Yesterday's Echo - Matt Coyle

First line: "The first time I saw her, she made me remember and she made me forget."

Matt Coyle makes his debut with former cop and current restaurant manager, Rick Cahill. While a police officer in Santa Barbara, Cahill is accused of murdering his wife. He was released but never cleared as a "person of interest" in the case. Now he's working with his college buddy Turk Muldoon at Muldoon's La Jolla restaurant.

Even trying to keep his head down and his nose clean, Cahill can't avoid trouble. It seeks him out in the form of a beautiful reporter named Melody Malana. After meeting one night in the restaurant, Cahill is unable to refuse her plea for help when she returns after hours with visible bruises. But the stakes go much higher than rescuing a damsel in distress when Melody's felon ex-husband is found dead in her hotel room along with evidence that Cahill had been there.

Corrupt cops, a former Vegas casino owner, and high ranking politicians are all tied up in the secrets surrounding the murder. Cahill has to figure out how to keep from being the scapegoat or this time could mean his life.

Yesterday's Echo is a solid first novel from Matt Coyle. Cahill encompasses many of the traditional P.I. characteristics, but he also has a more modern dimension, emotionally. His connections with friends, former girlfriends, even his dog, show a vulnerability that makes his struggle with the loss of his wife authentic and impactful.

Coyle throws a good mix of shady characters into the plot, several of whom end up surprisingly complex. The plot twists and red herrings keep the pace moving swiftly. And readers will find a scenic view of his Southern California setting.

Peppered throughout the novel are little writing gems. One of which is the book's title. Much the way Michael Koryta's Sorrow's Anthem hit me when the title's meaning was revealed, "yesterday's echo" is double-take worthy. It's thought-provoking and lasting...echoing, if you will.

PI and police procedural fans, Matt Coyle is a writer you'll want to watch. He's carving a place for himself in the genre and I'm excited to see where he goes from here.

Yesterday's Echo is available in hardcover (ISBN: 978-1608090761) from Oceanview Publishing. It's also available as a Brilliance unabridged audio (ISBN: 978-1469277462) narrated by Nick Podehl.

Five on Friday: Matt Coyle

It's Friday! I hope you've enjoyed a wonderful week and are looking forward to a fun weekend. I'm hoping to get a lot of outside work done and spend some time reading on my front porch!

If you haven't been enjoying the wonderful submissions for this year's Get Caught Reading series, I hope you'll check out the Crime Critters Caught Reading Crime soon. We have more wonderful critters coming your way next week, so be sure to check back!

Sending out congratulations to Ginny in Virginia (I just love that!). Random Number Generator chose her number as the winner of A Cold and Lonely Place. Thanks to everyone who entered!

If I have any readers in Ontario, be on the lookout folks! There's a collection of crime fiction authors touring your way starting next week. You can see all the details on that at Hilary Davidson's blog. She's one of the group making the rounds up North.

Last night the Edgar® Awards were revealed. Congrats to this year's winners!

This week I learned that this author has a book in the pipeline and this author has a new mystery series book deal. Happy dances all around! 

And finally the May Nerdy Special List is up. Take a look at what I'm recommending for May. I am still working on a few more May releases, but regardless, my choice is a definite don't miss!

Before I get to our feature today, the usual roundup of contests for those who want to win some books:

Lesa has two cozy mysteries related to music.

Friday Reads is super hot with The Mystery Box short story collection, Daniel Palmer's Stolen, and David Morrell's Murder as a Fine Art.

So that's it for my yakking today. Now I want to introduce our feature author for Five on Friday. Matt Coyle is preparing to launch his debut novel, Yesteryday's Echo, into the world on Tuesday. You know I perked up immediately upon hearing that one of his contemporary influences is Robert Crais. Matt hails from Southern California as well. On his road to publication he's paid the bills by working in the restaurant business, selling golf clubs and later selling sports memorabilia.

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you all to Matt Coyle. I have a feeling you are witnessing the beginning of a great crime fiction career in Mr. Coyle!

Matt and Angus - Are they watching Deadwood?

1. If I could tell my 16-year-old self one piece of advice, knowing what I know now, it would be: Force yourself outside your comfort zone. It's scary and there will be failure, but great success can only be achieved by striving beyond your reach.

2. The best gift I ever received was: My wife teaching herself how to play the song, "Home" on the guitar and signing it to me on our anniversary. It was the song we strode out of the wedding ceremony as a married couple.

3. One thing I have no tolerance for is: People who are oblivious to those around them.

4. When I’m feeling under the weather, I…. Get under a blanket on the couch and watch "Deadwood' episodes from the first to the last.

5. The #1 item on my bucket list right now is: Go to Ireland.

Yes, I heard that collective "Awwwww" after #2! And I have no tolerance for people who are oblivious to those around them either. They make me want to become a recluse!

And don't you love that picture of Matt & Angus? It warms my heart! Many thanks to Matt for making time for us during this very busy week before release day. And thanks to everyone for stopping by. Have a great weekend and HAPPY READING!