Alex North’s The Man Made of Smoke is a brooding, atmospheric thriller that blends folklore, psychological horror, and the author’s signature emotional depth. While the novel contains flashes of brilliance—particularly in its vivid imagery and haunting premise—it ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambition, delivering an uneven reading experience.

Set in a tiny island community, the story revolves around a series of uncanny deaths and a mythical figure known only as the “Man Made of Smoke,” a local legend that seems to be bleeding into reality. North excels at creating an unsettling tone, layering dread over every page with his lyrical prose and talent for sensory detail. The setting is one of the book’s strongest elements—claustrophobic, mythic, and alive with menace.

The protagonist, Dr. Daniel Garvie, a prison psychiatrist, returning to the village of his childhood, serves as a vehicle to explore trauma, memory, and the power of stories. North’s thematic interests are clear and compelling, but the character work feels thinner here than in his previous novels like The Whisper Man, (even though that was not a favorite of mine). North tends to like to write about the complex relationships between fathers and sons. However, the emotional stakes never fully land, in part because the relationships are underdeveloped and the pacing drags in the middle act.

Plot-wise, the novel leans into a metafictional style, weaving real-world horror with supernatural ambiguity. This approach works in theory but struggles in execution. The narrative becomes tangled in its own symbolism, and the mystery—while intriguing—never quite pays off. By the final third, the suspense is diluted by repetitious introspection and cryptic exposition.

Still, North fans will appreciate his commitment to psychological complexity and moody storytelling. The Man Made of Smoke is not a bad novel—it’s just one that never quite decides what it wants to be. With tighter plotting and more grounded characters, it could have transcended its genre trappings. As it stands, it’s an atmospheric slow burn that casts a memorable shadow, even if the fire underneath never quite catches.

This book is phenomenal! I wasn’t sure what to expect as I didn’t read the synopsis, but had seen people loving it. The way he builds suspense while creating tension is unbelievable. There are three timelines each with their own POV and they all have their own insane twist! I had no idea how this one would turn out! I was seriously so spooked reading this alone at home at night! This author just doesn’t miss on the spooky factor, and this is my favorite of his yet! Beyond the creep factor, there is heart and compassion in this one, and I think it was so well done! Can’t wait to read what is next for North!

Another creepy and tense mystery by Alex North. While not necessarily my favorite, The Man Made of Smoke is another great mystery. A slow-burning, multi-point-of-view narrative that keeps building the suspense right up to the very end. I wish the ending didn't feel so rushed! Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Creepy, Clever, and Completely Addictive

This makes book number three for me, and at this point, Alex North might as well have his own shelf in my house. Ever since I stumbled into his gritty, tension-packed world, I’ve been hooked—and loud about it. I’ve recommended his books to half my reading circle. Now that The Whisper Man is getting a movie adaptation? I’m already budgeting for popcorn.
In The Man Made of Smoke, North dials the eerie all the way up. From the moment the killer whispers, “Nobody sees and nobody cares,” the story grabs you by the spine. I had chills. North has this slow-drip style that makes every detail land. When Daniel sees a young boy in the bathroom, terrified of the man he’s with, I felt like I was standing right next to him. And later, as he searches for his father’s remains, North pulls you through every memory, every ghost of the past.
This is a slow burn, but on purpose. The creeping pace is what turns the dial on the horror. It’s not jump scares—it’s the kind of dread that lingers, like footsteps behind you when you know you're alone. And while the pacing worked for me, North always tosses in a curveball that leaves me scratching my head. In this case, it was the final twist involving the young boy. No spoilers, but I finished the book and still don’t fully get it. Maybe that’s intentional. Or maybe it just flew over my head. Either way, I was along for the ride.
Solid four stars. I really do hope there are more dark, eerie reads like this in my future—because I loved having an excuse to curl up, get spooked, and sink into a story that refuses to let go.

"Nobody sees and nobody cares"
How is that for a shiver down your spine? Alex North is back with a creepy suspense story and it may be his best yet. You will take a trip down multiple timelines and storyline and all come together in a most satisfying way. You will not be disappointed in this one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Celadon books for my copy of Man Made of Smoke by Alex North. This books was a slow burn, but totally worth it. The introduction was so atmospheric and creepy, I was hooked. The man you come to know as the pied piper serial killer walking around and telling everyone he encoutnered "Nobody sees, and nobody cares" really sticks with you, as it did with Dan. The guilt he carried was truly sad to read. As you know I am as sucker for multiple points of view and timelines, and I really loved the past points of view of Dan's dad trying to investingate the case after his retriment. Even though they had a strained relationship after Dan's mother left, it was his father's way of showing his love for Dan in the only way he knew how. The clues he left for Dan to continue his investigation after his return to the island made for a truly great read! In true Alex North fashion, the ending had me totally shook and one again humbled me with the twist I did not see coming! Due to the slow burn 4.3/5

Dan has always been haunted by narrowly escaping a serial killer when he was a child. He never knew what to do and when he escaped it took all he could to push through the trauma. So Dan became a profiler and instead worked on catching the worst of the worst. But then Dans dad died under suspicious circumstance and Dan has to come back home. But he also wants to now solve the mystery behind his fathers death.

This book was full of some crazy twist and creepy at times. I was creeped out at times and thoroughly spooked. I think this was one of my favorites of Alex North and I would highly recommend. It was just perfect in length but long enough to make sense!

I really enjoyed this book! Alex North is one of my favorite authors & the way he writes sucks you in from the beginning & keeps you on edge till the end!

"Nobody Sees, Nobody Cares" ... one of the most chilling phrases that comes to fruition in this novel by Alex North. This serial killer story is absolutely bone-chilling and had me hooked from the start. I found the multiple timelines and perspectives easy to follow, and the writing style made the story unfold in a brilliant manner. The serial killer in this story was known as The Pied Piper. His crimes were awful, but the unraveling of the story was even more disturbing and creepier the further you get into the novel. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart, as there are several graphic violent scenes. Proceed at your own risk, but I was definitely engrossed by this story!

I could not put this book down. Another amazing book by Alex North. This book kept me on my toes and I wanted to know more and more as the chapters went on.

I felt this book flowed so well, even when it flipped between different POVS. I was trying to connect the clues the whole time and piece together what could have happened along with Dan. I loved all the characters involved and I feel like the story pieced together well and it made sense the whole time. I liked the ending, while it ended quite quickly, I feel it tied up a lot of loose ends and I liked the conversation Dan had at the end, it helped answer questions I had.

Always excited when a new Alex North book comes out, and this one did not disappoint.

This wasn’t my favorite Alex North book but it was still good. It was a slow burn which aren’t really my favorite!

This was soooo good! My first book by him and I devoured it! So creepy and just written in the best way!

Whoa—this book is dark as hell and extremely well-written. I immediately went and checked Alex North's back catalogue when I was done to grab another one of his books. The opening will grab you immediately, with one of the most chilling scenes I've ever read set in a rest stop bathroom. From there North doesn't let up as he layers more and more into his story. No specifics because you should go in blind, but man, this one has stuck with me since I finished reading it.

I don't even know where to go with my thoughts on this one. I absolutely loved The Whisper Man. Then the author's next two books were okay, not as good as his first one. I would put this one in the okay category too.

I wasn't sure where the story was going to take me with the seemingly connection of the past to the present with the main character's father missing and the things he witnessed as kid. I found myself trying really hard to just push through so many parts of the book that felt not quite right or out of place. I just wasn't as all-in as I wanted to be.

The pacing of the book is really slow, and thus harder to read. The characters were fleshed out well enough, but the plot seemed to lag in too many places.

Overall, I am glad I finished the book. It just took too long to get there.

I was wavering between 3 stars and 4 stars, then reminded myself that this was an ARC and editing would take care of the wordiness and repeating sentences. I decided on 4 stars because it is a good story, although creepy and sad, but nonetheless ends on a positive note.

Daniel and John Garvie, son and father, have a uncharacteristic relationship based on an event when Daniel was still a boy, a horrific event that has haunted them both all their lives and placed a barrier between their affinity. Then, John disappears leaving a cryptic note for his son, luring him back home to bring a conclusion to the past that affected both their lives.

Then relationship between the two is explored and permeates the book. A very good read and recommended for all!

This was my first Alex North novel. It took me longer to get through it than I intended, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I was told by @ to read the book instead of the audiobook, and I can definitely see why. There are several characters mentioned in the book, and there is a lot of internal monologue mixed with alternating POVs and switching between past and present timelines. That would be really confusing to me in an audio format. It still had confusing moments, but I felt like I was able to follow it better when reading.

It was definitely a slow burn, but the writing was informative and descriptive while not being boring. It held my attention, and I was curious to see how everything unfolded under all the mystery of a serial killer on the island. I loved the ending. Overall, it was much slower paced than I usually go for, but I felt it was worth the read. Would recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. Alex North did it again. If you enjoyed Alex's previous novels then you will enjoy this one as well.

4 🌟

Alex North does it again in THE MAN MADE OF SMOKE!

As a child, Dan Garvie had contact with a notorious serial killer which led him to become a criminal profiler. When his father, an ex policeman disappears under suspicious circumstances, leaving a note that says to notify his son, Dan returns to his hometown to investigate.

“Nobody sees, and nobody cares” is what drives the killer. Sheriff Liam Fleming who was a bully in school is now married to the girl of Dan‘s dreams and has little time or desire to help Dan in his investigation. After all, Liam is investigating his own rash of murders possibly connected to the Pied Piper murders and the book that tells the story of those long ago murders. As Dan continues to investigate his father’s disappearance he scratches at the underbelly of his hometown. .When his old flame and friend, Sarah joins in the investigation, old feelings begin to reignite

With Alex North’s signature twists and turns, the story moves along at a fast pace. I could feel the tension ratcheting up as I kept turning pages well past bedtime. This is one of those ’ just one more chapter’ books. I would follow the investigation down one road but soon realise I should have taken the other side at the fork. The writing was clear and concise which led to an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Caledon Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

North knows how to write a thriller. He builds his characters and he makes them consist of both positive and negative characteristics. Daniel Garvie is a psychologist that deals with criminal minds. He has helped solved several crimes in the past. When he gets a call that his father has disappeared, he needs to return to the island he grew up on. The hunt involves him in a case from years ago that involved a serial killer that abducted young boys.
The plot twists and turns. His time on the island brings him in contact with people he has not dealt with since his youth. He follows the clues, interviewing people along the way. Will Daniel be the next victim and why?

This is Alex North’s best work by far! This is the spookiest psychological thriller I’ve read in a long time. It has you really questioning the psyche and motives behind ordinary people. I’ve blown through this book, and imagine this will be my best thriller of the year. Might just need to order a physical copy as a trophy for my shelf!