Ex-football star. Smart-mouthed PI. Last hope for a kid accused of murder.

Jim Knighthorse doesn’t take cases he doesn’t believe in. So when a lawyer begs him to prove a high school football player didn’t murder his white, wealthy girlfriend in the middle of suburban Orange County, Jim says yes... despite the evidence, the racial tensions, and his own better judgment.

Knighthorse knows Derrick Booker is no killer. But try convincing the cops, the school, or the girl’s grieving family of that. As Jim digs deeper, he uncovers a web of lies, old money, teenage secrets, and a murdered coach who may have known too much.

And along the way? He’ll spar with skeptical detectives, navigate his complicated relationship with his brilliant girlfriend Cindy, confront his own broken dreams of pro football glory, and consult a homeless man who just might be God.

Dark Horse is the first novel in the acclaimed Jim Knighthorse mystery series, perfect for fans of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch. Witty, gritty, and packed with heart, it’s a classic California noir for the 21st century.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

★★★★★ “To say this novel was a delightful surprise would be an understatement. I honestly loved this book and it is definitely at the top of my new favorite reads. I picked it up because I like crime fiction and mystery/suspense, figuring it would be, well, just that―a murder mystery. Instead, here’s this incredibly unique story with laugh-out-loud funny lines, an unbelievably likable narrator and a subtle touch of philosophical spirituality.” ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ “From the first line, I was hooked. Dark Horse was an easy read with its witty dialogue and interesting characters.” ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ “Every once in a while I come across a book that is different from any other than I’ve read―even though it is in my genre of reading, detective thrillers. This was such a book. Knighthorse is, in a word, quirky, in his methodology of going about his work, but does so in a wonderfully dedicated way. What I especially liked about the PI is his repartee style of interrogation. He’s the kind of guy who has the best comebacks that anyone could possibly have... unlike most of us that cannot think of a great rejoinder until some time after the conversation is over. Knighthorse has them all right at the tip of this tongue. His wit is enormous and dead on point all the time. Suffice it to say, this was one heck of a ride from page one to page last.” ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ “Knighthorse is a reluctant private detective and aspiring pro-football player. He is big, strong, kind, cold and deadly. I know that sounds like a conflict of terms, but Rain makes it work, and work beautifully. Well written with believable dialog and plot-line. It was an enjoyable and nail-biting read. I plan on making J.R. Rain and his Jim Knighthorse series a staple in my Kindle library. I happily give this book a 5-star rating, and recommend it anyone looking for a new hero.” ―Amazon reviewer

★★★★★ “It’s not easy being a PI, especially when police think they have a slam-dunk murderer in custody. A wise-guy with a great sense of moral direction in a California setting. Plenty of twists right to the end and well worth the time.” ―Amazon reviewer

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