I do enjoy a good serial killer book, and this one fit that bill nicely. It's creepy. It's deep and definitely about more than the hunt for a serial killer. The different timelines and points of view require some concentration, but that adds to the feeling of being a bit off-kilter, which seems appropriate for the subject matter. I liked the protagonist, Daniel, whose close encounter with a serial killer as a child has greatly influenced his adult life and relationships. The narration of the audiobook by Shane Zaza only served to increase my enjoyment of this story. Once again, well done, Mr. North. Well done indeed.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Alex North is an autobuy author for me because I’ve always loved his stories! I really Enjoyed listening to this on audio, the narrator did a great job. I did find the plot a little slow but it was a solid thriller.

I’ve read stuff by this author before and have enjoyed it. This one took me a little bit longer to get into. I liked the authors plot and I liked the narrators voice. I would definitely add it to your reading list even if it wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐ rounded up to 4!

I am so happy and glad that I had the opportunity to read this book. Alex North got me back into reading with his novel 'The Whisper Man' and this book gave me the same feels as that one did. I am elated to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book by him and cannot wait to read his next book.

The audio version of this book was wonderful, however it was hard to distinguish between the two POVs and I found myself having to try and pick out clues to decipher who was who in any given moment.

This book was a solid 4 ⭐ for pretty much the entire way, until the ending... I cannot explain my thoughts on this without getting into spoiler territory, but it left much to be desired. I also don't think there was any way you could have guessed the big plot twist; unless I missed A LOT of breadcrumbs along the way.

Overall I truly enjoyed this novel and, after this newest novel, am once again excited to jump into the world of Alex North!!

Thank you to @netgalley and @celadonbooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

★★★½

The Man Made of Smoke is a dark, atmospheric thriller that blends psychological suspense with a haunting exploration of trauma, memory, and the long shadows cast by childhood fears. Alex North delivers his signature blend of eerie storytelling and emotional depth, though this one leans more introspective than pulse-pounding.

The story follows Dan Garvie, a criminal profiler shaped by a terrifying encounter with a serial killer in his youth. When his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Dan returns to his isolated island hometown, only to find that the past may not be as buried as he thought. The mystery unfolds slowly, with layers of secrets and unsettling disappearances that build a creeping sense of dread.

Shane Zaza’s narration is a strong point of the audiobook. His voice is steady and immersive, capturing the emotional weight of Dan’s journey while maintaining the tension needed for a psychological thriller. Zaza’s performance adds gravitas to the more introspective moments and helps carry the slower pacing.

While the atmosphere and character development are compelling, some listeners may find the plot a bit meandering, especially in the middle. The ending, while thematically resonant, leaves a few questions unanswered—particularly around the killer’s motivations—which may frustrate those looking for a tightly wrapped conclusion.

Still, for fans of moody, character-driven thrillers with a literary edge, The Man Made of Smoke is a solid listen—especially with Zaza’s narration guiding the way.

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #celadon #macmillanaudio #macaudio2025 #themanmadeofsmoke #alexnorth #shanezaza

While I liked the concept and aspects of this story, the overall execution didn’t work well for me.

We have quite a few POVs, plus unclear timeline jumps, which I found challenging to follow on audio.

Pacing was slow through most of the book, then suddenly ramped up near the end, almost glossing over important things in order to connect all the dots.

But what really drove me nuts were the imaginary conversations between Dan, our MC, and other people. The conversations with his father at least made sense, since we can often predict how our parents would respond, but the conversations with the unknown killer were all speculation based on… what, exactly? Dan’s superpowers as a criminal profiler? And these imaginary people weren’t just having imagined conversations with Dan, they were physically reacting, stomping or yelling or whatever. And this was happening all the time. I honestly expected one of the reveals to be that Dan had some sort of psychiatric disorder.

Shane Zaza does a great job with the narration. He kept me entertained, even as I was often rolling my eyes at Dan’s vivid imaginary life.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download!*

Alex North may be my favorite writer of literary thrillers. Thrillers aren't often my thing, but the quality of writing mixed with the excellent plot lines make his books a win every time.

The children involved in this one made it a bit of a challenge, but I liked the use of multiple timelines and the look at how guilt and grief mix together.

Thank you for the ARC. I purchased a copy for my library and shared in groups.

This is the first Alex North book that I have read (I know, I know.. he has others that are must-reads, too 😅. I will get to them, I swear!).

While I’m not usually a fan of crime fiction, this was a very enjoyable read. Throughout the story, we experience multiple POVs.

Dan is a therapist who witnessed something as a child that has never left his mind. As an adult, Dan’s father goes missing and Dan is placed into a situation that is linked to that childhood experience. Has the monster that has haunted him most of his life resurfaced?

Emotional. Introspective. Intense. It will suck you right in!

Happy Reading! 💜

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for this ARC read in exchange for my honest review!

Dan Garvie is a haunted man. He's been haunted for decades by a memory of a child kidnapper/killer that he witnessed but was to scared to intervene, After not caring too much for The Angel Maker, The Man Made of Smoke reminded me of why Alex North is an absolute favorite. At times it was dark, chilling and very disturbing. Also incredibly impossible to put down! While the end twist wasn't a complete surprise, there were a few others that completely made up for it

Finally a tale with some twists left in the toolbox. I was surprised by this one in a pleasant way. Alex North is back baby!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There are many intersecting stories and you need to pay attention to understand when they all come together. I was not able to guess the killer before the reveal, but it made perfect sense and I loved the twisting road that got us to that reveal.

The ending was great and the perfect way to end this story.

Shane Zaza did a great job narrating the story and keeping you engaged and on the edge of your seat.

Looking forward to reading more of both Alex and Shane's work in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this audio ARC. This was my first book by Alex North. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s. This kept me engaged and trying to solve the mystery from the first chapter. Right away I was hooked, and enjoyed the twist/revenge like feeling throughout. I plan to read more by him. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a twisty revenge thriller. 4⭐️

This one was a big miss for me. The plot was slow, the narration dull, and the overall story was boring.

The Man Made of Smoke was another win by Alex North!

Dan Garvie is a criminal profiler who had escaped a serial killer as a child. Excellent storytelling easily translated through different timelines. Crazy twists.

Shane Zaha was an excellent narrator and helped me to keep the characters separate in my head.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the chance to review this book in an honest manner.

Dan Garvie, a criminal profiler, is called back home after his father, John Garvie, a retired cop, appears to have committed suicide, though no body has been found. Dan returns to the island town where he grew up—a place he couldn’t leave fast enough after high school.

When Dan was eleven, he encountered the Pied Piper, a serial killer. He didn’t see the man but glimpsed a young boy, his own age, with the killer in a rest stop restroom. Instead of helping the boy to safety, Dan hid in a stall and waited until the man left with the boy. Dan carries this regret, his deepest shame, every day.

Upon arriving at his father’s house, Dan discovers his father was investigating a murder—or murders. The clues suggest John’s disappearance is tied to the Pied Piper.

Who is behind the killings now, and why? Who’s next?

The Man Made of Smoke is dark, thrilling, and atmospheric. I enjoyed the narration by Shane Zaza. It helped with the different POVs and timelines.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Once I started The Man Made of Smoke, I couldn't put it down. I finished it in a day. It's hard to say too much about this book without accidentally giving away spoilers except pay attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapter if there is one!

It's been a bit since I read this and am just now getting to finishing the review. I started flipping back through the book to refresh my memory on key plot points and I got sucked back into reading it. I love this author. This would be a great spooky season read.

Fantastic as an audiobook.

I really, really enjoyed this audiobook. The opening chapter sets the tone for what is to come as it narrated by the killer. It is both chilling and heartbreaking as he recounts a story to his victim-“Nobody sees and nobody cares”. And while this book does have a serial killer, it is about so much more. It is about a father and son. It is about the victims and the survivors. It is about survivors guilt and how can one possibly carry on when they are the lucky one. It is also about speaking up. If you see something, say something. This is a thriller that drew me in with a chilling opening and then held me captured by the multitude of feelings it evoked.

I am so glad I listened to this one on audio. It was extremely well done and the narrator, Shane Zaza, has a gift for really capturing the spirit and emotion of each character. A well done audiobook can add so much to a book and this is one of those. So good. Thank you to iNetGalley and MacMillan audio for this audio arc.

"The Man Made of Smoke" by Alex North is a masterfully crafted thriller that keeps you on your toes from the very first page. North's atmospheric writing pulls you into a world shrouded in mystery and tension, making it impossible to put the book down. The story intertwines themes of grief, guilt, and the weight of the past, creating a rich emotional landscape that resonates long after finishing the last chapter.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own demons. North excels at building suspense, keeping you guessing with clever twists and turns that lead to a satisfying yet thought-provoking conclusion. While the pacing sometimes lags in the middle, the ultimate payoff is worth the wait.

With its eerie ambiance and intricate plot, "The Man Made of Smoke" is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Highly recommended for those who appreciate a slow burn that delves deep into the human psyche.

Huge thank you to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the ALC copy of North's newest novel!

While I did think this opened up with a bang, I found myself getting confused throughout the story and unfortunately, the ending of this story really fell flat for me. It didn’t feel like a natural conclusion based on the direction the plot was heading, and I walked away feeling pretty underwhelmed. I also didn’t find it particularly scary or unsettling like some people have stated.

I did enjoy that the book alternates perspectives between characters, however I found some chapters more engaging than others. The novel explores themes of grief, trauma, and the long shadows they cast over people’s lives.

Overall, I’d say this was an okay read. It had potential and some compelling moments, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. For me, the ending really undermined the whole experience and made it forgettable.

I did really enjoy the narrator for this one and think Macmillan always does a fantastic job with the audio.

A 2.5 star for me. I had high hopes for this one but I just could not get into it. It had a dragging feel to it -- ready to make the jump to hyper-love this book moments, but it just did not get there. The conclusion was underwhelming. I do hear great things about this author's other books so I"m going to give those a try. Thank you to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.