Fishing With Hyenas


Non-Fiction - Memoir
308 Pages
Reviewed on 09/05/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

I live in the Pacific Northwest and work from my home office as a Corporate Recruiter. I always loved writing and applied that passion to my recruiting career, so in 1999 when Captan Bart lured me to sea to crew on his commercial fishing vessel in the North Pacific Ocean, I decided to write a book about my adventures. I'm thrilled to (finally) share my story with the world.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Beth Green for Readers' Favorite

Fishing With Hyenas by Theresa Mathews is a fascinating tale of her real life adventures on the open sea with a group of fishermen. You can almost smell the fish as you crash through the adventure in the ups and downs of life on the sea. Mathews does a wonderful job of relaying a bevy of interesting facts about the world of commercial fishing as well as about the tight knit group of fishermen that are affectionately called the Hyenas. Mathews describes how difficult life on the sea can be, especially for someone like her, who describes herself as a 'girly girl'. During her time on the trip, she finds that she is tougher than she ever imagined. She learns how to work through pain and soreness, and to endure the difficult work and long days. The trip ends, but the story delves deeper into issues of personal tragedy and financial stresses that envelop her life.

Fishing With Hyenas by Theresa Mathews is one of those books that teaches you about a subject not commonly understood and, for that, I really enjoyed the content. I loved all the interesting facts about fishing. Mathews does a wonderful job of keeping your interest throughout the story and I had no trouble at all with the flow. Mathews' raw emotions at the beginning allow you to connect with her right away and feel her emotional struggle, as she has to cope with a sudden life change. She creates a fast reading story that pulls you through the pages like a rip tide, and your emotions will ebb and flow along with hers.

More Amazon Reviews

11. Susan Conrad reviewed Fishing With Hyenas: February 17, 2017
A salty, gut-wrenching story about moxie and the power of eternal love. Theresa Mathews' memoir will take you out on the open seas, down in the stinky slimy holds of a sea-tossed fishing boat, and deep into her psyche as she toggles back and forth between the grief—and reality—of losing her husband, and an adventurous chunk of her life spent on a commercial fishing boat. I loved this journey and have an inkling of how difficult—and rewarding—it has been for Theresa to share her story with the world. Brava!
Review by the author of Inside: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage

13. Anthony Ezell: A MUST READ, YOU WON'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN.... December 2, 2016
Before taking a business trip, I tossed Fishing With Hyenas in my bag at the last minute. Not knowing what to expect, I decided I would start it at the airport , if good I would read it on the plane going and coming. As planned, I started reading it while waiting to board. From the beginning I was hooked in fact, I couldn't wait to get seated on the plane so I could continue reading. I didn't wait for my trip home, I finished the book at my hotel. I laughed, cried and laughed again. Thank you Theresa Mathews for sharing your life, your book is wonderful, I can't wait to share it.....

14. Kindle Customer: Unique, Surprising, Well-Written November 20, 2016
Having once managed to put a book together myself, I understand the demands and drive it takes to craft your personal story for others in a style that is both professional and broadly interesting.
That I know the author and was familiar with the backstory challenged me as I drew opinions about “Fishing With Hyenas." I mention this to point out that this knowledge resulted in unique perspective as I reflected on this book that otherwise would not have attracted my attention. Amid the challenge of measuring my judgments came the ability to really focus on the crafting and honesty in the writing.
And I found it a fine read. The setting on the open seas as a framework for Theresa’s personal adventure and tragedy held my interest and taught me much as her trying journey unfolded. What I may be saying is that her male audience need not let the emotional subject matter of her memoir keep you from jumping in to this surprising adventure. Her first hand and heroic tales of fishing on the open ocean for weeks at a time will earn your respect for the deeper issues she confronts. When I might get bogged down in the heroine’s personal drama, I would recall that courage, mortality and the unforgiving ocean were the true protagonists, and the pages would keep turning.
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15. Roberta M. : What an amazing journey and love story November 17, 2016
Outstanding read! What an amazing journey and love story. I wanted to crawl inside this book and hug them both! I highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down.

16. Loren Nelson: Love Story, nautical lore November 10, 2016
Works on all levels. Love Story, nautical lore, life at sea, loss and redemption, deep sea fishing, hurricanes. The details draw you in.

A few more Amazon Reviews

To see ALL the Amazon Reviews, please go to https://www.amazon.com and type Fishing With Hyenas in the search bar; click on the title.

18. Amazon Customer reviewed Fishing With Hyenas October 16, 2016
l loved it. i could smell the salt air. Could not put it down. Emotions run high, from her amazing love for her Bart to intense grief and pain. I laughed and cried at the same time. Can't wait for her next book.

19. Amazon Customer reviewed Fishing With Hyenas October 7, 2016
I read this book and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! I laughed, I cried, and felt all emotions in between. This book hand me hook line and sinker from the opening scene. I will be recommending it to all of my family and friends - what a perfect Christmas gift!

Diane B

Loved this book

Amazon Reviews

1. Evelyn S. : An interesting first person account August 13, 2017
I bought this book at a local reading in Friday Harbor. However, I'd advise purchasing it wherever works best for you because it is a good read about love, life, and living at sea.

2. Anna: July 16, 2017
Wow! I can not put this book down. It is emotional book. It is amazing memoir and amazing life I have read about so far. It is educational about the fishing industry as well Theresa's book makes me want to be more carefree and follow my dreams more closely. The characters are vivid and I can not wait to read the 2nd half of the book. Going to do that now. ps Keep your tissues close at hand.

3. Roxanna Zalmanek: Delighted! 7/13/17
We were delighted to see that Theresa's book has earned 5 stars! Having come from a fishing community and knowing some of the fishing families in her book made her story even better! Theresa Mathews is a great writer and storyteller and has done an excellent job in capturing her love of life and the sea. Thanks T!

4. Amazon Customer: 6/25/17. Fabulous book! A heart breaker, more so because it's true.
I love how she intertwined her adventures at sea and the tragedies she faced. She brings us all along for an exceptionally brave and truthful account of what it was like at sea and what it was like loving Bart. Bravo Theresa!

5. Amazon customer review: Respect and adoration for this author! May 23, 2017
I've known Theresa for several years and knew some of her and Bart's story but not the entire saga. Fishing With Hyenas is truly a treasure that weaves you through the ups and downs of this beautiful and tragic love story. The raw honesty in which Theresa tells of this relationship is incredible. She puts you right there in the moment on the boat and with the Hyenas. I loved this book and have a broadened respect and adoration for my friend!

6. Ken: 5/22/17. I loved this book! Theresa is a gifted writer and made me feel like I was there with her experiencing the highs and lows of her adventures at sea. I hurt with her for the loss of her husband as I read through the book. Her heartbreak was evident and although it made me cry a few times, I was able to laugh too. Her personality spills out into real life. She obviously has a positive attitude and zest for life. I look forward to new adventures with Theresa in her next book

8. Nicole N.: Wonderfully written! 4/18/17
This story was both heartwarming and informative! I felt like I was on the boat with Theresa and the "Hyenias", going through the ups and downs of life on the sea, and learning a lot about the fishing industry along the way. I laughed and cried which is what any great book will make you do! I highly recommend this book if you like REAL stories of love, adversity, joy, loss, and the importance of relationships.

9. Pamela Beason: 4/4/17
A love story on a tuna boat--who knew that life could be so beautiful and so interesting? I learned a lot about the fishing industry and wish I could have met everyone the author introduced me to through this story. Fair warning, though: if you've ever lost someone dear to you, keep your tissues at hand. But know that you'll be okay by the end of the book. --Review by the author of Endangered (A Sam Westin Mystery Book 1)

10. Robin Landry: 2/25/17
A unique journey into a world few people get to experience, Theresa Mathews takes you into the lives of the men who fish for a living. Always dangerous, both in terms of physical danger, and the fear of not catching enough fish to make a living. It's not a world most women would want to be a part of. I personally have boated enough to know that it's too harsh a life for me, but then again, I didn't fall in love with a fisherman. This is a true adventure story that starts out as a love story. The life that the author shares with us is not for the feint of heart, but Theresa takes in on for the sake of an extraordinary man. This is as real as it gets, telling the story of men who risk their lives every time they go out to sea, and sometimes don't come back. What kind of men and women embrace this kind of a life is the question most of us would ask, and Theresa gives a look into the heart of one. If you always wanted to go out on a fishing boat, but suffer from seasickness(and just plain good sense), you can read about it in Theresa's terrific debut novel.




Laurie Lapellegrina

I can hardly wait to read your book. I ran into a couple walking their dogs in Laguna Beach, CA last Sunday. She, a friend of yours highly recommended your book to me. As a Seattle girl myself I was delighted to share the topic of the PNW with two complete strangers. What a small world...