in his ears, and if he can tell what Turk is feeling and how apt he would be to snap and kill Shay if she was seeing someone else. Moira had given news of a wife's infidelity previously to a doctor (her own son's pediatrician, no less) who proceeded to off his wife, child, and then himself. She'd rather that not be the case here, and Cahill assures her Turk would never do something like that.
Shay, of course, is then found dead, and all indications are it's Turk who killed her after an argument overheard by neighbors. Moira rails at Cahill, that he was wrong and now they've gotten Shay killed, but Cahill disagrees. Moira exits the case, but Cahilll wants to help his pal any way he can, even if he still can't see.
Turk is arrested for murder, but Cahill has found information that tells him Idaho is where he needs to go. He ropes Moira back in, and they're off, to talk to one recalcitrant cowboy but then to a more garrulous one. From there, it's off to a PI who was trying to track down Shay's father, who disappeared with over $800K dollars from the sale of the family ranch, leaving Shay and her mother with nothing. Her father was identified as the decedent in an auto wreck in Mexico, under his own name - this after the PI tells them Shay's father used various aliases.
While all of this is going on, Rick keeps smelling the same man, repeatedly - following him and Moira, following just Cahill. But Moira never sees him, and Cahill dubs him the Invisible Man.
With that information, they head back to San Diego, to figure out a way to find Shay's maybe/maybe-not dead father and a ranch hand who worked on the ranch prior to its sale. By now, we are all fairly sure Shay found her dad, and that he likely had something to do with her death. I will reiterate for whatever nth time it is that I still don't like characters going to the bad guy, alone, without telling anyone.
I won't go into details about the end except to say that "blind vigil" certainly is in play the last 20% of the book
Four and a half stars, dinged for character stupidity. I'm feeling generous, though, and I did like the story quite a lot, so I'm rounding up this time: five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the reading copy.
Release date: 01 Dec 2020.
The last (and only) Rick Cahill book I read was Lost Tomorrows, and I found him to be a bit of an Eeyore, constantly mired in guilt about his wife's death.
SPOILER!
He also got shot in the face and that was a helluva way to end things.
He survived, and it's now nine months later. Cahill is blind - with the chance that his eyesight may or may not return - and his girlfriend Leah (you may remember her as the sister of his former partner at the Santa Barbara PD) is splitting time between Santa Barbara and Cahill's place in San Diego.
Moira - a San Diego-based PI - gets in touch with Cahill and wants him to come with her on a job. What job? Turk Muldoon, and old friend of Cahill's, has hired her to spy on his girlfriend Shay, whom he thinks is seeing someone else. Cahill points out he can't see anything, but Moira is more interested in his ears, and if he can tell what Turk is feeling and how apt he would be to snap and kill Shay if she was seeing someone else. Moira had given news of a wife's infidelity previously to a doctor (her own son's pediatrician, no less) who proceeded to off his wife, child, and then himself. She'd rather that not be the case here, and Cahill assures her Turk would never do something like that.
Shay, of course, is then found dead, and all indications are it's Turk who killed her after an argument overheard by neighbors. Moira rails at Cahill, that he was wrong and now they've gotten Shay killed, but Cahill disagrees. Moira exits the case, but Cahilll wants to help his pal any way he can, even if he still can't see.
Turk is arrested for murder, but Cahill has found information that tells him Idaho is where he needs to go. He ropes Moira back in, and they're off, to talk to one recalcitrant cowboy but then to a more garrulous one. From there, it's off to a PI who was trying to track down Shay's father, who disappeared with over $800K dollars from the sale of the family ranch, leaving Shay and her mother with nothing. Her father was identified as the decedent in an auto wreck in Mexico, under his own name - this after the PI tells them Shay's father used various aliases.
While all of this is going on, Rick keeps smelling the same man, repeatedly - following him and Moira, following just Cahill. But Moira never sees him, and Cahill dubs him the Invisible Man.
With that information, they head back to San Diego, to figure out a way to find Shay's maybe/maybe-not dead father and a ranch hand who worked on the ranch prior to its sale. By now, we are all fairly sure Shay found her dad, and that he likely had something to do with her death. I will reiterate for whatever nth time it is that I still don't like characters going to the bad guy, alone, without telling anyone.
I won't go into details about the end except to say that "blind vigil" certainly is in play the last 20% of the book
Four and a half stars, dinged for character stupidity. I'm feeling generous, though, and I did like the story quite a lot, so I'm rounding up this time: five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Oceanview for the reading copy.
Release date: 01 Dec 2020.
neilsb's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookdarling1987's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
aplace_inthesun's review
4.0
True to my usual form I picked up Blind Vigil by Matt Coyle which is #7 in the Rick Cahill series [#gifted]. 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.
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.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
Gripping, fast paced and well written. I loved this book.
Great characters and storyline, the right touch of humor and a solid mystery.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great characters and storyline, the right touch of humor and a solid mystery.
I can't wait to read another book by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
3no7's review
5.0
“Blind Vigil” by Matt Coyle finds Rick Cahill starting his life over again. It is part of a series, and while it is important to read the entire series to fully appreciate Rick, his troubled past, and his complicated journey, this book briefly introduces each character and incorporates relationships into current scenarios to help new readers catch up on previous action.
Rick’s plight unfolds in his first person narrative. His years as a private investigator enabled him to pursue his own version of truth, and yet when he ultimately confronted that one great wrong, he generated a disaster. His previous life ended when he was shot, and people he cared about died as a result of his actions.
The story is essentially Rick’s redemption as he searches for truth in his world of darkness. He talks directly to the reader as he goes through each day, each new experience, each frustration, and each tiny success. He also talks to himself - a lot. Rick struggles with everything; he battles his own guilt and his physical limitations. He wallows in self-pity, aches for a better life, and craves redemption. However, somewhere in his world of darkness there lurks a killer, and he is driven to save those who are left after losing so many friends in the past.
Rick Cahill is a dark, distressed person; he suffers unendingly in this book and in every book, but trauma has initiated some tiny amount of change. He attempts to distance himself from his past guilt and find a glimmer of brightness in future. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, and as the story unfolds, he achieves a modicum of self-confidence, independence, and proficiency. While this book can certainly be read by itself, to get the full impact, new readers should at least read book one “Yesterday’s Echo,” and book six, “Lost Tomorrows.” I recommend the entire Rick Cahill series.
I received a review copy of “Blind Vigil” from Matt Coyle and Oceanview Publishing. The fact that “Blind Vigil” exists at all is a tribute to the exceptional writing skill of Matt Coyle. Most writers would have stopped with “Lost Tomorrows.” Thanks Matt for pushing readers to the brink and wrenching us back. Only time will tell what the future holds.
Rick’s plight unfolds in his first person narrative. His years as a private investigator enabled him to pursue his own version of truth, and yet when he ultimately confronted that one great wrong, he generated a disaster. His previous life ended when he was shot, and people he cared about died as a result of his actions.
The story is essentially Rick’s redemption as he searches for truth in his world of darkness. He talks directly to the reader as he goes through each day, each new experience, each frustration, and each tiny success. He also talks to himself - a lot. Rick struggles with everything; he battles his own guilt and his physical limitations. He wallows in self-pity, aches for a better life, and craves redemption. However, somewhere in his world of darkness there lurks a killer, and he is driven to save those who are left after losing so many friends in the past.
Rick Cahill is a dark, distressed person; he suffers unendingly in this book and in every book, but trauma has initiated some tiny amount of change. He attempts to distance himself from his past guilt and find a glimmer of brightness in future. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, and as the story unfolds, he achieves a modicum of self-confidence, independence, and proficiency. While this book can certainly be read by itself, to get the full impact, new readers should at least read book one “Yesterday’s Echo,” and book six, “Lost Tomorrows.” I recommend the entire Rick Cahill series.
I received a review copy of “Blind Vigil” from Matt Coyle and Oceanview Publishing. The fact that “Blind Vigil” exists at all is a tribute to the exceptional writing skill of Matt Coyle. Most writers would have stopped with “Lost Tomorrows.” Thanks Matt for pushing readers to the brink and wrenching us back. Only time will tell what the future holds.
the_reader_mommy's review
5.0
Rick Cahill was a PI who just wants to lead his life in peace. He is also blind due to a gunshot to his face some months ago. All is going well, until his former partner, Moira MacFarlane comes knocking at his door asking him for assistance for a case. Cahill should refuse but he just cannot.
Soon, they are entangled in circumstances well out of their understanding. And no one to help.
The characters are so well defined, I felt like I was actually in the midst of these people. Matt Coyle has described Cahill's blindness and the little ways he tries to overcome the disability in such wonderful detail, it's almost as if the author has himself experienced some part of it.
Blind Vigil is the 7th book in the Rick Cahill series, but it is the first one I read. However, there was no part I couldn't understand as the book covers Cahill's past without dwelling too long on it.
An excellent, fast-paced thriller, perfect for thriller fans.
Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Soon, they are entangled in circumstances well out of their understanding. And no one to help.
The characters are so well defined, I felt like I was actually in the midst of these people. Matt Coyle has described Cahill's blindness and the little ways he tries to overcome the disability in such wonderful detail, it's almost as if the author has himself experienced some part of it.
Blind Vigil is the 7th book in the Rick Cahill series, but it is the first one I read. However, there was no part I couldn't understand as the book covers Cahill's past without dwelling too long on it.
An excellent, fast-paced thriller, perfect for thriller fans.
Thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.