What do you think?
Scar
A Deep Sea Thriller
Scar is a killing machine. Born from DNA spliced between the extinct Megalodon and modern day Great White, he has a viciousness that transcends time. His evil is reflected in his eyes, his savagery in his two-inch serrated teeth, his ruthlessness in his trail of death.
After escaping captivity, the killer shark travels to the island community Cross Point, where prey is in abundance. With an insatiable appetite, heightened senses, and skin impervious to bullets, Scar kills everything that crosses his path. His reign of terror puts him at war with the island sheriff, Nick Piatt.
With the body count rising, Nick vows to protect his island community from the vicious threat. With the aid of a marine biologist, a rookie deputy, and a bad-tempered fisherman, Nick leads a crusade against Scar, as well as the ruthless scientist who created him.
Scar is a killing machine. Born from DNA spliced between the extinct Megalodon and modern day Great White, he has a viciousness that transcends time. His evil is reflected in his eyes, his savagery in his two-inch serrated teeth, his ruthlessness in his trail of death.
After escaping captivity, the killer shark travels to the island community Cross Point, where prey is in abundance. With an insatiable appetite, heightened senses, and skin impervious to bullets, Scar kills everything that crosses his path. His reign of terror puts him at war with the island sheriff, Nick Piatt.
With the body count rising, Nick vows to protect his island community from the vicious threat. With the aid of a marine biologist, a rookie deputy, and a bad-tempered fisherman, Nick leads a crusade against Scar, as well as the ruthless scientist who created him.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2020
About the author
Michael R. Cole
40 books147 followersMichael R. Cole is an author of creature horror and science fiction. He was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in lower Michigan. He has a profound love for monster movies and book as well as the action genre. In addition to writing, his hobbies include martial arts and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
April 27, 2022
Deep Sea Screaming Terror!
Backstory:
A shark named Scar breaks free from captivity while it is being transported from one ship to another as his creator (Olivia Zoller) watches from a distance. Olivia cannot believe her misfortune when her prized shark twists free and lands in the ocean. As she tries to gather a crew together to go after it, Scar heads out to sea as he realizes that he is free to roam the ocean depths.
The people of Cross Point are unaware of the danger heading their way until Scar starts attacking boats that are out near their beach, but the worse is yet to come when Scar attacks a pod of killer whales that belong to a marine biologist (Lisa) and from there it becomes hell in the ocean!
Lisa along with Nick (Sheriff of Cross Point) decide to go after the shark and try to kill it, unaware that other people are hunting for the shark too (Olivia and her crew), but who gets to the shark first?
No spoilers here as you will just need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This is my second book by Michael R. Cole and he is becoming my go-to sea creature author as his writing style just captures my attention within moments of the storyline and throws me into the ocean depths!
The pace is fast as the shark rips through everything in this story! There is lots of blood and gore within these pages as the graphic descriptions are just full of serrated teeth splatter!
There is quite a bit of shark and killer whale fights too within this story which throws the action into full throttle which kept me turning the pages faster. Tons of shark/whale action and shark/human action kept my insomnia fueled a few nights!
I read the last 30% of the book within just a few hours as the story literally went into overdrive! Looking forward to reading more books by this author as he has tons of books out there to read! Giving this book five "Thriller Killer Shark" stars!
Backstory:
A shark named Scar breaks free from captivity while it is being transported from one ship to another as his creator (Olivia Zoller) watches from a distance. Olivia cannot believe her misfortune when her prized shark twists free and lands in the ocean. As she tries to gather a crew together to go after it, Scar heads out to sea as he realizes that he is free to roam the ocean depths.
The people of Cross Point are unaware of the danger heading their way until Scar starts attacking boats that are out near their beach, but the worse is yet to come when Scar attacks a pod of killer whales that belong to a marine biologist (Lisa) and from there it becomes hell in the ocean!
Lisa along with Nick (Sheriff of Cross Point) decide to go after the shark and try to kill it, unaware that other people are hunting for the shark too (Olivia and her crew), but who gets to the shark first?
No spoilers here as you will just need to read the book!
Thoughts:
This is my second book by Michael R. Cole and he is becoming my go-to sea creature author as his writing style just captures my attention within moments of the storyline and throws me into the ocean depths!
The pace is fast as the shark rips through everything in this story! There is lots of blood and gore within these pages as the graphic descriptions are just full of serrated teeth splatter!
There is quite a bit of shark and killer whale fights too within this story which throws the action into full throttle which kept me turning the pages faster. Tons of shark/whale action and shark/human action kept my insomnia fueled a few nights!
I read the last 30% of the book within just a few hours as the story literally went into overdrive! Looking forward to reading more books by this author as he has tons of books out there to read! Giving this book five "Thriller Killer Shark" stars!
July 2, 2023
I’m not quite sure why I enjoy this type of nautical mayhem creature feature so much, but I do! This one fit the bill for another crazy, yet enjoyable tale. I’m enjoying this author’s take on this genre and will likely pick up more of his books in the future. 4.0/5.0 stars for me.
May 10, 2021
1.5/5🌟
The action was good and entertaining.
But yikes were the female characters and conversations around them bad. If you told me this book was written in the 70s I would believe it because of the rampant sexism.
Quotes that happen in this book (which was written last year):
"Here's some equality for you bitch!" -said to the female villain by our 'hero'
"Wow did you just assume the Sharks gender?! Misogynst much?" - a very clever comeback from our 'hero'
Also every single scene with the female antagonist in it had me anticipating and dreading a rape scene. But don't worry she would've deserved it and all that is good cause the hero treats her the exact same way.
The action was good and entertaining.
But yikes were the female characters and conversations around them bad. If you told me this book was written in the 70s I would believe it because of the rampant sexism.
Quotes that happen in this book (which was written last year):
"Here's some equality for you bitch!" -said to the female villain by our 'hero'
"Wow did you just assume the Sharks gender?! Misogynst much?" - a very clever comeback from our 'hero'
Also every single scene with the female antagonist in it had me anticipating and dreading a rape scene. But don't worry she would've deserved it and all that is good cause the hero treats her the exact same way.
January 6, 2021
Mix Jaws with Deep Blue Sea and a dose of Meg, you get close to Scar. I enjoyed Scar, it was a psychopathic rampage around a holiday resort with....... A Jaws style super Sheriff. Would I read it again as I have the others, no. It was a giggle but no more.
April 27, 2024
Michael Cole’s *Scar* is a rather unremarkable entry in the thriller genre. Even considering its unbranded audience, it unfortunately doesn't make much of an impression, leaving it feeling rather mediocre. The characters are one-dimensional, lacking the depth and complexity that usually engage readers. Similarly, the plot does not offer anything new or exciting, sticking closely to well-worn paths.
Those familiar with Steve Alten's later works in *The Meg* series, and even the movie “The Meg 2”, will recognize a similar vibe in *Scar*—not in specific details, but in its failure to avoid genre clichés. The narrative is straightforward and predictable, making it an easy, albeit unmemorable, read.
In summary, *Scar* is the kind of book you might hesitate to mention to friends, not because it’s controversial, but because you may be embarrassed about its simplicity. It might suffice for passing the time without any expectations, but it won’t satisfy those looking for a compelling thriller.
Those familiar with Steve Alten's later works in *The Meg* series, and even the movie “The Meg 2”, will recognize a similar vibe in *Scar*—not in specific details, but in its failure to avoid genre clichés. The narrative is straightforward and predictable, making it an easy, albeit unmemorable, read.
In summary, *Scar* is the kind of book you might hesitate to mention to friends, not because it’s controversial, but because you may be embarrassed about its simplicity. It might suffice for passing the time without any expectations, but it won’t satisfy those looking for a compelling thriller.
Read
February 22, 2021Really not well written overall
The author does not write with sophisticated style or poise. This reads like a high school essay with overused expressions, simple phrasing and just overall mindless plot development.
The author does not write with sophisticated style or poise. This reads like a high school essay with overused expressions, simple phrasing and just overall mindless plot development.
March 22, 2025
Oh, Scar? Yeah, that’s just Jaws if someone watched it once as a kid, forgot half the plot, and then tried to rewrite it from memory—but worse.
October 31, 2025
interesting concept but man did it fall flat for me. I'm in an ocean/sea horror mood and I don't know why I'm having a hard time finding one's I like.
August 28, 2026
It seems like the biggest complaints about this book are "it is too cinematic" and "it stretchers believability". These are fair criticisms; however, I absolutely want my creature features to read like I am watching a movie. I know they are going to stretch credulity by their very premise. Maybe the most grounded animal attack book is Cujo, but most are "animal is hell-bent on killing people and reacts in ways that it would not react in real life, especially when people start shooting at it." That's what makes them good to me. I always approach a creature feature by turning off my brain and just enjoying the ride.
I have read several killer shark books by Michael Cole and, by far, this is the most brutal and action-packed of the bunch. I also think it has his most likable characters to date. I loved Sheriff Nick, biologist Lisa and most of the good guys. You even come to love one character that you might not like initially. And we get killer whales at their most lovable, but we also get to see what strategic hunters they are.
There is just something reliably fun about Michael Cole novels. They don't overstay their welcome. There is just enough character development where you get a sense who his characters are but without weighing down the narrative, and when the creature feature action hits, it is brutal.
Well done, sir! I am constantly spreading the word on Reddit and Facebook when people want recommendations for animal attack books.
Favorite scene: Charlie vs Scar (I teared up a bit, not going to lie)
Favorite character: Barney
I have read several killer shark books by Michael Cole and, by far, this is the most brutal and action-packed of the bunch. I also think it has his most likable characters to date. I loved Sheriff Nick, biologist Lisa and most of the good guys. You even come to love one character that you might not like initially. And we get killer whales at their most lovable, but we also get to see what strategic hunters they are.
There is just something reliably fun about Michael Cole novels. They don't overstay their welcome. There is just enough character development where you get a sense who his characters are but without weighing down the narrative, and when the creature feature action hits, it is brutal.
Well done, sir! I am constantly spreading the word on Reddit and Facebook when people want recommendations for animal attack books.
Favorite scene: Charlie vs Scar (I teared up a bit, not going to lie)
Favorite character: Barney
July 27, 2022
Scar е роман на ужасите от писателя Майкъл Коул, история с непретенциозен сюжет, разказваща за свирепа генномодифицирана акула, излязла извън контрола на създателите си. Въпреки това книгата е написана по великолепен начин и държи читателя в напрежение от началото до края, като създава живи и симпатични герои, които раздвижват сюжета с остроумен диалог, поддържащ приятни за четене и “скучните” моменти, когато няма екшън.
Цялото ми ревю прочетете в Цитаделата!
https://citadelata.com/scar/
Цялото ми ревю прочетете в Цитаделата!
https://citadelata.com/scar/
December 6, 2024
readable... Im on a shark kick at the moment so trying some out..
August 3, 2025
A mix between deep blue sea and jaws … my 2 favorite shark movies. I love when I am reading and can easily play a movie in my head. Short quick chapters with action in all.
July 19, 2024
Not going to say much in this review. Overall, I give this shark book 5/5 stars. It was fast paced and fun and Michael Cole delivers every time! I did like Thresher a little bit more than this one because I really liked that book’s protagonist, but this one was up my alley as well!
July 9, 2021
Michael Cole's big sea monster books continue to be surprisingly fun - He's one of those guys who basically writes pulp horror, but it's good pulp horror and I can't help but wonder why writers like Steve Alten are big stars and guys like this are unknown. Considering that this was essentially the same book that I read last from him (Thresher), it's different enough to hold the interest and is just flat out enjoyable for a summer read.
That said, I docked this one a point compared to Thresher because it's a little more clumsy in the writing, it definitely needed a better editor. There are a number of lines like, "The red eyes glared redly" that just leave you shaking your head... though somehow even that adds to the fun, like the bad acting in a B horror film.
An evil scientist lady who's so evil she would twirl her mustache if she had one creates a hybrid of a Great White and a Megalodon. Big shark gets loose and good guy local sheriff must protect his beaches and contend with her mercenaries at the same time, but fortunately he has the help of some colorful local characters. The first half of the book was a little dull but once everyone gets on the water, it's pedal-to-the-metal shark action all through to the end.
That said, I docked this one a point compared to Thresher because it's a little more clumsy in the writing, it definitely needed a better editor. There are a number of lines like, "The red eyes glared redly" that just leave you shaking your head... though somehow even that adds to the fun, like the bad acting in a B horror film.
An evil scientist lady who's so evil she would twirl her mustache if she had one creates a hybrid of a Great White and a Megalodon. Big shark gets loose and good guy local sheriff must protect his beaches and contend with her mercenaries at the same time, but fortunately he has the help of some colorful local characters. The first half of the book was a little dull but once everyone gets on the water, it's pedal-to-the-metal shark action all through to the end.
July 21, 2021
A bit like Jaws
When you start this story get the feel that this is going to be like Meg. Then you are suddenly finding yourself in a make over of Jaws, but that is because of the characters. There is the easy going sheriff of a island resort town, the crusty fishing boat captain, and there is the biologist only this time she is a woman. So it seems to be a Jaws remake, but there are differences between the two stories. This time the shark is a nightmare from the laboratory and it has a crazy woman scientist as it creator. Now every time you read a story like this you have to think what were they thinking in creating this creature. The only thing that comes to mind is hubris plain and simple. This story had characters that you want to make it through to the end and those, who you want to end up as shark food. This story has that and you don't have any of the bad guys suddenly have a change of heart and help save the day. For me this was a summer read that was just a fun and exciting escape read.
When you start this story get the feel that this is going to be like Meg. Then you are suddenly finding yourself in a make over of Jaws, but that is because of the characters. There is the easy going sheriff of a island resort town, the crusty fishing boat captain, and there is the biologist only this time she is a woman. So it seems to be a Jaws remake, but there are differences between the two stories. This time the shark is a nightmare from the laboratory and it has a crazy woman scientist as it creator. Now every time you read a story like this you have to think what were they thinking in creating this creature. The only thing that comes to mind is hubris plain and simple. This story had characters that you want to make it through to the end and those, who you want to end up as shark food. This story has that and you don't have any of the bad guys suddenly have a change of heart and help save the day. For me this was a summer read that was just a fun and exciting escape read.
March 1, 2022
I've read a few of this guy's books and while they haven't been great quality, he does have a knack for coming up with interesting creatures to play the villains, which the cheesy B grade movie side of me can't get enough of. The blurb pretty much says it all - don't be looking for a new take on the giant shark genre. It feels like the author just binge watched Deep Blue Sea, Jaws, and Rampage, then just decided to lift whatever ideas he thought worked and threw them all together.
Plot wise, there's the evil female geneticist who leads a team of the usual Killers R Us mercenaries attempting to recapture her hybrid Meg/Great White Shark that escaped the lab. Said shark wreaks havoc on a sleepy coastal town and the local sheriff teams up with a marine biologist and a local loner shark fisherman to go out and kill the beast. Nothing new there, but it has some fun moments.
If you switch your brain off completely and just go with the flow this book can work, but don't expect to take much away from it when you're done
Plot wise, there's the evil female geneticist who leads a team of the usual Killers R Us mercenaries attempting to recapture her hybrid Meg/Great White Shark that escaped the lab. Said shark wreaks havoc on a sleepy coastal town and the local sheriff teams up with a marine biologist and a local loner shark fisherman to go out and kill the beast. Nothing new there, but it has some fun moments.
If you switch your brain off completely and just go with the flow this book can work, but don't expect to take much away from it when you're done
May 22, 2021
The cover drew me in but the more I read, the less I was enamored with it.
Cole's strength is the chaotic scenes Scar creates, especially the battles with the Orcas. The only downside with Scar was at times it felt like Cole was trying to make it think like a human.
Some of the characters were likable, but none of them had be worried if they wouldn't make it until the end of the story.
Most of the story was by the numbers, though there was an interesting side story with one of the fishermen
Some of the scenes felt repetitive, which made it a quick read. If you are looking for a basic creature feature, this is one for you. Honestly this might work better on cable television so we can see the battles.
Cole's strength is the chaotic scenes Scar creates, especially the battles with the Orcas. The only downside with Scar was at times it felt like Cole was trying to make it think like a human.
Some of the characters were likable, but none of them had be worried if they wouldn't make it until the end of the story.
Most of the story was by the numbers, though there was an interesting side story with one of the fishermen
Some of the scenes felt repetitive, which made it a quick read. If you are looking for a basic creature feature, this is one for you. Honestly this might work better on cable television so we can see the battles.
November 10, 2020
This one makes Jaws look mild.
Well, this is a must read for anyone who loves a great shark horror novel. This book pulled me into the storyline from the first page. With lots of gore from the shark killing, and lots of other shark hunting excitement, how could I not have loved this one. The characters drew me in and the shark's antics kept me going. I loved that this shark was different...a cross between a meg and a great white with a fewer features added which made it stronger and wiser. I would love to see this book get a movie deal. Perhaps there could be a sequel at the very least.
Well, this is a must read for anyone who loves a great shark horror novel. This book pulled me into the storyline from the first page. With lots of gore from the shark killing, and lots of other shark hunting excitement, how could I not have loved this one. The characters drew me in and the shark's antics kept me going. I loved that this shark was different...a cross between a meg and a great white with a fewer features added which made it stronger and wiser. I would love to see this book get a movie deal. Perhaps there could be a sequel at the very least.
January 16, 2023
So disappointed!
I've never left negative feedback before but I can't not warn people about how bad this book was. After reading Thresher I was expecting something of similar quality. Was I ever disappointed. It's like someone else wrote the entire book. One bad cliche after another. The characters were shallow and predictable the storyline made no sense. I wasn't even going to finish it until I found I was close to the end anyway. Do yourself a favor read Thresher it's like night and day in quality writing.
I've never left negative feedback before but I can't not warn people about how bad this book was. After reading Thresher I was expecting something of similar quality. Was I ever disappointed. It's like someone else wrote the entire book. One bad cliche after another. The characters were shallow and predictable the storyline made no sense. I wasn't even going to finish it until I found I was close to the end anyway. Do yourself a favor read Thresher it's like night and day in quality writing.
December 13, 2021
You had me at Orca
This is my second book from this author. I enjoyed the first, however this one grabbed me right away. There were moments that I found upsetting ( I’m an orcaholic) with that said. All the characters were like able and the ones that weren’t were well written also. I would recommend this book if you’re into this type of genre. It was fast pasted, without too much romance. Which I personally don’t like in a thriller type story. But that’s just me.
This is my second book from this author. I enjoyed the first, however this one grabbed me right away. There were moments that I found upsetting ( I’m an orcaholic) with that said. All the characters were like able and the ones that weren’t were well written also. I would recommend this book if you’re into this type of genre. It was fast pasted, without too much romance. Which I personally don’t like in a thriller type story. But that’s just me.
June 21, 2025
Action packed with like-able characters. If you are looking for a quick read featuring frequent attacks from a big shark with one hell of a mean streak, this is an excellent choice. Halfway through the book, some of the kills get redundant. After all, there are only so many ways a shark can kill/eat someone. Third act changes that with some surprisingly exciting action. Helps that our two main protagonists were very like-able.
August 6, 2021
IN MY OPINION:
This is no more a “Thriller” than a Sesame Street episode.
This is trite, hackneyed, dumb, stoopid, crappy, BULLSHT.
I wish I could give it ever fewer stars than One (1).
This book stinks like rotting fish guts to me.
I hated this book and just stopped reading and gave it back by page 48.
.
This is no more a “Thriller” than a Sesame Street episode.
This is trite, hackneyed, dumb, stoopid, crappy, BULLSHT.
I wish I could give it ever fewer stars than One (1).
This book stinks like rotting fish guts to me.
I hated this book and just stopped reading and gave it back by page 48.
.
November 14, 2021
Throw together a few of the happenings in the following books and movies, and you have a fun mashup of the three: Meg (both the movie and book series), Deep Blue Sea (the movie) and Jaws (both the book and the movie). There is much of the book that is farfetched but that is part of what makes it so entertaining.
November 23, 2020
Shark 🦈!
Lots of action for sure. It was a really fun read and had a good ending. Even Scar seemed like something plausible. But towards the end, the escapes from certain death were implausible.
But I'd definitely read more from M. Cole.
Lots of action for sure. It was a really fun read and had a good ending. Even Scar seemed like something plausible. But towards the end, the escapes from certain death were implausible.
But I'd definitely read more from M. Cole.
August 2, 2021
Sometimes books like this are just a really fun read, but while the idea behind this one was cool, it left a lot to be desired. There was a lot of repetitive writing and whoever edited it, if anyone at all, needs to be fired.
August 11, 2024
I’d say this is a pretty standard Michael Cole book with a killer shark, crooked biogenetics from big money, and a law enforcement officer and a scientist helping clean things up. Regardless, still entertaining as usual.
July 17, 2021
Holy sexism, Batman. I abandoned this one maybe 50 pages in. If you’re a woman and you have even the tiniest bit of respect for yourself, don’t even try.
July 19, 2023
Megalodon DNA spliced to a great white shark that ends up with red eyes and a scar from its womb mate?
Yes.
Loved the audio book too!
Yes.
Loved the audio book too!
January 26, 2022
Originally published on https://horrorpatch.com/
“Scar is a killing machine. Born from DNA spliced between the extinct Megalodon and modern-day Great White, he has a viciousness that transcends time. His evil is reflected in his eyes, his savagery in his two-inch serrated teeth, his ruthlessness in his trail of death. After escaping captivity, the killer shark travels to the island community Cross Point, where prey is in abundance. With an insatiable appetite, heightened senses, and skin impervious to bullets, Scar kills everything that crosses his path. His reign of terror puts him at war with the island sheriff, Nick Piatt. With the body count rising, Nick vows to protect his island community from the vicious threat. With the aid of a marine biologist, a rookie deputy, and a bad-tempered fisherman, Nick leads a crusade against Scar, as well as the ruthless scientist who created him.”
- Back cover blurb
I love to read, especially horror novels. The problem is that I just don’t have enough time to read everything I want to read. Running a website, watching horror movies, and having a family take up the vast majority of my time. But when I can find the time to read, I really love books about monsters. Vampires, werewolves, bigfoot, and sharks are my go-to. So when I see a newer novel about a killer shark, it catches my attention pretty quickly.
I’ve had a fascination with sharks ever since I was a kid and watched Jaws for the first time. After seeing that film my love of sharks exploded and I gobbled up anything related to sharks I could get my hands on. Documentaries - Shark Week, films, and books were all part of my pallet. I ran across an ad for Michael Cole’s newer novel, Scar, and I had to check it out.
As it is, any film or book about a killer shark will inevitably be compared to the granddaddy of them all, Jaws. This is to be expected. While Scar is about a 32 foot genetically enhanced shark crossed between a Megalodon and a Great White who escapes captivity and terrorizes a small tourist town on the American East Coast. There is really no similarity to Jaws other than it being a huge shark that looks for food in a small tourist town, and maybe a few somewhat similar characters.
Speaking of the book’s characters - most are enjoyable and fairly well written, even if similar to some of the Jaws characters. The main protagonist is small town sheriff Nick Piatt. He’s young, good-looking, and everyone likes him. He’s also a gun enthusiast and a crack shot.
Nick’s love interest is marine biologist Lisa Robinson. She’s been stationed at Cross Point for the last few months doing research with a pod of Orcas, which come into play later in the novel. Nick and Lisa have a burgeoning relationship and are the two characters readers will likely be most relatable.
Deputy David Hummer is a rookie cop in the department. He’s new in town and not sure what he wants to do with his life. He looks up to Sheriff Piatt as a mentor.
Barney Grey is a local fisherman who’s hated by all who crosses his path. He hates everyone and everything in life. He’s a drunkard who uses illegal tactics in his fishing business. He’s a truly deplorable character who some might root for towards the end of the book. I did.
Lisa’s Orca pod of killer whales are also characters in their own right.
Finally, we have the main antagonist, Olivia Zoller. She is the geneticist responsible for splicing the genes of an extinct Megalodon with a great white shark, along with adding new characteristics to the shark including skin invulnerability and a never ending drive for food and killing. She works for a shadowy organization willing to stop at nothing to get what they want.
For me, Scar is not the greatest novel ever written, but it was really fun. It had a lot of shark action and was thrilling in all the right parts. I cared about the characters and one even changed from the beginning and somewhat redeemed him or herself.
The shark attack scenes are savage and full of great gore. Fans of the shark horror sub-genre will not be disappointed with Scar. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was an easy, fun read, and a real page turner. Although it may not be a scientifically sound premise and some things may not be too believable, if you just use your suspension of disbelief, you’ll be just fine. It’s not high art, just a pulpy, popcorn read that won’t disappoint most.
4 ½ out of 5 Pentagrams!
“Scar is a killing machine. Born from DNA spliced between the extinct Megalodon and modern-day Great White, he has a viciousness that transcends time. His evil is reflected in his eyes, his savagery in his two-inch serrated teeth, his ruthlessness in his trail of death. After escaping captivity, the killer shark travels to the island community Cross Point, where prey is in abundance. With an insatiable appetite, heightened senses, and skin impervious to bullets, Scar kills everything that crosses his path. His reign of terror puts him at war with the island sheriff, Nick Piatt. With the body count rising, Nick vows to protect his island community from the vicious threat. With the aid of a marine biologist, a rookie deputy, and a bad-tempered fisherman, Nick leads a crusade against Scar, as well as the ruthless scientist who created him.”
- Back cover blurb
I love to read, especially horror novels. The problem is that I just don’t have enough time to read everything I want to read. Running a website, watching horror movies, and having a family take up the vast majority of my time. But when I can find the time to read, I really love books about monsters. Vampires, werewolves, bigfoot, and sharks are my go-to. So when I see a newer novel about a killer shark, it catches my attention pretty quickly.
I’ve had a fascination with sharks ever since I was a kid and watched Jaws for the first time. After seeing that film my love of sharks exploded and I gobbled up anything related to sharks I could get my hands on. Documentaries - Shark Week, films, and books were all part of my pallet. I ran across an ad for Michael Cole’s newer novel, Scar, and I had to check it out.
As it is, any film or book about a killer shark will inevitably be compared to the granddaddy of them all, Jaws. This is to be expected. While Scar is about a 32 foot genetically enhanced shark crossed between a Megalodon and a Great White who escapes captivity and terrorizes a small tourist town on the American East Coast. There is really no similarity to Jaws other than it being a huge shark that looks for food in a small tourist town, and maybe a few somewhat similar characters.
Speaking of the book’s characters - most are enjoyable and fairly well written, even if similar to some of the Jaws characters. The main protagonist is small town sheriff Nick Piatt. He’s young, good-looking, and everyone likes him. He’s also a gun enthusiast and a crack shot.
Nick’s love interest is marine biologist Lisa Robinson. She’s been stationed at Cross Point for the last few months doing research with a pod of Orcas, which come into play later in the novel. Nick and Lisa have a burgeoning relationship and are the two characters readers will likely be most relatable.
Deputy David Hummer is a rookie cop in the department. He’s new in town and not sure what he wants to do with his life. He looks up to Sheriff Piatt as a mentor.
Barney Grey is a local fisherman who’s hated by all who crosses his path. He hates everyone and everything in life. He’s a drunkard who uses illegal tactics in his fishing business. He’s a truly deplorable character who some might root for towards the end of the book. I did.
Lisa’s Orca pod of killer whales are also characters in their own right.
Finally, we have the main antagonist, Olivia Zoller. She is the geneticist responsible for splicing the genes of an extinct Megalodon with a great white shark, along with adding new characteristics to the shark including skin invulnerability and a never ending drive for food and killing. She works for a shadowy organization willing to stop at nothing to get what they want.
For me, Scar is not the greatest novel ever written, but it was really fun. It had a lot of shark action and was thrilling in all the right parts. I cared about the characters and one even changed from the beginning and somewhat redeemed him or herself.
The shark attack scenes are savage and full of great gore. Fans of the shark horror sub-genre will not be disappointed with Scar. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was an easy, fun read, and a real page turner. Although it may not be a scientifically sound premise and some things may not be too believable, if you just use your suspension of disbelief, you’ll be just fine. It’s not high art, just a pulpy, popcorn read that won’t disappoint most.
4 ½ out of 5 Pentagrams!
March 13, 2025
Another book heard from this author. Having heard the two previously and gave it 3 stars, this won't be any different. It's a generic thriller with nothing major. It's the equivalent of a Saturday afternoon flick that you will forget watching by Monday.
One very ambitious scientist creates SCAR - perfect hunter shark. He is violent, intelligent and moody. Unfortunately, he escapes and she is task of finding. There is some goodie characters doing their normal goodie things and unfortunately the Shark comes to their and starts creating havoc.
Have I told you there are goodie characters? Yes? Ok. Indeed there are. IF this was DnD there would be only Lawful Good, the bad guys would be all Chaotic\Neutral Evil and there is one character that turns good and is quite literally the True Neutral.
It's as generic as possible, all evil characters are punished and all goodie are safe. It's boring and pointless.
Then there is something that really upsets me which was the way the writer wrote Orcas (Killer Whales). He basically gave them feelings and emotions that animals don't feel. Revenge, hate or love. Why the need for this is a bit odd... Overall it's a good flick , under 250 pages you can read or hear in one day. 42/100
One very ambitious scientist creates SCAR - perfect hunter shark. He is violent, intelligent and moody. Unfortunately, he escapes and she is task of finding. There is some goodie characters doing their normal goodie things and unfortunately the Shark comes to their and starts creating havoc.
Have I told you there are goodie characters? Yes? Ok. Indeed there are. IF this was DnD there would be only Lawful Good, the bad guys would be all Chaotic\Neutral Evil and there is one character that turns good and is quite literally the True Neutral.
It's as generic as possible, all evil characters are punished and all goodie are safe. It's boring and pointless.
Then there is something that really upsets me which was the way the writer wrote Orcas (Killer Whales). He basically gave them feelings and emotions that animals don't feel. Revenge, hate or love. Why the need for this is a bit odd... Overall it's a good flick , under 250 pages you can read or hear in one day. 42/100
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