Whistles in the Dark: The Slow-Burn Sorcery of Alex North

Alex North — wow, this sorcerer of words sure knows how to get under your skin in the best way. I can always count on him to leave me feeling like Hot dang, that was brilliant.

He’s got this eerie gift, for weaving the disturbing with the emotional. He doesn't just write thrillers, he conjures up trauma, family ties, unique unsettling circumstances that haunts his characters. All part of his signature brew. And somehow, it leaves you feeling just a little haunted.

The Man Made of Smoke is no different. Right off the bat, we dive into the lingering trauma of Dan Garvie, whose life has been haunted by the crime he witnessed as a child, one he narrowly escapes from a serial killer. That moment didn’t just scar young Dan. It sent ripples through his life, shadowing even the bond he shares with his father.

A Crawl, a Walk, Then the Burn

Now, when North writes tension, it’s not the heart-racing kind. It’s quieter, a creeping dread. In The Man Made of Smoke, North takes his sweet, shadowy time. Maybe too much time. The build is slow, like a candle burning down to nothing before the flame really catches. It takes about three-quarters of the way through, before the threads start to tighten, and suddenly you’re in the thick of something brilliant.

This book doesn’t just whisper to you. It whistles—and then disappears into smoke.

And wow, when it hits—it hits hard. Emotionally rich, disturbingly tense, and suddenly, everything all comes together in a thrilling climax and conclusion. Still, I wish he’d let the sparks fly a little earlier. Because when you’ve got something this good, you want the payoff to be the only thing you are thinking about.

So, Stick with it, and you won’t just read the ending—you’ll feel it.

A Witches Words buddy read with Debra!!

alex north has done it again, ladies and gentlemen. i love when a story dives deep into the bond of a family and how one single event can completely shift the path you thought you were on. this is such a powerful story about fathers and their sons, about how we’re often our own worst critics, putting so much pressure on ourselves that everything can start to unravel. and in the midst of all that, you’re trying to piece together who the killer is and get justice for the boy seen in the rest stop bathroom. this one kept me on my toes the entire time. as a fan of alex north, i highly recommend it.

This is a simmering and thought-provoking book that looks at guilt, justice, action, inaction, and trauma. This is a slow burn, and I do struggle with them, and I did struggle in the beginning of this book. Thankfully the second half of this book picked up for me and I enjoyed the mystery, tension, suspense, dread, and the way this book is told through both Dan and John.

Dan witnessed a crime involving a notorious serial killer as a boy and has been haunted his entire life by what he saw after he and his father, John made a stop to use a restroom. Dan silently watched as a killer, who will become known as 'the man make of smoke' said “Nobody Sees, and Nobody Cares.” as he led a frightened boy away. Dan was too frightened to do anything at the time to help the boy. Guilt, shame, remorse never leaves Dan. Since that day, Dan has carried his quilt like an imaginary sack on his back everywhere he goes. He can't put down this heavy burden and has become a criminal profiler who seeks justice for victims.

His father, John, who was a police officer at the time, has spent many years looking into the case. This had become a heavy burden for him as well. When Dan is informed that his father has died under suspicious circumstances, Dan returns home......

As I mentioned this is a slow burn. This was initially a struggle for me. What I did enjoy was how both father and son were affected by that rest stop and what Dan observed. How it affected their lives and relationship. I thought Alex North did a fantastic job of showing how guilt affects an individual and all aspects of their lives. What haunts us, what burdens we carry, what pain we feel, as humans are all on display in The Man Made of Smoke. The mystery is solid, haunting, intriguing and well thought out. I just wished the pacing was a little faster. The Whisper Man remains my favorite book by Alex North but this one just might haunt you!

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“Nobody sees, nobody cares.”
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Alex North, the writer you are. Dan Garvie, our main character, had a haunting run-in with serial killer, The Pied Piper, and his latest victim, when he was twelve. The feelings of shame and guilt over having done nothing to help the boy he saw in that fair bathroom drives Dan to become a highly regarded profiler and therapist to incarcerated serial killers far from the island where he grew up and experienced that momentous event that changed the course of his life. However, when he gets a call about his father’s death, Dan must head back to the island, facing memories he worked to keep buried, and the knowledge that perhaps his father’s death might be tied to his investigating the closed Pied Piper case. Having found clues and evidence among his father’s house, Dan picks up where he left off, uncovering more about his father and his past than he ever expected.

I really enjoyed the multiple points of view and timelines. The first chapter starting from The Pied Piper’s point of view on the day of the fair was such an intriguing introduction and a successful hook. The main POVs shift from John, Dan’s father, as he investigated the new string of murders, and Dan in the present time investigating those same murders with the help of his father’s found evidence. This unintentional father-son partnership provides additional knowledge of the case as the plot progresses but also provides background into why Dan and John’s relationship become strained after Dan’s mother passed. As Dan works to complete John’s investigation, he tries to envision his father, speaking to him as if he were there to try to gain insight into his father’s thinking. From John’s POV, we see his understanding of his son and his trauma grow, not only as he investigates, but also as he comes to terms with his retirement from the police force. This inadvertently acts as a therapeutic experience that shapes a tentative understanding of each other and kindling a more amiable father-son relationship.

I will say, I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did The Whisper Man and The Shadows. This story didn’t carry the subtle hint of the paranormal that his other works do, which I think is the main reason it didn’t resonate with me as much as his other works. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story, subplots, and characters. It still carries North’s distinct writing style which provides an immersive reading experience. The twists and shocking reveals kept me reading with bated breath, that’s for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon books and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alex North's The Man Made of Smoke is a suspenseful thriller that keeps readers guessing. The story follows Dan Garvie, a criminal profiler dealing with past trauma from a childhood encounter with a serial killer known as "The Pied Piper." After his father's mysterious death, Dan returns to his hometown, uncovering secrets that hint at the killer's return.

The book is atmospheric and tense, especially with its island setting, adding to the mystery and suspense. The characters are well-developed, and the story explores deeper emotional themes like family and past trauma.

However, at times the pacing slows down, especially in the middle sections, which might lose some readers. Also, the plot has many twists, which can occasionally be confusing.

Overall, this is a solid, engaging read for anyone who enjoys thrillers with psychological depth. I would give it four stars and recommend it to thriller fans looking for a compelling mystery.

Thank you so much to Alex North, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for this ARC of The Man Made of Smoke.

Alex North has done it again. This book was so eerie and creepy! The best part of this book for me is that it was so unpredictable. I love when I’m genuinely unable to guess the plot line. This book follows Dan and his journey from having an encounter with the Pied Piper serial killer at a young, impressionable age. When news that his Dad has committed suicide brings Dan back to the island, things begin to change.

I was in a bit of a reading slump but this book pulled me right out. I loved the dual POV and timelines. This book was so good and I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time to come. An easy 5/5 stars!!

Thank you to Celadon Books and Net Galley for the EARC of this book. Another Alex North winner for me. This story had such an interesting weave of characters for me and I really appreciate when I can't guess the "bad guy" and the end result makes sense within the story. Daniel Garvie is a psychologist who had an interaction at a very young age with a serial killer, became a psychologist who studies and works with serial killers and now it is coming full circle in a really creative way. Alex North does a great job of building tension and finding creative ways to provide some exposition as well to help the reader along. The phrase uttered by the killer "Nobody sees and nobody cares" really echoes on multiple levels of meaning and is a haunting thought. Hope others enjoy this as well and looking forward to the next one.

Release: May 13, 2025
Author: Alex North
Publisher: Celadon Books

Rating: 4.25 ★ 

This is hands-down my favorite Alex North book yet. I was hooked from the very first chapter and could not stop turning the pages. The atmosphere was eerie, the pacing was tight, and the psychological depth made it stand out from other serial killer thrillers.

The story follows Dan, a criminal psychiatrist who returns to his hometown after his father, a retired police officer, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Years ago, Dan had a chilling encounter at a rest stop with a man and a boy who later turned out to be a victim of a serial killer known as “The Pied Piper.” That one moment left a mark on both Dan and his father, and now, it seems that past is catching up with them.

What I really loved was how Dan’s professional background—working closely with criminals and his ability to empathize with their minds—played such a big role in unraveling the mystery. It gave major Criminal Minds or Hannibal vibes and made his perspective compelling. North switches between timelines and POVs—Dan in the present, his father before his death, and even the killer’s chilling voice from the past. It took a little extra attention to track who knew what and when, but honestly, it just added to the suspense.

The mystery itself was super twisty. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story threw another curveball. The emotional core—especially the father/son dynamic—added real heart to the darkness. And by the time everything came together at the end, I was completely satisfied. No loose ends, just a brilliantly crafted conclusion.

Creepy, clever, emotional, and completely addictive. North nailed this one.

Dan Garvie has never been able to shake the trauma of a chilling encounter he had as a kid—an encounter with a serial killer that he barely escaped. That moment shaped his entire life, pushing him into a career as a criminal profiler where he’s committed to giving a voice to victims. But when his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Dan returns to his isolated island hometown to get answers. As he digs deeper, he begins to wonder: could the same killer from his childhood be back?

The Man Made of Smoke is a haunting, emotional, and suspenseful story about the weight of past trauma, the bond between fathers and sons, and the monsters—both real and remembered—that we carry with us.


Favorite Quote:
"there's a difference between knowing something and understanding it."

𝑩𝑶𝑶𝑲 𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾
The Man Made Of Smoke by Alex North (out 5/13)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After reading The Whisper Man, I’ve never missed an Alex North book! To me, his stories are a perfect amount of creepy.

In The Man Made of Smoke, criminal psychiatrist, Dan, returns home after his dad, a retired police officer, is reported dead. After a haunting encounter with a serial killer at a rest stop, the guilt of surviving and of not being able to save the victim has followed both men for decades. Now home, Dan learns that prior to his death his father, John, had discovered the body of a dead woman and was working his own investigation to track down the killer. Then a mysterious photo arrives on Dan’s doorstep, and is the first breadcrumb that leads him along his father’s trail of research. It soon becomes clear that these events are somehow connected to that first encounter years before.

Though Dan officially works as a psychiatrist for inmates, he has taken on jobs as a profiler because of his ability to empathize and assume the mentality of others. This element made his quest to solve the mystery really interesting. It reminded me of Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, or the Hannibal tv show. North’s book are typically pretty emotional and this one had touching insights on father/son relationships and vulnerable communities. Since Dan and John both follow the same trail in different timelines, I did have a little trouble keeping track of who knows what- but nothing a little page flipping couldn’t solve haha.

Thanks @netgalley and @celadonbooks for this early e-galley!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 13, 2025
Dan Garvie is a psychologist who works with mentally ill individuals who have committed atrocious crimes. To others, Dan works with “monsters”, but Dan doesn’t see it that way. Because Dan knows what a real monster looks like. When Dan was a child, he had a brief interaction with the serial killer the media labeled, “The Pied Piper”, and it has haunted him since. When Dan gets news that his father has died under suspicious circumstances, he immediately returns home to deal with the aftermath. But once there, Dan begins to uncover information that has him questioning if his own past is actually as far behind him as he hoped.
“The Man Made of Smoke” is the new novel by “The Whisper Man” author, Alex North. More of a psychological suspense than a horror novel, “Smoke” is engaging, suspenseful and, best of all, features a deliciously twisted serial killer.
North’s novel is multi-timeline, with multiple narrators. Dan is the protagonist, in the present day, but we also hear from Dan’s father in the days before he died and there are segments narrated by the unnamed serial killer, that start back when he was a child. Although the majority of the story takes place in modern day, Dan’s interaction with “The Pied Piper” from his childhood has such an impact that readers get a portion of the novel focused on that experience as well. North combines all of these into a well-formed, flowing, creative storyline that kept my attention throughout.
The original “Pied Piper” serial killer is dead, officially and legitimately, so right away, we can strike him from the suspect pool. But North makes the who-dunnit guessing game an intricate labyrinth of exciting twists and turns, ensuring that when the killer is revealed, the culprit is completely unexpected. The conclusion of the novel was a journey, as there was no simple, straight line to identify the killer but North was able to ensure that any leftover questions were answered.
North never disappoints in providing fast-paced page turners, and “Smoke” is no exception.

"Nobody sees," the man says. "And nobody cares."

Absolutely phenomenal! I was hooked from the first chapter and never wanted to put it down!

A small rest area - a little boy, a grown man, and eerie feeling left behind. When Dan was almost a teenager but still a boy, he bumped into a man and a child at a rest stop bathroom. The encounter was unnerving. And, later, they learn that the boy had been kidnapped and the rest stop was the last time he was seen.

Now, it's years later Dan has grown up. He works in a prison psychiatric ward with the prisoners. But he's called back home when they find his father's car parked near a cliffside with a note in the glovebox.

The story kicks off from there. I was so completely hooked from the start because Dan was an easy main character to like. He did all he could to stay cool and analyze what was going on. We also get the POV of his father, John, from before the fateful day his car is found. It was nice to get the lead up to what Dan was doing - and his father was another easy POV that I really enjoyed. There were so many moving pieces, the plot was so easy to get wrapped up in, that I completely missed all the clues and never guessed our twists and turns.

This was an excellent, well-paced mystery that kept me feverishly flipping pages until the very end. This was a very good read!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

So creepy! I love Alex North thrillers and this one was great. Told in different timelines and from different perspectives, this novel kept me guessing until almost the very end. John, a retired police officer works on his own to solve the mystery of a child serial killer. His son Daniel saw the killer with one of his young victims (James) in a restroom… But the young victim was misidentified. Daniel spent years blaming himself for not saving that little boy. John spent years trying to figure out who the boy was, and who the current killer is. Anyone who had anything to do with not saving that little boy was targeted.. the mystery deepens the farther into the book you get and you realize the killer is playing a bizarre game with his victims… Making them watch while he murders others. This book was so scary and I couldn’t put it down. Another winner for North. Thank you, NetGalley for the digital copy. All opinions are my own.

I was really excited to read this arc because this author has been a favorite of mine. Unfortunately, this book was just so difficult to follow. There were so many Time jumps and points of view and people talking to people who weren’t there that it just made it really hard to follow. I wish that there had been some kind of chapter titles or something that would include the reader in as to what was going on because often times I didn’t know who was speaking or when they were speaking. I really liked the concept of the book. The idea that this traumatic event has stuck with this man his entire life and now someone is killing everybody involved. I just really couldn’t get into the bucket and it took me so much longer to get through than it should have.

In The Man Made of Smoke, Alex North returns with his most unsettling novel yet—a psychological thriller woven through with supernatural dread and horror. It's a story about memory, guilt, and how far we're willing to go to uncover the truth.

Dan Garvie grew up trying to forget the worst day of his life: the moment he hid in fear while a child was taken—by a man who became known as The Pied Piper. Now an expert criminal profiler, Dan has built a career trying to understand killers… and trying not to see that man’s face in every nightmare.

But when Dan receives a call that his estranged father, a retired cop with secrets of his own, has died by presumed suicide, Dan returns. As Dan he begins reading through his father’s cryptic notes, a pattern emerges: people connected to the original case are dying. They’re seeing things. Hearing things. Being hunted. The lines between past and present blur—and Dan begins to wonder if he’s following the killer’s trail or being hunted himself.

Unnerving, and atmospheric, The Man Made of Smoke is a thriller about the damage we carry, and the dark that waits at the edge of memory. #manmadeofsmoke #celadon #alexnorth

✨✨✨Entertaining. Haunting. Emotional✨✨✨

The Man Made of Smoke gripped me from page 1 and kept me intrigued throughout!! This book is packed with a lot of chilling twists, multiple povs and timelines (never confusing though which I appreciate), suspense, and emotions.

This serial killer thriller had a bit of everything. Overall it was entertaining, haunting, and surprisingly very emotional and introspective. I absolutely loved it and devoured this one!!

This is the first book I’ve read from Alex North and I’ll definitely be reading more from him in the future! This one is a new favorite for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released May 13, 2025.

Daniel Garvie's life is haunted by a moment. As a young child he witness something linked to a series of disappearance. Now Dan will have to confront the past as his father joins the list of missing. His father left him a trail to follow that will take him back to the past and the moments that changed their small community. Dan has devoted his life to seeking justice for innocent victims, now it's time to return to the day that changed it all.

Alex North has a unique storytelling ability. As the reader you jump between POVs as well as timelines. North does this fluidly creating a streamline consciousness that leaves you guessing. This had all his trademark signs and fit well with previous work. Thank you Netgalley and Celadon for the advanced copy of this book.

Really well written thriller that felt authentic. There were genuinely scary moments, richly written characters, and a fantastic story that kept me intrigued from start to end.

This one got under my skin—in a good way. It’s creepy, emotional, and keeps you guessing. Dan Garvie’s been haunted by a killer from his past, and when his dad dies under weird circumstances, he heads back to the island he grew up on to figure out what’s really going on. Right away, you start wondering: is the killer back, or is something else going on?

The atmosphere is super moody—dark, foggy island vibes, full of secrets. It’s not just a murder mystery; it’s also about trauma, family, and facing stuff you’ve been running from your whole life. The relationship between Dan and his dad gives the story more weight, which I didn’t expect but really liked.

Only reason it’s not a full five stars? It slowed down a bit in the middle, and a couple of twists didn’t totally land for me. But overall, it’s a solid, eerie read that sticks with you. Definitely recommend if you like your thrillers with a little more depth and a lot of tension.

“NOBODY SEES and NOBODY CARES” ... after reading this "thriller" I too didn't care.

The story begins with young Daniel, on his way to "the Island" with his family and friend, Sarah, when they stop at a rest stop and he encounters the "Pied Piper" and a small boy, in a men's room. Unbeknownst to Daniel, and the other Employees of the rest stop shops, the "Pied Piper" is a serial killer who has abducted the young boy, who may turn out to be his last victim before meeting a gruesome end.
Flash forward several years and now young Daniel is a prison psychiatrist who remains haunted by what he witnessed, and his inaction when confronted by the young boys plea for help.
Soon we learn that his estranged father, a former police officer, has disappeared and possibly died on the island setting Daniel off to "the island" to unravel the mystery of his disappearance. As he follows in his father's footsteps the body count rises as another serial killer emerges with ties to the events that transpired at the rest stop decades before.
Daniel is helped by a rather tedious gimmick; conversations he has with his missing father in his head. These are intertwined with the Father's own investigation into the abducted boy and the more recent murders.
The writing style and gimmicky conversations derailed what would otherwise be an engaging thriller.
I will at least state that the modern day murder was not who I suspected, but that is probably due to the voices in Daniels head leading us both astray.
I've read better by Alex North.

No body sees and nobody cares!! From the beginning I was gripped. I loved the back and forth way North tells a story! I never saw the twist coming and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller and a good twist!