From the very first page, The Man Made of Smoke immerses you in its dark and eerie world. This slow-burning crime thriller weaves together abductions, murders, and a haunting exploration of guilt and trauma across generations.

Told through multiple POVs—father, son, and an abducted child—the story unfolds like a chilling puzzle:
✨ Daniel Garvie, the son, is a criminal profiler haunted by a childhood trauma. His inner voice repeats the mantra Detached. Calm. as he navigates disturbing motives and twisted scenarios.
✨ John Garvie, the father, is a retired police officer whose mysterious death draws Daniel home to finish the investigation into a serial killer case that John began years ago.
✨The abducted child who whispers, “Nobody sees, nobody cares,” a chilling refrain. He belongs to a world most of us don't want to acknowledge. That invisibility only adds to emotional pain and trauma.

🎧Narration Note: Shane Zaza delivers a gripping performance, capturing the moody introspection and tension. However, for me, the frequent POV shifts were tricky on audio, but the print format handles them more smoothly.

Other highlights: island setting, serial killer trope, and shocking ending.

Final Verdict: Haunting • Horrifying • But a Hell of a Good Ride. Highly Recommend!

4/5 | Alex North wrote a wonderfully twisty, atmospheric thriller about a son attempting to untangle the mystery surrounding his father’s sudden death.

I liked how this read sucked me in immediately—it was instantly creepy and damp, and I appreciated how there wasn’t a slow burn to get into the meat of it. There were gains in the plot that seemed to happen too seamlessly, particularly regarding the parallel “investigations,” but I think it’s forgivable for the sake of keeping things moving forward!

The Man Made of Smoke is a chilling, atmospheric triumph from Alex North. I listened to the audiobook edition from Macmillan Audio, and it was an absolutely immersive experience. The narration brought every shadow, every whisper of fear, and every emotional beat to life in a way that gave me actual chills.

Dan Garvie is a standout protagonist complex, vulnerable, and haunted by both past trauma and present danger. The island setting adds a layer of eerie claustrophobia that perfectly complements the slow-building tension. North balances emotional depth with suspense masterfully, blending folklore, grief, and mystery into something truly unforgettable.

The story lingered with me long after I finished, and the audio performance elevated the experience in every way. I highly recommend this for fans of thoughtful thrillers that deliver both heart and horror.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I saw this book was available, I knew I had to read it, I'm a big fan of all of Alex North’s work. The Man Made of Smoke stays true to his signature style: a haunting, atmospheric mystery with unsettling twists and just enough true crime elements to blur the line between past and present.

This story had everything I’ve come to expect from North: an eerie tone that slowly creeps in, layered characters wrestling with memory and fear, and a chilling mystery that seems to consume an entire city. The way he weaves the supernatural with psychological suspense made this another can’t-put-down read.

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it, the narrator’s voice pulled me in completely and made me feel like I was right there, caught up in the mystery. If you’re a fan of dark, thought-provoking thrillers that linger long after the last page, this one doesn’t disappoint.

No one sees and no one cares....holy shit this was a brutal ride! Kept me guessing at every step. What a fun ride! Alex killed it again!!

Thrillers have been a hit or miss genre for years, mostly due to factors such as writing style, how captivating the story is, how intriguing the characters are, and how the book ends. Over the years, books have captivated and held my interest whole others were ones that were a struggle to continue. This one was the former. From the start, the concept of the story was captivating. The different timelines, while surprising, flowed incredibly well and all the view points felt incredibly important to the story as a whole. I loved the idea of the story and the concepts of morality that are addressed as well as how age is considered in all of this. Our main character, Dan, is still haunted by something he did when he was a child and as we go through the story we see just how many people were affected by this particular day.

This story was brutal, emotional, and really explored the relationships between people, most specifically between fathers and sons and how time changes so much. Overall, this story was gripping, tense, and had me itching for answers. My initial predictions were wrong but the ending made so much sense I'm surprised I didn't see it coming from the beginning. Highly recommend this story as well as other works by Alex North. 4.5 out of 5

North has done it again creating a nail biting thriller. I loved how this one unfolded as each layer of the mystery was uncovered.

Dan Garvie was nine years old when he came face to face with a serial killer known as "The Pied Piper" and one of his victims. As an adult he is haunted by the experience and is now a criminal profiler to try to help others avoid similar situations. When he receives news that his father John, a retired police officer, is missing and presumed dead, Dan returns to his childhood home to find out what is going on. He discovers that his father had been searching for The Pied Piper and Dan takes up the investigation himself.

North's writing is so creepy, and the audiobook makes it even more so. Shane Zaza gave me chills with his narration. "Nobody sees, Nobody Cares" is the killer's mantra, and as we learn more and more I was surprised more than once. What I thought was going on wasn't really it, and that surprise made the experience of this novels so much more thrilling. I did have a bit of trouble figuring out when it was John's point of view vs. Dan's, even though Dan's is first person and John's is third person. When you're in their heads it isn't all that easy to follow. I did have the print copy as well which did help when I got confused.

There's more nuance to this story than just a serial killer investigation. There's some interesting information about trauma and how it affects the people involved. Some parts of this book are melancholy and sad, but they also rang true in a realistic way.

I've been a fan of Alex North since I read The Whisper Man and I anxiously wait for his next book

“The Man Made of Smoke” is a chilling, haunting thriller that hooked me from the start. Centered around a psychologist who works with mentally ill patients and has his own past experience with “monster”, the story is both gripping and emotionally intense. With well-drawn characters and a creeping sense of dread, Alex North delivers a twisty tale that’s hard to put down. Perfect for fans of dark, suspenseful crime fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

Another winner by Alex North. This book had me hooked from the beginning and guessing what was going on so many times. I was drinking it all in and could not get enough. It did not seem like your normal serial killer book and i liked that and then in the end the killer was not at all who I guessed it was. It came completely out of left field but made total sense! I love that!

Alex North is back—and this time, he brings us a new favourite main character, Daniel. He’s a prison psychologist with a dark and haunting past that still follows him.

This one’s a slow burn, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. There’s a subtle hint of darkness that makes the story even more gripping. The pace fits perfectly, letting you really feel how Dan’s past slowly creeps into his present.

I really enjoyed Dan’s character, a bit complex, thoughtful, and very real. This book is definitely worth reading for the story and the experience.

Alex North delivers another gripping and atmospheric thriller that lingers long after the final page. From the very beginning, the tone is haunting and immersive — the kind of book that pulls you into its world and makes you question what’s real and what’s imagined.

The story weaves together grief, memory, and mystery in such a compelling way. The characters feel deeply human, especially the main character, whose emotional journey is just as engaging as the suspense. There’s a real sense of unease throughout, but it’s never overdone — the tension builds naturally, and the twists are satisfying without feeling forced.

North has a real gift for creating a mood, and this book is no exception. The writing is sharp, the pacing works well, and the layers of the plot unfold at just the right moments.

Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers that aren’t just about solving a crime, but exploring the emotional weight behind it.

Damn, Alex North really knows how to write a thriller involving a serial killer! His books really scratch my crime itch  when I am in between tv shows.. Which is so very fitting because Alex North’s The Whisper Man is soon to become a series on @Netflix with Adam Scott!

I can just as easily see Man Made of Smoke getting turned into a series because it was so engaging! I honestly really loved trying to figure out what was going on throughout this story, both past and present. Once again, I was super wrong but it made the ending a fun surprise!

If you are into the following, you will like this book:

🔪Criminal Minds
🔎Profiling
🌪️Twisty Thrillers

In The Man Made of Smoke, Alex North delivers a chilling, emotionally resonant thriller that delves deep into memory, guilt, and trauma. The novel centers on Dr. Daniel Garvie, a prison psychiatrist haunted by a childhood encounter with the elusive serial killer known as the "Pied Piper." As a boy, Dan witnessed a terrified child in the grip of the killer, but paralyzed by fear, he hid rather than helped. This moment of inaction has cast a long shadow over his life.
The novel explores the complex dynamics between fathers and sons, revisiting a theme North explored wonderfully in The Whisper Man.
The narrative's structure, divided into sections representing the five stages of grief, mirrors Dan's psychological journey as he comes to grips with his past failures.
The antagonist, the Pied Piper, is a harrowing figure with a chilling message for each of his victims — "Nobody Sees. Nobody Cares.” The story also features one of North’s most viscerally dislikable characters yet: Liam, a bully of a local cop (and former classmate of Dan’s). Seriously, Liam is the worst. Well, second worst.
The Man Made of Smoke is atmospheric, complex, profound, nasty, nihilistic, and redemptive — and certainly worth a read.

Headline: Unputdownable!

Book Review: The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North
Published by Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books, May 13, 2025

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars rounded up. Rave!)

I've had the pleasure of reading all four of Alex North's novels including his 2019 debut bestseller, "The Whisper Man" (2019), a hands-down 5-Star read, currently under adaptation into a feature by Netflix possibly with a certain R. De Niro in the lead role. I'd rate this novel, "The Man Made of Smoke" (2025) half a star below it.

// The Man Made of Smoke (2025) //

Author Alex North parcels out his psychological suspense thriller in non-linear segments, switching between characters, pivoting across timelines with the narrative presented in both the first and third persons, leading to confusion at times. Tip: Keep in mind, Dan is the son; John, the dad. And X, the serial killer perp.

Then comes the magic, as timelines, characters and events converge and get swept into the finale, one guaranteed to catch most readers by surprise...!

AN EVENT IN HIS BOYHOOD, impacts the life of Dan Garvie, prison psychologist and criminal profiler. Little does he know that the same event becomes the obsession of one grumpy, old ex-cop, one who'd loved his son all his life so much but never knew it, him none other than John Garvie, Dan's dad.

And X the perp, mentioned above, gets none of plaudits, is impactful almost only tangentially in the psychological turmoil between father and son. And yet, is vicious, fearsome. Albeit "...unremarkable, small, silly, even pathetic" (author's words), the single, incongruous weak link, IMHO, in a must-read unputdownable!

Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books, and NetGalley.

NetGalley ARC Review: The Man Made of Smoke.
Release Date: 5-13-25
Author: Alex North
No Spoilers

I purchased the physical book from Book of the Month. I then requested the audiobook from NetGalley and they approved it. That complete experience is something I crave. The cover, summary, and the author’s reputation immediately sold me. It’s my first book by him.

Things I loved:
1. The creepy factor. This book felt super dark.
2. The narrator’s voice matched the creepiness.
3. Multiple POV’s

Things I disliked:
1. I didn’t like the pacing. It felt like it was all over the place.
2. I couldn’t connect with the characters.
3. Chapter one was suspenseful and horrifying, but the rest of the book lacked that intensity.
4. I loved the multiple POVs, however; it became difficult to follow. I reread chapters.

Unfortunately, the book was a little underwhelming. I think many will love it, but it fell short of what I needed. My next read is The Whisper Man. The reviews have been excellent. My rating for The Man Made of Smoke is ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Daniel Garvie has spent his life running from the crime he witnessed as a young boy, becoming a criminal profiler to seek justice for other victims as a way to atone for not helping the young boy caught in the trap of a monster. But when Dan’s father is presumed dead under mysterious circumstances, he is forced to return home and confront the demons from his past.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, creates the dark, gritty atmosphere wrought with tension, quite like Alex North can. From the moment the story begins, through the introduction of our notorious serial killer known simply as The Man Made of Smoke who whispers but a few words - “nobody sees and nobody cares”, I had nothing but goosebumps as I felt completely immersed in the haunting nature of the story.

When Daniel witnesses the young boy in the bathroom terrified of the monster he is with, I was right there beside him. North’s slow, but evocative writing style allows you to literally experience the drip, drip, drip as it occurs. And as a grown man, searching for his missing father’s remains, I was there too with Dan, right beside him as all of the past traumas he had worked tirelessly to overcome came roaring back to life.

This book is decidedly slow burn, but with good intentions. It’s that slow, eerie nature that amps up the horror element and creates the sense of things going bump in the night, the shadows following you home at night. While the pacing itself didn’t throw me off, there is always some aspect of North’s books that leaves me slightly confused and feeling dreadfully unintelligent. In this case, it was the final reveal surrounding the young boy. I won’t say more to prevent any spoilers, but even after finishing it, I am still slightly unsure of what actually happened. Is this the point? Perhaps. But given the masterful way he tends to wrap up his novels, I have a feeling this one is just slightly over my head. And yet I still enjoyed it immensely.

🎧 Shane Zaza’s solo narration is good; however, there were times I felt slightly confused between whether it was Daniel or John’s POV as the voice wasn’t well distinguished. However, it was very easy to decipher with a little bit of context. And the narrator does a terrific job of amping up the atmospheric nature of this book. If you are a fan of this type of book, I highly recommend reading it, especially around spooky season.

Read if you like:
▪️gritty atmospheric reads
▪️horror-tinged thrillers
▪️serial killer plot lines
▪️overcoming trauma
▪️father/son relationships
▪️past/present timelines
▪️dual POVs


Thank you Celadon and Macmillan for the advanced copies.

This dark and upsetting story really had me hooked right from the beginning. It’s hard to tell much of the time whether the tale is supernatural or not and this adds to the creepy undertones. The story begins with a tragic, historical tale of child abduction and murder triggering a strange series of events and more deaths in the present. Read it, you won’t be sorry.

Right from the prologue, The Man Made Of Smoke was both scary and intense, the stuff of nightmares. “Nobody sees and Nobody Cares”
This novel includes horror, thriller, mystery and crime fiction, all woven into a unique and complex plot.
The sadistic serial killer component added a dark element to the narrative that kept me engaged, allowing me to finish the book in just a few hours. I found myself both captivated and disturbed by this story.
Dan is a compelling character, known by his “detached and calm” demeanor. Some parts of the story are heartbreakingly sad, adding depth to the narrative. The use of a dual timeline effectively ties the plot together.
Alex North demonstrates once more that he is a remarkable author.
The narrator’s engaging voice brings the text to life. I highly recommend the audio version.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Well, this was the third time I tried to read a book by this author, and for the third time it didn't work for me.
There is something about North's writing that just can't clique with me. His plots always sound interesting to me, but the execution always fails to keep my attention.
I'm sorry this didn't work for me again, but I'm sure other readers will enjoy this book much more than I did.
The audiobook narrator does a good job, although I'd prefer he would speak up more often. For such a thrillery story I'd say a stronger tone in narration would be prefereable.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the ALC.

Super confusing at times with the non linear time line. Went back to double check information multiple times. Read the book with the audiobook so that helped. Still will read anything from this author. Thank you NetGalley for this arc