Amy Hill Hearth

Welcome! I'm a New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today bestselling author of eleven published books, starting in 1993 with Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years, a New York Times bestseller for 117 weeks that was adapted for Broadway and film. I am a versatile writer. I've published fiction as well as nonfiction, books for adults as well as young readers. I love to challenge myself as a writer by trying new genres. My work focuses on forgotten or overlooked voices and extraordinary stories from the past.

 

 

 

 

SILENT CAME THE MONSTER: A Novel of the 1916 Jersey Shore Shark Attacks is my eleventh book and first historical thriller. The book, published in May, is the winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award.

 

The book is an Audible and Goodreads Summer 2023 pick. It was, also, selected as an Audio.com and Crimereads fan favorite.

 

Here's how the book is being described:

 

"A rogue shark upends the Jersey Shore, paradise for the wealthy and genteel, during the summer of 1916."

 

"A high society historical novel merged with a pulse-pounding thriller of a larger-than-life threat."

 

The book is a thriller but it's also a work of historical fiction. It's about the ignorance and arrogance of humans. 

 

But it's also about resilience. A surviving victim of the attacks, along with a witness, find ways to cope. 

 

The book is dedicated to the rescuers and lifeguards who, with tremendous courage, risked it all to try to save victims.

 

Here's a quick summary: During the summer of 1916, a surgeon at the Jersey Shore fights denial, conspiracy theories, defiance, and confusion in a desperate attempt to convince a skeptical public that the culprit behind a series of fatal attacks is a shark, not a huge sea turtle or German U-boat, and that it will strike again. Inspired by a series of true events.

 

A full synopsis may be found by clicking "Books" in the menu above, then the title. 

 

The book deal was made by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, my literary agency, with Blackstone Publishing, long famous for audio but, since 2016, also publishing paper and ebooks.

 

See links on this page to order now. The book is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook editions.

 

 

 

Winner, AudioFile Earphones Award

"This audiobook demonstrates that a shark attack can be as scary on audio as it is on the big screen…[Marantz] employs a low-key delivery that complements author Amy Hill Hearth's superb dialogue."

–AudioFile Magazine

 

 

 

Chosen as one of "Summer's Biggest Books" by Goodreads.

Also an Audible Summer 2023 pick.

 

 

Selected as an Audio.com and Crimereads fan favorite.

 

 

 

"Well drawn and believable…this combination of historical events and thrilling suspense makes for a taut, compelling read."

-Historical Novels Review

 

 

 

"Terrifying, delightful, thoughtful and gripping."

-The Berkshire Eagle 

 

 

 

"A riveting tale. Be bold — make it your beach read."

-Marshall Karp, #1 New York Times bestselling author 

 

 

 

"A new store favorite...A great read, full of insight and great characters! Smartly written, an inside look at life on the gilded age beaches of the Jersey Shore." 

-Litchfield Books, Pawley's Island, SC

 

 

 

 

"Chilling and entertaining."

-The Shreveport Times 

 

 

  

"A deeply compelling novel rich with historical detail and surprising parallels to our modern world."

-Hester Young, author of The Gates of Evangeline and The Burning Island

 

 

 

 

"I found it so intriguing to see how little people knew about sharks in the early part of the 20th-century and how humans' responses to things unknown/unseen then were eerily similar to how people still respond today."

-Thoughts From a Page Podcast 

Chosen for Summer Reading Guide

 

 

"Chilling, thrilling and fun. A fabulous read."

-Lynn Hightower, international bestselling author 

 

 

 

"Jaws before 'Jaws'...a well-told story." 

-The Cullman (Alabama) Times

 

 

 

 

"A fascinating read. Author Hearth has really done her research..."

-Red Carpet Crash 

 

  

 

"Wherever Amy Hill Hearth turns her attention, history comes alive. A thrilling, unforgettable journey into the past."

-Peter Golden, author of Nothing Is Forgotten

 

 

 

  

"Awesome"..."does not disappoint."

-Skylark Bookstore, Columbia, Missouri

 

 

 

 

  

"This is not just a story about the horrific attacks...; it is a story of courage, hope, grief, and resilience in the face of adversity. The characters are all beautifully written and have a tremendous depth that adds so much emotion to the story." Five Stars

-The British Bookworm 

 

 

 

"Best New Book Releases of 2023."

-Read All Things 

  

 

 

 

"I was very impressed with all of the research and evidence based components in this retelling of the shark attacks that inspired Jaws."

-Mostly Murder Book Club

 

 

 

 

"I really enjoyed how the author highlighted the humanity of those involved as well as the heroism shown once the people accepted that there was a shark, or sharks, attacking."

-This Bookish Life

 

  

 

 "I loved this book!...The historical accuracy of this book, combined with the rich relationship building and rising tensions, kept me fully engaged the entire time....You've got a hit on your hands."

-Thunder Road Books, Spring Lake, NJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so delighted to announce that Silent Came the Monster is a 2023 International Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club Selection, earning "Five Diamonds," the club's highest mark. Founded by Kathy L. Murphy and headquartered in Texas, the book club is the largest "meeting and discussing" book club in the world – with 800 chapters, including chapters in 20 foreign countries.