3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Major storyline of horses, didn't pique my interest. Probably only book of hers I wasn't crazy about.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of my favorite Tami Hoag books. Very quick, fast paced reading with real depth of character. The sequel, Alibi Man is a worthy successor that continues the story of Elena. I hope Hoag continues the series.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Tami Hoag has been called the Queen of the Suspense Thriller. She writes with a razor-sharp pen and of characters that are alwaya a step and a half ahead of us. She's s darned-good writer and hard to put down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a good book and I give it 4 star rating.
Barbara S. (barbsis) - Budd Lake, NJ reviewed Dark Horse (Elena Estes, Bk 1) on + 1075 more book reviews
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Though this book revolves around an industry that I know nothing about, I rather enjoyed it. The horse training business is very cut-throat and peopled by snobby greedy rich people. Who knew that they actually killed horses for the insurance money. I would have thought that horses were the life blood of this industry and sacred - like cows in India. I guess greed works through all walks of life.
Elena Estes is sucked into being a PI by a twelve year old girl, Molly, searching for her missing 18 year old sister. This twisted debauched tale is certainly a mystery for all involved. Elena browbeats a detective from the Sheriff's Office into working with her when the going starts getting dangerous. Detective Landry is a gorgeous laid back kinda guy who resents the fact the Elena guilts him into this case which he feels isn't a case at all. After all, what does a 12 year old know anyway?
Elena is an amazing character - she's ballsy, bold and downright rude but she gets the job done. She's also extremely unstable and even suicidal at times. Landry is her perfect opposite and though the romance is very slight it does crop up. I recently started reading Tami Hoag and haven't been disappointed yet. She writes good stuff!
Elena Estes is sucked into being a PI by a twelve year old girl, Molly, searching for her missing 18 year old sister. This twisted debauched tale is certainly a mystery for all involved. Elena browbeats a detective from the Sheriff's Office into working with her when the going starts getting dangerous. Detective Landry is a gorgeous laid back kinda guy who resents the fact the Elena guilts him into this case which he feels isn't a case at all. After all, what does a 12 year old know anyway?
Elena is an amazing character - she's ballsy, bold and downright rude but she gets the job done. She's also extremely unstable and even suicidal at times. Landry is her perfect opposite and though the romance is very slight it does crop up. I recently started reading Tami Hoag and haven't been disappointed yet. She writes good stuff!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another mystery by Tami Hoag and this one delivers more than some of her earlier books. This novel is about the dark side of horse racing. An ex-cop is trying to recover from from being shot, the wounds have healed but the psychological scars have not. She seeks refuge on a quite horse farm only to be asked to help a child find her missing older sister. This is a classic race against time to save lives but with unusual twists along the way. The author's writing is improving-this is her best I think, it is a great thriller with good character development and well researched on the racing side. This book will excite mystery fans and horse lovers alike!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
great mystery ,thriller. one of those books you just can't put down
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a great book. There were many twists and turns. It had nice short chapters so when I didn't have much time to read I could stop at the chapter end.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great book...I'm a Tami Hoag lover...in great shape
Another tangled web of deceit, murder and page turning excitement. Not one of my favorite series. I think we get hooked on a certain hero or heroine and stay with them. when the characters change, just like in tv shows...it takes some adjustment.
I've read just about all of Hoag's books and this is the first one that was pretty boring to me. Perhaps it was the change from her normal story-lines set in Louisiana? I don't know, the horse world was dull and it dragged. The ending was good and tied it all up, but it was a let down as a whole. I don't intend on continuing with the rest of the Estes' books, but I won't turn on Hoag just yet...my recommendation, read her other books (Cry Wolf, Dark Paradise, Ashes to Ashes...) pretty much anything else and steer clear of this one.
Hoag's otherwise-fine suspense thriller about a kidnapped girl and dirty dealings among Florida's horsey set is flawed by the appearance of a hitherto-unmentioned distant relative to neatly tie up one of the dangling plot threads.
Liked the Book, good read
Set in the wealthy Palm Beach, Florida, horsey set, this thriller pits an ex-cop who screwed up her career (naturally) against a unknown killer in a race against time and evil. Reviewers called it "her best yet" and "intense suspense."
THIS BOOK KEPT ME GUESSING WHO DID IT UNTIL THE END . I LOVED IT !!! GREAT READ, KEEPS YOU INTERESTED ENOUGH NOT TO WANT TO PUT IT DOWN.
Good book, even if you aren't a horse person. I liked the story line, even though I figured out who the bad guy was before the end.
Good book, especially if you like Tami Hoag.
I enjoy Tami Hagao but this book was darkerr then I like, To many broken pepole,It is not untill then end that it lighten a little.I feel that this is not ine of her better books.
This is a well written book that keeps you guessing. It was very enjoyable to read. I highly recommend it.
A terrific story that I never could quite figure out till the end. Superb writing.
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida--until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered,she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But that's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has dissapeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decandence and deceit and murder. A race against time and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake..and no one is bettting on her to win.. book looks like new
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked narcotics in Fl., and took one risk to many. Her life shattered, she lives a self imposed exile where no one can reach her. Until a small little girl finally did. And Once again, Elena found herself in mystery,intrigue, and crime. Find out how she makes out this time.Story sourrounds the race track and many good things can be learned from this novel as well.
enjoyable
A good thriller-mystery,
keeps you reading on the edge of your seat
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida - until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But that's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deceit and murder. A race against time and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake...and no one is betting on her to win.
The professional horse world, as seen through Hoag's eyes, is full of intrigue, glitter and skullduggery. Elena Estes is a former cop whose bravado on the force resulted in a colleague's death; it also cost her her job and her self-esteem, not to mention the psychological and physical fallout from nearly being shot. She's been keeping a low profile at a friend's Florida ranch, but her world is disrupted when 12-year-old Molly Seabright, wise beyond her years, attempts to hire Elena to find her older sister, Erin, who has been missing for two days. As Elena digs deeper into Erin's disappearance, the dark side of the horse-show set is revealed.
Very easy read. Always enjoy her books.
On the back cover of the book a quote from the Minneapolis Star Tribune says "This is her best to date...a tautly told thriller."
I agree.
I agree.
Wonderful writer, page turner !
"A thriller as tightly wound as its heroine. Hoag has created a winning central figure in Elena. Bottom line: Great ride." -- People
"This is her best to date. A tautly told thriller." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Interesting characters and convoluted plot. Keeps you guessing right up to the end. Paul C.
"This is her best to date. A tautly told thriller." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Interesting characters and convoluted plot. Keeps you guessing right up to the end. Paul C.
Another great book from the master of thrillers.
Lots of plots, twists and turns make this one of the best thrillers of all times. Hoag again gets the pace and level just right.
It is about trust, learning to like yourself, forgiveness and a hope in the future.
Lots of plots, twists and turns make this one of the best thrillers of all times. Hoag again gets the pace and level just right.
It is about trust, learning to like yourself, forgiveness and a hope in the future.
Ex-cop Elena EStes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida-- until she took one risk too many... self-imposed exile... search for a 12-year-old's older sister.
Best-seller mystery. Did not get to read it.
"A thriller as tightly wound as its heroine...Hoag has created a winning central figure in Elena...bottom line: reat ride." - People
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida - until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But that's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Ein Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deceit and murder. A race against time and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake...and no one is betting on her to win.
"This is her best to date...(A) tautly told thriller." - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida - until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But that's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Ein Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deceit and murder. A race against time and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake...and no one is betting on her to win.
"This is her best to date...(A) tautly told thriller." - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida---until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. Buth that's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamourous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deceit and murder. A race against ime and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake...and no one if betting on her to win.
a great thriller
Fast-paced thriller about a tough ex-narcotics cop, Elena Estes, helps a 12 year old girl find her missing older sister.
Attention Tami Hoag fans....this is her best to date.
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida--until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But that's about to change when a twelve year old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world..but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport.
Ex-cop Elena Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida - until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self-imposed exile where no one can reach her. But tht's about to change when a twelve-year-old girl asks Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into Which Erin Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world. . . but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deceit and murder. A race against time and evil. A race in which Estes is once again the dark horse, where more than just her own life is at stake . . . and no one is betting on her to win. Not a bad read, I like the heroine Hoag has created.
Ex-cop Eleana Estes once worked for the narcotics division in Florida until she took one risk too many. Her life shattered she lives in a self-imposed exile where on one can reach her. But that's about to change when a 12-year-old girl asks Enena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has disappeared is a long way from a cop's world...but it's even more dangerous. Elena will need all her street smarts to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of decadence and deciet and murder.
Great mystery author - fast moving, intrigue....on the caliber of Patricia Cornwell.
ex-cop with serious problems and isolation mode is tempted to come out into the world once again; complicated mystery.
Couldnt put it down.. great book.
Elena Estes leaves the Palm Beach County sheriff's office in disgrace after causing the death of a fellow cop and gallops straight into trouble at an international riding competition in Florida's horse country.
A great read
A great read
I am a fan of Tami Hoag and this book combines a beautiful heroine with a thrilling story set in Florida's horse country.
Excop- and her name is Elena Estes onced worked for narcotics division in Florida-until she took one risk to many. Her life shattered, she lives in a self imposed excile where no one can reach her. Thats about to change when a twelve year old girl ask Elena to find her older sister. The wealthy Palm Beach horsey set into which Erin Seabright has disappeared a long way from a cop's world. Its ever more danageroug Elena will need all of her street to survive the shadow side of a glamorous sport. Here a killer will lead Estes down a twisted trail of deceite murder. A race in once again Estes is once again the dark horse in which her life is at stake...and no one is betting on her to win. A thriller as tightly wound as its heroine.
Interesting, twisty, nicely written. I enjoyed this book.
Wonderful book! I reccommend this book to anyone!
Great book!!
Excellent mystery involving horse shows.
THIS IS THE FIRST TAMI HOAG THAT I HAVE READ, IT WONT BE THE LAST GREAT READ
THIS IS THE FIRST TAMI HOAG THAT I HAVE READ, IT WONT BE THE LAST GREAT READ
This was a very good mystery, but I asways like her books.
The main character, an ex-cop, goes through some interesting self-discovery. The text drew me in, with a sneaky twist at the end.
A great thriller, good luck guessing who done it....
The best Tami Hoag I've read to date
This is a good mystery thriller and a nice insight into the world of people who own and train horses and competitive equestrian disciplines.
A thriller that is an awesome read
Hoag is always good - this is one of her very best.
excellent!! Could not put it down!!
This book starts out pretty slow. The main character,Elena, has issues and is pretty dark in the beginning. If you stick with it, the pace picks up and it is a enjoyable book. You find yourself rooting for Elena and by the end, you really like her.
great author and great book.
Bought this book three times now and still have not read it LOL
it keeps you wanting more and more
Great cop mystery, 557 pages of story!
interesting look into the wealthy world of horses and mystery
EX-COP ELENA ESTES ONCE WROKED FOR THE MARCOTICS DIVISION IN FLORIDA-UNTIL SHE TOOK ONE RISK TOO MANY. HER LIFE SHATTERED, SHE LIVES IN A SELF-IMPOSED EXILE WHERE NO ONE CAN REACH HER. BUT THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE WHEN A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL ASKS ELENA TO FIND HER OLDER SISTER. THE WEALTHY PALM BEACH HORSEY SET INTO WHICH ERIN SEABRIGHT HAS DISAPPEARED IS A LONG WAY FROM A COP'S WORLD, BUT MORE DANGEROUS.
great mystery
Was a good book
excellent reading
Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Fast paced read.
Great story, good characters.
this is about an excop that was disgraced and resigned from the police and finds herself pulled into a murder investigation
This novel is set in Palm Beach during the winter horseshow season.