Sunday, February 28, 2016

Review of Yesterday's Echo by Matt Coyle



Yesterday’s Echo
By Matt Coyle
“The first time I saw her, she made me remember and she made me forget.”

In this first line of Yesterday’s Echo, we meet Rick Cahill, former police officer and current manager of Muldoon’s Steak House in La Jolla, California. Rick is immediately drawn to Melody Malana (described above) and soon finds himself falling for her and a murder rap, for the second time in his life.  Rick scrambles to find evidence to clear Melody and himself.  There are dark secrets, political scandal and all the corruption that the wealthy seaside community can buy. Along the way he is threatened by cops and beaten by dead-eyed soulless bad guys. Does he find the truth in time to save Melody?  You have to read the book to find out!   

                Much of this first volume of the Rick Cahill Series reminds me of Philip Marlowe, Chandler’s iconic detective.  There have been some great movies made with the character of Marlowe, but they tend to emphasize hard-boiled at the expense of the heart and deeply chivalrous nature that Marlowe displays in the books. Marlowe carries a very sharp tongue in place of a sword, but the desire to right wrongs and protect the innocent is there in his actions and inner dialogue.  It is refreshing to find a new writer with a character that catches the essence of the golden age detective; a modern knight errant who carries his shield close, his lance high and takes on all the dragons that come. He rides to the rescue even if he knows that he cannot trust the virtue (or the truthfulness) of the current maiden in distress. 

The second volume in this series, Night Tremors, was released last year – get both and read them now!  Highly recommended.

“Following an Anthony Award-winning debut isn’t easy, but Matt Coyle slammed a homer.  Hard, tough, humane –Night Tremors is outstanding!” Robert Crais, MWA Grand Master, Anthony, Macavity, and Shamus Award-winning author of Suspect

Review by Terell Byrd
























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