The summer of 1916. The place: the New Jersey coast. Families on vacation, people looking to escape the heat and drone of everyday lives, the extra staff at the hotels along the coast. All these people and more are congragating along the shore, swimming out in the cool, refreshing water this summer. All is still and calm.

Untill blood breaks across the blue surface, staining the summer with death and horror.

People who enjoy novelistic nonfiction, sharks, horror, and that cold chill running up and down your spine upon the next visit you pay to a beach.

How the story was told in a way that made it seem like reading a novel, a very -well, almost entertaining way-it didn't seem like I was reading a true story, with all the facts and details-in fact, the book itself, is shelved in the nonfiction section. I also liked how the author had a very good word choice-and yet, didn't embellish to make it sound like some hack and slash thriller. The story is told from human and shark POV alike.

Though it didn't seem very nonfiction-esque, there were a few select spots were some details were poured on a little heavy. Also, right after the first attack, there's a long streach of details and the like untill the next point of high action.

It was extremly interesting, so riveted, captivated, slightly scared (what can I say? I'm a huge wimp!) and wanting to read more on the subject-though that's nothing new, I've always been into sharks.

Did a wonderful job with this book. It says somewhere in one of his notes in the back that every little detail-down to the words people actually said is totally factual, and exact. I can't even imagine the hours and research he put in.

I'm not sure what else he's written, but hopefully more books like this will come along soon.

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Created Sep 02, 2003 at 12:49pm • Submit your own review...