This was a police procedural book and the first in a new series. Mary Burton's books are always very descriptive and this one was no different. She has the knowledge for a police procedural book and it shows in her writing style. The plot is a bit disturbing and had many twists throughout. The romance is slow to build in the book and is not a prominent theme, but is a part of the book.

Riley has come a long way since her teenage years, Now she is a detective and is in the process of adopting a teen who is a runaway.
RIley gets a case where prositiutes are being killed and playing cards are left with them. Which brings RIley back to a moment in her life she cant remember.

This book has many twists and turns, It was a fast read and I coulfd not put it down. I look forward to reading more of this series.

This is a book that pulls you in from the first page. It had a very interesting twist on a game of poker, with one of the main players being a card shark. There were a lot of twists and turns till the very end which....well, it just stopped way too quickly. Like a fireworks display that explodes at the beginning, only to fizzle out with very, very little bang. I really liked the book except for ending. I felt it could've been fleshed out more with more suspense for a bigger bang when it did end. Even with that, I do recommend this one.

I love Mary Burton and this one didn’t disappoint. A great mystery with lots of twists and turns to keep you interested.

A masterfully woven tale of mystery and suspense.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGallry for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and this publisher for this ARC! This suspenseful serial killer story was so good! Kept me on my toes and I couldn’t wait to keep reading!

The Shark was a nail-biting suspense that had me completely invested. I loved the main characters and the plot was laid out so I was fully engaged from beginning to end. (I'll admit that some of my housekeeping chores were postponed so I could read, read, read!) As the suspense built, I was anxious to discover who the Shark was. Throw in some tasteful open door bedroom scenes, and we have a winning combination.
5 stars

The Shark is a dark and gritty serial killer story with characters who cling to the life they known. The story is more police procedural than romance. The female lead is strong, smart and willing to work with anyone to find this serial killer while keeping her city safe.
Mary Burton is able to bring a gritty story and twist it with romance that will have HEA readers happy.

Thank you to nettgalley

Oh Riley!
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing and while I had parts right I missed a different right in front of my eyes part. Overall great book!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of The Shark by Mary Burton. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

This was such a great suspense story. I'm a big fan of the main character, Riley Tatum, and her take no crap attitude. The mix of current mystery that connects with Riley's past was a great story that kept the plot moving. And the little bit of romance just added a bit of spice to the suspense. I give the Shark 4/5 stars.

What a way to start a series. Riley and Clay are an outstanding duo dedicated to finding the Shark. The rest of the characters are amazing (with a villain that is absolutely vile). The suspense is perfect and the action on point. Love everything about it.

Five stars all the the way , and loved the 2 main character's as well, loved how the author used the win or lose aspect of gambling in a twisted way .

The Shark is the first book that I have read by Mary Burton, and it won’t be the last. The Shark is a gripping story about a serial killer who after years of not being active is back and has their sights set on the one who got away years ago. That is easier said than done, because the one who got away is state trooper who has some impressive friends to help her stop the killer and protect her as well. Will the good guys be able to stop the killer before it is too late? Read The Shark to find out.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who likes romance with suspense. I can’t wait to read the next one.

The Shark is the first book in The Forgotten Files series. Riley Tatum is a Virginia State Trooper with an SAR dog named Cooper. But twelve years ago, Riley disappeared after leaving her home when her stepfather decided to take advantage of her. While she is on the run someone offered her a bottled water, after she takes a drink, she wakes up at a bus stop and is rescued by Duke and Maria. She lost seven days of her life and has five playing cards as the only reminder of the missing time frame. Now a state trooper, a new case with a young girl found in a forest by a tree brings up memories when she sees the five playing cards in the girl's pocket. The only difference Loser is written on each card.

Clay Bowman had first met Riley five years ago. His wife had recently died when he was training a group of police officers, including Riley. She was one of the best students. Riley is attracted to him, and they have one night of passion. After which he feels guilty and sends Riley away. Now five years later, they are brought together to work on the same case. Unbeknownst to Riley his assignment is to protect her at all costs.

This was a riveting and intense thrill ride as the bodies keep falling and Riley is having flashbacks but just can't remember it all. The reveal is shocking and unexpected. I have read many books by the author and have enjoyed each one. Every story is a puzzle with missing pieces until the last piece is placed. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

The Shark by Mary Burton
Romantic suspense.
Virginia State Trooper Riley Tatum’s past comes back to haunt her. A body is found with playing cards in the pocket and Clay Bowman of Shield Security fears it’s a warning to Riley. Clay believes that Riley was a survivor of a deadly card game and the Shark is not willing to let her escape the destiny he has planned.

Tense and gripping, the story is filled with the investigation to find the killer and reason behind the playing cards. Riley has built her life to protect and serve. She has also mentored and loved a teen and the adoption is pending. Riley will do whatever she has to, even revisiting her past.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Mary Burton is one of my favorite authors so when I see a book written by her, I want to read it.
I really like the main character, Riley. She manages to succeed in life having gone through so much. On top of what happened to her as a teenager. Her childhood was not an easy one in any sense of the word.
I’m hoping the next book in the series will have a bit more romance between Riley and Clay.
Off to get the next book in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5-3.75 Stars
Great idea and concept but the pacing was a little slow.

Virginia state trooper Riley is currently working on the homicide of a teen prostitute. The teenager was barely 18 and a runaway. She was kidnapped, drugged, and killed for a high stake card game. Something Riley knows well.

The novel started off great. I was intrigued by The Shark and his motivation for killing young girls as part of his high stake card game. Why did he prefer his girls to all look a certain way? Is he coming after Riley?

My biggest gripe is the pacing. It was quite slow around the middle. Where is the sense of urgency?! Shouldn't Riley be in a rush to find The Shark before he strikes again? Before he comes after Riley or her loved ones? Things didn't pick back up until the last 15% of the novel. There was a twist at the end, it was a tad little predictable, but still entertaining.

Overall, if you're a fan of mysteries/thrillers and don't mind slower pacing, this is for you.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Burton, and Kensington Books for graciously sending me the ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

As a teenager, Riley Tatum spent some time on the street, but after losing her memory of a week of her life after being drugged and abducted, she turned her life around. Now she is a Virginia state trooper and handler of a tracking dog. When a dead prostitute is found dead and Riley finds a poker hand in the girl's backpack that reminds her of cards she found in her pocket at the end of her "missing week", Riley begins to realize that she hasn't left her past behind. Romantic suspense, the story is a bit predictable but well written and held my interest to the end.

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute and cozy romantic suspense.

This is actually a re-release of this 2016 title, I believe. It is Book One from The Forgotten Files, an excellent 3-part series by this author. I have read all of Mary Burton's books and this one was another 5-star read. Yes, I already read this one back then, but did not mind reading it again. I liked Riley and Bowman, lots of suspense, some romance and some surprises. As usual, I did not guess the ending. I encourage you to read the whole series. I may just go back and re-read the next two!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Mary Burton and Montlake Romance for this ARC. All opinions are my own.