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6th out of 8 books
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Dark Horse (Elena Estes #1)
by
Tami Hoag
In her latest thriller, New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag takes readers on a suspense-filled ride of shocks and twists leading to an explosive finish. It is the story of an ex-cop, a missing girl, and a killer locked in a race where there can be only one winner—and the losers die trying.
In a trailer in a Florida swamp, time is running out for eighteen year-old E...more
In a trailer in a Florida swamp, time is running out for eighteen year-old E...more
Mass Market Paperback, 592 pages
Published
June 1st 2004
by Bantam
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My first Tami Hoag, but surely not my last. Elena Estes is a ex cop who made a mistake that got a fellow cop killed and when she tried to stop the shooter she was dragged under his truck. She has spent two years in and our of surgery and while back together physically she has a way to go mentally. She is working on a horse farm in Florida where she is the quest of the wealthy owner. These are the sort of farms owned by the super wealthy and cater to jumpers, show and dressage horses. Elena is w...more
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Chana
rated it
This book was kind of boring, I would really rate it a 2 and a half.
The basic plot line involves a missing teenager who works in the horse stables. Because of the evidence, she is presumed kidnapped and held for ransom. While that is going on another girl is killed in the stables. There are also possible shady deals, other murders alluded to, and a dead horse.
The PI, who is not a PI, who is "hired" to investigate is an x-cop with bad memories. She is tough but the co...more
The basic plot line involves a missing teenager who works in the horse stables. Because of the evidence, she is presumed kidnapped and held for ransom. While that is going on another girl is killed in the stables. There are also possible shady deals, other murders alluded to, and a dead horse.
The PI, who is not a PI, who is "hired" to investigate is an x-cop with bad memories. She is tough but the co...more
Dark, creepy murder mystery set among horse showmanship and horse sports. I know next to nothing about that setting, but Tami Hoag takes care of that for those readers in the dark.
I read the second Elena Estes book, "Alibi Man" a couple of years ago and I remember liking that one, too. I don't think these books need to be read in order. You'll get a sinister murder mystery either way.
Elena Estes is a depressed, borderline suicidal ex-cop who moves into the gues...more
I read the second Elena Estes book, "Alibi Man" a couple of years ago and I remember liking that one, too. I don't think these books need to be read in order. You'll get a sinister murder mystery either way.
Elena Estes is a depressed, borderline suicidal ex-cop who moves into the gues...more
OK, so this is how an author produces a book a year. I’m learning.
Having just finished Cry Wolf, I had a sense of deja vu from the beginning. Oh here comes the same heroine. In Cry Wolf, ex-lawyer Laurel has messed up a court case, lost an important case and caused terrible grief to abused children whose case was thrown out. Leaving her job, she comes home to the Bayou to nurse her wounds and heal her troubled conscience. In Dark Horse, Estes has messed up an important police raid, got...more
Having just finished Cry Wolf, I had a sense of deja vu from the beginning. Oh here comes the same heroine. In Cry Wolf, ex-lawyer Laurel has messed up a court case, lost an important case and caused terrible grief to abused children whose case was thrown out. Leaving her job, she comes home to the Bayou to nurse her wounds and heal her troubled conscience. In Dark Horse, Estes has messed up an important police raid, got...more
Nancy
added it
A little long and drawn out for my taste. Just when you thought it would end something else stopped progress. Set in the horsey environment of Florida. A young girl comes to a disgraced police officer when her older sister goes missing. Elena decides to help her and becomes mixed up in a plot that has more twists turns and misdirects than anything else I have read lately. You have the horse folks who will seem to do anything for money including "getting rid" of horses that don't qu...more
The characters were all annoying, the plot was slow to move anywhere coherent, and the ending was horribly disappointing. However, it was certainly pretty entertaining at points, so it gets a 3 out of 5.
A suspense novel set in the high-stakes world of horse shows. It's show season in Florida and one expensive horse dies mysteriously--just before his groom vanishes.
Enter Elena Estes, a former narc cop, who was injured in a terrible accident. She's a dressage rider who is mixed up with the showjumping circuit after a 12-year-old girl asks for her help in finding her sister.
There's tons of suspense and enough explination that people who don't know much about horses or showing can understand what's...more
Enter Elena Estes, a former narc cop, who was injured in a terrible accident. She's a dressage rider who is mixed up with the showjumping circuit after a 12-year-old girl asks for her help in finding her sister.
There's tons of suspense and enough explination that people who don't know much about horses or showing can understand what's...more
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 he...more
Elena Estes is sucked into being a PI by a twelve year old girl, Molly, searching for he...more
Dark Horse was my introduction to the work of Tami Hoag. Since then, she is one of my favorite authors to read. The craftiness she exhibits in Dark Horse is the prime reason why. Her main character, Elena Estes, is a wealth of psychological issues that spur from her past as the child of well to do parents in Palm Beach and her time as an undercover narcoctics officer. But it is that dark side of Elena that drives the story. The reader is led through the dark side of the plush Palm Beach horse wo...more
This was kinda cheesy and silly but I still enjoyed it.
I don't really understand the whole horse thing. I don't really like horses too much. So the fact that some people's livelihood rests on horses seems strange to me.
The reason I pick up this (audio)book is that I see people reading Tami Hoag and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I did get attached to Elena. I like her want want her to do well, but I didn't really see reading a whole series (even though ther...more
I don't really understand the whole horse thing. I don't really like horses too much. So the fact that some people's livelihood rests on horses seems strange to me.
The reason I pick up this (audio)book is that I see people reading Tami Hoag and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I did get attached to Elena. I like her want want her to do well, but I didn't really see reading a whole series (even though ther...more
While reading this book, I couldn't seem to shake the feeling that I had already read this book. The sense of deja vu was really strong but I couldn't remember any of the specifics of the storyline. This wasn't one of Tami Hoag's better stories compared to some of her others that I found to be much more intense. I still have the feeling I already read this before and though the ending really didn't surprise me that much due to the predictability, I thought the ending was going to go in a differe...more
Tami Hoag's Dark Horse is a dark read. I was caught up from the beginning in the story of a former cop who is haunted by her past, and I loved the setting of the Florida horse world. I've known a few horse people, but the Colorado horse scene is nothing like the one Tami portrays in her book. Super rich and layered with deep pitfalls it's as intriguing as her murder plot.
As intriguing as I found the plot and the setting I found myself getting tired with the constant flashbacks that see...more
As intriguing as I found the plot and the setting I found myself getting tired with the constant flashbacks that see...more
I really wavered between three and four stars, to be honest. . . I like Tami Hoag, but this book was way waaaaayyyyy too long. She could have told the same story much more effectively in about half to two thirds the length. The ending was excellent, and tied everything together--for good or bad--so there are no loose ends, and that was satisfying, but I just felt grateful to finally get there.
The other nagging issue for me is sort of stupid, because it was a serious book, but I jus...more
The other nagging issue for me is sort of stupid, because it was a serious book, but I jus...more
"Dark Horse" centers on Elena, a ex-cop kicked off the force after a drug bust goes bad. The story begins 2 years after the bust, when Elena has become a bit of a recluse and is hiding out in the guesthouse of an old friend and is confronted by a young girl who believes that Elena is a private investigator who can help find her sister. While it starts off at a gallop, the plot tends to do little more than plod along after the first few chapters. While the final "whodunnit" wa...more
DARK HORSE-Ex
Hoag, Tami
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 dee...more
Hoag, Tami
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 dee...more
I haven't read a Tami Hoag novel for a while and I thought this one was a pretty good read. However it was set in the international horse world in Florida - a subject I don't know a lot about and don't have a lot of interest in. The main character Elena Estes is an ex cop. She left the force when a drugs rain went horribly wrong, a colleague died and she suffered terrible injuries. Hiding up at a friend's ranch, she is slowly pulling herself together. Then a 12 year old girl turns up and as...more
Another book I just found in my bookcase. I swear my bookcases are like my own secret bookstore.
Good little mystery set in the horse world. Who knew that world was so backstabbing, strife with jealousy and murder? It is in Hoag's version (and perhaps the real one). Elena Estes is a cop who was severely injured on the job. Her actions cost the life of another cop and she has since retreated into misery and suicidal thoughts. While staying with a friend and taking care of his horses, Est...more
Good little mystery set in the horse world. Who knew that world was so backstabbing, strife with jealousy and murder? It is in Hoag's version (and perhaps the real one). Elena Estes is a cop who was severely injured on the job. Her actions cost the life of another cop and she has since retreated into misery and suicidal thoughts. While staying with a friend and taking care of his horses, Est...more
Murder mystery. I actually would give it 2 1/2 stars. An interesting look into the lives of the "horsey" crowd, and of the rich, spoiled, egotistical, twisted minds of the same.Longer than it had to be. Not exactly a page turner, but that made it easy to put down when there was something else to do, then pick up again later. I wouldn't run out and buy another Tami Hoag nove., but if another one fell into my lap, i wouldn't not read it either...
This is a police based crime in the horse industry
elena got into a bad situationa and caused her partners death
:(
Now she is looking into a missing girl problem ... because her friend (she is staying in his guest house) had named her a private investigator
many twists in the tale
Just when you think ...[ as readers do :]... that they can guess the plot.. Tami sends you ina completely different direction.
clever
never ...more
elena got into a bad situationa and caused her partners death
:(
Now she is looking into a missing girl problem ... because her friend (she is staying in his guest house) had named her a private investigator
many twists in the tale
Just when you think ...[ as readers do :]... that they can guess the plot.. Tami sends you ina completely different direction.
clever
never ...more
A dressage rider/competitor and horse person myself (just like author Hoag), I like to help support her purchases of top-class international competition horses, so I buy her books. (The woman rides as well as she writes!) Naturally then, I would be drawn to Elena Estes and this book, which I liked overall, as its gritty style and sharp mystery is attention-getting and makes for a riveting read.
That said, I fear Ms. Hoag may have cast a bit too dark of a shadow over the cutthroat wo...more
That said, I fear Ms. Hoag may have cast a bit too dark of a shadow over the cutthroat wo...more
I like Tami Hoag books. And I certainly like the Elena Estes character. Very strong woman. A bit prickly but understandable given what has happened to her. I also enjoyed her connection with the young girl. I almost wished the young girl would stay with Elena even though I knew it wasn't possible.
I am currently reading another of Tami's books with Elena as the main character.
I am currently reading another of Tami's books with Elena as the main character.
This is the first book that I've read by Tami Hoag. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though some of the events in it creeped me out. In a "this-is-totally-scaring-the-living-daylights-out-of-me" kind of way. I definitely recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys some good mystery, suspense books. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on another of Tami's novels :).
Enjoyable crime book from Hoag (who is also a romance novelist, but dont let that put you off).[return][return]This book is set against the back drop of the rich people and large money involved in high end horse world, showing the dark side involving drugs, payoffs, murder, and crooks
I gave this book four stars because it contains so many elements I enjoy--horses, suspense, a damaged character who begins to heal, a child and adult helping each other. So I suppose the book is a bit cliche, but I liked it! I am delighted to see that there is a sequel--I'll look for it on CD.
I like mysteries and Tami Hoag writes good mysteries. The story flows, the characters seem to be real people not gross exaggerations and you enjoy the flow.
This is a good book, one that mystery readers will enjoy.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
This is a good book, one that mystery readers will enjoy.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Tami Hoag books are my favorite mystery read. They are great "vacation" books. This one, however, was not one of my favorites. The female lead was a little too bitter and self-effacing for me. The plot however was great- lots of interesting twists and turns.
Good but not great. I've definitely read others by Hoag I loved. The horse background was necessary, but I found it tedious. The characters were far too intertwined, which I guess was the point. Plus, I figured it out pretty early on.
I had some trouble getting focused on the plot in the beginning of the book. However, I have enjoyed the author's other books and eventually decided I liked her varied plots and settings. The story is set in Wellington, Florida.
This was a really good mystery with just enough of a twist to make it interesting but not seem too far fetched. The whole horse show scene is beautifully described with a little(?) cynicism and a lot of detail. Love the details
Books like this reiterate why Tami Hoag is such a fantastic author. I was constantly challenged, trying to solve the mystery first before the end of the book. The plot was amazing and I can't wait to read The Alibi Man.
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Tami Hoag is the #1 international bestselling author of thirty books. Renowned for combining thrilling plots with character-driven suspense, Hoag first hit the New York Times bestseller list with Night Sins, and each of her books since has been a bestseller. She lives in Southern California and Florida.
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“We never know the quality of someone else's life, though we seldom resist the temptation to assume and pass judgement.”
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“But then I had long mistaken being spoiled for being strong, being defiant for being independent, being reckless for being brave.”
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