Charlie, I agree 100% that "Coyle" is the greatest crime novel ever (although Higgins' second novel, "The Digger's Game," is right up there with "Coyle"). I like the film a lot, but, as with nearly all films made from great novels, it doesn't achieve that level of greatness. I and my "Coyle" fan friends loved Mitchum in the title role and Boyle as Dillon, and the rest of the cast was pretty decent.
I watch "Coyle" every time it's on TV, but I read the book at least once a month.