Murders occurring by use of a dart filled with etorphine - a substance that is used to tranquilize animals but instantly deadly to humans.

Two high-profile millionaires that were college friends and co-workers of Carston Kraytower, a hedge fund millionaire himself, were murdered and the deaths were made to look like they were heart attacks.

Owen McKenna resident investigator comes on the scene with Spot, Street, and Blondie to find clues, but Owen finds more than clues. Always nice to visit with these familiar, lovable characters.

Owen finds Carston’s son who is mostly an introvert and who confesses that there are family secrets, but won’t reveal them.

TAHOE HIT is another tension-filled, signature Todd Borg book with twists, turns, and surprises with some Shakespeare added in for fun this time.

Mr. Borg’s books have familiar characters, but they always seem to have unfamiliar, but interesting topics that introduce the reader to something not well known or in this case something that brought together a clever story line.

TAHOE HIT will keep you turning the pages and at times have you biting your nails as Owen puts himself in danger but solves yet another mystery.

Even though the book got a bit wordy at times, this book is another “hit” by master storyteller Todd Borg. 4/5

If you haven't met Todd Borg's wonderful characters and books yet, why not get started on them. They can be read as stand alones.

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )

August just isn't August without a new Owen McKenna thriller, and Tahoe Hit, the eighteenth addition to this marvelous series, was just what I needed. I'm addicted to Todd Borg's intricate, fast-paced mysteries every bit as much as I'm addicted to the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe and to his marvelous characters.

In Tahoe Hit, millionaire Carston Kraytower really kept me off-balance; I never knew which way that man was going to jump. When you've got a character like that, solving the mystery gives your little grey cells a workout. Even when McKenna starts uncovering secret after secret, it still took me some time to figure everything out-- and I still missed some of the twists. I like that.

But this book (and this series) isn't just about the mystery. It has one of my all-time favorite casts of characters in crime fiction. Being an ex-cop, Owen McKenna has gone out of his way to forge good relationships with police officers in the Lake Tahoe area, and those relationships lead to much of the humor in the books. McKenna is also very observant whether it be man or beast that is the focus of his attention. He takes the time to discover how gifted young Joshua Kraytower is, and he's willing to do something about it. He also is highly observant when it comes to his sidekick, his harlequin Great Dane, Spot. McKenna knows his dog, what his dog's reactions will be, what his dog's capabilities are. When Spot can help him with an investigation, he does. But if there's a strong possibility that Spot will be in danger, you can take it to the bank that he won't be tagging along. Another plus in McKenna's favor? His relationship with entomologist Street Casey. She's brilliant, she's unconventional, and she's still dealing with trauma from her past. Many other men wouldn't, but Owen accepts their relationship on her terms. Owen, Spot, Street, and the rest of the regular cast make this series something very special.

But wait-- there's more! A fantastic Lake Tahoe setting? Check. A mystery that keeps you guessing? Check. A multi-faceted cast of characters that becomes just like family? Check. What else is there? It's the added extras that Todd Borg weaves into his narrative. Learning about a small town settled by Chinese immigrants who were brought over to build the railroad. Indian residential schools. The naturalist Aldo Leopold who believed we should leave blank spots on the map. Even a little philosophy that leads to the question "Is the life of a really bad man automatically more important than the life of a really good dog?"

Tahoe Hit-- and this entire series-- is the perfect blend of mystery, action, setting, and characterization. Tahoe Hit stands alone well, if you're worried about taking on a series with eighteen books, and I urge all of you to give it a try. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for more. Owen and Spot are impossible to resist! ( )