As a child, Dr. Dan Garvie experienced a traumatic brush with a serial killer and this event shaped his entire life. Now as an adult he is dedicated to criminal profiling. When news arrives that his father has died, Dan returns to his home town in order to learn more information about his father's passing. The book starts off with a bang describing what Dan experienced as a child, which raised the hair on the back of my neck. From there the pace slowed a bit and while I was interested in the story I initially found Dan to be a very passive character. However when clues emerge that the killer from his childhood could still be causing problems, Dan quickly reveals himself to be quite capable of standing his own ground, and I grew to like, respect and cheer for him! The search for the truth in his father's death turns into a manhunt that kept me on my toes and had me looking over my shoulder to see who might be behind me. This story has an oppressive atmosphere to it that gave off very haunting vibes and when the killer was revealed I felt like I was seeing it in slow motion, yelling 'nooooooo' in my mind! I couldn't read the book fast enough.

This is my first book by Alex North and it did not disappoint! I look forward to reading more of Alex's work in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon Books for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.

An enjoyable read with interesting characters & storyline. I will be looking for more from this author! Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

Loved the island locale where a don investigates his father's suspicious death. Always a nail biter when it's Alex north. Enjoyed this read!

If you are a fan of Alex North, you will probably enjoy this book. It is not my favorite but still a spooky psychological thriller. There were some slow areas and there was a huge supernatural component. It all ties together at the end and was a good story overall but I didn't feel like it had the same ability to draw me in like his previous books. Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alex North presents us with a deliciously, spooky, creepy novel about a man named Daniel who experienced a very traumatic event in his childhood and now it’s coming back to haunt him, but not just him, the rest of his family and the ones closest to him.
The Pied Piper was a serial killer, taking children and even though he’s dead, his ghost is still haunting the island where Daniel is from. And this time it seems like this Man Make Of Smoke is out for revenge!
I enjoyed my time with this book. It was very intriguing as we followed the clues through the story to find out what was happening. There were moments when I was legitimately holding my breath and scared to turn the page. Alex North is great at drawing complex details between parent and child relationships, giving the characters a richness and depth to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always liked Alex North's style, and this book did not disappoint. This plot flows really well and it adds to the flavor when character flaws are explored more deeply in thrillers. I also like when the characters with the most obvious motive/inclination are not always the ones to watch. It makes for a much more satisfying plot twist when someone unexpected emerges, quietly lurking in the side character background.

All in all a very enjoyable book. Quick read and very engaging, perfect if you're looking for a cover-to-cover in a day book without feeling let down or disappointed.

I couldn't wait until October to read this book, even though it would be the perfect spooky season read! It's positively chilling and creepy, just what I want in a thriller. I loved the gothic horror and crime fiction elements too. It follows Daniel Garvie, a criminal profiler haunted by a traumatic childhood encounter with a serial killer. When his father mysteriously disappears after discovering a brutal murder, Daniel is forced to confront the shadows of his past and the eerie figure known only as the “Man Made of Smoke.”

This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a ghost story woven into the bones of grief, memory, and the shadows we can’t quite shake.

The writing is immersive, tinged with that signature North melancholy that makes even the quietest moments feel loaded with dread. The central mystery coils itself slowly, pulling you deeper into its fog until the line between the supernatural and the psychological blurs.

What makes this novel shine is how personal it feels: the haunting isn’t just in the town or the folklore, it’s in the characters themselves—their secrets, their losses, their refusal to let go.

Alex North has such a great way of mixing crime, mystery, and just the right amount of creepiness. The Man Made of Smoke hooked me right away with its eerie atmosphere and unsettling story. It has that haunting, folklore vibe but still feels grounded and real.

I really enjoyed the characters—flawed, believable, and easy to get invested in. The tension builds steadily, and there were definitely a few moments that gave me chills. North’s writing is smooth and keeps you turning the pages.

Some parts felt a little drawn out, and I wished the supernatural side had been pushed just a bit further. Still, this is a gripping, eerie read that kept me hooked. If you liked The Whisper Man, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

Haunting, atmospheric, and unsettling in the best way. Alex North blends psychological depth with chilling suspense, weaving a story that’s as much about fathers, sons, and buried trauma as it is about a serial killer. While it wasn’t nearly as terrifying as his previous books, it still had me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend the audiobook, which really brought the tension to life.

I was very excited to finally see a new book by North! I read this book in a day, like all his others, and I was not disappointed. I will say I was not as enthralled by this story, as I was his others. But i still really enjoyed my experience and will continue to read more from this author.

This is just what I’ve come to expect from a book by Alex North - tense, gripping, and creepy AF. I read it in less than two days. I enjoyed the main characters’ inner dialogue and how it led them to solve the mystery. The Whisper Man is still my favorite of North’s books, but this is a close second.

This is the second book I’ve read by Alex North. I read The Whisper Man many years ago and it easily became one of my most recommended books to others. North’s writing is dark and atmospheric. The tension builds slowly in The Man Made of Smoke and the truth unfolds through multiple layers. I think North did a great job portraying how guilt haunts us through the exploration of flawed characters. The story featured a father and son dynamic, life after experiencing trauma, and how the past shapes us.

While The Whisper Man remains my favorite book written by this author, The Man Made of Smoke was an unputdownable serial killer story that had a lingering creep factor. I did feel it was slow at times and wish the momentum from the last quarter of the book had began a little sooner. It packed a punch and just when you think you have it all figured out, you’re in for quite the surprise.

Thank you NetGalley / Celadon Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

One night a group of people cross paths with a serial killer and his victim and this experience has repercussions decades later. I enjoyed the setting of the story and the way places invoked the sense of isolation. The main character was extremely likeable and intelligent. The story did move slowly in some parts but it ultimately didn't detract from the plot.

I really enjoyed The Whisper Man, so I was so excited for this one! However, The Man Made of Smoke just didn’t grab me the same way. The writing was good, but the pacing was too slow, and it never built the suspense I was hoping for. While the premise had potential, it lacked the thrill I needed. Did not finish at 34%. Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Daniel Garvie had an encounter with a missing child & serial killer when he was younger. He feels regret for not speaking up & possibly helping the child. Daniel has dedicated his life to seeking criminals & putting them away. When his father passes away, Daniel returns to his hometown. He finds clues his father left behind as to who might have hurt him.

This is the second book I read by Alex North. He writes some great eerie, creepy thrillers. I think what makes them the most unsettling is that they also target children & that's always horrifying. This is a slow burn mystery that kept me intrigued throughout. It's a story told in multiple timelines & pov's. The past perspective from the young victim was the most hard to read. It was interesting seeing the alternate stories from Daniel & his dad. They show how you never truly know another person's thoughts or actions.

Strongly recommend to all mystery/thriller readers.

Creepy story that had me guessing until the end. Alex North doesn’t disappoint!! I recommend this book to anyone who has a fascination with serial killers and who loves a good bump in the night!

I was confused the entire time. I also did not find this thrilling in the slightest. The beginning was quite interesting and had me hooked but by the middle, I just wanted it to end.

A crime he witnessed as a child, comes back to haunt him in the worst way. Dan Garvie escaped an encounter with a serial killer. He goes on to become a profiler. Until one day his dad passes away, and Dan feels like the circumstances surrounding his death are suspicious. He returns home in an effort to uncover the truth behind his father death. This is told in a dueling timeline, giving you glimpses into past and present. The twists at the end were jaw dropping. I read this in two days.

This was a creepy thriller that had me only reading when it was light outside. I have enjoyed every thriller I have read by Alex North and this one was no exception. The plot and characters were well written and added substance to the creepy tone of the book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Alex North and thrillers.