The Only One Who Knows by Lisa M. Matlin Publishes 3/3/26

 

This was a very dark and foreboding thriller.  Minnow leaves her life as a news anchor in an abusive relationship in the city, to go back to her hometown on the coast to move in with her brother.  I instantly felt compassion for Minnow as I learned that she had a rough life growing up.  She lost her mother when she was young and then shortly after her father.  On the night Minnow gets back she goes to see her brother at his job, running shark fishing tours.  She goes out with him and they happen upon a shark attack.  As the story continues we learn that there have been an unusually high number of shark attacks happen.  Minnow's investigative skills haven't left her and she starts to delve into these mysteries along with another journalist who is visiting her hometown.  Things get much darker as we learn more about Minnow's past and things she has seen and even done.  There is a hidden and darker side to this town. 

There was an interesting mystery here but I have to be honest that I did not really like Minnow.  I felt for her especially in the beginning of the book but I didn't care for some of her actions.  I was also a little frustrated with how some of the events turned out.  I did enjoy the setting and felt like I learned more about Australia's maritime life.  However I just couldn't connect with the characters the way I wanted to.  It's hard to be fully invested in a book when you really don't like the main character.  I do think that people will enjoy this book especially if they like dark thrillers with a solid mystery. 

Thank you to Bantam Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

3 out of 5 Stars