Elena Estes, former undercover cop and private investigator, is dismayed when she finds a woman's body in a south Florida swamp. When she realizes that the dead woman is Irina Markova, her friend and previous coworker at a horse stable, Elena is determined to find out who did this to Irina and bring that person to justice. Despite a distrust of men in general, Elena calls on her former lover, Detective James Landry, to help figure out who murdered her friend.

One of the main suspects is Bennett Walker -- a man Elena was engaged to 20 years ago but left after he was tried and acquitted for the rape and murder of another woman, despite Elena's testimony against him. Through the investigation, it's revealed that Bennett is part of a group of men who've dubbed themselves "The Alibi Club" -- super wealthy men who stick together and cover for each other when one of their members gets in hot water. Elena must immerse herself in a world she gave up long ago in order to find Irina's killer. As if she needed more incentive to do that, she's visited by Alexi Kulak, a remorseless Russian mobster who threatens to kill her unless she helps him find who murdered Irina.

Tami Hoag weaves an intricate tale of murder and deception. She doesn't introduce extraneous characters, so the story is easy to follow. I did have a problem with how often she reveals that Elena is a tough woman who can trust no one, especially men. She hits you over the head with this theme throughout the book. That, however, is the only thing I would've liked done differently. This follow-up to DARK HORSE (9/02) is a very well-written and thought-out murder/mystery. Hoag is able to keep you guessing and you'll be left breathless until all the threads are unwoven and the killer is revealed.