The Shark

by Mary Burton
The Shark cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Technical
  • ID: 5155
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
excellent 4.50

The Shark is a gripping and intense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The protagonist's journey is both harrowing and compelling, making it a standout in the genre.

The Shark is a masterfully crafted thriller that delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche. The protagonist's relentless pursuit of justice is both thrilling and unsettling, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The author's vivid descriptions and intricate plotting create a sense of urgency that is hard to put down. The book's exploration of themes such as revenge and redemption adds depth to the story, making it more than just a typical thriller. The Shark is a book that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Quick quotes

    The protagonist's journey is both harrowing and compelling

    The author's vivid descriptions and intricate plotting create a sense of urgency

    The book's exploration of themes such as revenge and redemption adds depth to the story

penguinrandomhouse.ca · Unknown · 2025-10-23
excellent 4.00

The Shark is a gripping crime thriller with a strong protagonist and a fast-paced plot. The book effectively blends suspense, action, and real-world issues, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre. The chemistry between the main characters adds a romantic element, though it takes a backseat to the crime-solving aspects. The antagonist, while predictable, is dark and sinister, adding to the book's intensity.

Mary Burton's The Shark is a well-crafted police procedural that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Virginia State Trooper Riley Tatum, whose past comes back to haunt her when she is called to a murder scene reminiscent of an unsolved case involving a serial killer nicknamed the Shark. Former FBI agent Clay Bowman, now working for Shield Security, joins Riley in the investigation, bringing his own demons to the table. The book excels in its fast-paced plot and gripping scenes, effectively intertwining Riley's past with the present through well-placed flashbacks. The protagonist, Riley, is well-developed and relatable, while Clay's character, though not as deeply explored, adds a layer of complexity to the story. The chemistry between Riley and Clay is palpable, though it is often overshadowed by the intense crime thriller elements. The antagonist, while somewhat predictable, is chilling and adds a dark edge to the narrative. The book tackles real-world issues such as human trafficking, grief, and work-life balance, adding depth to the story. Overall, The Shark is a thrilling read that will appeal to fans of crime thrillers and detective stories with a touch of romance. The book's intensity and well-crafted plot make it a standout in the genre, and readers will likely be eager to see what comes next in the series.

Quick quotes

    Mary Burton knows how to write a police procedural with plenty of suspense and thrills that allow readers to experience shocking action scenes from the comfort and safety of their homes.

    The book did a great job of bringing together Riley’s past and the present through flashbacks interspersed in the current story line.

    The antagonist was a little too predictable. The chemistry between Riley and Clay was there, but took a backseat to the crime thriller and police procedural parts of the book.

inverarity.livejournal.com · Unknown · 2017-09-02
mixed 3.50

The Shark is a thrilling and suspenseful novel with well-developed characters and a gripping plot. The reviewer found the audiobook narration to be well-done and enjoyed the action and suspense throughout the story. However, some reviewers found the twists predictable and the romance elements lacking.

The Shark by Mary Burton is a romantic suspense novel that has received mixed reviews. Some readers found it to be a thrilling and suspenseful read with well-developed characters and a gripping plot. The reviewer who enjoyed the audiobook version praised the narration and the action-packed story. They found the characters easy to follow and the ending satisfying. However, other reviewers found the twists to be predictable and the romance elements to be lacking. One reviewer mentioned that the audiobook narration was hard to follow due to similar-sounding voices, and they were disappointed by the lack of romance and the predictable plot twists. Overall, the novel has received a rating of 3.85 on average, with some readers finding it to be a great addition to the crime thriller genre and others finding it to be a sub-par thriller/romance.

Quick quotes

    Such a very interesting story with plenty of action and suspense. The characters are easy to follow and enjoy. The ending was good. The narration was nicely done. I recommend this book.

    A sub-par thriller/romance that fails on both fronts.

    The audiobook was a little hard to follow along because all the voices sounded fairly similar and at times I had no idea who was speaking.

allaboutromance.com · Unknown · 2016-07-23
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer had high hopes for The Shark, given their past enjoyment of Mary Burton's work, but found the book boring and predictable. The characters were stock and lacked depth, and the suspense angle was unengaging.

The reviewer was excited to read The Shark, the first book in Mary Burton’s Forgotten Files series, hoping to recommend it based on their past enjoyment of the author's work. However, they found the book disappointing. The characters, Riley and Clay, were stock and lacked depth, with their interactions feeling more like coworkers than potential romantic partners. The suspense angle was predictable, and the reviewer guessed the identity of the mysterious card player early on. While the prose was good, the story lacked the depth and excitement needed to rise above the ordinary. The reviewer would only recommend this book to diehard fans of the author.

Quick quotes

    I really wanted to love The Shark... Unfortunately, I found myself quickly bored and having to force myself to turn the pages just to finish this tale.

    This is a standard police procedural style romantic suspense which has absolutely nothing new to offer a reader.

    While the prose in The Shark is excellent and the rest of the story adequate, good fiction needs a little more to rise above the level of ordinary.

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