In 2021’s LAST REDEMPTION, San Diego private eye Rick Cahill is under a sword of Damocles. He’s engaged to Leah Landingham, and they’re expecting a child. On one side of the sword, “The prognosis from the removal of the tumor is good.” On the other side, “The CTE is wait and see.” The CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) came from repeated trauma as a Golden Gloves boxer and football player, and thugs using his head as a punching bag.

Fast forward to May 2023. Rick and Leah are married and proud parents of 14-month-old Krista, named in honor of Leah’s sister, whose murder is detailed in 2019’s LOST TOMORROWS. Krista Cahill is Rick’s legacy, the center of his universe.

"Rick returns to his roots as a hardboiled PI. Not only is his plate full, he has several spinning at warp speed. Fans may be perplexed with the Daedalus Labyrinth-like turns in this novel, but they should find it rewarding."

Rick hasn’t told Leah or PI pal Moira MacFarlane about the CTE’s debilitating effects. Feeling an oncoming rage rampage, he takes a wee-hours walk. Returning home, Leah pulls a Colt Python revolver from the foyer closet’s top shelf. Rick tries to convince her that, although there’s a gun safe upstairs, he wants quick access for protection downstairs. Leah counters that it’s paranoia, not protection. She takes Krista to her parents’ home in Santa Barbara and suggests, with emphasis, that it’s best for Rick not to visit.

Since experiencing temporary blindness caused by a gunshot to the face, Rick has narrowed his investigative skills to corporate background verifications. Fulcrum Security is “a defense contractor that built radar and sonar systems for the Navy as well as the cruise ship and luxury yacht industry.” Sara Bhandari is his contact at Fulcrum, though they communicate by email. Rick is surprised when she calls asking to meet for lunch far from her office, their first in-person meeting. Sara tells him about three new Fulcrum hires who were rush-verified by another PI firm, one in a high-rent skyscraper. Rick dismisses her concerns and takes his pub grub home. Sara doesn’t return his calls or emails, possibly perturbed by the perceived snub.

Sara can’t communicate as she’s indisposed. Homicide Detective Brian Skupin tells Rick, “You turn up around more dead bodies than a vulture in the desert.” Shreya Gargano, Sara’s older sister and a former award-winning TV news anchor, retains Rick to uncover the truth. Her journalistic instincts suggest something is awry, and she trusts him. A day later, he’s persona non grata with Fulcrum and Shreya.

This complex plot involves a scurrilous private investigative agency that besmirches reputable firms, including Moira’s. Befuddled, Rick enlists Moira’s assistance and that of newspaper reporter Max Andrus. Sara’s colleague, Dylan Helmer, knows of nefarious events at Fulcrum and fears losing her job --- or worse.

Rick returns to his roots as a hardboiled PI. Not only is his plate full, he has several spinning at warp speed. Fans may be perplexed with the Daedalus Labyrinth-like turns in this novel, but they should find it rewarding.

Matt Coyle has earned a host of awards and nominations, some of which are mentioned here. Although any Rick Cahill installment can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, it’s best to start with Coyle’s Anthony Award-winning debut, YESTERDAY’S ECHO, and read the series in chronological order.

» Click here to read our interview with Matt Coyle.