In your situation, I think you're right to focus on getting your queries to run as efficiently as possible. You won't be able to dictate hardware, so your maximum efficiency will be from tuning the queries.

Yeah, that book is an OK introduction. I'd also suggest getting a copy of Louis Davidson & Tim Ford's more detailed book, Performance Tuning with SQL SErver Dynamic Management Views. You can get a free copy of it as a digital copy. You might also want my query tuning book. No free versions. Sorry.