After the death of his father, prison psychologist Dan Garvie returns home and discovers more than he expected. As he digs into his father's "quiet" post-retirement life in his childhood home, memories from a haunting event resurface from when Dan was a child, forcing Dan to confront his past.

This was quite the slow burn in the beginning. At first, I had a hard time with the POVs but as the book carried on, I started to catch on. The Man Made of Smoke is a dark story with some very dark themes. I really enjoyed how uncomfortable some parts made me and it was written to be "uncomfortable" and really keep you right on edge in my opinion. Some parts were truly terrifying!

Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

Publication date May 13, 2025

I really enjoyed The Man Made of Smoke! This was definitely a heavy read in terms of subject matter, but the pacing was successful in keeping the momentum going up to the end of the story.

I was hooked from the first page! Dark, atmospheric, and full of twists and turns, Man Made of Smoke had me in its grip from beginning to end.

When Daniel was a child, he encountered the Pied Piper, and even though he wasn't taken like the others, this had a huge impact on his life from that moment on. When his father goes missing and is presumed dead, Daniel returns home only to find his father was investigating something he found in the woods, something the police didn't seem that interested in, when Daniel realizes that what his father was investigating goes back to something in his past he knows he can't let it go until he finished his fathers work.

This novel is full of twists and turns, an emotional rollercoaster, and had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!

Dan witness a crime as a child and has been haunted by it every since. He became a profiler to seek justice for victims. When his father mysteriously dies, he will have to come to terms with the past to uncover the truth. We also hear of a captive's terrifying story. A family drama, along with trauma of the past and shadows we can't escape.

thank you to celadon books, netgalley & alex north for an advanced readers copy of this digital book in exchange for an honest review.

the whisper man will always be my favorite north novel but this one was good, too.

it’s an extremely slow burn mystery thriller woven through the span of decades. there was alot to unpack with the case once daniel came back home and found that aspect hard to follow along. i felt like some parts dragged but the end was great.

all in all, i felt this was another great north novel, a bit slow at times with pacing, but atmospheric, moody and a mercurial read. Would definitely recommend this for slow burn mystery lovers.

I've been an Alex North fan since The Whisper Man and The Man Made of Smoke did not disappoint. It had just enough suspense to be unsettling and plenty of twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to the author's next work!

I just finished this book and cannot even tell you what happens. I found the story to be extremely slow and repetitive. I also was not a fan of this narrator at all.

Prepare to have your mind twisted, your pulse pounded, and your reality questioned by Alex North's "The Man Made of Smoke," a thriller so amazing, engaging, wild, and incredible that it will leave you breathless! North, a master of shock and suspense, delivers his best work to date with this psychological labyrinth that delves deep into the human psyche and isn't afraid to confront raw fear.

This is a story of fathers and sons, of shadows and secrets, and the relentless fight to escape the trauma of the past. From the opening pages, a strong sense of foreboding grips you, creating an engaging slow burn mystery that will have you double-checking your locks and drawing your blinds tightly shut. With multiple timelines and intertwining storylines, it takes a moment to get your bearings, but trust me, once you pass the first third, the pace picks up dramatically, and everything clicks into place.

The tension builds masterfully, leading to a flawlessly executed final twist that you won't see coming. The moment the villain's true purpose is revealed, the book transforms into an unputdownable, addictive masterpiece. "The Man Made of Smoke" is brilliantly written, gripping, and downright chilling – the kind of smart, twisty thriller that will make your blood run cold, give you goosebumps, and keep you on edge the entire time.

North weaves together multiple timelines and distinct POVs into an onion-like plot, showcasing his masterful skill. Both introspective and thrilling, the relentless pace immerses you in a hard-hitting, intensely raw tale. Throw in a handful of gasp-inducing, "WTF?!" twists that will leave you in utter shock while you smile with glee – you won't guess a single one!

Beyond the perfectly paced storyline, the chilling atmosphere and sharp, complex plot bring an addictive, "one-more-chapter" vibe to the novel. If you love dark, eerie thrillers with monsters straight out of your nightmares, "The Man Made of Smoke" is for you. It's a novel that burns with suspense and emotion, earning five out of five fires! Alex North has done it again, exceeding already high expectations and delivering a masterpiece that is both terrifying, creepy, thrilling, and moving. Don't miss this wild and incredible ride!

Such a fantastic, eerie mystery! Suspenseful and full of emotion, this one kept me on my toes! There are a lot of moving parts in this story but it was easy to follow the different timelines and characters because it just draws you in. Will definitely read more by this author!!

Alex North is back!!! After LOVING The Whisper Man and The Shadows, I was a bit disappointed when I didn't love The Angel Maker as much, but this new book is *chef's kiss* perfection!

The first chapter is a masterclass in horror/suspense writing. It was so tense and hooked me right away. The alternations between past and present and multiple perspectives made it feel super fast-paced. The foreshadowing was dropped like bread crumbs, stringing me along in a clever way that made me able to slowly piece it together all on my own. The ending twist was a little out of left field for me, but once it was explained I was able to accept it.

This book has all the elements of a great thriller: creepy atmosphere, likable characters, stressful tension, and some hidden life lessons. Definitely check this one out next month!!

I usually love Alex North, but this one didn't work for me. It's a much slower burn than most of his novels, which wouldn't bother me if I thought there was more THERE there.

This is another good read from an auto buy author. It's a very easy to read thriller that is heavy on the emotional side. Dan is a psychologist who works with prisoners while dealing with his own trauma. When he was a boy, he had an encounter with evil and that shaped the rest of his life. He returns home when his father, a retired police officer, dies and quickly becomes fascinated by a murder his dad was investigating. The story is told from Dan's perspective and also his father n flashbacks.

Each author has their strengths and weaknesses, except I haven't found a weakness in Alex North's books yet. North's style of building a story is unique; instead of layering each character's story to build a strong foundation, North circles. It reminds me of some of my favorite Stephen King books. As THE MAN MADE OF SMOKE opens, you start an unforgettable journey that moves back and forth. Pay close attention, the clues are there, just well hidden.
At the age of 11, Dan Garvie witnessed a crime but was too scared to help the victim. Since then, he has borne the guilt that comes with knowing he might have saved the life of another young boy. In the first chapter, we meet today's Dan Garvie. He is a criminal psychologist who also works as a profiler. He lives by the credo that a criminal is still a human being. He receives a phone call that his father is missing, an assumed suicide. Dan will return to his hometown to assist in the search for his father. This town is the setting for most of the book.
As Dan visits his hometown, he will remember the summer he would rather forget. His movements and actions to find out why his retired policeman father killed himself will take him step by step back to the past, where he finds that what he remembers is only a small part of the story.
I'm not a fan of the horror genre, as I scare easily. North's writing is so skillful that the horror parts sneak up on you. He builds the tension to a snapping point, then does a 180-degree turn. Many times I thought I knew what would happen next, only to turn the page and find myself very wrong. And the killer......I never suspected him at all. WOW!!!! Easily a 5 star read.

I havef loved Alex North since his first bok, The Whisper Man. His books are full of suspense and twists. His storytelling leaves me intigued and wanting more.

In The Man of Smoke follows Dan Garvie a criminal profiler who witnessed a child's last moments. His dad is a former police officer on the island. Dan returns home when his father disappears. What ensues is a mystery full of twists and memories best forgotten.

I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

Book Review
The Man Made of Smoke
Alex North
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Experience the inner musings and “games” of a serial killer and his far-reaching legacy. Alex North treats us to a non-stop, edge-of-your-seat thriller that morphs into a police procedural, offering a harrowing view into the minds of both the killer and the victims. Coined the “Pied Piper Murders” by the press, this chilling and suspenseful account begs to be read—or listened to—without pause.

Dan Garvie’s life changed during a rest stop after a long day trip to the zoo. Twelve-year-old Dan scoots to the bathroom, only to encounter a dirty, shabbily dressed boy of similar age who has the look of a terrified, wounded animal. The boy appears to be accompanied by a gaunt man who lingers in the shadows, whistling an eerie and mournful tune. Dan rushes into a stall and fearfully locks the door. Before the shadowy man leaves, he mutters aloud: “Nobody sees, and nobody cares.”

When the coast is clear, Dan opens the stall door—only to discover a photograph, likely dropped on purpose by the boy. The image sends an involuntary scream to his lips. Dan has just encountered—and narrowly escaped—the clutches of a heinous serial killer: the Pied Piper, who targets unattended children.

Weeks later, a camper van is discovered on the side of the road with a dead driver clutching the steering wheel, presumed to have died of a heart attack. A careful investigation of the van reveals the charred remains of four boys. The police consider the case solved, even though the identity of both the driver and the remains is never confirmed. Authorities insist the last victim was the boy Dan saw at the rest stop. Dan initially denies this, certain the boy he encountered was not the final known victim. The encounter leaves Dan with lasting emotional scars—guilt and shame that never fully resolve.

Haunted, Dan becomes obsessed with the case and reads the true-crime account A Man Made of Smoke by Terrance O’Hare multiple times. At sixteen, he remains fixated on the four known victims—Robbie, Sean, Paul, and Charlie—torturing himself with the possibility that his cowardice may have contributed to their deaths.

Dan eventually finds solace by devoting his life to investigating heinous crimes as a prolific police profiler, working from within a prison and studying the most depraved offenders. Decades later, he receives a phone call informing him that his father has died—possibly by suicide. Dan returns to the small island of his birth, only to discover that his father’s body has not been found. At his father’s home, he uncovers numerous files and boxes of data confirming an obsession with the Pied Piper Murders. John Garvie, a retired police detective, had continued investigating the case long after it was considered closed.

As Dan digs into his father’s research, he falls down a rabbit hole, uncovering evidence that suggests the murders may have continued in a similar fashion long after the supposed death of the Pied Piper. Could there be a copycat killer?

Alex North proves to be a master storyteller, weaving a horrific tale told across multiple timelines and perspectives. The result is a chaotic puzzle that comes together with escalating suspense and intrigue. North also explores the complexities of father-son relationships, as well as unrequited youthful friendships and love. This terrifying novel relentlessly builds toward an unforgettable denouement.

I personally found myself frequently switching from Kindle to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Shane Zaza. Shane brings his acting talent to bear, capturing the nuances and voices of each character with precision. His exceptional narration drew me in more than the written word.

Thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an Uncorrected Proof and Advance Audio version in exchange for an honest review.

This is a serial killer thriller done 100% right! Alex North could teach a course on how to write one! The creepy atmosphere and overwhelming sense of dread are high with this story! Dan Garvie has a terrifying encounter with a serial killer, The Pied Piper, as a child. At a rest stop he encounters a whistling man and a filthy, thin, scared boy. The man says, "No one sees, and no one cares" and Dan is terrified. As a result of that encounter, Dan now works as a criminal profiler in a prison. Years later, Dan's father, John has disappeared in an apparent suicide back home. John was a retired police officer who helped work the Pied Piper case back in the day. Both suffer severe trauma from feelings of helplessness during that time. Dan returns to the island where he grew up and learns his father was working numerous cold cases on his own, one being the old Pied Piper case and one being a new, present-day murder. Could everything be connected somehow? Is it The Pied piper returning? A copy-cat? Through John's old notes and Dan's current investigation we learn about a horrifying trail of murder and madness. This is also a tale of the repercussions of long-held guilt, father-son love and redemption. The characterization is excellent and that can be hard to find in some serial killer stories! I may have just found a new favorite Alex North story and I love all of them! Just a sidenote, I took my first cruise last week and had a small list of cruisey/vacationy type thrillers I had saved on my Kindle just for that trip to choose from and somehow, I ended up ignoring all of those and wound up reading this. No regrets at all!!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Alex North and Celadon Books for this much appreciated ARC! All opinions are my own.

After a harrowing encounter with a serial killer when he was a child, Dan becomes a criminal profiler working with prisoners. When his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Dan returns to his hometown to find out what really happened. While there, he discovers information that leads him to believe that his father’s case is connected to the monster he encountered years ago, and he is determined to uncover the truth once and for all. This thriller was unpredictable and twisty, and really kept me guessing! It was just a liiiiiiittle too creepy for me, but I know a lot of people will love it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for my copy! ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Creepy and unsettling, Alex North has become one of my favorite authors when I want a good scare! Told in several time periods, this is a father/son story about an evil entity known as "The Man Made of Smoke", and the generational trauma caused by a brief encounter. Daniel was a small child when he was traveling with his family and went to use a restroom. There he heard a man whistling a strange song and he saw a small boy who looked bruised and sad. Daniel wanted to help the boy but was afraid of the man who he was with who whispered 'No one sees, no one cares." Years later Daniel has became a psychiatrist who works with violent criminals in the prison system. He has moved away from the island where his father remains and where several small boys have disappeared. When he hears about his father's car being abandoned at a lake with a note saying "Notify my son", he has to return to figure out who and what was the man of smoke and to find his father.

In addition to being a scary story, this is a novel about the father/son relationship, and about how guilt and regret can stay with you throughout your life. We get some chapters from the perspective of Dan's father who was a former policeman who was never able to solve the crimes happening on the island. When he retired, he began secret investigations to the missing boys and the connections to some adults who have disappeared. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this novel and liked Dan and his father, John who were always trying to do the right thing. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for review.

Thank you for the advanced copy of The Man Made of Smoke!! Alex North does it again with his creepy and thrilling mystery novels! If you want scary and suspenseful, Alex is the way to go! He is an auto-buy author for me! I loved the different points of view, it’s one of my favorite things in books. Also the shocking twists that kept me turning the page wondering what was going to happen next as I sat at the edge of my seat. This book was wonderfully written and I can’t wait for Alex’s next book! Thank you again for the arc of The Man Made of Smoke!!

I may be a little biased as Alex North's other novels, "The Whisper Man" and "The Shadows", are two of my favorite thrillers of all time, but this one lived up to the expectations. I love that Alex incorporates the feeling of a horror book into his thriller novels. The Man Made of Smoke was eerie and unsettling, while leading the reader through an unsolved mystery. This book really made you think and keep reading until you figured out the truth.