Rating: 
Summary: Not one of Hoag's best books, but ok...
Review: I guess I've been spoiled by reading Hoag's "Lucky's Lady" and "Ashes to Ashes" which I thought were great books. So I grabbed "Dark Horse" off the shelf expecting the same exciting adventure and suspense out of Hoag. But something was lacking in the tale of Elena Estes. It certainly wasn't the quick wit and smart come-backs, so Hoag gets an A-plus from me for the dialogue. But I felt she ran too many characters into her plot and tended to bog the story down. Her love of horses and knowledge of the equestrian world certainly showed through for her, but her plot went limp at the end for me. Although I read the book almost without stopping, I really kept hoping it would get better and that just didn't happen for me.
Tami Hoag is a very talented author. And no doubt I'll buy more of her books. However, I found a couple of places where she seemed to simply "lose track" of what she was writing. For instance, on page 249 she writes about Landry during their conversation that he just looked at her, his eyes hidden by his sunglasses, his face like stone. Then on page 250, and during the same conversation, she writes that finally, he drew a deep breath and let it out, and lied to her. She could feel it. She could see it in the way his eyes went flat and blank. Cop eyes. Good writing, but no where during this conversation did she have Landry removing his sunglasses so she could see his eyes. In another scene, she has Landry pouring himself a couple of fingers of whiskey as old as she was, and sipped it. Again, during this same conversation, she has him sipping on his scotch. Where was Hoag's editor to let small things like this slip by?
Perhaps she was on a roll and writing the story too fast. Who knows? Regardless, she ranks as high as a talented writer to my way of thinking. And I'm looking forward to reading her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Not Hoag's Best...
Review: Although I generally liked this book, it isn't of the caliber of Hoag's past books. The characters are very flat, especially the lead character, Elena. Hoag tries to write her as a strong character, but fails; she confuses emotional void with inner strength. The story and its development are impressive, but it lacks the depth and color one expects of her books.I view Hoag's books as romantic suspense, as many do. Although this book is cleverly suspenseful, it isn't very romantic.
Rating: 
Summary: Thought I reviewed this one
Review: I read and reviewed Dark Horse a couple of weeks ago, but it has not been picked up. It's intense suspense and a great read. Elena, an ex-cop, suspended in disgrace, is able to solve a bizarre kidnaping and regain her self-confidence. In my opinion, it is Hoag at her best, and a must read. Elena will surely return in another story.
Rating:
Summary: Not Impressed
Review: This book was a let down if you are familiar with Tami Hoags other books. I just didn't have that get up and go ZING that her other books have. I usually read a book in 2 days if not less and it took me a week to read this. I could not get into this book!!! She also writes in the 1st person, which is different from her other books. I don't usually read 1st person books, they just aren't for me, but with this being Tami Hoag I read it anyways. I was very disappointed!!! I truely hope that she goes back to her old style of writing!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I haven't liked the last four or five of Hoags'books, but before that she was one of my favorites. I am happy to say I like this book a lot and think her lead character is very believable. It ranks high along with my other favorite mytstery and suspense authors. I wish she had a web site like Lisa Scottoline and Michael Connally, as I like to keep up with my favorites!
Rating:
Summary: excellent reading!
Review: I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN VERY GOOD . CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I ENJOYED IT!
Rating:
Summary: An Exciting Edition to Tami Hoag's Catalogue
Review: It has been about two years since Tami Hoag's last book, so I have been patiently waiting. Finally, the time has come, I read the book in one day. Different from her books before Dust to Dust, less emphasis on romance, and more on redemption and coming to terms with past mistakes. Elena Estes is so heart breaking to the point of making me depressed, but I digress, she comes into her own near the end of the book when she realizes that there is nothing as precious as life, and she has found her soul again as she gets into a mystery with major consequences. At the end of the book we are left with hope for Elena as she has found love and a new lease on life. Let's hope it is not two years until the next Tami Hoag.
Rating:
Summary: fans are going to be surprised with the style of the plot
Review: For over a decade Elena Estes was a good police officer who justified her solid reputation and respect from her peers with hard work. During a stakeout of two drug dealers, everything she earned goes down the tubes when she disobeys her commander. Elena makes a move on the perps, which ends up with one officer dead and Elena needing reconstructive surgery. After all the surgery and physical therapy, Elena is physically if not mentally whole since she was kicked off the force. Twelve years old Molly Seabright, thinking Elena is a private detective, wants to hire her to find her older sister Erin. Unable to turn down the little girl, who has stolen a piece of her heart, Elena agrees to investigate. For the first time in a long time she comes alive again and sees a future for herself that might prove albeit a short if she doesn't take extra precautions. Though it has been too long a time since a Tami Hoag novel was published, fans are going to be surprised with the style of DARK HORSE. There is very little emphasis on romance with the focus of the tale on a protagonist who must learn to go on after she makes a tragic mistake. The mystery itself is a complex cerebral puzzle that will keep readers on edge until all the answers are revealed. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A stay-up-late mystery!
Review: As a huge fan of Dick Francis, I've been looking for another author who could capture the professional world of horses and write with suspense and edginess. In Tami Hoag's book Dark Horse, she has accomplished that goal and, in my opinion, taken a huge step forward in her writing. I found the main character of Elena Estes to be complex and interesting, with shades of Carol O'Connell's Mallory or J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) Eve Dallas, but more real. The story had enough complexity to keep it unpredictable and me up until 2 a.m. to finish it. Although it had a hint of a possible romance, there is nothing light or romantic about this book. I believe her previous books have been stand-alones, but I should love to see this as a start of a series. Dark Horse will definitely go on my mystery keeper shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing!
Review: Elena Estes has given up her career as a detective and taken up living the quiet life in Florida. But her peaceful existence is about to get shaken up when twelve year-old Molly Seabright comes to her for help. Molly's step-sister was working as a horse groomer among Palm Beach's wealthiest when suddenly she disappears, a victim of kidnapping. Elena does not want to get involved but a few questions for her curiosity plunges her deep into a nightmare where a killer will stop at nothing to get what they want. Now, forced to face the painful memories of her past, Elena must follow the trail of the killer if she is to bring a young woman back alive. 'Dark Horse' is a departure for best-selling author Tami Hoag, while it remains a thriller, it is not like her usual gritty thriller, but more a thriller in the Archy McNally vein. I was disappointed with this book, most of the novel was boring, and even the shocking, surprise ending couldn't pull it back from a time waster of 400 pages. Tami Hoag writes excellent suspense novels, 'Dark Horse' not being one of them. Where Ms. Hoag usually writes dark police procedurals, she has opted to try something lighter, and the result is a slower, glitzy type thriller...one that does not succeed in thrilling as her previous novels have. Nick Gonnella
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