If you're a fan of Shark Week, you'll probably
be a fan of this! A love letter to sharks
especially (great) White Sharks.


The story follows Minnow, a marine biologist
who specialises in Great White Sharks. After
several attacks off the coast of Big Island,
Hawai she is called in to see if she can find
the reason.


Can she figure out why this Shark is acting
out of character and also unravel her
childhood memories of when her dad was
killed by a Shark whilst she's at it?


An easy read but with some nicely tense
moments too.


"I received a complimentary copy of this
book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own."

The shark attacks are chilling, but what struck me more was how in the natural world, Minnow’s personal history, and the trauma she carries all tie into each other. Beautiful setting in Hawaii, interesting mystery, good pace. I liked seeing the internal journey as much as the external threat. I'd recommend this book!

This book was absolutely beautiful from start to finish. I was immediately drawn in because I had traveled to Hawaii this year for my honeymoon, and the setting brought me right back to the sights, sounds, and feelings of the islands. I have always thought of sharks as dangerous, but reading this story gave me a whole new appreciation for them. While they can still be powerful and at times frightening, this book showed me just how misunderstood they often are.

Minnow Gray’s journey was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The way the story wove together mystery, romance, Hawaiian culture, and shark biology felt seamless and captivating. I loved learning more about the ocean and the creatures within it, but what really stayed with me was Minnow herself - her strength, her vulnerability, and her healing. The balance of suspense and emotion made it impossible to put down at times, and the story stayed with me long after finishing.

Thank you Harper Muse the opportunity to read the ARC of this amazing story!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beautiful story, and I learned SO much about great white sharks. Loved the main character Minnow, you could feel her passion for the ocean through the pages. Hawaii was also a character of its own in this, loved the way the culture and the local characters really came to life. Only complaint was that it was slow for me at parts and it felt like it took awhile to get to the climax, but the wait was worth it! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because sharks <3

Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you to the author and publishers for this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Shark House swept me away from the beginning. Reminiscent of Charlotte McConaghy's writing-this is a story about conservation, the relationship between humans and the natural environment, trauma/grief, and doing whatever it takes to fight for what is right. Ackerman wove such a beautifully descriptive story of the life teaming within Hawaii's waters, and I was glued to the pages.

I have always been curious of sharks-I grew up on the west coast of Canada and always wondered about the sharks that might be in the water. As a child, I once found a shark tooth on the beach-something very rare for where we lived, and it has always been one of my favourite beach finds. As curious as I have always been, I have also always had a substantial fear, which I realize is likely due to language used in the media we consume. I appreciated this book's efforts to dispel myths about sharks, and hope that it can reach a wide audience.

This book made me fall a little bit in love with sharks and the ocean, something I never thought possible, since I’ve always been afraid of both.

From the beginning, it’s clear how well researched this story is. The details about sharks and the environment are excellent, adding depth and authenticity.

The writing style is strong, and the setting feels fresh and unique. While the story begins a little slowly and it took me some time to connect with the characters, it ultimately came together beautifully. The ending was absolutely fantastic.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves emotional, well-researched stories with a unique and beautiful setting.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first novel by this author and I can’t wait to read more work by her. The storyline takes place in the 90s in Hawaii’i. The main character is a marine biologist which I love, who is investigating why the sharks are attacking at a high rate. Thank You NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy of the book.

Minnow gray is helping experts figure out why shark attacks keep happening lately. Love the writing style and beautifully written. Love minnow gray as a character 💖

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 shines 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.

This book was an interesting mix of thriller and self-discovery, set against the beautiful but dangerous Hawaiian coast.

I liked the premise of a shark expert investigating unusual attacks. The ocean scenes were well described, pulling me into the atmosphere. Minnow’s backstory with her father added depth, although it sometimes felt slightly drawn out and slowed the pacing.

The balance between action and personal reflection wasn’t always smooth, but the tension around the shark encounters kept me engaged enough to finish.

It’s a decent read if you enjoy ocean-based suspense stories with a touch of personal drama, though it may not satisfy readers looking for nonstop thrills.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

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.

The Shark House by Sara Ackerman First to NetGalley, thanks for the chance to read this book early. I have enjoyed several of Sara Ackermans books and this was @n interesting escape to Hawaii. There were times when I really thought the book could do without the main character but her back story was needed for shark knowledge. I enjoyed the local characters in this novel very much. Nice book to take to the beach😆.

historical fiction isn't one that i do very often, but this one was a homerun for me. maybe i'm biased from my love of marine bio and sharks especially, but this was such a moving, captivating story. bravo

I love Ackerman’s books which showcase many parts of Hawaii. Everything from scenery, customs, culture and more. This one focuses on Sharks, which is absolutely fascinating to me. Most of us know of the danger, but not much else.

I loved learning about Minnow Gray , who is a biologist and “shark whisperer”. She is on the coastline of Hawaii and people are taken back by a series of shark attacks. This is a haunting task for her and she has dealt with an attack of someone close to her.

What she will find is more than just attacks and involves some very powerful people. This atmospheric novel is filled with scandal and a little romance. Dig deep into this powerful novel which kept me engrossed from start to finish.

Thank you, Harper Muse for the advanced copy.

This was absolutely stunning. I am someone who loves marine life and seeing the passion for sharks really makes me happy! It’s what made me intrigued to read this book to begin with. I was so drawn in to the characters and the plot, it felt out of this world. The passion and trauma explored in this book gave me goosebumps. Please read this book if you appreciate gorgeous writing and story telling, this hit the mark. Most importantly, I finished this book wanting to adopt a shark and write my monthly letters. The author should feel really proud of this book. This is my fourth 5 star read of the year, and I do not give them out lightly! 10/10

Captivating read! The description of the Big Island made me think of my trip there and how beautiful it was. Enjoyed the character development of Minnow and the other characters. Never thought of sharks as bquatoufl creatures, but enjoyed learning about them and now have a different perspective on them, they are creatures of the sea like everyone else. Minnow is a passionate character with love for sharks, she find herself on the Big Island to try to find a reason for recent shark attacks. Along the way, she teams up with a few local men to help her solve the mystery.
Another great read by Sara Ackerman!

Another 5 star book! Perfect balance of heart pounding and feel good moments while telling a truly unique story. I never thought I would be so invested in a sharks story and their delicate balance in our oceans. And as always, the fine details that capture the every essence of the islands shines through the pages and transports the reader there.

I appreciate how well researched this book is. Ackerman obviously has some affinity for sharks as Minnow's passion for marine life permeates the plot completely. The scientific elements are fairly well integrated with the romantic subplots and Minnow's character development.

There's a little bit of everything in this book - family drama, childhood trauma, romance, marine biology and a mystery. Genuinely what more could be squeezed into a 300 page book.

However, I was bored reading this. I thought the mystery dragged on for quite a bit and I didn’t enjoy any of the romance scenes. I needed the whole book to be just Nalu and Minnow, their dynamic was the only enjoyable one to read about. Whilst the vivid setting made me want to be on the beach in Hawaii, I didn’t develop any emotional attachment to the characters or the work they were doing in the way I was expecting to. The ending was also too rushed for me. I would call this an average read because of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I felt guilty because I was <b>feeling slumpy</b> during this read from the three mediocre books I read before, but <i>The Shark House</i> 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 <b>their home</b>. Respect it.

• In a lot of way, this book did remind me of <i>Jaws</i>. 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 <i>The Shark House</i> 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 <i>The Shark House</i> and walk away with a different perspective of these beautiful, magnificent creatures.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Shark House by Sara Ackerman

You know that feeling when you open a book thinking, “oh cool, sharks and science, maybe some mystery,” and then suddenly you’re wiping away tears and reevaluating your entire emotional stability? Yeah, that’s this book. I went in expecting teeth and blood, and instead, I got feelings, atmosphere, and a PhD-level shark lady who had me rooting for her like she was my best friend. Five stars. Easy. Probably my favorite book of the year so far, and I’m not even exaggerating.

So, the basics: it’s 1998 on the Kohala coast in Hawai’i, and a series of shark attacks has everyone panicking. Enter Minnow Gray—yes, Minnow, and yes, she’s a marine biologist who specializes in sharks. The name had me smirking at first, but about ten pages in I was like, “okay, Dr. Minnow Gray, I will follow you into the literal ocean trenches if you ask.” She’s there to figure out what’s going on before the town loses its mind and decides to start hunting sharks, but of course, that’s just the surface.

Because this isn’t just a mystery about sharks—it’s also about grief, family, trauma, and trying to find your way back to yourself when life has completely chewed you up. Minnow lost her father to a shark attack years ago, and she’s been dragging that guilt around like it’s strapped to her back with chains. The book is as much about her diving into her past as it is her diving into the water. And let me tell you, it hurts. The good kind of hurt, the kind that makes your chest ache and your brain go, “yeah, this is why I read Jennifer Hartmann novels” (except this time with sharks).

The writing? Absolutely stunning. I could feel the Hawaiian sun on my skin, smell the salt in the air, hear the crash of the waves. There were moments where I had to set the book down just to breathe because the imagery was that rich. It’s atmospheric in a way that doesn’t just paint a picture—it drops you straight into the scene and dares you to swim. Also, the author did her research!

And let’s talk about the sharks. They are not villains here. They’re not Jaws, they’re not movie monsters. They’re powerful, ancient, awe-inspiring creatures, and Ackerman writes them with so much respect that I found myself protective of them. Like, who even am I, sitting on my couch, muttering, “don’t you dare hurt my sharks” with tears in my eyes? I signed up for mystery and marine science, not to be emotionally compromised over apex predators. And yet here we are.

Minnow herself was such a standout character. She’s smart, stubborn, compassionate, and constantly underestimated because—shocker—people love to ignore a brilliant woman in science. Every time someone tried to brush her off or talk over her, I wanted to reach into the book and scream, “it’s Doctor Gray to you, thank you very much.” Watching her push forward despite the grief, the sexism, and the sheer weight of her past was inspiring as hell.

Now, if I had to nitpick, the journal entries scattered throughout the book tripped me up a bit. They jumped around in time, and there were moments where I had to stop and re-orient myself because I wasn’t totally sure if we were in 1993, 1996, or right back in 1998. It’s a minor gripe, but it’s the only thing that pulled me out of the flow. Otherwise? No notes.

By the end, I was an absolute mess. Emotional, wrung out, but also weirdly hopeful. This book gave me everything—mystery, grief, healing, a romance subplot I actually cared about, and a deep respect for sharks that I didn’t know I needed in my life. It’s raw, it’s beautiful, it’s haunting, and it’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you close the last page.

So yeah, I came for sharks and ended up crying into my pillow at midnight. Worth it.

Thank you Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC. Publication date: January 13, 2026.