DARK HORSE is indeed a dark book, but a fun one. Eddy Harkness made his initial appearance in Rory Flynn’s authentic THIRD RAIL, which chronicled Harkness’ fall from grace within the Boston Police Department and his second chance at a well-earned and deserved redemption. This second in the series demonstrates that Flynn is no fluke, even as he broadens his subject matter and creates a believable and unforgettable scenario for his memorable character.

The book begins just as a major hurricane strikes Boston proper. Harkness is on patrol as a newly reinstated member of the Narco-Intel unit, attempting to locate anyone who hasn’t evacuated the area. His search leads to the discovery of a young hearing-impaired boy chained to a radiator at a low-end transient hotel, and he manages to free him just as the flood waters begin cascading through the streets. A subsequent photo of Harkness saving the boy’s life makes him a city-wide hero, but the heroine is still out there.

"This second in the series demonstrates that Flynn is no fluke, even as he broadens his subject matter and creates a believable and unforgettable scenario for his memorable character."

The Lower South End residents of Boston seemingly have been forgotten. City Hall does not seem to be in any particular hurry to help in relocating the residents or in assisting them in repairing their housing. Two things happen: 1) an obscure law is uncovered that seemingly permits residents displaced by calamity to move into other areas of the city, including Nagog, Harkness’ hometown, and 2) the local government’s passive neglect seems to be tied to a potential gentrification development project for the area.

Meanwhile, Harkness and the Narco-Intel division are dealing with a new, potent and lethal heroin mixture known as Dark Horse that appears to be tied to the young boy whose life Harkness saved. The police are forced to play catch-up as they follow potential leads, even as new urgency attaches to their investigation when two college students die overdosing on the powerful street drug. Harkness follows an evidentiary trail that leads to a couple of very surprising places and presents him with a problem: What is he supposed to do when the culprit behind the manufacture and sale of the drug appears to be tied to someone well above his pay grade? The answer is supplied, but at a surprising cost, as the novel concludes.

I don’t anticipate that the Boston Chamber of Commerce will be passing out copies of DARK HORSE any time soon, but they are probably missing a bet in not doing so. Flynn does such a terrific job of describing the twists and turns of the environs of Boston that one is tempted to visit the city just to do a self-guided tour through the scenes presented here. However, the reason to come --- and stay --- in Flynn’s world is Harkness, who is realistically steady instead of flashy and is all the more a cop’s cop because of it. Flynn’s series is off to a roaring start with its first two volumes. Considering his present trajectory, it should continue for as long as he wishes.