The Alibi Man
by Tami Hoag
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Book Reviews of The Alibi Man
Book Review: Riveting Suspense.
Summary: 3 Stars
The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag has twists and turns that will catch you off guard. With its Florida back drop the story unfolds between a group of polo players, rich middle aged men who feel they are entitled to do as they please and the little people who work around them and feel they are entitled to get want they want out of life, regardless of what that is. The rich old men want only to debauch the beautiful, spirited young women. The poor, beautiful young women want to use sex to get at the old guys money and lifestyle. Elena is her usual contrary, cynical self and doesn't want anything to do with anybody, but ends up in the middle of it all anyway. This is a gritty story of haves and have nots dealing with right and wrong. There are no innocents in this war and no prisoners taken. Those who are corrupting others come in contact with those that have the similar interests. Some become friends and others become an unimaginable nightmare.
Like most Hoag stories there's a lot of soul searching and the justice is the kind that comes from life, not the court system. The story's point is a clear one, if you hang with bad people, bad things will happen to you, and in this story it doesn't matter how rich or how poor or how entitled the characters are, bad things happen.
Book Review: It Ran Away With Me
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's a taut, plausible thriller set in the winter season capital for equestrian sports, Wellington, Florida. Former socialite, former cop Elena Estes is down on her luck, riding dressage horses and living off the largess of a chum. She's out for a morning ride when she discovers the body of a co-worker dumped in a canal, half-eaten by alligators. Not only is her day ruined, she has to call her former boyfriend, Detective James Landry.
Worse still, her former fiance Bennett Walker turns out to be a prime suspect. Not only was he the last man to see the deceased alive, but Elena is determined to break his alibi.
Many of the same characters in this book also appear in an earlier book by Tami Hoag DARK HORSE. I have not read that one yet but I want to get my hands on it as soon as possible. ALIBI MAN is a perfect thriller; the prose is as sleek and well-groomed like a champion horse while the pace gallops and never lags. The characters are convincing; Elena is awesome in her alienation and rage. Hoag's twist at the end surprises while still being fair to the reader.
Like Dick Francis's horse racing mysteries, every detail of the setting is accurate because the author has experienced it from within. I hope she writes more books like this.
Book Review: Great Crime Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Estes and her love of horses return in this first-person novel as she tries to track down the killer of her fellow worker at the stables. Estes is a former cop who made a fatal mistake in the line of duty and struggles to cope with that and a past relationship with a person who tried to get her to be his alibi in covering up a crime.
Finding the body of her fellow stable hand draws her into a world of her past, where rich and influential people hide dark secrets, and in particular one group of people cover for each other - the Alibi Club. Estes has to confront her past and deal with anger and the thirst for revenge in order to solve the crime.
Having several elements such as the Russian mafia boss, the Alibi Club and Estes' former men in her life, Hoag manages to craft a suspenseful murder mystery that saves its best twists for near the end. While Estes remains thoroughly tormented and irreversibly cynical with life, she is an engaging character whose journey takes her to the heart of her issues.
I really enjoyed this novel and the characterisation, and the suspects and victims all have flaws that keep the book a gritty read to the end.
Book Review: Compelling Character
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I have been a fan of Tami Hoag for her former novels, The Alibi Man has put her at the top of my favorite writer list. This fast-moving story, centered on the corruption of wealthy Palm Beach society, is one of long-overdue justice finally coming home. The protagonist, the former detective Elena Estes, is one of the most compelling characters I have come across in reading. She is flawed, fearless and entirely engaging. Though there are several points of view in the story, she is the primary voice, and whenever she's "on" there's literary electricity that made me not to want her to stop. A marvelous characterization, and although other persons in the story are well drawn out (especially James Landry, whose unrequited love for her is a wonderfully understated theme)-- none come close to Elena. Her reflections, attitude, and honest internal conflicts make the entire novel a powerful experience. Elena was introduced in Dark Horse, which I also thoroughly enjoyed, but she blossoms into a fully deep and real person in The Alibi Man. I only hope the author will choose to create another story with her as protagonist. She's an unqualified winner.Book Review: A bad boys club
Summary: 5 Stars
The novel is set in central Florida horse country near Palm Beach. Action takes place during Polo Season. A group of wealthy men and athletes think the world belongs to them and they make their own rules. They band together to cover each other's tracks and provide alibis. They use women and treat them badly. Then a woman from their party scene shows up dead - the body dumped. Elena Estes knew the woman and is drawn into the investigation.
Events get dangerous. Some men have violent tempers. And there is a dangerous wild card seeking his own justice. The story has a twist at the end. Some people get what they deserve, but in surprising ways. The novel has sex, violence, and some language. I would rate it as adult only.
There is a prequel about Elena Estes, but this novel reads OK as a stand alone novel. There are some references to events in the prequel.
If you like this novel, you might also like "A Prisoner of Birth" by Jeffrey Archer.