What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shark House
Set in 1998 Hawai'i, this nostalgic women's fiction combines the atmosphere and family dynamics of
The Cliffs
with the drive of a heroine working in a male dominated field in
Lessons in Chemistry
.
The Shark House
follows a marine biologist who must confront both a deadly white shark and her own haunting past in this chilling exploration of nature and self-discovery.
People aren't the only ones who migrate to Hawai'i for a warmer winter.
1998. In the heart of paradise, danger lurks beneath the surface. Biologist and shark whisperer Minnow Gray travels to the rugged Hawai'i coastline, where a series of shark attacks have left the island community on edge. Tasked with uncovering what's going on, she dives into the blue depths, and discovers the problem runs deeper than just one dangerous great white. Haunted by her own past marked by a tragic shark encounter, Minnow finds herself drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and peril that extends far beyond the ocean's surface. A scandal that implicates some of the island's most powerful people.
Determined to uncover the reason for these attacks before the mayor calls a mass killing of sharks in the area, Minnow forms an unexpected alliance with enigmatic fisherman Luke Greenwood whose presence ignites feelings she can't ignore, but also stirs questions about his part in it all. As Minnow works to shield the sharks from the island's fear-fueled backlash, drawing help from two Hawaiian brothers who are housing her, she unravels a scandal that shakes the community to its core. But it's not just the secrets of the island that rise to the surface. Minnow must confront her own traumatic past, the haunting memories that have shaped her life and her connection to these misunderstood predators—and to this place.
The Shark House is an atmospheric exploration of the intricate dance between humans and sharks, set against a backdrop of stunning Hawaiian landscapes and deep-sea danger. It's a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world. Dive in, if you dare.
People aren't the only ones who migrate to Hawai'i for a warmer winter.
1998. In the heart of paradise, danger lurks beneath the surface. Biologist and shark whisperer Minnow Gray travels to the rugged Hawai'i coastline, where a series of shark attacks have left the island community on edge. Tasked with uncovering what's going on, she dives into the blue depths, and discovers the problem runs deeper than just one dangerous great white. Haunted by her own past marked by a tragic shark encounter, Minnow finds herself drawn into a tangled web of intrigue and peril that extends far beyond the ocean's surface. A scandal that implicates some of the island's most powerful people.
Determined to uncover the reason for these attacks before the mayor calls a mass killing of sharks in the area, Minnow forms an unexpected alliance with enigmatic fisherman Luke Greenwood whose presence ignites feelings she can't ignore, but also stirs questions about his part in it all. As Minnow works to shield the sharks from the island's fear-fueled backlash, drawing help from two Hawaiian brothers who are housing her, she unravels a scandal that shakes the community to its core. But it's not just the secrets of the island that rise to the surface. Minnow must confront her own traumatic past, the haunting memories that have shaped her life and her connection to these misunderstood predators—and to this place.
The Shark House is an atmospheric exploration of the intricate dance between humans and sharks, set against a backdrop of stunning Hawaiian landscapes and deep-sea danger. It's a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world. Dive in, if you dare.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2026
135 people are currently reading
17765 people want to read
About the author
Sara Ackerman
9 books1,554 followersSara Ackerman is the Hawaii born, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and historical novels set in the Islands.
Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
February 2, 2026
There’s something about The Shark House that latches on from the very first chapter and refuses to let go. Sara Ackerman’s storytelling carries you straight to 1998 Hawai‘i, where the scent of saltwater hangs in the air, the horizon feels endless, and the ocean hides as much as it reveals. This isn’t just scenery—it’s a living, breathing presence in the book, one that shapes the people who live beside it, for better or worse.
At the heart of the story is Minnow Gray, a marine biologist whose quiet strength is tested the moment she steps onto the Kohala coast. A string of shark attacks has everyone on edge, and she’s there to find answers. But this isn’t a simple case of predator and prey—Ackerman makes it clear early on that there’s more at stake, and much more to uncover beneath the surface. What kept me hooked wasn’t just the mystery of the shark, but the way Minnow’s journey through the water echoed her journey inward. Her work forces her to confront a past she’s tried to outrun, and the bravery it takes to face that—while surrounded by doubt, danger, and a field still dominated by men—makes her story both empowering and deeply human.
One of the things I loved most is how Ackerman treats the sharks themselves. They’re not monsters here; they’re powerful, complex creatures, and the book treats them with the kind of respect and realism you rarely see in fiction. The underwater scenes pulse with tension, but they’re also full of awe, and you can feel the author’s knowledge and care in every detail.
This book isn’t just about the science or the danger—it’s about connection. Connection to the natural world, to the ghosts of our past, and to the pieces of ourselves we’ve hidden away. By the final chapters, I wasn’t just rooting for Minnow to find her shark—I was rooting for her to find her way back to herself.
If you’re looking for a story that blends atmospheric suspense with heartfelt character growth, The Shark House is a journey worth taking. It’s as much about survival and resilience as it is about the beauty and ferocity of the ocean. And it’s the kind of novel that leaves you thinking about what you’d be willing to risk to make peace with your past.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sharing this engaging, inspirational women’s fiction novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter
At the heart of the story is Minnow Gray, a marine biologist whose quiet strength is tested the moment she steps onto the Kohala coast. A string of shark attacks has everyone on edge, and she’s there to find answers. But this isn’t a simple case of predator and prey—Ackerman makes it clear early on that there’s more at stake, and much more to uncover beneath the surface. What kept me hooked wasn’t just the mystery of the shark, but the way Minnow’s journey through the water echoed her journey inward. Her work forces her to confront a past she’s tried to outrun, and the bravery it takes to face that—while surrounded by doubt, danger, and a field still dominated by men—makes her story both empowering and deeply human.
One of the things I loved most is how Ackerman treats the sharks themselves. They’re not monsters here; they’re powerful, complex creatures, and the book treats them with the kind of respect and realism you rarely see in fiction. The underwater scenes pulse with tension, but they’re also full of awe, and you can feel the author’s knowledge and care in every detail.
This book isn’t just about the science or the danger—it’s about connection. Connection to the natural world, to the ghosts of our past, and to the pieces of ourselves we’ve hidden away. By the final chapters, I wasn’t just rooting for Minnow to find her shark—I was rooting for her to find her way back to herself.
If you’re looking for a story that blends atmospheric suspense with heartfelt character growth, The Shark House is a journey worth taking. It’s as much about survival and resilience as it is about the beauty and ferocity of the ocean. And it’s the kind of novel that leaves you thinking about what you’d be willing to risk to make peace with your past.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sharing this engaging, inspirational women’s fiction novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
September 4, 2025
—— 𝟒.𝟓 ✰ stars. 🦈
❝𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒. 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑔𝑜 𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑓𝑡.❞
📱┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧
🏷️┆𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝕎𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟’𝕤 𝔽𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟
📆┆𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟠/𝟚𝟛/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟠/𝟚𝟡/𝟚𝟝
📃┆𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 “A marine biologist must confront both a deadly white shark and her own haunting past in this chilling exploration of nature and self-discovery. It's a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world. Dive in, if you dare.”」
❝𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠. 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑢𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑎𝑠 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑒𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒.❞
⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
❝𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑎𝑛. 𝐼𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒.❞
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★½
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺.𝟺𝟺 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴍᴀᴄ ꜱᴀʟᴀᴅ ᴡ/ ꜱᴛᴇᴀᴍᴇᴅ ᴡʜɪᴛᴇ ʀɪᴄᴇ 🍚
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ✅
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜰɪɴꜱ — ᴊɪᴍᴍʏ ʙᴜꜰꜰᴇᴛᴛ
0:32 ———♡——— 3:26
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
╭───
┆
╰⪼ ❛but now, she lives down by the ocean, she's taking care to look for sharks. they hang out in the local bars and they feed right after dark. can't you feel them circling, honey? can't you feel them swimming around? you got fins to the left, fins to the right and you're the only bait in town.❜
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🦈 ꜱʜᴀʀᴋꜱ
🥥 ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ
🦈 ᴍᴀʀɪɴᴇ ʙɪᴏʟᴏɢʏ
🥥 ʜᴀᴡᴀɪɪᴀɴ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
🦈 ᴏᴄᴇᴀɴ ᴄᴏɴꜱᴇʀᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
🥥 ʙᴀᴅᴀꜱꜱ ꜰᴇᴍᴀʟᴇ ꜱᴄɪᴇɴᴛɪꜱᴛꜱ
❝𝑆ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠. 𝑂𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟’𝑠 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒. 𝑂𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒.❞
⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
💬┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• Sharks. Hawaii. Grief. Romance?
• Hi I’m Brooke and I’m addicted to sharks. 👋🏼 here’s some sharky facts about me to paint a picture for you of why this book meant a lot to me.
❥ Jaws is one of my top 5 favorite movies.
❥ I grew up with Shark Week on my TV every summer
❥ one of my bucket list items it to swim with sharks
❥ I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was little. Still do, but I’m bad at math.
❥ my favorite animal is a Hammerhead Shark.
I felt guilty because I was feeling slumpy during this read from the three mediocre books I read before, but The Shark House cured my slumpitis.
• I loved that this book didn’t paint the sharks as mindless monsters, but was actually educational. While reading, you’ll learn all kinds of shark facts. Most importantly, you’ll learn that if you hunt them, you are destroying our ocean’s balance. Whenever you got into the ocean, you are in their home. Respect it.
• In a lot of way, this book did remind me of Jaws. The corrupt mayor, some of the locals wanting to participate in a shark hunt, the scientist hero (Minnow — we love our shark girl).
• One of the standout things about The Shark House has to be the writing. The way the author described Hawaii/the Hawaiian culture made me feel like I was right there with Minnow & the gang. Also, speaking of the gang, the side characters were top tier. And the romance? Something I wasn’t expecting, but ended up enjoying.
• My only gripes/why this book didn’t get 5 stars were because of the timeline confusion & some minuscule plot holes. Between going back & forth between Minnow’s journal entries and present day, sometimes I had no idea what year we were in LOL. I didn’t know how old Minnow was, or anyone really in the book, & I know this isn’t a big deal, but these tiny details help me to paint a full picture, ya know? We never find out a big chunk of Minnow’s younger life either.
• Wanna know my favorite thing though? Reading this book along with my Shark Sisters Lina & Ari, and hearing them say they loved sharks now. 🥹 My mermaid heart exploded. Finally here’s a book that shows people the way I see sharks; the way they truly are. I don’t know if anyone will be crazy enough like me to want to boop them on the snout, but I people read the The Shark House and walk away with a different perspective of these beautiful, magnificent creatures.
⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖ ﹏﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪
❝𝑆ℎ𝑒’𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑛’𝑡 𝑖𝑡? 𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑔, 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢.❞
♡ Thank you NetGalley & Harper Muse Publishing for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Be on the lookout for Shark House, hitting shelves on January 13th 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ An ocean is a vastness of secrets. Its silent beauty is healing, nurturing and has the ability to make us forget the world around us. It’s stillness and calmness takes away the worries of the day, at least that’s what my own parents used to say.
1998, Hawaii. In the heart of Hawaiian paradise, danger lurks beneath the surface. Marine biologist, a haunted past, shark attacks, a mystery. I sidestepped from fantasy and into women’s fiction with a deep dive into the Hawaiian blues. If you’re a lover of nature and atmospheric reads, this one will win your heart. It’s such an atmospheric read that focuses on human impact on the environment, especially our oceans and marine life. I truly enjoyed the nostalgia of 1990s, stunning backdrop of Hawaiian coastline and landscapes, and the power of the natural world and its order.
It’s my first book by Sara Ackerman and won’t be my last. She writes with such love and passion, allowing you to be fully transported into the setting she is writing about. For that alone, the book stands out on so many levels—it’s dreamy, it’s educational, it’s visceral. Her choice of wording powerfully conveys the message she’s trying to make and really shows how much love and appreciation she has for Hawaii, a place that she holds dear to her heart.
I appreciate the story that is well researched. I’ve learned a lot about our ecosystem, sharks, their habitat and behaviors. You also get a glimpse of what sharks mean historically to Hawaii, in its culture and in the connection to “the spirit” of the people.
Ackerman tackles many topics—women in male dominated field, family dynamics and relationships, blame and past trauma. In the story, Minnow lost her father to a shark attack and (for many years) felt responsible for that incident. I love how experts from Minnows personal journal were included at the end of each chapter. They added so much more meaning to the narrative, her unresolved grief and her attempts at healing.
My only negative was that the mystery dragged on for a while and this book would have been a perfect read that’s under 300 pages. If you’re a fan of beautifully constructed historical novels with a climate edge to it in the likes of Wild Dark Shores & Migrations (Charlotte McConaghy) or Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), you will be completely absorbed by this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Sara Ackerman for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: January 13, 2026
1998, Hawaii. In the heart of Hawaiian paradise, danger lurks beneath the surface. Marine biologist, a haunted past, shark attacks, a mystery. I sidestepped from fantasy and into women’s fiction with a deep dive into the Hawaiian blues. If you’re a lover of nature and atmospheric reads, this one will win your heart. It’s such an atmospheric read that focuses on human impact on the environment, especially our oceans and marine life. I truly enjoyed the nostalgia of 1990s, stunning backdrop of Hawaiian coastline and landscapes, and the power of the natural world and its order.
It’s my first book by Sara Ackerman and won’t be my last. She writes with such love and passion, allowing you to be fully transported into the setting she is writing about. For that alone, the book stands out on so many levels—it’s dreamy, it’s educational, it’s visceral. Her choice of wording powerfully conveys the message she’s trying to make and really shows how much love and appreciation she has for Hawaii, a place that she holds dear to her heart.
I appreciate the story that is well researched. I’ve learned a lot about our ecosystem, sharks, their habitat and behaviors. You also get a glimpse of what sharks mean historically to Hawaii, in its culture and in the connection to “the spirit” of the people.
Ackerman tackles many topics—women in male dominated field, family dynamics and relationships, blame and past trauma. In the story, Minnow lost her father to a shark attack and (for many years) felt responsible for that incident. I love how experts from Minnows personal journal were included at the end of each chapter. They added so much more meaning to the narrative, her unresolved grief and her attempts at healing.
My only negative was that the mystery dragged on for a while and this book would have been a perfect read that’s under 300 pages. If you’re a fan of beautifully constructed historical novels with a climate edge to it in the likes of Wild Dark Shores & Migrations (Charlotte McConaghy) or Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens), you will be completely absorbed by this book.
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author, Sara Ackerman for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: January 13, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another winner from Sara Ackerman! I love how she uses her birthplace as a backdrop for her books; her understanding and love of the islands shine through each sentence.
Dr. Minnow Gray reminded me that sometimes we can find our tribe in the last place we expect.
I loved uncovering the family secrets and learning about the unresolved grief as much as I enjoyed learning about white sharks! Ackerman’s mysteries, both Minnow’s and the shark attacks, were well plotted and executed; I couldn’t set the book down.
It was also good to be reminded that appearances can be deceiving and it’s worthwhile getting the truth from the source rather than surmising and acting on wrong information.
Pour yourself a Cadillac margarita, sit back and enjoy this fantastic story about a shark whisperer who comes to terms with her past and confronts her present.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Dr. Minnow Gray reminded me that sometimes we can find our tribe in the last place we expect.
I loved uncovering the family secrets and learning about the unresolved grief as much as I enjoyed learning about white sharks! Ackerman’s mysteries, both Minnow’s and the shark attacks, were well plotted and executed; I couldn’t set the book down.
It was also good to be reminded that appearances can be deceiving and it’s worthwhile getting the truth from the source rather than surmising and acting on wrong information.
Pour yourself a Cadillac margarita, sit back and enjoy this fantastic story about a shark whisperer who comes to terms with her past and confronts her present.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 7, 2026
4.25 stars The Shark House had me hooked from the first page. Sara Ackerman's vast knowledge of the Hawaiian islands and care to capture shark behavior correctly is immediately evident. We first step onto the Kohala Coast on the Big Island with the arrival of Dr. Minnow Gray, Marine biologist and shark expert. She is part of an investigation team tasked with determining why one or more great white sharks are in the area, why there have been incidents, and how to stop it. Minnow grew up in Hawaii and was struck with great tragedy as a young girl. Her inner journey is explored as she navigates the waters investigating the sharks. The complex relationship between humans and sharks is explored. While in Hawaii, there is a romance subplot with the mysterious Luke. Throughout the novel, we learn more about Minnow and sharks in general through her past work journal entries. Tensions flare among long-term locals who have almost mythical beliefs and those who are concerned about the economy and tourism and want to upset the balance of the ocean.
Sara Ackerman's writing is immersive and atmospheric. I felt as if I was in Hawaii swimming through the ocean with Minnow. The educational aspect of the novel stressing the importance of shark conservation is fascinating. Those who love Lessons in Chemistry and books with women in STEM, as well as fans of Charlotte McConaghy will love this book. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Sara Ackerman for the advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
Sara Ackerman's writing is immersive and atmospheric. I felt as if I was in Hawaii swimming through the ocean with Minnow. The educational aspect of the novel stressing the importance of shark conservation is fascinating. Those who love Lessons in Chemistry and books with women in STEM, as well as fans of Charlotte McConaghy will love this book. Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Sara Ackerman for the advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2025
ARC for review. To be published January 13, 2026.
2.5 stars
I was drawn right in by the very title. Who doesn’t want to read a thriller with shark attacks?
Minnow Gray (first off, I think I may have read an old Whitman’s book for girls where the heroine had that same name, and second, any parent who names their female child “Minnow” should probably be investigated) is a shark biologist from California who is called in to consult after two, possibly three, shark attacks on the Kohala coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. Yep, that’s the story, minus some insta-love.
In the hands of a more serious writer this story would have had potential. I mean, I’m all for backstory, but it was almost like the author didn’t have much to say and what she did write was, sadly, not that interesting. We could have learned so much about sharks, and maybe climate change, development, (I’m spitballing here because the reason for the shark attacks was incredibly banal.)
Hawaii seems really nice, though, and I can’t wait to go there.
2.5 stars
I was drawn right in by the very title. Who doesn’t want to read a thriller with shark attacks?
Minnow Gray (first off, I think I may have read an old Whitman’s book for girls where the heroine had that same name, and second, any parent who names their female child “Minnow” should probably be investigated) is a shark biologist from California who is called in to consult after two, possibly three, shark attacks on the Kohala coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. Yep, that’s the story, minus some insta-love.
In the hands of a more serious writer this story would have had potential. I mean, I’m all for backstory, but it was almost like the author didn’t have much to say and what she did write was, sadly, not that interesting. We could have learned so much about sharks, and maybe climate change, development, (I’m spitballing here because the reason for the shark attacks was incredibly banal.)
Hawaii seems really nice, though, and I can’t wait to go there.
Read
October 9, 2025Dear Reader,
Thank you for being here! The Shark House is a book of my heart. Part mystery and part love letter to the ocean and all of its inhabitants, this atmospheric & poignant novel is perfect if you love stories about courageous women and sharks (actually, you may not love sharks before you read this, but my hope is that you will better understand them by the time you finish). What you will find between the pages:
• Sharks
• Dreamy Kohala Coast setting
• Underwater adventures
• Mysterious man
• More sharks
• Long buried family secrets
Living in Hawaiʻi, much of my time is spent in the ocean and as you can imagine, sharks are often on my mind. But it wasn’t until more recently, after a near fatal incident along the coast here, when I really took notice. Around the same time, I also had the good fortune to swim with some resident white tip reef sharks and I realized what incredibly shy and beautiful creatures they are. That’s when I got the idea that maybe it was time to write a shark story that doesn’t paint these animals to be these frenzied, mindless killers, but rather intelligent apex predators who keep our oceans in balance.
I also thought it would be fascinating to write a novel that takes readers deep into Hawaiian waters, where youʻll get to experience what it’s really like to swim with massive sharks, and see them from a new perspective. The Kohala coast on the Big Island is the perfect setting for this, because it’s been long known by Hawaiians as a place where tiger sharks frequent, along with the occasional great white.
This novel was so much fun to research, if not slightly terrifying! And I must say that now when I go for open waters swims, I am always scanning the surrounding waters, expecting (dare I say hoping?) to see a large shark swim on by, completely uninterested in me.
Aloha,
Sara
Thank you for being here! The Shark House is a book of my heart. Part mystery and part love letter to the ocean and all of its inhabitants, this atmospheric & poignant novel is perfect if you love stories about courageous women and sharks (actually, you may not love sharks before you read this, but my hope is that you will better understand them by the time you finish). What you will find between the pages:
• Sharks
• Dreamy Kohala Coast setting
• Underwater adventures
• Mysterious man
• More sharks
• Long buried family secrets
Living in Hawaiʻi, much of my time is spent in the ocean and as you can imagine, sharks are often on my mind. But it wasn’t until more recently, after a near fatal incident along the coast here, when I really took notice. Around the same time, I also had the good fortune to swim with some resident white tip reef sharks and I realized what incredibly shy and beautiful creatures they are. That’s when I got the idea that maybe it was time to write a shark story that doesn’t paint these animals to be these frenzied, mindless killers, but rather intelligent apex predators who keep our oceans in balance.
I also thought it would be fascinating to write a novel that takes readers deep into Hawaiian waters, where youʻll get to experience what it’s really like to swim with massive sharks, and see them from a new perspective. The Kohala coast on the Big Island is the perfect setting for this, because it’s been long known by Hawaiians as a place where tiger sharks frequent, along with the occasional great white.
This novel was so much fun to research, if not slightly terrifying! And I must say that now when I go for open waters swims, I am always scanning the surrounding waters, expecting (dare I say hoping?) to see a large shark swim on by, completely uninterested in me.
Aloha,
Sara
August 30, 2025
4.5 / 5 Stars
Who has two thumbs and got emotional reading a book about sharks? THIS GAL! Set in 1998, “The Shark House” centers on Minnow, a biologist who specializes in shark research, who is called to Hawai’i to investigate three recent shark attacks. Incidents with humans and sharks are rare so Minnow is tasked with figuring out what prompted these attacks and if the same shark is behind them. As fear grows within the community, both of the sharks and of their impact on tourism and money, Minnow works against the clock before a shark hunt begins. As Minnow explores, she starts to relive and rethink her father’s death many years ago. Part mystery, part cool facts about sharks, and part exploration of family and grief, this had me hooked from the first chapter.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🦈 Women’s literature with a romance subplot
💙 Facts about sharks
🦈 Learning more about the history and culture of Hawai’i
💙 Complicated family dynamics
🦈 Explorations of grief
I really enjoyed Minnow. She is strong, kind, and smart and deals with a ton of sexism (it is DR. Minnow Gray to y’all. Put some respect on that PhD). Minnow has an innate connection to the ocean, nature, and sharks. She can hear and sense things that most people can’t (a shark’s heartbeat, the sound of fins) which make her feel different but are truly her superpower. Her relationship with Luke was slightly confusing at times because that man was dodging her questions like his life depended on it. But she does say that the “dangerous unknown had always appealed to her” so I guess if you can swim with sharks, you can fall for Luke. In the end, I did like their relationship even if I couldn’t exactly explain why. And I LOVED the side characters: Nalu, Angela, Woody and Cliff are fantastic.
Minnow’s relationship with her mother, father, and her father’s death were also very well done. Minnow’s father died from a shark attack when she was very young and she blames herself for the loss. While in Hawai’i, she is reprocessing and reliving the events while also learning new information about her father and mother (who has also passed). It really added to her character growth and the nuances of family dynamics in a powerful way.
The writing was really atmospheric and captivating. Even though it centers on two really grand topics (sharks and Hawai’i), it always felt grounded. Even with the mystery element of trying to figure out the shark attacks, the writing was always even keeled and powerful in its quietness. It felt like being floating in the ocean – it could feel overwhelming being in something so big but instead it felt like being lulled and comforting. Occasionally, some of the dialogue was a bit awkward, but that might get ironed out. And I LOOOOVED the information about sharks and Hawai’i. It all flowed really well and never felt like it was just being jammed in. I can’t explain it but a book about violent shark attacks felt like a warm hug. It was really lovely.
My biggest struggle was with the timeline of Minnow’s journal entries. Each chapter ends with an entry from Minnow’s journal from different parts of her life, mostly from 1993 and 1996 when she was conducting research and some from 1998 as she was actively in Hawai’i. The entries always related to the chapter but because they were out of order, it was sometimes hard to tell where Minnow was in her life journey and what was happening when. And I have no clue how old Minnow is (small detail but I think it's an important one).
I would highly recommend this book if you have even the smallest curiosity about sharks, the ecosystem of the ocean, nature, Hawai’i, or a badass lady scientist. Thank you to Brooke and Ari for the buddy read – I don’t think I would have picked up this book without them and I am so glad that I did.
Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Excited for this buddy read with Ari and Brooke!
The first chapter is making me delulu because I want to pet some sharks, which you know, I've had worse ideas before.
Who has two thumbs and got emotional reading a book about sharks? THIS GAL! Set in 1998, “The Shark House” centers on Minnow, a biologist who specializes in shark research, who is called to Hawai’i to investigate three recent shark attacks. Incidents with humans and sharks are rare so Minnow is tasked with figuring out what prompted these attacks and if the same shark is behind them. As fear grows within the community, both of the sharks and of their impact on tourism and money, Minnow works against the clock before a shark hunt begins. As Minnow explores, she starts to relive and rethink her father’s death many years ago. Part mystery, part cool facts about sharks, and part exploration of family and grief, this had me hooked from the first chapter.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🦈 Women’s literature with a romance subplot
💙 Facts about sharks
🦈 Learning more about the history and culture of Hawai’i
💙 Complicated family dynamics
🦈 Explorations of grief
I really enjoyed Minnow. She is strong, kind, and smart and deals with a ton of sexism (it is DR. Minnow Gray to y’all. Put some respect on that PhD). Minnow has an innate connection to the ocean, nature, and sharks. She can hear and sense things that most people can’t (a shark’s heartbeat, the sound of fins) which make her feel different but are truly her superpower. Her relationship with Luke was slightly confusing at times because that man was dodging her questions like his life depended on it. But she does say that the “dangerous unknown had always appealed to her” so I guess if you can swim with sharks, you can fall for Luke. In the end, I did like their relationship even if I couldn’t exactly explain why. And I LOVED the side characters: Nalu, Angela, Woody and Cliff are fantastic.
Minnow’s relationship with her mother, father, and her father’s death were also very well done. Minnow’s father died from a shark attack when she was very young and she blames herself for the loss. While in Hawai’i, she is reprocessing and reliving the events while also learning new information about her father and mother (who has also passed). It really added to her character growth and the nuances of family dynamics in a powerful way.
The writing was really atmospheric and captivating. Even though it centers on two really grand topics (sharks and Hawai’i), it always felt grounded. Even with the mystery element of trying to figure out the shark attacks, the writing was always even keeled and powerful in its quietness. It felt like being floating in the ocean – it could feel overwhelming being in something so big but instead it felt like being lulled and comforting. Occasionally, some of the dialogue was a bit awkward, but that might get ironed out. And I LOOOOVED the information about sharks and Hawai’i. It all flowed really well and never felt like it was just being jammed in. I can’t explain it but a book about violent shark attacks felt like a warm hug. It was really lovely.
My biggest struggle was with the timeline of Minnow’s journal entries. Each chapter ends with an entry from Minnow’s journal from different parts of her life, mostly from 1993 and 1996 when she was conducting research and some from 1998 as she was actively in Hawai’i. The entries always related to the chapter but because they were out of order, it was sometimes hard to tell where Minnow was in her life journey and what was happening when. And I have no clue how old Minnow is (small detail but I think it's an important one).
I would highly recommend this book if you have even the smallest curiosity about sharks, the ecosystem of the ocean, nature, Hawai’i, or a badass lady scientist. Thank you to Brooke and Ari for the buddy read – I don’t think I would have picked up this book without them and I am so glad that I did.
Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Excited for this buddy read with Ari and Brooke!
The first chapter is making me delulu because I want to pet some sharks, which you know, I've had worse ideas before.
January 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and learned some things as well. There is a very good story weaved between the bigger issues on how humans have a very impactful influence on the earth and all of its leaving creatures. Things are tied up very nicely at the end.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
November 11, 2025
It's 1998 in Hawaii. Biologist and white shark expert Minnow Gray travels to the rugged Hawai'i coastline, where a series of shark attacks have left the island community on edge. She's hoping to uncover what's going on before the mayor calls for a mass killing of sharks in the area. Haunted by her own past marked by a tragic shark encounter, she forms an unexpected alliance with enigmatic fisherman Luke Greenwood whose presence ignites feelings she can't ignore, but also stirs questions about his part in it all. As Minnow works to shield the sharks from the island's fear-fueled backlash, drawing help from two Hawaiian brothers who are housing her, she unravels a scandal that shakes the community to its core.
I love sharks so I was pretty sure going in that I would love this book. But even if I didn't, I think The Shark House would change my mind. It's written beautifully. It feels like you're there in the perfeft setting of Hawaii and swimming in the warm waters along with Minnow and the sharks. Minnow is likeable and easy to root for. Her feelings and thoughts about sharks are easily communicated and understood. I've never been in the water with a shark, but I've felt some of these things about sharks myself. I'm happy to see a positive book about sharks.
There is a mystery element to it as Minnow tries to determine if the incidents are traced to the same shark. Not only that, it doesn't make sense for it to be even happening. The people that she meets are interesting and enjoyable to read about as well. There are some tense moments with a storm and a centipede so it's not all about days on the Hawaiian coast. Still there is a relaxing vibe that you'll get from reading this book.
I loved this book. I recommend it to everyone! Thank you to Harper Muse Books and Netgalley for the chance to read.
I love sharks so I was pretty sure going in that I would love this book. But even if I didn't, I think The Shark House would change my mind. It's written beautifully. It feels like you're there in the perfeft setting of Hawaii and swimming in the warm waters along with Minnow and the sharks. Minnow is likeable and easy to root for. Her feelings and thoughts about sharks are easily communicated and understood. I've never been in the water with a shark, but I've felt some of these things about sharks myself. I'm happy to see a positive book about sharks.
There is a mystery element to it as Minnow tries to determine if the incidents are traced to the same shark. Not only that, it doesn't make sense for it to be even happening. The people that she meets are interesting and enjoyable to read about as well. There are some tense moments with a storm and a centipede so it's not all about days on the Hawaiian coast. Still there is a relaxing vibe that you'll get from reading this book.
I loved this book. I recommend it to everyone! Thank you to Harper Muse Books and Netgalley for the chance to read.
January 26, 2026
4.25 stars. Marine biologist and shark whisperer Minnow Gray returns to her hometown in Hawaii to find out what provoked the recent shark attacks there. Along with a possible new romance with (fisherman) Luke, instinct tells her foul play is afoot in relation to her beloved sharks.
Y’all Sara Ackerman has done it again.. I love her storytelling! This is an highly atmospheric tale with Ackerman painting a vivid picture of the island itself, its people, and of the ocean and its undersea habitants. I enjoyed listening to this fascinating storyline narrated by Jennifer Robideau giving readers positive insight into the behavior of sharks, shark conservation-its importance, and the Hawaiian culture. There’s a mystery, romance, drama and some tense, tragic moments, and my heart went out to Minnows character as she works through grief from past trauma. An interesting, enlightening tale with so much heart. ❥ Pub. 1/13/26
Thanks to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Y’all Sara Ackerman has done it again.. I love her storytelling! This is an highly atmospheric tale with Ackerman painting a vivid picture of the island itself, its people, and of the ocean and its undersea habitants. I enjoyed listening to this fascinating storyline narrated by Jennifer Robideau giving readers positive insight into the behavior of sharks, shark conservation-its importance, and the Hawaiian culture. There’s a mystery, romance, drama and some tense, tragic moments, and my heart went out to Minnows character as she works through grief from past trauma. An interesting, enlightening tale with so much heart. ❥ Pub. 1/13/26
Thanks to Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2025
I'm a sucker for anything sharky so this called to me. As much as I love shark movies and thrillers where they're the "villains," like Jaws, I especially love when the sharks get painted in a much more realistic and kinder way. The amount of love this author clearly has for sharks, and her understanding towards them, was really lovely to read. The setting for this novel was also so beautifully done. The atmosphere was gorgeous and it felt like I was there.
As nice as the writing was, unfortunately the plot itself lacked much excitement. This almost had the feel of a cozy mystery - except much less mystery and suspense.
While I didn't dislike Minnow as a main character at all, her entire personality seemed to just be Shark. Every aspect of her backstory and her trauma and personality was just shark related. Don't get me wrong though, she was still a more than decent narrator, and I did end up really liking her, as well as the other side characters. Most of them. I didn't particularly care for the romance plot or her love interest. It felt under-developed. Other parts of this felt that way, too. I kept thinking they were setting up something with Minnow and the actress, with how often it was mentioned that they looked alike and were mistaken for sisters, but then... nothing? I still don't understand why that kept being brought up, but maybe that's just a nitpick.
While this may lack the thrills that one may expect from a shark novel, it had a lot of heart. The highlight of this by far was anything surrounding the islands and the culture and the ocean. You could feel the love there and it made this a really nice read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC!
As nice as the writing was, unfortunately the plot itself lacked much excitement. This almost had the feel of a cozy mystery - except much less mystery and suspense.
While I didn't dislike Minnow as a main character at all, her entire personality seemed to just be Shark. Every aspect of her backstory and her trauma and personality was just shark related. Don't get me wrong though, she was still a more than decent narrator, and I did end up really liking her, as well as the other side characters. Most of them. I didn't particularly care for the romance plot or her love interest. It felt under-developed. Other parts of this felt that way, too. I kept thinking they were setting up something with Minnow and the actress, with how often it was mentioned that they looked alike and were mistaken for sisters, but then... nothing? I still don't understand why that kept being brought up, but maybe that's just a nitpick.
While this may lack the thrills that one may expect from a shark novel, it had a lot of heart. The highlight of this by far was anything surrounding the islands and the culture and the ocean. You could feel the love there and it made this a really nice read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC!
January 18, 2026
The Shark House was a seemingly random find that I discovered when I was searching through new 2026 book releases to add to my list, but once I had read the synopsis which mentions sharks and a marine biologist based in Hawaii, I just had to get my hands on it.
The setting and atmosphere are the main draws of The Shark House. I’ve never been to Hawaii (although I’ve watched a lot of Hawaii Five-O, I’m not sure that counts) but the way Ackerman described the island completely transported me there. It’s the middle of winter here in the UK yet I felt like I was catching the sun and waves in Hawaii.
I was very intrigued by what Minnow, the main character, was going through. There are lots of hints that her past was a challenging one, and we learn more about it as the book goes on. It’s clear that she’s still trying to deal with the trauma of her father’s death, although it’s not immediately clear why she was unable to deal with this before now. It’s a very sad situation, but reading about Minnow and her time in Hawaii and with the marine life was a great experience.
There is a bit of a random romance in The Shark House which kicks off about three quarters of the way through. I simply did not care for it. It’s not that the romance was bad, it was that it was bland, and to be honest I just wanted to spend time with the sharks.
I really enjoyed reading the mystery that is threaded throughout this book. While The Shark House is mainly a character focused story, the mystery of which shark is attacking people and why is a very intriguing element of the book. The mystery does conclude very quickly and this probably will not satisfy all readers, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
After reading The Shark House I’m very interested in reading more from this author. The Maui Effect has been on my wishlist for a while, so I’d like to dig into that one next.
The setting and atmosphere are the main draws of The Shark House. I’ve never been to Hawaii (although I’ve watched a lot of Hawaii Five-O, I’m not sure that counts) but the way Ackerman described the island completely transported me there. It’s the middle of winter here in the UK yet I felt like I was catching the sun and waves in Hawaii.
I was very intrigued by what Minnow, the main character, was going through. There are lots of hints that her past was a challenging one, and we learn more about it as the book goes on. It’s clear that she’s still trying to deal with the trauma of her father’s death, although it’s not immediately clear why she was unable to deal with this before now. It’s a very sad situation, but reading about Minnow and her time in Hawaii and with the marine life was a great experience.
There is a bit of a random romance in The Shark House which kicks off about three quarters of the way through. I simply did not care for it. It’s not that the romance was bad, it was that it was bland, and to be honest I just wanted to spend time with the sharks.
I really enjoyed reading the mystery that is threaded throughout this book. While The Shark House is mainly a character focused story, the mystery of which shark is attacking people and why is a very intriguing element of the book. The mystery does conclude very quickly and this probably will not satisfy all readers, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
After reading The Shark House I’m very interested in reading more from this author. The Maui Effect has been on my wishlist for a while, so I’d like to dig into that one next.
January 20, 2026
#ad much love for my finished copy @booksparks + @harpermuse #partner
🆃🅷🅴 🆂🅷🅰🆁🅺 🅷🅾🆄🆂🅴
< @saraackermanbooks >
ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ | ᴡᴏᴍᴇɴ’ꜱ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱʜɪᴘ | ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ
Shark > Spider any day she said!
Bodies have been popping up around the Hawai’i coast. Shark attacks - presumed. But then when another swimmer disappears (who shouldn’t have as a master competitive swimmer) this prompts the higher ups to call in help.
Dr Minnow Gray, a marine biologist, has a deep love and connection to sharks. She’s spent her life studying them - after watching one kill her father when she was younger - and jumps at the chance to help when she’s called in to help. It’s odd for sharks to be attacking here - so what’s going on.
The story is told in journal entries from a few years ago and then chapters in the current time. Each were gripping and made you want to keep reading. The journal entries and how informative some of them were were just fascinating. I learned so much information about sharks.
This is one of those atmospheric mysteries that keeps you wondering about what’s happening, but also slowing down at the same time to appreciate the beauty of the setting. And the writing is just beautiful.
Def recommend this one! But as far as this being a “tear-jerker” - yeah, I don’t see it. 🫣 my mom might have cried haha LOVED IT!
Loss of father
Grief
Mem
Give her a shark over a spider any day
Galeophobia
January 19, 2026
What an interesting book- it is very pro-shark. Similar to Jaws, there have been some shark attacks and local government is worried about it affecting tourism so they are encouraging a shark hunt. It is a great white and I learned that humans kill 2 million sharks per year and sharks kill less than 5 humans. It is useless to hunt them and bad for the environment. It takes place in Hawaii which is much different than New England. I really enjoyed the back story and the main character is a shark expert whose father was killed by a shark but she understands they are not a threat to humans. There is also a little bit of romance but this is more climate and enviromental light mystery. I seriously learned a lot about sharks.
January 9, 2026
Thank you UpLit Reads and to the publisher for my gifted copies and ALC
DNF- 2⭐️ for the cover art and because I like sharks
I was so excited to read this based off the synopsis. The cover art is beautiful and I love sharks. But this story just didn’t do it for me.
It started out strong when Minnow goes to investigate and research a shark attack down in Hawaii. And I can tell you I was invested probably for the first several chapters with the ongoing investigation, Minnow’s love and advocacy for sharks, and the locals disapproval of the events. But this story quickly became mundane for me and I was struggling to keep going by 40%. The character development and storyline was about as exciting as the narration.
Then I said I would suck it up and got to 61%. At that point, with 3ish hours left in a very monotone audiobook narration, I just decided I couldn’t do it anymore. I had so much high hopes for this and it less then delivered.
For a book marketed around sharks and self-discovery, while atmospheric, there isn’t any excitement or suspense or really any raw emotion
Clearly I am an outlier as this book has many, many good reviews, so take this one with a grain of salt
DNF- 2⭐️ for the cover art and because I like sharks
I was so excited to read this based off the synopsis. The cover art is beautiful and I love sharks. But this story just didn’t do it for me.
It started out strong when Minnow goes to investigate and research a shark attack down in Hawaii. And I can tell you I was invested probably for the first several chapters with the ongoing investigation, Minnow’s love and advocacy for sharks, and the locals disapproval of the events. But this story quickly became mundane for me and I was struggling to keep going by 40%. The character development and storyline was about as exciting as the narration.
Then I said I would suck it up and got to 61%. At that point, with 3ish hours left in a very monotone audiobook narration, I just decided I couldn’t do it anymore. I had so much high hopes for this and it less then delivered.
For a book marketed around sharks and self-discovery, while atmospheric, there isn’t any excitement or suspense or really any raw emotion
Clearly I am an outlier as this book has many, many good reviews, so take this one with a grain of salt
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5-4⭐️
I couldn’t resist this beautiful cover, and Hawaiian setting that gripped me with the rich storytelling right away. I was so fascinated by the string of shark attacks, as marine biologist Minnow Gray comes home to investigate along the Kohala coast. It features self-discovery, appreciation of sharks, and local culture.
*many thanks to Harper Muse, Harper audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
I couldn’t resist this beautiful cover, and Hawaiian setting that gripped me with the rich storytelling right away. I was so fascinated by the string of shark attacks, as marine biologist Minnow Gray comes home to investigate along the Kohala coast. It features self-discovery, appreciation of sharks, and local culture.
*many thanks to Harper Muse, Harper audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
December 4, 2025
One thing The Shark House nails is atmosphere — Hawaii is so vivid it becomes its own character.
Our main character, Dr. Minnow Gray, is sharp, ambitious, and easy to root for. The cast of characters around her add a layer of charm and camaraderie while her side romance brings the right touch of subtlety and sweetness. My favorite part, though, is how the author reimagines shark horror in a way that’s suspenseful, eerie and not over the top.
While I do think there were (small) missed opportunities for the conclusion, overall this was a solid and satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC for my honest review!
Our main character, Dr. Minnow Gray, is sharp, ambitious, and easy to root for. The cast of characters around her add a layer of charm and camaraderie while her side romance brings the right touch of subtlety and sweetness. My favorite part, though, is how the author reimagines shark horror in a way that’s suspenseful, eerie and not over the top.
While I do think there were (small) missed opportunities for the conclusion, overall this was a solid and satisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC for my honest review!
November 20, 2025
Read this if you love…
🌎 Eco-fiction
🦈 Shark science
🧡 Women’s fiction
The year is 1998 and Dr. Minnow Grey is called to investigate a series of shark incidents in Hawai’i. As a marine biologist, Minnow has years of professional and personal experience with great whites. Navigating island politics, old family friends, and a mysterious boat captain forces Minnow to reckon with her own tragic past.
The concept? Fascinating!
The execution? Major bummer.
I’m upset that I didn’t enjoy this more! I love sharks and marine science. This book has been on my radar for months and getting approved meant the world to me. I liked learning more about Hawaiian culture and the lush descriptions of the island and ocean. While I’m far from an expert, the shark content felt well-researched and accurate to me.
Despite a thrilling concept, The Shark House fell short on characterization and pacing. I just wanted more from Minnow and the crew. Just when we’d get an interesting nugget of information, we wouldn’t go any deeper. I feel like I barely know these characters despite spending 384 pages with them. Aside from Woody, everyone felt flat.
The pacing also frustrated me. The chapters dragged on and I didn’t feel compelled to pick up the book. It lacked a driving force to keep me coming back for more. There was a romance but I simply did not care if they got together, which shows how uninvested I was.
While this didn’t work for me, it might work for someone who doesn’t mind a slower pace. I also give kudos for respecting the sharks; they are stunning creatures and so much more than the prevailing media makes them out to be.
Thank you to Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
🌎 Eco-fiction
🦈 Shark science
🧡 Women’s fiction
The year is 1998 and Dr. Minnow Grey is called to investigate a series of shark incidents in Hawai’i. As a marine biologist, Minnow has years of professional and personal experience with great whites. Navigating island politics, old family friends, and a mysterious boat captain forces Minnow to reckon with her own tragic past.
The concept? Fascinating!
The execution? Major bummer.
I’m upset that I didn’t enjoy this more! I love sharks and marine science. This book has been on my radar for months and getting approved meant the world to me. I liked learning more about Hawaiian culture and the lush descriptions of the island and ocean. While I’m far from an expert, the shark content felt well-researched and accurate to me.
Despite a thrilling concept, The Shark House fell short on characterization and pacing. I just wanted more from Minnow and the crew. Just when we’d get an interesting nugget of information, we wouldn’t go any deeper. I feel like I barely know these characters despite spending 384 pages with them. Aside from Woody, everyone felt flat.
The pacing also frustrated me. The chapters dragged on and I didn’t feel compelled to pick up the book. It lacked a driving force to keep me coming back for more. There was a romance but I simply did not care if they got together, which shows how uninvested I was.
While this didn’t work for me, it might work for someone who doesn’t mind a slower pace. I also give kudos for respecting the sharks; they are stunning creatures and so much more than the prevailing media makes them out to be.
Thank you to Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 1, 2025
After meh feelings about this story, I have decided that I much prefer this author's historical fictions than her contemporary stories.
What I did appreciate about this one:
- A respect and reverence for sharks
- A respect for the great balance of the ocean's ecosystems
- A respect for the traditions and ecosystem that is native Hawaiians and nature
- As with her previous books, the pidgin and 'ōlelo Hawai'i, especially the 'ōlelo no'eau in each chapter!
I just saw another review that said that Minnow's personality was Shark and that made me laugh. Kinda true.
*A big mahalo to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
What I did appreciate about this one:
- A respect and reverence for sharks
- A respect for the great balance of the ocean's ecosystems
- A respect for the traditions and ecosystem that is native Hawaiians and nature
- As with her previous books, the pidgin and 'ōlelo Hawai'i, especially the 'ōlelo no'eau in each chapter!
I just saw another review that said that Minnow's personality was Shark and that made me laugh. Kinda true.
*A big mahalo to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
August 10, 2025
ARC - 4.25
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Continuing with my accidental sea creature theme, this was a fab read! Full of really interesting characters and great shark facts.
The beginning was so intriguing and the whole plot was great, but the last third seemed to lack the oomph of the rest, so lost 3/4 of a star.
Overall, a great read. Would recommend to shark lovers or those who are scared of them!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Continuing with my accidental sea creature theme, this was a fab read! Full of really interesting characters and great shark facts.
The beginning was so intriguing and the whole plot was great, but the last third seemed to lack the oomph of the rest, so lost 3/4 of a star.
Overall, a great read. Would recommend to shark lovers or those who are scared of them!!
January 26, 2026
The Shark House by Sara Ackerman felt like reading a Kristin Hannah book, but if she were teaching you about sharks. This book was emotional, atmospheric, and intense, but also educational (and not in a boring way).
The story blends historical fiction, literary fiction, and a light thriller element. Our main character Minnow is a shark expert and biologist who is called to Hawaii to investigate shark attacks. She ends up working with local Hawaiians to try and stop an impending shark culling because they believe the attacks were provoked by illegal chumming. The plot was perfectly paced and the stakes felt so real. I was thoroughly invested in finding out what was going to happen and ended up listening to this book in one sitting.
I absolutely loved Minnow as a character, from her deep passion for sharks despite one killing her father, to her respect and deference to Hawaiian culture, to her dedication to conservation and education. She’s driven not by revenge or anger, but rather by compassion, responsibility, and love for the ocean. I also enjoyed the romantic subplot and was happy it did not overpower the entire book. The side characters were also well written and distinct from one another.
I was also pleasantly surprised that I learned so much about sharks and Hawaiian culture while reading this book, but it never once felt like a documentary. The information was woven naturally into the story, which I appreciated.
The only reason I’m taking off half a star is due to a couple of small issues. First, the storyline involving her mother's backstory felt a bit rushed and slightly cringy. Second, the journal entries occasionally confused me, especially since I was listening on audiobook and couldn’t easily keep track of the timeline or years.
That said, none of the negative points detracted much from my overall enjoyment. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for literary/historical fiction where you’ll be invested in both the characters and plot, learn something new and fascinating, and finish the book feeling hopeful.
I also want to praise the narrator for their pronunciation of Hawaiian words.
Overall, I am giving The Shark House 4.5 stars. It is a heartfelt, atmospheric story with strong environmental themes, memorable characters, and a genuinely satisfying, warm-fuzzy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced listener copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The story blends historical fiction, literary fiction, and a light thriller element. Our main character Minnow is a shark expert and biologist who is called to Hawaii to investigate shark attacks. She ends up working with local Hawaiians to try and stop an impending shark culling because they believe the attacks were provoked by illegal chumming. The plot was perfectly paced and the stakes felt so real. I was thoroughly invested in finding out what was going to happen and ended up listening to this book in one sitting.
I absolutely loved Minnow as a character, from her deep passion for sharks despite one killing her father, to her respect and deference to Hawaiian culture, to her dedication to conservation and education. She’s driven not by revenge or anger, but rather by compassion, responsibility, and love for the ocean. I also enjoyed the romantic subplot and was happy it did not overpower the entire book. The side characters were also well written and distinct from one another.
I was also pleasantly surprised that I learned so much about sharks and Hawaiian culture while reading this book, but it never once felt like a documentary. The information was woven naturally into the story, which I appreciated.
The only reason I’m taking off half a star is due to a couple of small issues. First, the storyline involving her mother's backstory felt a bit rushed and slightly cringy. Second, the journal entries occasionally confused me, especially since I was listening on audiobook and couldn’t easily keep track of the timeline or years.
That said, none of the negative points detracted much from my overall enjoyment. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for literary/historical fiction where you’ll be invested in both the characters and plot, learn something new and fascinating, and finish the book feeling hopeful.
I also want to praise the narrator for their pronunciation of Hawaiian words.
Overall, I am giving The Shark House 4.5 stars. It is a heartfelt, atmospheric story with strong environmental themes, memorable characters, and a genuinely satisfying, warm-fuzzy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced listener copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2026
The first 50% made me consider not finishing this book. I found it to be hard to get into and repetitive. Nothing was sticking out to me and I couldn’t connect with the characters.
Until we reach the last half. The plot thickens rapidly and all of a sudden, I was transported to Hawaii in the 90’s. And boy oh boy was I not ready to leave! I didn’t want to put the book down. I started to really enjoy each and every one of the characters and truly cared about their stories, as well as the sharks.
I think the author does a good job with the atmosphere of the story. It was easy to get swept in with the imagery. That was my favorite part, honestly. When I feel like I can vividly see the book play out in my mind, I’m over the moon! I think this was all captured well and made me crave traveling to Hawaii!
While I do think some of the writing got to be a bit juvenile at times, mainly in the beginning. I still thought it got better as we read on.
My other issue was the ending. It wrapped up very quick in such a short amount of time. I wish there was a little more to the end, but it wasn’t a bad ending. It was just missing that build up, but that could be the thriller reader in me talking.
All in all, the beginning is slow to take off, but the payoff is well worth it! I had a great time with this story and I’m glad I picked it up. This would be amazing to read in the summer on the beach!
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Until we reach the last half. The plot thickens rapidly and all of a sudden, I was transported to Hawaii in the 90’s. And boy oh boy was I not ready to leave! I didn’t want to put the book down. I started to really enjoy each and every one of the characters and truly cared about their stories, as well as the sharks.
I think the author does a good job with the atmosphere of the story. It was easy to get swept in with the imagery. That was my favorite part, honestly. When I feel like I can vividly see the book play out in my mind, I’m over the moon! I think this was all captured well and made me crave traveling to Hawaii!
While I do think some of the writing got to be a bit juvenile at times, mainly in the beginning. I still thought it got better as we read on.
My other issue was the ending. It wrapped up very quick in such a short amount of time. I wish there was a little more to the end, but it wasn’t a bad ending. It was just missing that build up, but that could be the thriller reader in me talking.
All in all, the beginning is slow to take off, but the payoff is well worth it! I had a great time with this story and I’m glad I picked it up. This would be amazing to read in the summer on the beach!
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
January 16, 2026
Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author @saraackermanbooks, @uplitreads and @harpermusebooks for the #gifted book.
This was phenomenal. Truly one of the most atmospheric books I’ve read in a long time—and my favorite read so far this year. I’m so glad I didn’t wait any longer to dive in.
Set in Hawaii in the late 1990s, this story is a soulful, immersive exploration of humans, sharks, and the powerful connection between them. It’s about healing, trauma, resilience, and the way nature can both wound and save us. I didn’t just read this book—I felt it. I felt like I was there, in the water, on the islands, among the people and the sharks.
🎧 Audiobook love:
Jennifer Robideau’s narration was absolutely perfect. Intense, emotional, and so real—it completely elevated the story. One of those narrations where you forget you’re listening because it feels like you’re living it.
✨ What you’ll find inside:
• Marine biologist FMC (women in STEM 🙌)
• Found family
• Slow-burn romance
• Hawaiian culture woven beautifully throughout
• A touch of mystery
• Deeply fascinating, educational shark knowledge
• Healing, redemption, and the raw power of nature
The shark talk was incredible—educational, engaging, and respectful of their complexity. This book stayed with me long after the final chapter, and I already know it’s one I’ll never forget.
Thank you to the author @saraackermanbooks, @uplitreads and @harpermusebooks for the #gifted book.
This was phenomenal. Truly one of the most atmospheric books I’ve read in a long time—and my favorite read so far this year. I’m so glad I didn’t wait any longer to dive in.
Set in Hawaii in the late 1990s, this story is a soulful, immersive exploration of humans, sharks, and the powerful connection between them. It’s about healing, trauma, resilience, and the way nature can both wound and save us. I didn’t just read this book—I felt it. I felt like I was there, in the water, on the islands, among the people and the sharks.
🎧 Audiobook love:
Jennifer Robideau’s narration was absolutely perfect. Intense, emotional, and so real—it completely elevated the story. One of those narrations where you forget you’re listening because it feels like you’re living it.
✨ What you’ll find inside:
• Marine biologist FMC (women in STEM 🙌)
• Found family
• Slow-burn romance
• Hawaiian culture woven beautifully throughout
• A touch of mystery
• Deeply fascinating, educational shark knowledge
• Healing, redemption, and the raw power of nature
The shark talk was incredible—educational, engaging, and respectful of their complexity. This book stayed with me long after the final chapter, and I already know it’s one I’ll never forget.
January 22, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
January 31, 2026
My sister recommended this to me because she thought it would feed into my dream of being a marine biologist. 100% nailed it. If you binge Shark Week on Discovery Channel & also want a nice light tropical romance mystery... this is a great read. (Thanks for the rec, Syd!!)
October 16, 2025
This is book exemplifies why I read. I was transported to a place I’ve never been and got to learn about something I’ve never been exposed to. A heartwarming story about sharks, love of profession, found family, and healing old wounds. Seeing white sharks in a new light, I will not enter the water again without immense gratitude and respect. The story itself was well told and kept me engaged.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Harper Muse. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Harper Muse. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 10, 2025
Saw SHARK and was instantly sold on this book. Reading about shocking shark attacks in Hawaii seemed like such a great thriller. Unfortunately, it was not much more enticing past the title and the description... It had so much potential, but the story just fell flat throughout. There was no excitement, no heavy hitting twists, no suspense, not even a developed romantic aspect. It was like there was not much to say, but the story needed to be longer so there was a lot more thrown in and was not interesting. My mind kept drifting and I kept needing to force myself to listen to the audiobook just to get through it.
I did enjoy all the shark facts that were strewn throughout and the use of Polynesian and the history of Hawaii and the research did shine through. There was so much potential in the FMC being a biologist that studies sharks and happens to find her connection to Hawaii. Instead, we got her acting like some sort of rogue detective and not really being a biologist. It was a weird disconnect.
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced Audiobook copy
I did enjoy all the shark facts that were strewn throughout and the use of Polynesian and the history of Hawaii and the research did shine through. There was so much potential in the FMC being a biologist that studies sharks and happens to find her connection to Hawaii. Instead, we got her acting like some sort of rogue detective and not really being a biologist. It was a weird disconnect.
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced Audiobook copy
December 27, 2025
Sorry to say this was not what I expected, and although I did enjoy many parts of it, there were others that just fell flat.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a masterpiece, but just not for me.
(Being as we spent a few weeks in The Hawaii Islands at the end of 1995 for our honeymoon, I was very interested in reading this one. I figured it would bring back a ton of memories…) Lots of beautiful scenes depicted…
Dr. Minnow Gray is called upon to go from California, where she is a marine biologist, to The Big Island of Hawaii… where there have been several shark attacks recently. The year is 1998.
She is a lover of sharks, and some call her the shark whisperer… so when she hears that the big wigs in town are calling for mass killings of the sharks… well, she has to at least TRY to help and get this stopped. She feels this in her heart, her bones, her soul…
But…what can she do? She’s only one person? ….
And so we begin the tale that unravels very S L O W L Y ….
Minnow knows these waters. She knows this area. She almost feels like she knows this shark!
She puts together a very small team to investigate…but while investigating the incidents, she also unearths some truths about herself, her family, and her own past.
Again, don’t get me wrong. It was a good book! But, did I enjoy it as much as others of hers that I’ve read… no.
And really, I’m not sure why.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please give it a try. Maybe it was just an off day for me… 🤨
#The SharkHouse by @SaraAckerman and narrated nicely by @JenniferRobideau.
3 🌟🌟🌟 for me!
THIS ONE IS NOT BEING RELEASED UNTIL JANUARY 13TH... SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES 👀 OPEN FOR IT’S RELEASE Next Month!!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperMuseAudiofor an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Don’t get me wrong, this is a masterpiece, but just not for me.
(Being as we spent a few weeks in The Hawaii Islands at the end of 1995 for our honeymoon, I was very interested in reading this one. I figured it would bring back a ton of memories…) Lots of beautiful scenes depicted…
Dr. Minnow Gray is called upon to go from California, where she is a marine biologist, to The Big Island of Hawaii… where there have been several shark attacks recently. The year is 1998.
She is a lover of sharks, and some call her the shark whisperer… so when she hears that the big wigs in town are calling for mass killings of the sharks… well, she has to at least TRY to help and get this stopped. She feels this in her heart, her bones, her soul…
But…what can she do? She’s only one person? ….
And so we begin the tale that unravels very S L O W L Y ….
Minnow knows these waters. She knows this area. She almost feels like she knows this shark!
She puts together a very small team to investigate…but while investigating the incidents, she also unearths some truths about herself, her family, and her own past.
Again, don’t get me wrong. It was a good book! But, did I enjoy it as much as others of hers that I’ve read… no.
And really, I’m not sure why.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please give it a try. Maybe it was just an off day for me… 🤨
#The SharkHouse by @SaraAckerman and narrated nicely by @JenniferRobideau.
3 🌟🌟🌟 for me!
THIS ONE IS NOT BEING RELEASED UNTIL JANUARY 13TH... SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES 👀 OPEN FOR IT’S RELEASE Next Month!!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarperMuseAudiofor an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
January 14, 2026
I am a huge fan of Sara Ackerman’s books, and have read all of them. “The Shark House” by Sara Ackerman is a well-written masterpiece that describes both nature and nurture. Set in Hawaii, the Author vividly and visually describes the imagery of the beautiful ocean and land, and how all living things exist for a reason. This is such a captivating, unique, creative and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Animals, Ocean Habitats, and Fiction. There is a dash of magical realism and folk tales. The author describes the dramatic and colorful characters as complex, complicated, manipulative, quirky, flawed, and courageous. There are betrayals, twists and turns, adventure, danger, secrets and searching for answers. I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of family, friends, neighbors, community, saving animal life in the oceans, and understanding of nature, love and hope.
The female protagonist, Dr. Minnow Gray, is asked to come to Hawaii after a few believed White Shark attacks. Minnow specializes in the study of White Sharks, especially dealing with experiences from her past. She understand that both humans and sharks share the ocean, and seeks nature’s balance. Minnow knows the White Shark’s behavioral patterns, and something is “off” and mysteriously happening, She wants to prevent unnecessary slaughter of sharks. Minnow investigates, researches and speaks to the local residents, one attacked victim, and the families that have been involved with shark attacks. Minnow makes the acquaintance of Luke Greenwood, a fisherman who seems to have some secrets of his own. She works with two local brothers from the island to find out what illegal activities are in the community. Minnow is also trying to understand her past, and her relationship to the sharks. I was captivated and found it difficult to put this book down. I appreciate the amount of research that the author has down, and I learned many things about sharks and other living things in the ocean. I highly recommend this memorable and thought-provoking book.
The female protagonist, Dr. Minnow Gray, is asked to come to Hawaii after a few believed White Shark attacks. Minnow specializes in the study of White Sharks, especially dealing with experiences from her past. She understand that both humans and sharks share the ocean, and seeks nature’s balance. Minnow knows the White Shark’s behavioral patterns, and something is “off” and mysteriously happening, She wants to prevent unnecessary slaughter of sharks. Minnow investigates, researches and speaks to the local residents, one attacked victim, and the families that have been involved with shark attacks. Minnow makes the acquaintance of Luke Greenwood, a fisherman who seems to have some secrets of his own. She works with two local brothers from the island to find out what illegal activities are in the community. Minnow is also trying to understand her past, and her relationship to the sharks. I was captivated and found it difficult to put this book down. I appreciate the amount of research that the author has down, and I learned many things about sharks and other living things in the ocean. I highly recommend this memorable and thought-provoking book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews