What an utterly creepy, dark and satisfying mystery! Alex North never disappoints!

When he was seven, Daniel Garvie came face to face with The Pied Piper Killer and his latest abducted victim in a rest stop bathroom. However, Dan did nothing to help the boy, but hid and locked himself in a bathroom stall. Years and years later, Daniel's father, John, is missing and presumed dead due to suicide. The two have been somewhat estranged, and try to work on their relationship- but now it might be too late. Daniel is a psychiatrist, working with inmates. He has also helped police on murder cases. He returns home, and becomes a bit suspicious- he does not feel that his father committed suicide. He begins to look into it, and after talking to several people he makes a connection between a case his father was working on and the Pied Piper case.

I don't even know how to describe this because I don't want to give any spoilers- but what a ride! It is told through the 3 distinct perspectives- Daniel, John and James. Each voice is distinctly it's own, and there is no trouble distinguishing who is telling the part in the story. There is a definite "cat and mouse" element between Daniel and the killer. As Daniel puts the pieces together, the tension continues to mount. As I was reading and information was revealed, I really felt like this could be a real cold case!

The character development is very thorough and well written. We come to know each characters fears, disappointments, anger in tangible ways that play out in the past and present. The way that North ties the cases of the past, to the one is the present is fantastic. Everything flows and ties together in a very satisfying way. And the end??? WOW!!

The pacing of the story seems slow at first- but this is in line with the Daniel's past slowly crawling into his present. Once he figures it out- the pacing ratchet's up, along with the tension!

I really have enjoyed all the books that I have read by Alex North. My caution- this is a very dark mystery- but so well worth it! Read it!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Simply put - this book is incredible. The writing is so smart. The story is dark, chilling, and thrilling. It really might be perfect. My heart was racing at times and my brain was spinning. The story told is through multiple POVs and timelines but it isn’t so complex that it is difficult to keep up with. The big reveal had me reeling! I didn’t see it coming and never would have guessed it. In fact, about 10 pages before the reveal I thought I had it all figured out and I was nowhere near right. It wasn’t something that didn’t make sense though and the whole thing came together perfectly.

Felt like the plot and characters were all developed. It definitely had me turning pages and staying up late. I’ll definitely be a book. I’m thinking about for a while.

You know what men could really benefit from? Therapy. It seems like so many authors instead have them bond over boxing bags. With that said, North is excellent at writing about grief and trauma. He builds worlds and characters that are complex and haunting. The setting was fantastic and fit the story so well. The two timelines are woven together well into a cohesive story. The ending was strong and and wrapped up the story nicely.

Thank you, @writernorth and @CeladonBooks for my free ebook.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 307 / Genre: Serial Killer Thriller
Audiobook Narrator: Shane Zaza
Duration: 8 hours 53 minutes
Release Date: May 13, 2025

When Dan Garvie was a child, he had a brief encounter with a boy who had been kidnapped by a sadistic serial killer known as The Man Made of Smoke. He could have helped save him, but he was too young, scared, and easily swayed by what the police wanted him to say. Years later, he’s still haunted by the encounter and has become a criminal profiler. When he gets news that his father is missing and presumed dead, he returns to his hometown and is quickly convinced that The Man Made of Smoke is back.

This dark thriller is perfect for when you’re in the mood for something creepy and twisty. It’s well-thought out and full of complicated characters.

I can always count on Alex North for a spooky read!! The beginning of this book was SUPER slow for me, but it really picked up at the halfway point. I loved the way this story was structured and how the feeling of dread was present throughout the entirety of the book. I had a fun time trying to solve this one as I was reading, but I never guessed where it was going to go.

Alex North has written another gripping dark thriller. If you’ve enjoyed his other novels you will definitely enjoy this. The Pied Piper is a creepy villain. I’ve read all of his novels and this is a very close second to The Whisper Man. His mysteries are good and his characters are very real. I did not guess the killer in this one in advance. Definitely recommend this to any thriller fan.

**Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I also bought a hardcover copy from Book of the Month club.**

Wow! What a chilling and horrifically heart-breaking book. Any time you deal with the death of children in any shape, form or fashion, I can't help but feel for those fictional families. That carried through into this book. Even though it is primarily a horror/mystery book, it also tells a story about human nature and the guilt and pressure we place on not just one another, but ourselves.

I've read several books by Alex North and they always grab my attention and keep me hooked until the end. This one was no different. I was mesmerized by the way this story was woven together. Very inventive.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This audiobook was great. I felt like I was dropped into the story - - which wasn't always a good things since it was so spooky. The narration made it so easy to immerse myself in the plot and I was able to shut out the rest of the world and just listen. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

Man made of smoke is another winning page turner from Alex north. Dan is a criminal profiler who has distanced himself from his last after narrowly escaping from a notorious killer as a child. Dan has made it his life’s mission to get into the head of criminals to prevent crimes from happening like what happened on his island as a child. Dan is summoned back to his childhood past on the island. When his dad dies under mysterious circumstances. Dan finds himself trying to get into the mind of a new serial killer on the island and also trying to face his childhood and learn about his dad’s past.

This is a fast-paced atmospheric thriller perfect for fans of north’s previous novels. The island setting adds a creepy layer. I also enjoyed the psychological aspect as Dan tries to get in touch with the killers mind and the mind of his father.

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a child, Dan encounters a prolific serial killer and is haunted that he did not do more that day. Years later is father is presumed dead under strange circumstances and Dan can not help but wonder if these are somehow connected. as he digs more into the case, he realizes danger is a lot closer than he realized.

Alex North is an auto-read for me and this book was no exception.
Loved: The build of the mystery was so good and I never saw the twist coming! The pacing was perfect and I loved the alternating POVs.
Disliked: I did not like all the scenes with internal conversations- it felt unnecessary and quite bizarre.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Alex North’s The Man Made of Smoke is a haunting, emotionally layered thriller that masterfully weaves psychological suspense with a poignant exploration of grief. Structured around the five stages of grief, the novel’s layout is as compelling as its plot, pulling readers into a nonlinear narrative that deepens both the mystery and the emotional impact.

At the heart of the story is Daniel, a brilliantly drawn character whose intelligence and quiet intensity anchor the book. The dynamic between Daniel and his father, John, is one of the novel’s greatest strengths—complex, raw, and deeply human. Their relationship adds real emotional weight to the story, elevating it beyond a typical thriller.

The twists are genuinely surprising, and the ending was one I didn’t see coming—a rare treat for seasoned mystery readers. With its thoughtful structure, character-driven tension, and chilling atmosphere, The Man Made of Smoke is a standout read.

A perfect recommendation for fans of Lisa Jewell or C.J. Tudor, this is a smart, beautifully crafted thriller that lingers long after the final page. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Celadon Books for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review!

The novel opens with an event that shapes the rest of 12 year-old Dan Garvie’s life, a chance encounter with a serial killer at a rest stop during an outing with his parents and friend. Years later, Dan now a criminal profiler, returns home after hearing of thr death of his father, a retired police officer. This return stirs up memories from Dan's childhood. As the narrative unfolds, the lines between past and present begin to blur. I enjoyed how each page and chapter gradually reveals the complexities of the serial killer's character across both timelines. The atmosphere was dark and immersive. The writing intense. The ending brilliant.
This is the best thriller I've read in quite some time and the perfect follow to the author’s previous book The Whisper Man.
I want to thank Celadon Books, the author himself and NetGalley for providing the physical and eARC for this review.

This was my favorite Alex North since The Whisper Man! It's creepy and suspenseful and you'll keep turning the pages! If you enjoy reading serial killer thrillers, this one needs to be on your list.

Thank you Celadon Books and Netgalley for the electronic copy.

Yes! Back to my favorite genre…psychological thriller. The Man Made of Smoke might be my favorite Alex North book! It was great! It started out quick and kept moving at a steady pace. Great storylines; great characters; great writing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this copy of the story.

Dan Garvie witnessed a crime when he was a child and he has been obsessed with it ever since especially since he came face to face with a serial killer. This encounter led him to become a profiler and to work with some horrible men. When his father dies by suicide or at least that is what it looks like to the cops Dan heads to his childhood to get his fathers affairs in order. He begins to wonder if there is more to his fathers death, did he really kill himself? He see his father was working on a case even though he was no longer a cop. Dan begins to look into things himself and ask questions. Will he find the answers that he seeks or is there nothing to be found.

This was a super creepy and suspenseful story! Alex North knows how to make awful men. It was atmospheric and I was pulled in immediately.

If you’re looking for a creepy, suspenseful read, The Man Made of Smoke is for you! Alex North is an expert at crafting monsters out of men and continues to do so in his latest offering.

The novel opens with an event that shapes the rest of 12 year-old Dan Garvie’s life, a chance encounter with a serial killer at a rest stop during an outing with his parents and friend. Years later, Dan returns to his hometown after getting bad news about father. Past and present are interwoven as we learn what happened that fateful day and the impact it had and continues to have, on many. The writing is intense as it moves from past to present and back, as well as presenting varied viewpoints.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Dan was a child when he encountered a kidnapper and a scared child at a rest stop. Dan chose to hide instead of help the child, and that guilt never really left him, even when he told himself he was calm.
Now, as an adult, he returns home in the wake of his father's passing, and is confronted again by the ghosts of his past. And he realizes that something terrible is happening in the present, and he has to do what he can to find the killer and stop the terrible chain of events that has started.
This crime thriller was quick-moving and very enjoyable. Eerie and realistic, just what I've come to expect from Alex North. I highly recommend this to thriller lovers!

From the first chapter I was hooked. This almost reads like a true crime. Slow burn that’s definitely worth the wait. I enjoyed the multiple timelines and intertwining storylines and how everything slowly starts clicking into place. This book was dark, chilling journey from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down, few times I even found myself looking over my shoulder. Alex North can do no wrong and will always be my auto buy author. Excellent

Daniel Garvey is a criminal profiler running from the crime he witnessed as a young boy. When his father is mysteriously presumed dead, Dan is forced to return home and confront his own demons from the past.

The Garvie family stops at a rest stop on a family trip where twelve year old Dan witnesses a younger boy in need of help from a situation where he's being held against his will. Being a kid himself, Dan doesn't know what to do and hides instead of helping. This decision haunts him throughout his life until Dan's dad goes missing years later and it turns out the other witnesses at the rest stop that day have either disappeared or turned up dead.

Alex North is known for his chilling and eerily creepy writing and this book was just that! I was pulled in by the disturbing beginning wanting to know what happens with Dan and the young boy. While the book continued I found myself becoming bored and not connecting with the characters. Overall, it was just ok for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!