Member Review

Rewiring Jaws

Sara Ackerman's "Shark House" stands out for its vivid Hawaiian setting, authentic portrayal of local culture, and ability to foster a deeper appreciation for sharks. However, its ambitions are undermined by the slow-paced mystery and a handful of disappointingly underdeveloped characters.

In 1998, a rash of great white shark attacks off the coast of Hawaii prompted the arrival of marine biologist and white shark expert Minnow Gray. With the upcoming Kiawe Roughwater Swim race and spring break looming, the island’s mayor was focused on avoiding widespread panic and the resulting economic blow to tourism. Minnow, an avid shark conservationist, soon saw her worst fears realized when the mayor ignored her warnings and authorized a public shark hunt as a definitive solution to the problem.

While the premise echoes the “Jaws” narrative, the central focus of "Shark House" is not a hunt. Minnow’s mission is to counteract the way we have demonized sharks. The narrative continually integrates data to emphasize the rare actual occurrence of shark attacks on people. Minnow's primary tasks are to establish if a singular, rogue shark is involved and to pinpoint why this specific location is experiencing a concentration of attacks.

Minnow's father was killed by a shark when she was a child. Despite the trauma of his disappearance at sea, Minnow developed an appreciation for sharks instead of bitterness toward them. The novel intersperses the main narrative with regular flashbacks that reveal this background story.

“Shark House” effectively uses its authentic Hawaiian characters to enrich both the setting and the plot. Other characters, however, prove somewhat underdeveloped. Most notably, the "mystery" love interest, whose dialogue with Minnow is a pronounced flaw. Intended to sound tentative, their exchanges come across as stilted and cumbersome, a problem particularly jarring in the audio version. Similarly, the early introduction of a glamorous movie star, who seems positioned as a key ally for Minnow, is quickly exploited and then seemingly underutilized by the narrative.

“Shark House” suffers from a significant pacing issue, embodying the term "slow burn" in a detrimental way for a mystery novel. While the regular flashbacks effectively build a strong understanding and admiration for the protagonist, Minnow (despite her horribly weak love interest), the overall pacing felt sluggish. This lack of suspense ultimately hampered the narrative, with even the late reveal coming across as uninspired.

The Shark House offers an evocative Hawaiian setting and a sweeping atmosphere. While readers can learn valuable things about sharks and their crucial role in the ocean’s ecosystem, those expecting danger and suspense from nature's "killing machines" may be disappointed. It is more akin to a cozy mystery than an action-hero escapade.

Thank you to both Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing an advance reader copy and an advance listener copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheSharkHouse #NetGalley

The audiobook is highly recommended, as it is read magnificently by Jennifer Robideau; however, it is advisable to speed through Minnow's somewhat awkward romantic endeavors.