While holidaying on the banks of Hazard River (a name that doesn’t exactly inspire relaxation), brothers, Jack and Ben, and friend Lachlan find a dead shark minus its fins. This might very well be the work of pirates—or perhaps the unfortunate beastie was molested by a giant squid. Whatever the cause, the boys are determined to get to the bottom of it.

And so, off the intrepid trio goes, sailing into the moonlight, dodging sandbanks and soldier crabs—and maybe, just maybe, pirates. But it is only the next day after the discovery of another finless shark and with knowledgeable, well-travelled Mimi onboard that the mystery stands a chance of being solved. ( )

Apart from the lame "desctibe the character with their name" concept the author employs that gets a touch grating at times, this wasn't such a bad story and I think younger readers would quite like it. Jack Wilde (see what I mean) and his younger brother Ben holiday every year on the banks of Hazard River which I take to be in New South Wales as crocodiles aren't mentioned. There are a number of books in the Hazatd River series and they all have an eco-friendly, wildlife message as well as a mystery to solve. In Shark Frenzy, Jack is joined by his larrikan friend Lachlan Master, his 6 year old brother Ben and resident know-all Mimi to solve the mystery of the dead sharks that keep washing up on their beaches. There is an adrift boat, illegal fishermen and a hazardous trip in a zodiac dingy all in the short space of 86p. The character of Mimi as the only girl is the responsible one with all the knowledge, Lachlan is the brash-actions- before- thought kid, Ben is the silly little kid with some classic stories and poor Jack is the "pick up the pieces and rescue everyone" main character. It is interesting in reading J.E. Fison's biography that she (I assume she is female) has done all the things that the character of Mimi is said to have done like eat Grasshoppers and travel to Africa. There appear to be 4 in the series.