Sherlock Holmes was fond of chiding his somewhat obtuse sidekick Dr. Watson by telling him, “You see, but you do not observe.” In his new detective thriller, “Blind Vigil,” author Matt Coyle does Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle one better. Coyle’s detective, Rick Cahill, observes, but he can’t see, literally. Cahill is blind, courtesy of an injury he suffered in an earlier book in the series. Cahill’s efforts to solve a troublesome case would have made Holmes proud, though. They also make for a mystery that readers will enjoy on multiple levels.

“Blind Vigil” is my first experience with author Coyle and Rick Cahill, who has had several major upheavals in his life over the course of the previous six books in the series. The aforementioned injury to his eyes may be the most serious, since a blind private investigator isn’t in great demand. However, Cahill gets a chance to ply his trade again when a fellow PI asks Cahill to help on a tricky case. The investigation itself seems routine, a man asking the detectives to check up on his possibly cheating girlfriend. But Cahill has a personal interest in the case, since Turk Muldoon, the aggrieved boyfriend, is Cahill’s former employer and a longtime friend. As you might expect, the girlfriend turns up dead with Muldoon the prime suspect in her murder. And Cahill may be the only one who thinks Muldoon might be innocent.

If you’ve read more than a handful of detective stories, then you’ve seen this storyline before. But what you haven’t seen is the angle of the blind detective. And that’s what elevates “Blind Vigil” well above many similar books. Cahill’s blindness isn’t a mere gimmick. Instead, it’s at the heart of what might otherwise be a routine mystery. Because Cahill is the narrator of the story, readers experience the world the same way he does. His world is shadows and smells, with clues lurking tantalizingly beyond his reach. Cahill may or may not be followed by a mysterious figure he dubs the Invisible Man, identified only be the deodorant he uses. Passers-by in crowded restaurants may be innocent patrons, or they may want to do Cahill harm. And when Cahill relays his suspicions to others helping him on the case, they wonder whether he’s suffering from blindness-induced paranoia.

The whodunit aspect of “Blind Vigil” shouldn’t be too hard to figure out, but the whydunit is much more fascinating. In the tradition of writers like Ross MacDonald, the motive for the killing arises from events occurring 20 years earlier. Cahill only solves the mystery through a combination of 21st-century Internet research and 20th-century fieldwork. Both tasks are considerably more difficult because of his blindness, and the author, who has done some research of his own, shows just how the sightless Cahill can maneuver his way around on the Internet.

From the above description, you might think that “Blind Vigil” is just a book about a sightless detective. However, that’s an oversimplification that doesn’t do justice to the complex character the author created. I’m guessing that earlier books in this series covered various other crucial times in Cahill’s life that the author mentions here. (Not to worry, the book isn’t hard to follow for those who haven’t read those earlier novels.) Cahill’s earlier experiences color his current perceptions, but so too do several other primary characters’ experiences. “Blind Vigil” is as much of a character study as a mystery.

The last 20% of “Blind Vigil” is about as good as it gets in this type of hardboiled detective story. Cahill unravels the mystery (including one surprise reveal regarding a hitherto unknown character). Then, he engages in typical tough-guy action in a most untypical manner when he takes on a ruthless killer who has the advantage of sight. This sequence is especially well written, since the author lays out Cahill’s thought processes as he tries to figure out how to even the odds.

Author Matt Coyle knows the genre, and he knows his central character. (He even throws in an Easter egg reference I enjoyed to the 1970s TV series “Longstreet.” Coyle and I are probably among the few who remember that show.) Moreover, he knows how to describe scenes using only the four senses Rick Cahill still has available. Those descriptions add to the book’s mystery and suspense considerably. In “Blind Vigil,” the author takes a familiar storyline and turns it into something completely fresh. Mystery and detective fans should maintain a close vigil for this book.

The publisher graciously gave me a copy of this book. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of the book were entirely my own.

I absolutely love this series. Rick is such a flawed, but interesting character. San Diego really comes alive throughout and it makes the series feel similar (like a good Michael Connelly book), but different. Brutal at times, it's interesting to see a character who just does things that a normal "good guy" wouldn't do, even if it's doing the right thing. Truly wonderful.

Great thriller that kept me turning the pages. Great story, great writing and characters. Really enjoyable and would read this author again.

This book was amazing! I really enjoyed this book! The author created a perfect plot and enriched it with like ale characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. This was an excellent read.
Thoroughly recommended

I loved the premise for this book, but unfortunately I wasn’t the biggest fan of it. I thought it was okay but I would’ve liked a bit more out of it.

I always think that this series can’t get any better, and then it does. The reader is just as blind as Rick is through most of the book and it’s stressful! Who is the secret man? Why can’t Moira see everything that Rick can’t? I couldn’t put this book down. I’m ready to read the next one already! If you love a good P.I. story, this series never disappoints!

Blind Vigil is the seventh instalment in the Rick Cahill Private Investigator Crime series, set in the area of San Diego, California.

Sustaining a gunshot wound to the face during his last case which left him blind, Rick is trying to adapt to life as it is now along with his dog, Midnight. He is unsure how he can remain a PI without the use of his sight but when fellow PI and friend Moira MacFarlane asks him for help on a case for which she has just been hired, he agrees to help. Restaurateur and Rick's ex-best friend, Turk Muldoon, is looking for proof his girlfriend, Shay Sommers, is cheating on him. Having discovered she has met with someone else, Moira takes Rick along but when they arrive back later to begin their stakeout, they discover a crime scene, and an intensive investigation is underway. They see Shay's body being taken away and Turk in handcuffs. Rick has known Turk for several years and believes him to be innocent, so sets out to prove it.

This is a compulsive thriller with plenty of action, a believable plot and a cast of engaging characters. Rick makes for a great protagonist; he's strong, is nobody's fool, and gets results. It's well written, perfectly paced and compelling from the very beginning. There are ample twists and turns and great use of misdirection by Matt Coyle who really ratchets up the tension, pulling out all the stops towards the end with a spectacular finale. I really need to read the other books in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

4.5 stars_ Book 7 in the Rick Cahill series! So far, I’ve only read Book 5 and Book 7, but I need to start back at Book 1! This series is excellent!

I feel like Matt Coyle is underrated; he should get more recognition because this is a superb series!

I think you can read them as stand-alones for sure. I would probably be more invested and get more of the story if I have read this series from the start, but I still really enjoy the series, and there aren’t many spoilers in the books.

Of course, I’ve grown to love Risk Cahill and I’m invested in his life, but I also loved the other secondary characters. These books always keep me guessing and on the edge of my seat, plus it’s a quick and easy read!

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending, I feel like it was very rushed. Having said that though, I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series! Last Redemption is going to be out November 30, 2021, and I’m marking this in my calendar!

Rick Cahill is a force to be reckoned with in this novel. I loved this strong character and the storyline. While Rick Cahill is blind due to a former gunshot wound to his face, the details around blindness and how he copes with his new challenges are truly realistic and inspiring and endear the reader to him. While he takes this case expecting it to be one simple interview, it can never be that easy and without risk. Very engaging read - liked it and love this author.

A blind detective is different as the main character. Rick is or was a private detective but now he is blind. His other senses are helping him try to help is friend that is charged with murdering his girlfriend. The book is well done with a steady pace and plenty of interactions of the characters. I had not read the other books in this series but found it easy to catch up on Moira, Leah, the falling out of Rick with his best pal. I enjoyed the story. Now I need to go back and read the earlier books in the series.

Really well written and fast paced mystery. Loved how the author respectfully treated the main character's blindness and made it an organic part of the story.

I read this without realizing it was a series it was actually a very good book and I would love to read more from this author.

What a fantastic story! From start to end, the suspense keeps one on the edge of their seat.

Rick Cahill might have lost his sight but his other senses work better than ever. A normal P.I job of keeping an eye on a cheating girlfriend goes wrong when the girlfriend is found dead in her house. The girlfriend's boyfriend is the main suspect - and he happens to be Rick's best friend. Rick learns a man has been following him and Moira (fellow P.I.) - this is the missing part of the puzzle. Who is that man? Why is he following them?

I absolutely loved every bit of this story. Highly recommended!

Its total darkness and by darkness I mean real blindness for Rick Cahill, in the 7th and very thrilling installment in Matt Coyle's Rick Cahill PI series.
An action packed thriller led by a rather depressed Rick who has been left sightless by a gunshot to his face and who is painstakingly trying to get this "unforeseen" situation under control. But once again and against his better judgement, he lets his sometimes partner the unpredictable Moira drag him into a rat infested mayhem that might or might not sent his life out of control. Full of linguistic fireworks and bloody explosions, this latest in the series is an unputdownable joy from start to finish. And yes, for the hardcore fans of this genial private investigator, don't worry, his faithful Midnight is around....
To be enjoyed as usual without any moderation👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for giving me the opportunity to spend 4 unforgettable hours between breakfast & lunch with this delicious madness prior to its release date

Despite irritation at some of the self pitying commentary (although necessary to believe a blind man could be a detective) this story flew along .. it's all a little complex but at base are heartfelt feelings, family ties and trust in friends as Rick, our blind PI, tries to find his footing again after gunshot ruined his sight, and reestablish an old friendship in pursuit of wrongful accusations of murder. What I liked in fact is underlying theme that we all do our best and cannot be blamed for events that are tragic or harmful. Really persuasive and great writing . I'll be looking for earlier books in series .. dialogue is sharp and witty .. a great bonus.

I was a little lost about the protagonist's back story maybe if I had read the beginning of the series I would understand it better. He has only lost his sight for 8 months but the amount of things he can do is a little to far fetched in my opinion. The fact that he can tell that someone is following his partner because of Dove deodorant (which I assume is a popular brand) seems odd. The author mentions it over and over again which had me wondering if Dove sponsored the book.

The writing is good and engaging and it might be because I jumped to the seventh book. But it just didn't grab me. There is the repetitiveness of what he can and cannot do because of his injury. I'd say 2.5 stars which is why I gave it 3.

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

Blind Vigil is book seven in the Rick Cahill series. I've read several of the previous books in the series but it's been awhile so I feel relatively safe in saying that this book works fine as a standalone. In fact, in a lot of ways Blind Vigil is about how things that have happened in the past come full circle to the present so you get considerable backstory as it goes along.

P.I. Rick Cahill is a man of action who is readjusting to his life after a gunshot to the face left him blind. No one knows when or if his sight will ever return leaving him in a sort of limbo as he tries to figure out his place in the world.

The majority of this book plays out as a character study of a man learning to live with his sudden and unexpected blindness. Cahill has trouble dealing with the fact that he can't do what he used to do or be who he used to be and it causes difficulties for him in more ways than one. The result is a very slow building story that takes its time unfolding.

If you can stick with it through the first half then it gets better as things pick up and start moving. It gets repetitive when it comes to Cahill's new routine; his inability to express emotion to those close to him; and traffic directions - Geez, the traffic directions! At times it's almost like reading a roadmap.

I prefer a more streamlined narrative so, while it redeems itself in the end, for my taste, it took way too long to get there.

There's a smattering of cursing but it should be fine for all but the most sensitive readers.

***I received a free digital copy of this title through NetGalley

“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.