Official Review: The Northern Pike Story by Thomas Ashmore

Post by **Bertha Jackson** » 28 Nov 2020, 17:19

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Northern Pike Story" by Thomas Ashmore.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

The Northern Pike Story: Lake Moraine Phenomenon by Thomas Ashmore is about a lake in New York that was man-made from surrounding canals and streams. Over iced tea and pie, Thomas and his lifetime friend, Joe, tell three college students (Ron, Larry, and Damian) about the Lake Moraine Phenomenon, and why northern pike fish are no longer in the lake. There had been multiple incidents of people getting attacked by the northern pike fish. Investigations revealed that these fish were motivated by blood and had evolved to become man-eaters. The Labor Day holiday was coming up, which had an associated increase in local revenues, so the officials had to determine if they should shut down the lake or not. All of the incidents had happened only in the last month before Labor Day. Was this an isolated occurrence that would not happen again, or had something happened to the northern pike fish? What was more important to the community’s welfare? Was it commerce or people’s lives?

The author does a good job describing Lake Moraine and the phenomenon of the northern pike. The council and government authorities have to make difficult decisions regarding the threat of the northern pike. Business owners were reliant on the income generated during the holiday weekend. Although keeping revenues coming into a community is important, I think human life is more important. What are the odds of the northern pike evolving into monsters? Can one human accident create an evolution in another species? For decades environmentalists have been warning us of the impact we have on our environment from littering to global warming. It makes me wonder what we are doing to our wildlife.

I liked the joking and barbs that are made between Tom and Joe during the telling of the phenomenon. This made the book more interesting than just reading about northern pikes. There was nothing I disliked about this book. It was well-written in the first person and flowed smoothly from chapter to chapter. I had a hard time putting it down, and due to its short length, I was able to read it in one sitting.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery about fish and evolution. There is one case of profanity that makes it unsuitable for younger readers. There is no sexual or religious content.

This book has been professionally-edited as I only found one awkward sentence. I did not find any grammatical or typographical errors. I gladly give this book 4 out of 4 stars.

******
The Northern Pike Story
View: on Bookshelves

Pluma · Post by **Pluma** » 03 Dec 2020, 18:20

This book sounds like it deals with a unique and interesting topic in an engaging way; I admire the author for executing it so well. Thanks for your thorough review!

buttercake20+_Modupe Bello · 29 Mar 2021, 07:44

Today's science fiction creates a story around the effects of human activities on wildlife. To what extent does pollution and waste affect these creatures? We have northern Pike fish evolving into man eaters. I love the review.

Leen282 · Post by **Leen282** » 29 Mar 2021, 07:47

Interesting topic, it may sound like science fiction, but it is due to environmental neglect? I always appreciate humor in a book, so thanks for pointing out the joking and the barbs.

ViviVivid · Post by **ViviVivid** » 29 Mar 2021, 07:50

Humans have been manipulating the environment for years. It ought to have some kind of effect on the wildlife as well. The book seems like an interesting read. It talks about the implications of our actions in a fun way. An excellent review!

Aan Granados · Post by **Aan Granados** » 29 Mar 2021, 07:52

This seems to me like this could be made into a suspense movie. Congrats on being BOTD!

Post by **Ngozi Onyibor** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:06

This is sure an expository read for fans of marine life. It's great that the author crafted a fun story around the main theme.

Arun_Bohra_001 · Post by **Arun_Bohra_001** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:07

I'm excited to read this book about history of fish and evolution. Thanks for the great review.

cd20 · Post by **cd20** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:08

I prefer books that have less descriptions and more dialogue. I will be passing on this one.

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:10

Although the nothern pike is not a subject I am normally interested in, this story does sound like an entertaining one. Sounds like the movie piranhas, but with pikes.

Gemjay · Post by **Gemjay** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:12

This book sounds interesting and the story line is quite unique. The review is informative but I'm not totally sold into reading this book.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:15

This seems the kind of cautionary tale crucial today, as we can change our environment in ways much stronger compared to the past., so the consequences can be much deeper. Thank you for your great review!

Timothy Rucinski · Post by **Timothy Rucinski** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:38

The review is nicely done, but from the sections of the book that I read, I don't think this one is for me. Perhaps if I still fished as much as I did in my youth I'd feel differently. Nevertheless, let me congratulate the author on achieving BOTD.

63tty · Post by **63tty** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:43

This book sounds so intriguing. I would like to know more about the fish that eats men. Great review of a good book.

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 29 Mar 2021, 08:45

It is scary to think about these fish beginning to attack people! It makes one not want to swim or even wade in any outdoor water! When I was growing up, we didn't have gyms with indoor or outdoor swimming pools! We swam in the creek or a pond! I don't know how much water's pollution plays in this, but I am sure it is bound to have some impact! Thanks for the great review!