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Elena Estes #1
Măștile crimei
Fosta politista Elena Estes a lucrat la divizia de narcotice din Florida - pana cand si-a asumat un risc prea mare. Viata i s-a spulberat, iar acum traieste intr-un exil autoimpus. Dar aceasta situatie se schimba, cand o fata de doisprezece ii cere Elenei s-o gaseasca pe sora ei mai mare. Somptuoasa ferma de cai din Palm Beach unde a disparut Erin Seabright este departe de lumea unei politiste...dar e mult mai periculoasa. Elena va avea nevoie de tot ce-a invatat ca sa supravietuiasca in latura intunecata a unui sport stralucitor. Aici, un ucigas o va impinge pe un drum intortocheat al inselatoriei si crimei. O cursa contra cronometru si contra diavolului, o cursa in care e in joc mai mult decat propria ei viata....si nimeni nu parieaza pe ea ca va castiga...
"Este cel mai bun roman al ei...un thriller povestit cu sufletul la gura." Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Este cel mai bun roman al ei...un thriller povestit cu sufletul la gura." Minneapolis Star Tribune
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2002
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4512 people want to read
About the author
Tami Hoag
88 books6,138 followersTami Hoag is the #1 internationally bestselling author of more than thirty books published in more than thirty languages worldwide, including her latest thrillers—BITTER SEASON, COLD COLD HEART and THE 9TH GIRL. 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 leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
She leads a double life in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is also known as a top competitive equestrian in the Olympic discipline of dressage. Other interests include the study of psychology, and mixed martial arts fighting.
Visit her at www.tamihoag.com, Facebook.com/TamiHoag and on Twitter @TamiHoag
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
May 10, 2023
full review at a later date.
November 17, 2016
2.5 Stars
This is a thriller that, for me at least, wasn’t very thrilling. It involves a missing young woman, some lovely horses, some not at all pleasant animal and human cruelty and a slew of assholish suspects, all of whom are decidedly up to no good. That part of the plot was pretty lackluster. I guess I’ve become accustomed to more thrills in my thrillers and a little emotion – even if it is rage – but this one just left me feeling dead inside.
I guess my main problem was with the main character Elena. She’s a bitter, battle scarred ex-police officer who is as abrasive as they come and the narration only highlighted that character trait. She is persistent and stubborn (good traits in moderation) but something about her just grated on my last nerve. I didn’t “get” her and didn’t like her and there’s really nothing more I can say about that. Also, as an unneeded and unwanted bonus, we are subjected to an eye-rolling, chemistry-free romance between Elena and an officer that I didn’t buy into because I wasn’t feeling it – probably because they weren’t either. It felt like it was tacked in there to please . . . someone. Definitely not me.
I did love the passages that described the horses but they weren’t enough to carry the book for me. Dark Horse gets some great reviews so if you’re a Hoag fan don’t listen to me. If a copy lands in your lap give it a go and tell me how much of an idiot I am.
This is a thriller that, for me at least, wasn’t very thrilling. It involves a missing young woman, some lovely horses, some not at all pleasant animal and human cruelty and a slew of assholish suspects, all of whom are decidedly up to no good. That part of the plot was pretty lackluster. I guess I’ve become accustomed to more thrills in my thrillers and a little emotion – even if it is rage – but this one just left me feeling dead inside.
I guess my main problem was with the main character Elena. She’s a bitter, battle scarred ex-police officer who is as abrasive as they come and the narration only highlighted that character trait. She is persistent and stubborn (good traits in moderation) but something about her just grated on my last nerve. I didn’t “get” her and didn’t like her and there’s really nothing more I can say about that. Also, as an unneeded and unwanted bonus, we are subjected to an eye-rolling, chemistry-free romance between Elena and an officer that I didn’t buy into because I wasn’t feeling it – probably because they weren’t either. It felt like it was tacked in there to please . . . someone. Definitely not me.
I did love the passages that described the horses but they weren’t enough to carry the book for me. Dark Horse gets some great reviews so if you’re a Hoag fan don’t listen to me. If a copy lands in your lap give it a go and tell me how much of an idiot I am.
October 2, 2016
I love mysteries. I love horses, and I love Tami Hoag's style of writing, so it's no surprise I enjoyed the first installment of her Elena Estes' series.
Interestingly, the rough-around-the-edges, obnoxious protagonist of this series who is Elena Estes (and who seems to be hated by some of the more negative reviewers) doesn't normally appeal to me, but in this case I found it hard not to like the abrasive, flawed, once-respected now hated-by-everyone ex-cop.
I also like the use of first person/third person, which I felt worked well for this story.
Of particular interest, at least for me, was the look into the don't-ask-if-you-can't-afford world of big money, competitive Dressage and Eventing. Apparently, Hoag is an accomplished Dressage rider as is evident in the descriptions she gives.
Bottom line: I liked the story and its seemingly unlikable protagonist.
Interestingly, the rough-around-the-edges, obnoxious protagonist of this series who is Elena Estes (and who seems to be hated by some of the more negative reviewers) doesn't normally appeal to me, but in this case I found it hard not to like the abrasive, flawed, once-respected now hated-by-everyone ex-cop.
I also like the use of first person/third person, which I felt worked well for this story.
Of particular interest, at least for me, was the look into the don't-ask-if-you-can't-afford world of big money, competitive Dressage and Eventing. Apparently, Hoag is an accomplished Dressage rider as is evident in the descriptions she gives.
Bottom line: I liked the story and its seemingly unlikable protagonist.
January 30, 2015
Elena Estes is a fabulous character, I would friend her on Facebook but she'd never go on Facebook, and if she did and we were besties, the Russian mob would come after me with dental drills, so it's probably for the best.
Her Elena Estes stories are, I think, the best thing Tami Hoag has ever written. What a transformation from old-school contemporary bodice-rippers to compelling thrillers.
I'm fascinated by the seedy world Elena inhabits in glitzy Palm Beach, and the snark-fest anonymous tell-all confessional tone re the Polo Club set. It's like finding sequins in horse manure: dazzling.
PLEASE, Ms. Hoag, write a third in this series. I want a fulfilling life, and dare I say it, a happily-ever-after for Elena and her on-again/off- again lover. They've earned it, haven't they?
Her Elena Estes stories are, I think, the best thing Tami Hoag has ever written. What a transformation from old-school contemporary bodice-rippers to compelling thrillers.
I'm fascinated by the seedy world Elena inhabits in glitzy Palm Beach, and the snark-fest anonymous tell-all confessional tone re the Polo Club set. It's like finding sequins in horse manure: dazzling.
PLEASE, Ms. Hoag, write a third in this series. I want a fulfilling life, and dare I say it, a happily-ever-after for Elena and her on-again/off- again lover. They've earned it, haven't they?
June 13, 2018
A few years ago narcotics cop Elena Estes was drummed out of the force after a rash act of heroism on her part led to a colleague losing his life. Now she's living off her very wealthy childhood friend Sean and vaguely assisting with the passel of horses he owns. (These horses are trained for equestrianism, not racing.)
One day a child, Molly Seabright, comes to Elena looking to hire her as a private detective. Molly's elder sister Erin, a teenage groom at one of the local stables, has disappeared, and no one seems at all interested: their mother's constantly stoned and anyway doesn't want to irritate their stepfather, who's a hard-hearted, self-absorbed swine. Meanwhile, the cops couldn't care less because Erin's legally an adult and anyway they're lazy.
Despite misgivings, Elena takes Molly's $10 retainer and the case . . .
The plot that Elena eventually lays bare is an immensely complicated one -- or, really, it's not just a single criminal scheme but an overlapping cluster of them, such that, by the time the great unraveling of crimes and motivations is over, there are very few of the principals left untainted by guilt of some sort. It's perhaps because of this complexity that the book is so long -- far too long, I'd say. (The page count's a tad misleading, because there are a lot of words to the page in this edition.)
The early stages in particular seemed particularly tedious to me, as if Hoag had taken a hundred or a hundred fifty pages to settle herself into the book, then been insufficiently ruthless in trimming the result afterwards. A symptom of this was the adolescent-style smartass badinage the characters often engaged in, presumably in hopes of reducing the reader to a quivering jelly of uncontrollable mirth but in my case . . . well, they never quite got to the level of "No, it's you who's the poopy face!" but on occasion I felt this was just round the corner.
The later stages of the book were far, far better, and by the time I reached the final page I had that nice feeling of breathlessness the best thrillers can induce. This was impressive, and all the more so in that equestrianism is not one of those sports to which I've ever felt any warmth. (To be honest, I've never really regarded it as a sport before; Hoag did a very good job of disabusing me of my snooty misconception.)
I also liked the central character, Elena, a lot. To be sure, there's a hazy line between feistiness and just being a pain in the ass, and sometimes she stepped over it (a real-life version would do so even more often and even more egregiously, I suspect), but the character has enough strength and interest that I was prepared to ignore those lapses.
It amused me that Hoag deployed the "had I but known . . ." mode of narrative a few times. Pleased me, too: It's always a joy when genre writers acknowledge the earlier traditions of their genre.
Dark Horse is, for the reasons I've noted, some distance short of front-line Hoag, but the narrative does have her customary firmness of touch and the mystery is an enjoyably knotty one. A worthy effort.
One day a child, Molly Seabright, comes to Elena looking to hire her as a private detective. Molly's elder sister Erin, a teenage groom at one of the local stables, has disappeared, and no one seems at all interested: their mother's constantly stoned and anyway doesn't want to irritate their stepfather, who's a hard-hearted, self-absorbed swine. Meanwhile, the cops couldn't care less because Erin's legally an adult and anyway they're lazy.
Despite misgivings, Elena takes Molly's $10 retainer and the case . . .
The plot that Elena eventually lays bare is an immensely complicated one -- or, really, it's not just a single criminal scheme but an overlapping cluster of them, such that, by the time the great unraveling of crimes and motivations is over, there are very few of the principals left untainted by guilt of some sort. It's perhaps because of this complexity that the book is so long -- far too long, I'd say. (The page count's a tad misleading, because there are a lot of words to the page in this edition.)
The early stages in particular seemed particularly tedious to me, as if Hoag had taken a hundred or a hundred fifty pages to settle herself into the book, then been insufficiently ruthless in trimming the result afterwards. A symptom of this was the adolescent-style smartass badinage the characters often engaged in, presumably in hopes of reducing the reader to a quivering jelly of uncontrollable mirth but in my case . . . well, they never quite got to the level of "No, it's you who's the poopy face!" but on occasion I felt this was just round the corner.
The later stages of the book were far, far better, and by the time I reached the final page I had that nice feeling of breathlessness the best thrillers can induce. This was impressive, and all the more so in that equestrianism is not one of those sports to which I've ever felt any warmth. (To be honest, I've never really regarded it as a sport before; Hoag did a very good job of disabusing me of my snooty misconception.)
I also liked the central character, Elena, a lot. To be sure, there's a hazy line between feistiness and just being a pain in the ass, and sometimes she stepped over it (a real-life version would do so even more often and even more egregiously, I suspect), but the character has enough strength and interest that I was prepared to ignore those lapses.
It amused me that Hoag deployed the "had I but known . . ." mode of narrative a few times. Pleased me, too: It's always a joy when genre writers acknowledge the earlier traditions of their genre.
Dark Horse is, for the reasons I've noted, some distance short of front-line Hoag, but the narrative does have her customary firmness of touch and the mystery is an enjoyably knotty one. A worthy effort.
February 1, 2012
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 a fellow cop killed and been badly injured herself. Thrown out of her job, she comes back to live in a stables and heal her troubled conscience. In Cry Wolf, Laurel wants nothing more than to be left alone but bodies are washed up in the swamp and she gets pulled into the action. In Dark Horse, Estes wants nothing more than to be left alone but a valuable horse is bumped off and a young woman goes missing and she is reluctantly pulled into the action. Laurel is petite but tough, fiery, daring, unspeakably brave and ‘a tiger’. Estes has been put back together after being run over by a crook in a 4x4, but even with horrific injuries she is petite but tough, fiery, daring, unspeakably brave and ‘a tiger’. Men either hate or love our heroines. They are bitches. They are angels. Really complex stuff.
I don’t know whether to carry on. I bet Estes falls in love with a tall, edgy, difficult handsome guy with a tragic past and chiseled features. There will be breathless rides in cars, of the romantic and terrifying kind, and steamy sex. But I’m only guessing.
By the way, Hoag, thank you for telling us that women of seventy shouldn’t wear bikinis for fear of offending anyone who catches a glimpse of them. ‘The woman who stood in the door was was long past the age and shape anyone would care to see her in a two-piece swimming suit’. Elegant sentence too! ‘Flab and sagging skin hung on her bent frame like a collection of half-deflated leather balloons.’ Maybe she was happy in the sun. Well done for making us all stare at our aging bodies again.
I'll get my feet set in concrete for writing this.
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 a fellow cop killed and been badly injured herself. Thrown out of her job, she comes back to live in a stables and heal her troubled conscience. In Cry Wolf, Laurel wants nothing more than to be left alone but bodies are washed up in the swamp and she gets pulled into the action. In Dark Horse, Estes wants nothing more than to be left alone but a valuable horse is bumped off and a young woman goes missing and she is reluctantly pulled into the action. Laurel is petite but tough, fiery, daring, unspeakably brave and ‘a tiger’. Estes has been put back together after being run over by a crook in a 4x4, but even with horrific injuries she is petite but tough, fiery, daring, unspeakably brave and ‘a tiger’. Men either hate or love our heroines. They are bitches. They are angels. Really complex stuff.
I don’t know whether to carry on. I bet Estes falls in love with a tall, edgy, difficult handsome guy with a tragic past and chiseled features. There will be breathless rides in cars, of the romantic and terrifying kind, and steamy sex. But I’m only guessing.
By the way, Hoag, thank you for telling us that women of seventy shouldn’t wear bikinis for fear of offending anyone who catches a glimpse of them. ‘The woman who stood in the door was was long past the age and shape anyone would care to see her in a two-piece swimming suit’. Elegant sentence too! ‘Flab and sagging skin hung on her bent frame like a collection of half-deflated leather balloons.’ Maybe she was happy in the sun. Well done for making us all stare at our aging bodies again.
I'll get my feet set in concrete for writing this.
September 19, 2007
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 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.
Major step forward in her writing. Suspenseful and edgy, interesting, complex character
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 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.
Major step forward in her writing. Suspenseful and edgy, interesting, complex character
July 9, 2019
What does a disgraced narcotics undercover cop with a trust fund do when everything comes crashing down? Why even does a woman with a trust fund become a cop? She says it's to even the scales and restore the balance between good and evil. After evil won a battle, she retreated to a friend's estate and horse stables. That puts her in the path of more evil.
I lost count at the end of the crimes our intrepid unlicensed investigator uncovers and solves. She's first drawn into a kidnapping when the younger sister of a missing girl asks her to find her sister. By the time she's finished, she's found the missing girl who was involved in her kidnapping plot. She has information in three murders. She finds and looses evidence in one of those murders, but that culprit disappears. Things outside the showring in the horse world are very dark indeed.
I was captivated by the environment, the twisted paths of each crime and the unwilling detective in this story. I may have to look up her further adventures.
I lost count at the end of the crimes our intrepid unlicensed investigator uncovers and solves. She's first drawn into a kidnapping when the younger sister of a missing girl asks her to find her sister. By the time she's finished, she's found the missing girl who was involved in her kidnapping plot. She has information in three murders. She finds and looses evidence in one of those murders, but that culprit disappears. Things outside the showring in the horse world are very dark indeed.
I was captivated by the environment, the twisted paths of each crime and the unwilling detective in this story. I may have to look up her further adventures.
December 12, 2022
On my third or fourth reread, I am actually leaving a review. Out of all of the Tami Hoag novels I have read so far, Elena Estes is the most compelling character. I appreciate her dimensionality when often times female leads seem empty "strong women" tropes. She is strong, but also vulnerable- a real human. She makes mistakes and owns up that she was wrong. Estes is not the only good part of this story though, as the plot that runs through it twists and turns so many times it could give someone whiplash. Surprisingly, the final reveal doesn't feel cheap or like it was written that way for shock value (though it does pack a punch). Hoag leaves readers with an unpredicted but satisfying ending. Looking forward to reading the sequel that I finally got my hands on!
May 5, 2020
Wow. Yet another incredible Tami Hoag Story. I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this at first admittedly. It took a little while for me to really care about the characters compared to previous books by her I've read, but the more I read, the more I got into it and got close to the cast of characters. Tami has this great formula that she repeats, but works every time and seems fresh each time in which the protagonist meets a man and they can't stand each other. Yet, in the end they grow to care about one another. This is a 5 star read and I look forward to reading the sequel.
September 6, 2011
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 guest house on the property of a rich, equestrian-loving friend. She is piecing her life back together, much like her face was pieced back together after having been shot while on duty. She claims no family, she has no real sense of direction or purpose. She is extremely bitter.
She is approached by a twelve year-old girl, Molly Seabright, who insists her older sister Erin is missing. Erin is eighteen and no one except Molly seems to care that she is gone. Not sure why she decides to look further into the situation, Elena accepts Molly's deposit and "case", and is quickly drawn into the murder and intrigue of the missing-girl and the dark side of horse dealings.
The horse show/rings/tournaments make for a nice backdrop. I would've never considered suffocating someone in a pile of horse manure, but it works. Plenty of red herrings and twists throughout, so mystery fans should like it. Not big on forensics this time, but definitely suspense.
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 guest house on the property of a rich, equestrian-loving friend. She is piecing her life back together, much like her face was pieced back together after having been shot while on duty. She claims no family, she has no real sense of direction or purpose. She is extremely bitter.
She is approached by a twelve year-old girl, Molly Seabright, who insists her older sister Erin is missing. Erin is eighteen and no one except Molly seems to care that she is gone. Not sure why she decides to look further into the situation, Elena accepts Molly's deposit and "case", and is quickly drawn into the murder and intrigue of the missing-girl and the dark side of horse dealings.
The horse show/rings/tournaments make for a nice backdrop. I would've never considered suffocating someone in a pile of horse manure, but it works. Plenty of red herrings and twists throughout, so mystery fans should like it. Not big on forensics this time, but definitely suspense.
April 12, 2020
With my local library being closed almost a month and probably closed for the rest this month and possibly next, I’m finally reading physical books I own. Gotta clear those bookshelves and make room for more! 😊
I found this one on my shelves and realized it’s been a couple of years since I read anything by this author. I forgot how well written her books are. Boy did this keep me on the edge of my seat, turning pages long into the night/early morning. One of the best mysteries I’ve read in quite a long time. Totally kept me engaged, my mind didn’t wander to things going on in the world.
Loved the kick-ass main character, Elena Estes!! Elena was a cop until a tragedy led to her to leave the force. She’s still recovering mentally when Molly (12 yrs old) asks for her help in finding her missing sister. Twists, turns and just when you think you have it figured out, you really don’t.
So glad I own the 2nd and final book about Elena! Off to read The Alibi Man.
I found this one on my shelves and realized it’s been a couple of years since I read anything by this author. I forgot how well written her books are. Boy did this keep me on the edge of my seat, turning pages long into the night/early morning. One of the best mysteries I’ve read in quite a long time. Totally kept me engaged, my mind didn’t wander to things going on in the world.
Loved the kick-ass main character, Elena Estes!! Elena was a cop until a tragedy led to her to leave the force. She’s still recovering mentally when Molly (12 yrs old) asks for her help in finding her missing sister. Twists, turns and just when you think you have it figured out, you really don’t.
So glad I own the 2nd and final book about Elena! Off to read The Alibi Man.
November 26, 2012
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 conversations always sounded contrived to me, I mean I just don't think it would really work that way. Then there is a cop who becomes involved, both professionally and romantically.
I guess it could have been a good book but it kind of turns into a big whatever. There are way too many bad guys and that dilutes the force of the book. I never felt connected to any of the characters and this is a very long book to read if you aren't connecting. I've like her previous books better.
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 conversations always sounded contrived to me, I mean I just don't think it would really work that way. Then there is a cop who becomes involved, both professionally and romantically.
I guess it could have been a good book but it kind of turns into a big whatever. There are way too many bad guys and that dilutes the force of the book. I never felt connected to any of the characters and this is a very long book to read if you aren't connecting. I've like her previous books better.
July 11, 2019
My idea of a good vacation is a nice setting and a pile of good books to read. I got both in the Pacific Northwest and Canada the past two weeks. What a treat. This old Tami Hoag book kept me turning the pages. I am an animal lover and this book about the dark side of the horse training and dressage part of riding kept me enthralled. It was timely after the recent deaths of high-priced race horses too. I can't stand the idea of people killing horses for the insurance money. Neither can Elena, the heroine and former detective who is the heroine in this story. She is recovering from a serious gunshot wound and guilt when another detective is killed in the line of duty. There's a tentative romance but that is a minor part of this story about the underbelly of this world. If you love animals, you will enjoy this book. There's a satisfying ending or I wouldn't recommend this book or have picked up #2 in this series, The Alibi Man. Good stuff from an excellent writer.
April 3, 2014
Considering the great reviews, I anticipated a good, solid, easy-reading mystery. The horse theme was a bonus. I was very disappointed. Canned story with corny phrases… Reminded me of some books in the middle of a series, when it is apparent the author did a cut and paste from their previous work.
Usually that doesn’t happen in Book 1.
Usually that doesn’t happen in Book 1.
June 6, 2016
Didn't like this book at all. The suspense just fell flat. The characters were boring. The plotline looked interesting but it wasn't a thrilling, can't sleep because I need to know what happens story. It felt one note all through the book. The relationship between Elena and Landry was plain boring. Very disappointing novel.
December 21, 2017
Tami Hoag writes a good book. Elena Estes is my kind of main character - mouthy, grim, pissed off a lot of the time. But there's a lot of good in her, too, and it helps her thru the bad times. I rooted for the detective to break thru her crusty exterior and enjoyed all the horsey parts, being a past show jumper myself. Hope she writes a bunch more Elena books.
November 3, 2019
I really liked Ms. Estes, the right amount of bad ass, smart ass, and some self-pity to really like her. I am bummed there are only 2 books in her series, but I have the next one to start now :)
-ps- Everything about the dog show world would make me believe the world of horses is 10 times worse ;)
-ps- Everything about the dog show world would make me believe the world of horses is 10 times worse ;)
August 6, 2017
I liked this book!! I was disappointed to learn there is only one other book with Elena Estes - she is an interesting character. I hope Tami Hoag continues this series one day.
August 4, 2020
The first one by this author i didn't like probably because I hated the showing scene when I was in it people are bloody horrible and I didn't want to read about horrible things done to them
September 1, 2021
Η πρώην ντετέκτιβ Έλενα Έστες, μετά από μια υπόθεση που στοίχισε την καριέρα της και παραλίγο τη ζωή της, ζει αποτραβηγμένη στη φάρμα ενός παλιού της φίλου προσπαθώντας να συνέλθει από τα ψυχικά και σωματικά της τραύματα ώσπου ένα δωδεκάχρονο κορίτσι θα ζητήσει τη βοήθειά της για να βρει την αδερφή της που σίγουρα έπεσε θύμα απαγωγής. Είναι έτοιμη η Έλενα να επιστρέψει στην ενεργό δράση;
Η τριαντάχρονη Έλενα Έστες, κάποτε ντετέκτιβ της Δίωξης Ναρκωτικών με δώδεκα χρόνια καριέρα, πριν δύο χρόνια παραλίγο να χάσει τη ζωή της όταν κατέστρεψε την ενέδρα που είχε στήσει το Τμήμα της σε μεγαλέμπορους ναρκωτικών. Το πρόσωπό της, πλέον ελαφρά στραβωμένο και παράξενα ανέκφραστο, και οι ανήσυχες βραδιές της με στέρηση ύπνου της θυμίζουν κάθε μέρα το συμβάν που παραλίγο να της στοιχίσει τη ζωή. Άνεργη, άστεγη, ανεπιθύμητη και εγκαταλειμμένη κατέφυγε σε μια φάρμα στη νότια Φλόριντα που ανήκει στον Σον Άβαντον, φίλο της από την εφηβεία. Η ίδια, παιδί δικηγόρου των πλουσιότερων απατεώνων της Πολιτείας, μεγάλωσε με περιφρόνηση προς τους γονείς της και η αγάπη προς τα άλογα ήταν ο τρόπος της για να αποβάλει το άγχος και να ξεφεύγει από τον οικογενειακό κλοιό. Μια μέρα, η έφηβη Μόλι Σίμπραϊτ τη βρίσκει τυχαία και της ζητά να βρει την εξαφανισμένη αδελφή της, Έριν, που εργαζόταν ως ιπποκόμος του Ντον Τζέιντ. Η Έλενα, που ήδη έχει πολύπλοκα ψυχολογικά και σωματικά προβλήματα να αντιμετωπίσει, αρχικά είναι αρνητική, σύντομα όμως διαπιστώνει πως ο Τζέιντ είναι ανακατεμένος σε βρωμοδουλειές, με πολλές υποψίες να βαραίνουν τη λαμπερή πορεία του.
Εκτός από τη συναρπαστική, ανατρεπτική υπόθεση, υπάρχουν ενδιαφέρουσες ψυχογραφίες και μια διεισδυτική ματιά στον κόσμο της ιππασίας και του πρωταθλητισμού αλόγων, με την ίδια τη συγγραφέα, στο προλογικό της σημείωμα, να εξηγεί τα δικά της ερεθίσματα που την οδήγησαν να γράψει αυτό το βιβλίο. Αγωνίσματα, εμπόδια, άλματα, περιποίηση και φροντίδα, ο δεσμός που είναι απαραίτητος ανάμεσα σε άλογα και αναβάτη, η τρυφερότητα και η ανιδιοτέλεια του αλόγου αλλά και η εκμετάλλευση, η απληστία, όλα συγκροτούν το ιδανικό φόντο για μια ιστορία αγωνίας, σασπένς και ανατροπών που διαδραματίζεται στον κόσμο της ιππασίας. «Στον κόσμο των αλόγων συναντάς δύο είδη ανθρώπων: αυτούς που αγαπούν τα άλογα και αυτούς που εκμεταλλεύονται τα άλογα και τους ανθρώπους που τα αγαπούν» (σελ. 34). Η ίδια η Έλενα μάλιστα κάνει τα πάντα για να στρέψει την προσοχή του ντετέκτιβ Τζέιμς Λάντρι από το Γραφείο του Σερίφη στην υπόθεση, να τη θεωρήσει απαγωγή και να αρχίσουν να κινούνται τα επίσημα νήματα. Μόνο που μια δολοφονία στους στάβλους κάνει τα πράγματα χειρότερα!
Σε δεύτερο επίπεδο, η συγγραφέας «διαλύει» και την οικογένεια της εξαφανισμένης κοπέλας, που ζούσε με τον πατριό της και τον γιο του, με τη μητέρα και την αδελφή της. Οι οικογενειακοί δεσμοί έχουν τιναχτεί στον αέρα σχεδόν από το πρώτο κεφάλαιο και μένουν η θλίψη και η στενοχώρια για τη στάση των γονέων απέναντι στα παιδιά, για τις ψυχρές και υποτακτικές σχέσεις πατριού και μητέρας, για την επαναστατικότητα της μεγάλης κόρης και για την ωριμότητα της μικρής. Κι όλα αυτά σε μια υπέροχη, ακριβή γειτονιά: «Εύποροι, πετυχημένοι, νευρωτικοί, επιθετικοί, με κρυφές πίκρες να κοχλάζουν μέσα τους. Το είδωλο του αμερικάνικου ονείρου στον παραμορφωτικό καθρέφτη του λούνα παρκ» (σελ. 115). Η Μόλι που της ανέθεσε με γοητευτικά παράδοξο τρόπο την υπόθεση; «…είχε γίνει αυτό που ήταν ή από τύχη ή από ανάγκη αυτοσυντήρησ��ς ή επειδή παρακολουθούσε το Νόμος και Τάξη» (σελ. 116).
Με αυτόν τον τρόπο αποδομείται και η οικογενειακή ζωή της Έστες, μιας και οι γονείς της την υιοθέτησαν από άσυλο, εφόσον ο πατέρας της ήταν στείρος. Να όμως που αυτή η επιλογή δεν ήταν και η καλύτερη, μιας και η μητέρα της ήταν τυπική έως ανύπαρκτη («ήμουν ένα αξεσουάρ στη ζωή της») και ο πατέρας της δεν έχανε ευκαιρία να τη λοιδωρεί για την αμφίβολη καταγωγή της! Γι’ αυτό η επαναστατικότητά της, γι’ αυτό και η επιλογή της να γίνει αστυνομικός, με αποτέλεσμα ο πατέρας της να την αποκληρώσει. Όλες αυτές οι ψυχοσυναισθηματικές διακυμάνσεις κορυφώνονται όσο προχωράει το μυθιστόρημα και πλησιάζουμε στη λύση του μυστηρίου, με αποτέλεσμα ο καθένας να πληρώνει και το αντίστοιχο τίμημα.
Η πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση της Έλενα αποκαλύπτει τα πάντα για την προσωπικότητά της: τα λάθη της και τα θετικά της χαρακτηριστικά, τα ψυχολογικά της προβλήματα και την αμφιβολία της ότι τώρα κάποιος τη χρειάζεται. Ο ίδιος της ο χαρακτήρας είναι σύνθετος, με αντιφατικά χαρακτηριστικά: «Νόμιζα ότι ήμουν δυνατή ενώ ήμουν κακομαθημένη, νόμιζα ότι ήμουν ανεξάρτητη ενώ ήμουν ανυπάκουη, νόμιζα ότι ήμουν γενναία ενώ ήμουν παράτολμη» (σελ. 49). Κρυμμένη στη φάρμα του Σον, ουσιαστικά χωμένη στο ιδιωτικό της κολαστήριο, ήταν η μοναδική λύση μέχρι ν’ αποφασίσει τι θα κάνει με τη ζωή της, να καταλάβει ποια είναι, να νιώσει ποιο είναι το επόμενο σωστό βήμα: «Το να παραμένω ζωντανή μου άφηνε τουλάχιστον το περιθώριο κάποιας βελτίωσης» (σελ. 49).
Από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο, η Έλενα βυθίζεται όλο και περισσότερο σε αυτήν τη σκοτεινή υπόθεση, όπου πολλές φορές το κέρδος είναι μεγάλο δέλεαρ, ακόμη κι αν αφαιρούνται ανθρώπινες ζωές ή καταστρέφονται καριέρες ή εξοντώνονται αθώα ζώα. Η αγάπη και η προσοχή της συγγραφέως στα άλογα, που πηγάζει κι από τα δικά της βιώματα, είναι συγκινητική: «Η ανταπόκριση ενός ζώου στην άθληση είναι κάτι αγνό και απλό. Τα ανθρώπινα συναισθήματα, όμως, οι ανθρώπινες ανάγκες, η απληστία, περιπλέκουν τα πράγματα κι έτσι δεν υπάρχει τίποτα αγνό ή απλό στο άθλημα στο οποίο βάζουμε τα άλογα να αγωνίζονται» (σελ. 40). Αρχίζει να συμπαθεί τη Μόλι και σύντομα διαπιστώνει πως έχει μάθει από τα λάθη του παρελθόντος, έχει αρχίσει να κερδίζει ξανά την αυτοεκτίμησή της και, γιατί όχι, να ετοιμάζεται για να υποδεχτεί ένα ξεχασμένο συναίσθημα: τον έρωτα.
Οι χαρακτήρες του βιβλίου μπλέκονται σταδιακά σ’ ένα φαινομενικά αξεδιάλυτο κουβάρι και όσο πλησίαζα προς το τέλος τόσο αγωνιούσα για πολλά πράγματα: είναι ζωντανή η Έριν και ποιος την κρατάει; Ποιος έχει δολοφονικές τάσεις μέσα στον ευρύτατο κύκλο ιππέων, ιπποκόμων, εμπόρων, οικονομικών παραγόντων, ασφαλιστών; Πώς θα επηρεάσει η εξαφάνιση της έφηβης κοπέλας το μέλλον της οικογένειάς της; Πώς θα είναι η Έλενα Έστες μετά από όλη αυτήν την περιπέτεια; Θα χωρέσει επιτέλους στη ζωή της ο έρωτας; Ποιος κρύβεται πίσω από την πολύκροτη υπόθεση και ποιος κινεί τα νήματα των πανάκριβων δοσοληψιών στους ιππικούς αγώνες; Και τελικά το μυθιστόρημα τίναξε στον αέρα κάθε υποψία μου, αποκαλύπτοντας μια πολύπλοκη, ευρηματική, συναρπαστική πλοκή που δεν μπόρεσα να υποψιαστώ ούτε για μια στιγμή, αφήνοντάς με άφωνο και ταυτόχρονα φέρνοντας ένα δίκαιο, λυτρωτικό, ρεαλιστικό τέλος για όλους.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: www.vivliokritikes.com/%cf%84%ce%bf-%...
Η τριαντάχρονη Έλενα Έστες, κάποτε ντετέκτιβ της Δίωξης Ναρκωτικών με δώδεκα χρόνια καριέρα, πριν δύο χρόνια παραλίγο να χάσει τη ζωή της όταν κατέστρεψε την ενέδρα που είχε στήσει το Τμήμα της σε μεγαλέμπορους ναρκωτικών. Το πρόσωπό της, πλέον ελαφρά στραβωμένο και παράξενα ανέκφραστο, και οι ανήσυχες βραδιές της με στέρηση ύπνου της θυμίζουν κάθε μέρα το συμβάν που παραλίγο να της στοιχίσει τη ζωή. Άνεργη, άστεγη, ανεπιθύμητη και εγκαταλειμμένη κατέφυγε σε μια φάρμα στη νότια Φλόριντα που ανήκει στον Σον Άβαντον, φίλο της από την εφηβεία. Η ίδια, παιδί δικηγόρου των πλουσιότερων απατεώνων της Πολιτείας, μεγάλωσε με περιφρόνηση προς τους γονείς της και η αγάπη προς τα άλογα ήταν ο τρόπος της για να αποβάλει το άγχος και να ξεφεύγει από τον οικογενειακό κλοιό. Μια μέρα, η έφηβη Μόλι Σίμπραϊτ τη βρίσκει τυχαία και της ζητά να βρει την εξαφανισμένη αδελφή της, Έριν, που εργαζόταν ως ιπποκόμος του Ντον Τζέιντ. Η Έλενα, που ήδη έχει πολύπλοκα ψυχολογικά και σωματικά προβλήματα να αντιμετωπίσει, αρχικά είναι αρνητική, σύντομα όμως διαπιστώνει πως ο Τζέιντ είναι ανακατεμένος σε βρωμοδουλειές, με πολλές υποψίες να βαραίνουν τη λαμπερή πορεία του.
Εκτός από τη συναρπαστική, ανατρεπτική υπόθεση, υπάρχουν ενδιαφέρουσες ψυχογραφίες και μια διεισδυτική ματιά στον κόσμο της ιππασίας και του πρωταθλητισμού αλόγων, με την ίδια τη συγγραφέα, στο προλογικό της σημείωμα, να εξηγεί τα δικά της ερεθίσματα που την οδήγησαν να γράψει αυτό το βιβλίο. Αγωνίσματα, εμπόδια, άλματα, περιποίηση και φροντίδα, ο δεσμός που είναι απαραίτητος ανάμεσα σε άλογα και αναβάτη, η τρυφερότητα και η ανιδιοτέλεια του αλόγου αλλά και η εκμετάλλευση, η απληστία, όλα συγκροτούν το ιδανικό φόντο για μια ιστορία αγωνίας, σασπένς και ανατροπών που διαδραματίζεται στον κόσμο της ιππασίας. «Στον κόσμο των αλόγων συναντάς δύο είδη ανθρώπων: αυτούς που αγαπούν τα άλογα και αυτούς που εκμεταλλεύονται τα άλογα και τους ανθρώπους που τα αγαπούν» (σελ. 34). Η ίδια η Έλενα μάλιστα κάνει τα πάντα για να στρέψει την προσοχή του ντετέκτιβ Τζέιμς Λάντρι από το Γραφείο του Σερίφη στην υπόθεση, να τη θεωρήσει απαγωγή και να αρχίσουν να κινούνται τα επίσημα νήματα. Μόνο που μια δολοφονία στους στάβλους κάνει τα πράγματα χειρότερα!
Σε δεύτερο επίπεδο, η συγγραφέας «διαλύει» και την οικογένεια της εξαφανισμένης κοπέλας, που ζούσε με τον πατριό της και τον γιο του, με τη μητέρα και την αδελφή της. Οι οικογενειακοί δεσμοί έχουν τιναχτεί στον αέρα σχεδόν από το πρώτο κεφάλαιο και μένουν η θλίψη και η στενοχώρια για τη στάση των γονέων απέναντι στα παιδιά, για τις ψυχρές και υποτακτικές σχέσεις πατριού και μητέρας, για την επαναστατικότητα της μεγάλης κόρης και για την ωριμότητα της μικρής. Κι όλα αυτά σε μια υπέροχη, ακριβή γειτονιά: «Εύποροι, πετυχημένοι, νευρωτικοί, επιθετικοί, με κρυφές πίκρες να κοχλάζουν μέσα τους. Το είδωλο του αμερικάνικου ονείρου στον παραμορφωτικό καθρέφτη του λούνα παρκ» (σελ. 115). Η Μόλι που της ανέθεσε με γοητευτικά παράδοξο τρόπο την υπόθεση; «…είχε γίνει αυτό που ήταν ή από τύχη ή από ανάγκη αυτοσυντήρησ��ς ή επειδή παρακολουθούσε το Νόμος και Τάξη» (σελ. 116).
Με αυτόν τον τρόπο αποδομείται και η οικογενειακή ζωή της Έστες, μιας και οι γονείς της την υιοθέτησαν από άσυλο, εφόσον ο πατέρας της ήταν στείρος. Να όμως που αυτή η επιλογή δεν ήταν και η καλύτερη, μιας και η μητέρα της ήταν τυπική έως ανύπαρκτη («ήμουν ένα αξεσουάρ στη ζωή της») και ο πατέρας της δεν έχανε ευκαιρία να τη λοιδωρεί για την αμφίβολη καταγωγή της! Γι’ αυτό η επαναστατικότητά της, γι’ αυτό και η επιλογή της να γίνει αστυνομικός, με αποτέλεσμα ο πατέρας της να την αποκληρώσει. Όλες αυτές οι ψυχοσυναισθηματικές διακυμάνσεις κορυφώνονται όσο προχωράει το μυθιστόρημα και πλησιάζουμε στη λύση του μυστηρίου, με αποτέλεσμα ο καθένας να πληρώνει και το αντίστοιχο τίμημα.
Η πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση της Έλενα αποκαλύπτει τα πάντα για την προσωπικότητά της: τα λάθη της και τα θετικά της χαρακτηριστικά, τα ψυχολογικά της προβλήματα και την αμφιβολία της ότι τώρα κάποιος τη χρειάζεται. Ο ίδιος της ο χαρακτήρας είναι σύνθετος, με αντιφατικά χαρακτηριστικά: «Νόμιζα ότι ήμουν δυνατή ενώ ήμουν κακομαθημένη, νόμιζα ότι ήμουν ανεξάρτητη ενώ ήμουν ανυπάκουη, νόμιζα ότι ήμουν γενναία ενώ ήμουν παράτολμη» (σελ. 49). Κρυμμένη στη φάρμα του Σον, ουσιαστικά χωμένη στο ιδιωτικό της κολαστήριο, ήταν η μοναδική λύση μέχρι ν’ αποφασίσει τι θα κάνει με τη ζωή της, να καταλάβει ποια είναι, να νιώσει ποιο είναι το επόμενο σωστό βήμα: «Το να παραμένω ζωντανή μου άφηνε τουλάχιστον το περιθώριο κάποιας βελτίωσης» (σελ. 49).
Από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο, η Έλενα βυθίζεται όλο και περισσότερο σε αυτήν τη σκοτεινή υπόθεση, όπου πολλές φορές το κέρδος είναι μεγάλο δέλεαρ, ακόμη κι αν αφαιρούνται ανθρώπινες ζωές ή καταστρέφονται καριέρες ή εξοντώνονται αθώα ζώα. Η αγάπη και η προσοχή της συγγραφέως στα άλογα, που πηγάζει κι από τα δικά της βιώματα, είναι συγκινητική: «Η ανταπόκριση ενός ζώου στην άθληση είναι κάτι αγνό και απλό. Τα ανθρώπινα συναισθήματα, όμως, οι ανθρώπινες ανάγκες, η απληστία, περιπλέκουν τα πράγματα κι έτσι δεν υπάρχει τίποτα αγνό ή απλό στο άθλημα στο οποίο βάζουμε τα άλογα να αγωνίζονται» (σελ. 40). Αρχίζει να συμπαθεί τη Μόλι και σύντομα διαπιστώνει πως έχει μάθει από τα λάθη του παρελθόντος, έχει αρχίσει να κερδίζει ξανά την αυτοεκτίμησή της και, γιατί όχι, να ετοιμάζεται για να υποδεχτεί ένα ξεχασμένο συναίσθημα: τον έρωτα.
Οι χαρακτήρες του βιβλίου μπλέκονται σταδιακά σ’ ένα φαινομενικά αξεδιάλυτο κουβάρι και όσο πλησίαζα προς το τέλος τόσο αγωνιούσα για πολλά πράγματα: είναι ζωντανή η Έριν και ποιος την κρατάει; Ποιος έχει δολοφονικές τάσεις μέσα στον ευρύτατο κύκλο ιππέων, ιπποκόμων, εμπόρων, οικονομικών παραγόντων, ασφαλιστών; Πώς θα επηρεάσει η εξαφάνιση της έφηβης κοπέλας το μέλλον της οικογένειάς της; Πώς θα είναι η Έλενα Έστες μετά από όλη αυτήν την περιπέτεια; Θα χωρέσει επιτέλους στη ζωή της ο έρωτας; Ποιος κρύβεται πίσω από την πολύκροτη υπόθεση και ποιος κινεί τα νήματα των πανάκριβων δοσοληψιών στους ιππικούς αγώνες; Και τελικά το μυθιστόρημα τίναξε στον αέρα κάθε υποψία μου, αποκαλύπτοντας μια πολύπλοκη, ευρηματική, συναρπαστική πλοκή που δεν μπόρεσα να υποψιαστώ ούτε για μια στιγμή, αφήνοντάς με άφωνο και ταυτόχρονα φέρνοντας ένα δίκαιο, λυτρωτικό, ρεαλιστικό τέλος για όλους.
Πρώτη δημοσίευση στο site μου: www.vivliokritikes.com/%cf%84%ce%bf-%...
January 22, 2018
My first Tami Hoag book and I'm sure there'll be more! Dark Horse was a good, intricately involved mystery involving the kidnapping of a teen girl, a murder of a horse and and others, as well as having a good twist to it.
Molly is an adorable, precocious little 12 year old girl who solicits the help from a pretty much has-been, washed up old police detective named Elena Estes. Molly is concerned about her "missing" sister who's been gone from 3 days; however, what's odd is that the girl's mother nor her stepfather seem to be worried. From that a good mystery is underway.
There are probably more characters in this book than the typical mystery I read and it's a fairly long book (557 pages) so there were times I'd be asking myself, "Who was that guy/girl?" but I had a print copy so I couldn't look it up on my NOOK. But I managed to figure it all out...just needed to focus!
Recommendation:
Molly is an adorable, precocious little 12 year old girl who solicits the help from a pretty much has-been, washed up old police detective named Elena Estes. Molly is concerned about her "missing" sister who's been gone from 3 days; however, what's odd is that the girl's mother nor her stepfather seem to be worried. From that a good mystery is underway.
There are probably more characters in this book than the typical mystery I read and it's a fairly long book (557 pages) so there were times I'd be asking myself, "Who was that guy/girl?" but I had a print copy so I couldn't look it up on my NOOK. But I managed to figure it all out...just needed to focus!
Recommendation:
February 23, 2025
This story is based in the world of show riding, a world that Tami Hoag knows well, and the extensive background she weaves into her plot helps bring this world to life. I loved that aspect of this story. What I didn't like is that the main character, Elena Estes, can't seem to learn anything from her mistakes and is doomed to repeat them. That's sad. Elena is a hard nut, stubborn, strong willed and determined to make sure that no one takes "my case". The narrator, Beth McDonald, is excellent. This book is over twenty years old and does show its' age in the pop culture references, but that doesn't detract from what is a fantastic mystery/suspense.
Twelve-year-old Molly Seabright goes to Elena Estes because the police wouldn't take her seriously when her sister, Erin, goes missing. Her parents didn't care. Erin was eighteen, on her own and a bit of a problem before she left. Molly is determined to find her, but she needs help. As Elena digs deep, she finds several people who could have wanted Erin to disappear, but when a ransom tape appears, it becomes a race to find Erin and pray she is still alive.
Twelve-year-old Molly Seabright goes to Elena Estes because the police wouldn't take her seriously when her sister, Erin, goes missing. Her parents didn't care. Erin was eighteen, on her own and a bit of a problem before she left. Molly is determined to find her, but she needs help. As Elena digs deep, she finds several people who could have wanted Erin to disappear, but when a ransom tape appears, it becomes a race to find Erin and pray she is still alive.
April 20, 2025
Until about half way though, I was only mildly interested in this, reading it while the sims loaded up (because my computer is so old, I get a lot of reading done this way :D). Once I hit the mid way point though, the whole pace and plot picked up and I had to find out what happened!
I'm no detective, and while I didn't guess exactly what happened, even I could tell something wasn't quite right. I really liked Elena as a character, she was very flawed but that just made her seem more real. The setting was also very new to me. I know nothing about the rich horse world, so that was interesting.
I don't think I've read a Tami Hoag novel before, but I would certainly read one again.
I'm no detective, and while I didn't guess exactly what happened, even I could tell something wasn't quite right. I really liked Elena as a character, she was very flawed but that just made her seem more real. The setting was also very new to me. I know nothing about the rich horse world, so that was interesting.
I don't think I've read a Tami Hoag novel before, but I would certainly read one again.
August 1, 2018
Although I do enjoy reading books by Tami Hoag this one just wasn.t one of my favorites. Just seemed to me to be to much repetition of when Elena was hurt during a drug bust. That being said the further into the book I got the book did become more intriguing.
September 9, 2024
3.5 stars. The story is okay and the writing is good, but listening to the audiobook there were too many characters to keep track of and it felt way too drawn out.
August 7, 2025
love EVERYTHING I read by this author!
May 18, 2022
First novel by Tami Hoag for me. It was a definite thriller and kept me guessing and 2nd guessing my thoughts regarding the characters and even the plot direction. Very good read.
January 21, 2018
There's a fizz that runs through Tami Hoag's books. As romantic thrilling, this one wasn't quite so romantic, but it was there. I look forward to reading the next Elena Estes book to see which turn her love life takes.
April 4, 2018
OMG,this book was painful.I finished it in a couple of months because it was so drawn out.Towards the end I did one 2 skip a few.
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