South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Blinded by gunshot, detective grapples with a new normal
’Blind Vigil’ By Matt Coyle. Oceanview, 336 pages, $26.95
Anthony Award-winner Matt Coyle takes a huge chance in “Blind Vigil,” his seventh suspensefilled novel about San Diego private detective Rick Cahill. Blinded ninemonths earlier by a gunshot wound, the complicated Rick has to maneuver a new normal as he adjusts to “a life that wasn’t anymore”— a familiar refrain formany of us.
Before hewas blinded, Rick had been thinking about quitting private investigative work, no longer believing he could deal with the guilt or the consequences of some of his actions. Now, with no choice, he longs for his career, “the need to be relevant again.”
Still, he hesitates when Moira MacFarlane, his colleague, asks him to sit in during a meeting with restaurateur Turk Muldoon, who wants to hire her. Rick and Turk used to be best friends until they had an argument. Since Rick knows Turk better than anyone, Moira wants Rick to use his instincts and heightened sense of hearing to tell if Turk is lying. Days later, Turk is arrested for amurder connected to the case. Despite their rift, Rick believes Turk is innocent, although Moira is unconvinced.
Coyle skillfully shows how Rick has been able to manage his blindness, as his life has “morphed into constant threat level assessment. Blind vigilance.” Rick carefully measures each step in his house and, when outside, relies on his other senses and his Labrador, Midnight. Trying not to look weak or vulnerable, Rick knows too well that any false step could put him in danger.
Showing the challenges of being blind elevates “Blind Vigil.” When Rick thinks a glimmer of his sight may be returning, he tries to keep his hopes under control. Coyle explores Rick’s many sides, including that hemakes mistakes and he is not the
easiest person to like.
“Blind Vigil” keeps its surprises and twists until the solid finale— leaving plenty of room for a most welcomed return.
Zoom with the authors
Matt Coyle will discuss “Blind Vigil” during a conversation with Andrea Carter (“The Well of Ice”) at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 sponsored by Murder on the Beach bookstore, 104W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, murderonthebeach.com. Cost to join the virtual discussion is the purchase of either novel, or $5 that may be credited to future purchase of either novel; includes free shipping. Email Murder on the Beach at murdermb@gate. net or call 561-279-7790 for more information. Alink for the virtual event will be sent to those registered.