Book Review: Dark Horse

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dark Horse     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Tami Hoag
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Bantam, Sept 2002,$26.95, 435 pp.

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

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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