Dark Horse: Amazon.ca: Tami Hoag: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

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. Hoag (Night Sins; Dust to Dust), herself an experienced equestrian, shows off her dressage-to-showing knowledge of the sport as she weaves behind-the-scenes tidbits about the training, competitions, horse brokers and grooms into a plot that gallops along. Though she is a master of suspense, the story falters when a major secret about the kidnapping is exposed. There are too many bad guys who may be in on the scheme, and readers will feel cheated by the improbable 11th-hour revelation. It's too bad Hoag felt the need to undercut her plot with schemes and counterschemes, since she finds plenty of tension in the equestrian world she examines here and doesn't need the contrivance. Nonetheless, she has enough skill and drawing power to propel this, her 10th book, onto bestseller lists.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Elena Estes leaves the Palm Beach County sheriff's office in disgrace after causing the death of a fellow copand gallops straight into trouble at an international riding competition in Florida's horse country.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

45 Reviews

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (45 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Tami Hoag canters into the limelight with her suspense thriller, Dark Horse, Sep 13 2006

By

Cheryl Tardif "bestselling suspense author" (Edmonton, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Dark Horse (Mass Market Paperback)

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, [.....]

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3.0 out of 5 stars different, July 2 2007

By

Toni Osborne "The Way I See It" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Dark Horse (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

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2.0 out of 5 stars The Plot Plods!, July 11 2004

By

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dark Horse (Mass Market Paperback)

Tami Hoag is one of my favorite authors of suspense-thrillers. I usually buy or borrow her books as soon as they come on the market knowing that I will enjoy an entertaining read. "Dark Horse," however, is not a dark horse. This one comes in close to last on my list of winning titles. The plot plods. That pretty much says it all. And it plods for 557 pages. I specifically marked the page where I became somewhat interested - page 272. I did so because I had faith in the author and was determined to finish the novel. It was hard going. There's too much padding here and not enough mystery.

Elena Estes, a ballsy Florida narcotics detective took too many risks. She jumped the proverbial gun during a stakeout and her actions cost her partner's life, her own health and her career. Years later, after much surgery and physical therapy, Elena is back on her feet but still feeling pretty down and out. She is approached by a 12 year-old girl, Molly Seabright, and asked to find her missing older sister. The sister was working as a horse groomer among Palm Beach's rich and famous when suddenly she disappeared. Molly knows Elena through an equestrian magazine where her picture is displayed prominently along with the information that she is a private investigator. Elena, Molly, Molly's sister, and just about everyone in the novel are involved in equestrian competition, as is the author. One of the reasons I thought the plot would be fascinating is because in the "Author's Note" Ms. Hoag implies she will write about the equestrian sport of dressage. She does not deliver. She does write about people involved in the sport and in international horse breeding. I hope she has exaggerated her characterizations as most of the folks who populate this mystery are despicable people. She could, unintentionally, give the sport a bad name. I mean, aren't there any good guys? Her characters are not three dimensional. They are either good or evil, with no gradations.

I don't recommend "Dark Horse," even if you are, as I am, a fan of Tami Hoag. I remain hopeful and wait for her next book.
(...)

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars very upset
this book was not too great. Story is repeating itself in each chapter over and over again. Very disappointing. Read more

Published on July 5 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read
I've enjoyed all Ms. Hoag's books and the fact that each of her books have been unique in their own way. There is no cookie cutter at work here. Read more