Great book, talented author. Lots of twists and turns in the story. ( )

Elena Estes is an ex-cop with suicidal tendencies and a smart mouth. When she's approached by a precocious 12-year-old who wants Elena to find her missing older sister, a groom for a high class show barn, her first impulse is to say, "No!" Guilt, compassion, and what's left of her conscience won't let her, however. As Elena begins her investigation into the young woman's disappearance, little does she know that the truth will leave her battered, bruised, and disillusioned, but stronger.

Don't look for much romance of the hearts & flowers type here. Hoag paints a grim picture of the elite world of show jumping populated by wealthy owners, vicious, back-stabbing trainers, conniving horse dealers, and victims, both four and two-legged. Even her heroes are more than a bit tarnished. In spite of that, the overall effect is neither bleak nor depressing. Dark Horse is more tightly written than it's successor, The Alibi Man, and Elena is a refreshingly blunt, caustic heroine. I hope to see more of her. ( )

Tami Hoag canters into the limelight with her suspense thriller, Dark Horse.

The title itself both refers to the main character, ex-cop Elena Estes, and the main plot that revolves around the exciting and sometimes deadly world of equestrian dressage--a sport of precision, skill and mastery.

Drawing from Hoag’s own skills and training as a competitive equestrian, and occasionally using the names of real people and horses, Hoag manages to propel you into the dark and often deadly world of professional equestrian sports. Step into a world of the ’’ultra rich and the very poor’’, where horses are exploited, misused, abused, drugged and even killed--all for the ’love’ of the sport.

Protagonist Elena Estes is a ’dark horse’, herself. Living in self-imposed exile after a life-shattering decision ruins her career, Elena finds herself drawn to the plight of a young girl, Molly Seabright. Molly’s older sister, Erin, is missing, and the twelve-year-old has come to hire Elena as a private investigator to find Erin and bring her home.

Masquerading as a spoiled socialite, Elena enters the lavish, decadent world of equestrian sport and encounters deception and murder along the way. Filled with rich, powerful men this novel will throw you into Elena’s past and present at a galloping speed...and if you don’t hold on for the ride, you may just be thrown off.

Tami Hoag has consistently and persistently come up with unique storylines, fast-paced plots and intriguing characters. She is one of the most talented female suspense thriller writers there is, and once you read one of her novels, you’ll be begging to read more.

This is perhaps one of my favorites! I found it truly interesting and very unique in plot.

Tami Hoag’s Dark Horse is an intense read...one you won’t WANT to put down!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
suspense author ( )

Erin Seabright is missing and her twelve-year-old sister Molly comes to Elena Estes for help, an ex- undercover detective without a P.I. license and not really interested in a new career. Unable to turn down the little girl who has stolen her heart Estes decide to investigate.

Erin worked as a groom in one of Palm Beach prodigious stables, where behind the ultra rich facade is a world of drugs, payoffs and dirty deals. Erin has become a pawn in a kidnapper’s terrifying game for ransom that no one is interested in paying. Estes is lead down a trail of deceit, mayhem and murder trying to safe Erin before she becomes another victim.

Dark Horse offers an insight of the equestrian world and the gritty underworld of international show jumping. This book is a complex thriller that will keep you on edge and guessing till the end. ( )

A great read. a lot of characters and plot-lines all realted in a domino effect. Traveling. ( )