Matt Coyle's Book 1, Yesterday's Echo, of The Rick Cahill Crime Series is the noir tale of a former cop who has a history of disfavor and a passel of regrets.
The first several chapters of the story introduce us to the professional part of Rick Cahill as he attends to all the managerial duties in the restaurant "Muldoon's" which he eventually hopes to own. In a single evening of consecutive events, he assists the very drunk mayor's wife in getting a cab home before she completely embarrasses herself, spots a gorgeous dark-haired beauty sitting at the bar having an unpleasant conversation with a man who came in to speak with her but quickly exits when another man dressed to the nines with an evil vibe walks into the restaurant. Little does Rick know when he makes eye-contact with the pretty lady, his world gets complicated in no time flat and brings back all the memories of a painful past with so many levels of self - and others' - condemnation.
Matt Coyle's writing is perfectly suited to the noir storytelling of old. Expressions, cynicism, a broken heart, melancholy, and a raging volcano under the surface of his protagonist's lifestyle. Twists and turns, good cops/bad cops, murders, and evil peripheral characters who salt and pepper the story along with a faithful old girlfriend who still thinks the best of him until he finally opens up to her.
With a hopeful ending while keeping that noir feel, having set the stage for the conclusion, Rick Cahill is about to try some positive change in his life. I look forward to reading more of The Rick Cahill Crime Series.
Father, only you know the hearts and minds of us all. May each one you've gifted know from whom their talent comes. Thank you for Matt's talent and please bless him with more stories just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.