4.25 - 4.5

“The Shark” is the very first book I have read by author Mary Burton, but it certainly won’t be my last! Right from the start, I was drawn into this suspenseful tale, and I found myself hard-pressed to put it down! In addition to the suspense element, I was drawn into State Trooper Riley Tatum’s backstory, which was seemingly linked to a serial killer who no longer remained dormant. There’s also a shared history between her and Clay Bowman, a former FBI agent helping Riley with the hunt, which injects a bit of welcomed romance into this well- written, fast-paced, twisty story. If you love a good romantic suspense like I do, then you won’t want to pass this one by!!

The Shark is a well written romantic suspense. The plot is a real edge of the seat page turner . My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This my unbiased review.

An intriguing twisted story featuring Riley Tatum a Virginia State Trooper searching for the Shark, a gambler who bets the lives of young girls in high stake poker games. Some win some lose some are paying the price years later.
An ending you didn’t see coming.

Thanks you # NetGalley #kensingtonBookszebra for this AR

The Shark is a romantic suspense novel that introduces the Forgotten Files series by Mary Burton. In this book, Riley Tatum, a Virginia state trooper has a dark and traumatic past. When she was a teenage runaway, she was kidnapped, drugged, and left unconscious on the streets by a serial killer nicknamed the Shark. She has no memories of what happened to her, only strange dreams of two men playing cards.
Clay Bowman is a former FBI agent who worked on the Shark case and never caught him. He is now a member of Shield Security, a private firm that specializes in high-risk situations. When Riley finds a dead body of a young prostitute who looks like her, she realizes that the Shark is back, and he is after her. But this time he just might succeed. Clay is assigned to protect her and help her recover her lost memories. As they work together, old feelings resurface between the pair.
The Shark is a fast-paced and gripping novel that keeps you engaged and entertained. Based on this book, I definitely look forward to more in this series.

For Virginia state trooper Riley Tatum, this grisly murder scene is one straight from her nightmares and comes back to haunt her in a big way. For when Riley was a teenage runaway, she was abducted and drugged then left unconscious on the streets days later with only a pack of playing cards in her back pocket and more questions than answers. After finding out the similarities to her past, Riley finds herself working with former FBI agent Connor Bowman and her long ago one night stand from Shield Security. He is determined to keep Riley safe even as he tries to get her to trust him again in order to bring down this serial killer. For Connor keeping Riley is just the tip of the ice burg as ‘The Shark’ is determined to make sure he goes out in winning style by going after the one that got away-Riley.

Wowser is all I can say after reading the first book in Ms. Burton’s brand new series, The Forgotten Files. I absolutely loved THE SHARK and was drawn in by Riley and her determination in moving forward with her life, forgetting all that has happened in her past and try to make a life for herself as a state trooper. She thought she put it all behind her, the weird memories of two people playing poker, cigar smoke and more but when a dead prostitute brings it all rolling back, well let’s just say Riley is about to confront her past in a way she never expected. Ms. Burton does a great job in capturing the characters personalities perfectly. From The Shark’s determination to win no matter what to Riley letting Connor into her life bit by bit, this is an author who captivates you even as she teases you with glimpses and glimmers of who the shark is playing with in his high stakes poker games. The cast of characters are interesting even as they are varied. With her deft touch, she created strong likeable characters that just draw you in and fall in love with even as she takes you on a twisted game alongside the killer. I found myself glued to the pages as I tried to see where The Shark was going in his twisted game and how it would end up. I was pleasantly surprised at the ending and that twist alone left me reeling.

THE SHARK is a fast paced thrill ride from start to finish that will leave you guessing till the very end. With top notch characters that fairly jump out of the story to a serial killer that gave me chills as he goes after the one that got away, Ms. Burton delivers a powerful new introduction into a series that is surely going to be my favorite in the future. Now I can’t wait to see where she takes the reader next and hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment of the Forgotten Files.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

Riley Tatum is called to the scene of a murder that brings back memories. As a teenage runaway she was kidnapped, drugged and left on the streets. She has vague memories of men playing cards but otherwise her memories of the event are gone. Clay Bowman is Shield Security's newest agent. He and Riley had a past relationship. For years Clay and Shield have been hunting a serial killer who murders young girls. The killer leaves 5 playing cards on the victims. Only one victim has managed to survive and Clay thinks it is Riley. Now a deadly game is being played as the Shark is determined to get the one that got away. As Clay and Riley join forces more dead bodies turn up and they run into more dead ends. Can they find the Shark in time? This is a good mystery, well written with interesting characters. There is a twist at the end that I didn't see until the last minute. Another great book by Mary Burton.

Being a fan of Mary Burton's books, I was happy to get my hands on this edition of The Shark.This is an older release which is being released again.

Overall the book left too much to be desired, the plot really had no substance and it was easy to guess how things were going to fall into place.

My thanks to Netgalley for providing me this opportunity to share my unbiased feedback.

When I requested this I didn’t realize that it was a republication. I had previously read this when it came out originally. But let me tell you it still is such a great book! I am not one to reread books but once again Mary Barton just sucks me in every single time even on the reread. 100% recommend this psychological thriller

The card game is deadly and the targets are young women who are the castoffs of society, those who won’t be missed, or at least that’s the plan. The Shark is determined to capture and kill Virginia State Trooper Riley Tatum after his plan to kill her a decade ago failed, and it is up to Riley to use her wits and her determination to find out what happened to her before she left New Orleans and why she is the target of the deadly card game. When bodies of young women start showing up in Virginia and they all physically resemble Riley, there is no way to deny that she is a target. When Shield Agent Bowman, a former beau who ran out on her years before, is tasked with helping keep her safe, Riley goes from reluctance to acceptance, refusing to be attracted to the man who discarded her. The story is a fast-paced thrill ride with plenty of red herrings and more twists than a West Virginia back road! The details about Riley’s past are slowly and methodically revealed and they are a central part of the whole story. The author did a masterful job of keeping me engaged and reading long into the night in this addictive tale of a victim becoming the stalker. The plot is complex and head-spinning at times while the characters are all dynamic and realistically flawed. I loved that Riley had a trusty sidekick in her dog Cooper, the only one on whom she could always depend. This is a book with a tightly written plot that includes crime procedures as well as clever plot twists. I loved it and look forward to reading the other books that follow this one in the series!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Riley Tatum is a state trooper who’s past has made her into the person she is today. A horrifying murder brings it all back. And she now may be in danger. Clay Bowman is a man from her past who won’t stop until Riley is safe. This was a fast paced mystery that kept me turning the pages and guessing to the shocking end. Mary Burton has become another one of my must read authors!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

A great start for this series! This is the first book I have read by Mary Burton. The main character, Riley Tatum, is strong and courageous. She has issues from her childhood she had had to overcome as she changed her life and became a Virginia state trooper. She works with a wonderful dog who I enjoyed reading about who helps her track and find people. Riley is working to adopt a teenage runaway who has been living with her when Riley saved her from the streets.

Riley's past has come back to haunt her and she is caught up in an investigation of girls who are strangled and found dead with several playing cards in their pocket with the word Loser written across one of the cards.

Riley had arrived in Virginia on a bus with no memory of what had happened or how she got there from New Orleans, and she had several playing cards in her pocket. Hers did not have Loser written on them though.

I'm looking forward to more books in this series. I really liked Riley and following her investigation. I also liked Clay, the guy who was looking out for her and the romantic interest in the book. The book was fast-paced and tension increased as the bodies kept piling up.

Thanks to Kensington Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 27, 2023.

Amazing book, as all this Author’s books are. I love her books. Mystery and romance. The characters and story are fabulous. I was not sure who The Shark was and I was surprised. Read this book and everything this Author writes. I highly recommend Ms. Burton. Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

As I requested this, I was unaware it was actually a reprint of a novel published in 2016. Mary Burton is a phenomenal writer and the Shark is a great intro in to the Forgotten Files series.. The Shark was full of twists and plot twists that nothing fits together until it does. A thrilling novel with just a touch of seduction with Riley and Clay

This is the first of Mary Burton's books that I have read. I may have become a fan.

This psychological thriller moves at a fast pace.

With a strong lead character, who is well developed through the story line, and a fast paced storyline, the book grabs you and demands to be read.

With twists to ensure the readers attention, you will be left guessing who the killer is until the last few pages.

This is the first book in the Forgotten Files series. I am such a fan of Mary Burton. This was a great read! I couldn’t put it down. You won’t believe who the villain turns out to be. Highly recommended👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Riley Tatum is a Virginia state trooper. She was raised in New Orleans high society until her mothers death. Then she ran away from home and eventually ended up in Virginia. She’s about to adopt Hannah, a runaway who is about to finish school and head to college.

Clay Bowman is a former FBI agent and now works for a company called Shield. They specialize in private security and investigations. Riley and Clay met years ago when she was training as a canine handler. Clay shows back up in Riley’s life and is determined to right the wrongs he made in the past.

When Riley is called to the scene of a violent murder of a teen prostitute, aspects about this murder concern Riley as they mirror a past experience she had.

Riley learned she is chasing down a serial killer that’s called ‘The Shark’. Could he be after her? Will Riley and Clay be able to find out who he is and stop him before anyone else fall victim to

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mary Burton and Kensington Books for an ARC copy of The Shark. I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of suspense and twists throughout the story. The ending was quite shocking and I never saw it coming!

Wow, this one sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down.
Riley has a past that she can’t really remember, things happening now seem vaguely familiar to her.
Clay, has made himself get closer to Riley, thinking she may be a target of The Shark.
Together they just may figure out past and present happenings.
I loved these two! This book was full of twists and turns, great suspense and a shocking discovery.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Riley is haunted by her past. She can't remember the time she was kidnapped. When another young woman is found murdered, she is reunited with fbi agent Clay who thinks Riley maybe a target. I liked this book.

Mary Burton's book, The Shark, is an engaging story with wonderful characters. Officer Riley Tatum is on patrol when she is called to the scene where a murdered girl's body is found. The girl is a familiar prostitute that Riley has seen at a truck stop on her route. When a set of playing cards are found in the deceased's pocket, Riley is stunned at the connection to her past as a runaway. As she tries to stay involved in the investigation and the bodies begin to pile-up, she realizes that her past has come back to haunt her. The risk is real for her and the young woman she is about to adopt. There's an old flame who seems determined to protect Riley. The story has an interesting twist at the end. My only critique is that the book's ending unfolded too quickly. It's well worth the investment of one's time to read.

Virginia State Trooper Riley Tatum is living a quiet life and looking forward to adopting her foster teenage daughter. A grisly murder in town and clues left behind brings Riley’s teenage past to haunt her. When she was a teenager she was kidnapped, drugged and left on the streets with no memory of what happened. When clues from this murder match clues that Riley has she realizes that the killer has unfinished business with her. With help from someone who shares her pass, they must stop the killer before he claims the one who got away! Loved it!




Thanks to Mary Burton and Kensington for this book!