Australian author Emma Styles publishes her second novel, The Shark, on 12 March 2026. A propulsive psychological thriller set on the beaches of Western Australia, it follows the award-winning No Country for Girls, which won the Little, Brown UEA Crime Fiction Award and was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger. Styles grew up on Whadjuk Noongar Country in Perth and now lives in London.
At the height of Australian summer, a serial killer known as The Shark stalks a coastal suburb, hunting young female swimmers. Afraid and furious at the failure of the police to protect them, two young women fight back. Raych is grieving someone she'd have died to save, while Carmen hides her own disturbing connection to the murders. In desperation, they form an uneasy alliance — and when another girl vanishes, they take matters into their own hands by kidnapping the prime suspect. But as their interrogation spirals, horrifying truths surface on both sides of the table. In their quest for justice, Raych and Carmen must face the darkest question of all: have they caught a monster — or become one?
"Blindingly tense and perfectly nuanced, The Shark is an absolute triumph. A thriller with serious depth — you won't read anything else like this in 2026." — Heather Critchlow
"Edgy and gritty and compelling. Combines Perth's two great fears — sharks and serial killers — to telling effect." — Chris Hammer
"Emma's a shining star of Australian crime fiction, she's subversive and unflinching." — Peter Papathanasiou
UK Events
Wednesday 4 March, 6–7.30pm | Crime Central, Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD Emma Styles appears alongside Callie Kazumi and Heidi Amsinck at Crime Central, the monthly crime and thriller fiction event at Manchester Central Library. Tickets via Eventbrite
Monday 16 March, 6.30pm | Waterstones Canterbury, Rose Lane Emma Styles in conversation with Rebecca Hannigan, discussing their new thrillers The Shark and Darkrooms. More info and tickets