Matt Coyle (Courtesy photo)
Cover of “Lost Tomorrows.” (Courtesy photo)

Matt Coyle may be an award-winning and best-selling author of a popular mystery series, but it wasn’t until this year that the San Diegan became a full-time author.

Coyle, the creator of protagonist Rick Cahill, a private investigator and ex-police officer, will release the latest installment, “Lost Tomorrows,” in the thrilling series this December. It will be the sixth book he’s released in the series in six years.

But for Coyle, becoming an author took three decades in the making.

Coyle said he knew he wanted to be a crime writer as early as 14 years old, but didn’t take the leap into publishing until much later in life.

“I started reading crime novels when I was just a kid and knew, even then, that I wanted to write them as an adult,” Coyle said. “Unfortunately, it took me 30 years to start doing it.”

A life-long San Diegan, Coyle worked in the restaurant and golf industries after graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in English. While working full-time, Coyle said he spent nights writing and developing his famous character, Rick Cahill before publishing “Yesterday’s Echo” in 2013.

Now six years later, Coyle said he’s given up his day job to become a full-time writer.

“(It) took a long time to get to this point,” Coyle said. “I’m happy with the success that the Rick Cahill series has had and am blessed with some of the best readers in mystery.”

The recipient of many awards including the Anthony Award, Coyle has already received early praise for “Lost Tomorrows.”

Author Meg Gardiner described the novel as “sharp, suspenseful and poignant,” while author Joe Ide said the latest installment is “very, very smart.”

As Coyle begins working on his seventh novel, he said he hopes to gain more readers.

“I’m trying everyday to reach more readers,” Coyle said. “I have a long way to go.”

“Lost Tomorrows” is available for pre-order on Amazon.

For more information about Matt Coyle, go to mattcoylebooks.com.