This psychological thriller from Alex North, which finds a psychiatrist investigating the disappearance of his own father, takes place along several time lines, as we discover that the events of the past have had a dreadful impact on the present. When Dan Garvie was a child, he was one of the few eyewitnesses to see The Man Made of Smoke - a prolific killer whose career ended suddenly and violently.

But now Dan's dad thinks that the killer, or someone who connected to him, may be back. And he's disappeared in the middle of his investigations. As Dan digs deeper into what his dad discovered, he uncovers the unintended consequences of the past, and is forced to reckon with his own feelings of guilt over what he failed to do when he was a child....

North excels at psychological exploration in this unnerving and page-turning novel that explores guilt, grief and the things that can drive us to unexpected and violent impulses despite our best intentions. Despite its serial killer thriller trappings, it's a quieter, more meditative book than some -- although there is violence, it eschews some of the blood-n-fury approaches others might take -- and somehow all the more effective for it, with certain scenes linger like dark smoke at the back of our minds. Absolutely excellent, and one that will remain in reader's minds long after they've turned that final page.

Woah! This book is fantastic. I raced through it and it really got into my head. To the point that when I put it down at 2am to go to the toilet I jumped at my own shadow! Just brilliant.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Such a page turner. I really enjoyed the slowly unravelling story around Daniel and his encounter at a service station as a child.
His father goes missing,presumed dead and Daniel returns to the island where he grew up, to wait for bad news.
Things don't go to plan and his past comes back to haunt him.
I really did think this was an excellent story but it was quite tricky to follow at times, with alot of different people, timelines etc. 4 stars though for a highly recommended read.

I just finished Man Made of Smoke by Alex North, and wow — it gave me chills in all the best ways. From the start, I was hooked by the eerie atmosphere and the slow unravelling of Daniel’s past. North has an incredible way of making you question what’s real and what’s just lingering trauma, and it kept me guessing until the end. If you love psychological thrillers, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Wow wow wow this was a fantastic book that I couldn't put down.

When Dan has an encounter in a service ststion as a child it takes over his entire life.

Years later as a criminal psychiatrist, that night rears its head again when his father and other go missing.

Can he find out what happened all those years ago?

4 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this arc.

This started very strong then ultimately was a slow burn for sure until about the last 30% but it’s written well, I never had the ”moment” where everything comes together and your jaw is on the floor you always want with a thriller, but the twists were still enjoyable and the characters are very well written. Would definitely recommend and read more books from the author.

This latest offering by Alex North is just brilliant. It is atmospheric and full of suspense. Genuinely scary - I actually jumped once. The tension builds throughout and I was gripped from the first page.
The story begins years in the past with the abduction of a young boy and is told over several timelines and from several points of view.
Dan is a criminal psychiatrist who years previously as a young boy had an encounter with a serial killer known as the Pied Piper. The events of that day and Dans reactions continue to haunt him into his adult life and when his father disappears and he is drawn back to this childhood home, memories of that long ago day return.
The author delivers a master class in fear, where events become ever more terrifying. The reader is lead along a path to the point where you are sure you have a handle on the outcome - only to have the story take a completely different turn. I defy you not to be fully engaged and on the edge of your seat whilst reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

A riveting and unpredictable read, this book introduces a slightly supernatural element into the psychological thriller genre, but done in a way that makes it believable. Thoroughly enjoyable- my first book by this author but I will look for others. Recommended.

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North is a chilling and psychological book that explores guilt, redemption, and the complexities of human behaviour. The premise, focusing on a man who witnessed a serial killer as a teenager and now, years later, is faced with the disappearance of his father, creates a suspenseful backdrop.

Dan's journey, both to find answers about his father’s disappearance and to finally face his fears about the mysterious killer from his past, is compelling. The tension between his past and present kept me engaged as he unravelled a dark and haunting mystery.

I particularly appreciated the subtle yet significant relationship between Dan and his father. While it’s not the primary focus of the book, the emotional connection between them guides Dan’s journey and adds depth to the plot. It was fascinating to see how the unresolved guilt from the past influenced Dan's actions.

This book delves into the psychology of fear and guilt, and I enjoyed how the suspense built steadily throughout. The mystery of the man-made smoke is gripping, and the unexpected twists keep me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend it for fans of psychological thrillers with a deep emotional core.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I absolutely loved this book. Having read the whisper man I knew this would be a creepy, brilliant read and I was not disappointed at all. I love all that almost gothic horror mixed with crime. Absolutely epic!!!TheManMadeofSmoke #NetGalley

This book was a bit of a slow burner. It’s starts with Daniel Gracie returning to the island he grew up on after his father goes missing and is presumed dead. This return leads Dan to follow a trail of clues his father has set up for him that links to an event that happened in his childhood, one where several children had gone missing.

As the story progressed, especially the last quarter, I found myself really absorbed in it. It had a dark and slightly creepy feel to it and I didn’t guess who the killer was so that’s always a good thing, definitely recommend.

The Whisper Man was one of my favourite reads, so I was eager to start this one. It started off very well, but as it went along, it seemed to lose its flow, and I found it hard to take to the main character, which made it even harder to get into.
Based on the other books by this author, which I really enjoyed, I was expecting more. For me, nothing much really happened until the end, which was good.
Im hoping other readers will enjoy more as Alex Norths books are really worth reading, I look forward to reading more in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House UK for the Arc.

Terrifying and compulsive/ I absolutely could not put it down. Like Daniel I checked all the doors and windows!

Brilliantly conceived and executed. I can’t say much as I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone but if you like suspense this is absolutely for you.

A very creepy book, this story stays with you long after the last page. The first chapter sucks you in and from there you're stuck until the end. Great characters, fast paced and atmospheric.

The man made of smoke

“Nobody sees and nobody cares” and right now in the service station near Rampton that is certainly true but in years to come it won’t be. Daniel Garvie is a teenager when he first encounters the serial killer who comes to be known as “the man made of smoke” but he’s way too scared to help his latest victim. Years later Dan is a successful criminal psychiatrist working in a prison and also profiling. In the present day, his father John, an ex police officer, has gone missing and somewhat reluctantly. Dan returns to the island where he grows up. It soon becomes clear that after John discovers a badly burned female body, he goes on the trail of a killer. As Dan retraces his father steps, there are some very unsettling links to the “man made of smoke“. This time Dan won’t ignore his fear, perhaps he can find his father and in the process gain redemption for something that has haunted him for years. The story is principally told by father and son.

Brace yourselves. As per usual, Alex North ramps up the creep factor to its max and fear ain’t far behind. The five stars clearly indicates that this is another cracking read as it’s so powerfully dark and richly atmospheric. The plot unfolds organically from past to present, the storytelling is haunting,eerie, elusive and shadowy, as if you’re trying to clutch at a dark cloud. It’s one of those cold chill down the spine reads, with a frosty whisper at the back of the neck. It seems to tap into so many fears via the power of suggestion and more. As Dan follows the breadcrumbs he’s left, it builds in intensity and on occasions it’s the scarcely breathe variety as it’s terrifying as well as completely gripping.

The characterisation is excellent and it’s true for all the characters but especially Dan and John. The teenage encounter deeply impacts Dan as the shame and guilt and trauma changes his personality. He may seem calm and detached on the outside but underneath he’s frantically paddling. He seems to be floundering in the dark as he chases after his father and what else?? John becomes very driven and possibly obsessive and it also has an impact on his personality and the father/son relationship.

As the novel reaches a suspenseful crescendo, towards the end the tension is off the scale and there’s a surprise or to in store. I’ll say no more but it’s good. Very good.

Overall, I genuinely couldn’t put this down as I don’t just want to know I need to know. This has got best seller written all over it as it’s Alex North at his absolute best. I highly recommend it to fans of the dark thriller genre. As for that cover, it certainly does the book justice.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

THE MAN MADE OF SMOKE is the first book i have read by Alex North, i have had the whisper man on my shelf for ages and just havent got round to it. i think ill be reading it soon after enjoying this one.

It started off a bit of a slow burner but there was so many twists and turns i didnt see coming. The only thing i wasnt too sure about was the paranormal themes, but i think some people with love that.

“NOBODY SEES and NOBODY CARES"

Thanks as always to Netgalley, Alex North and the publishser for the ARC

Very different from other crime novels or novels in general for that matter. Exciting, thrilling, sad and original it takes you on a wonderous journey, dragging you by the heels through its tale.

Another exceptional thriller from North, centered around a serial killer known as the Pied Piper, who abducted and murdered young boys several years ago. The story follows a man who had a brief encounter with the killer and a potential victim during his youth. In the present day, it seems that someone is seeking revenge against those believed to have failed in their duty to prevent one particular tragedy. North continues to solidify his reputation as one of the finest in this genre, delivering a story with well-developed characters, strong writing, and a plot twist that genuinely surprises. This suspenseful narrative explores themes of guilt, revenge, and missed opportunities. From start to finish, I was thoroughly captivated

“The Man Made of Smoke” by Michael Joseph is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page. It’s unsettling in the best way—blurring the lines between reality and nightmare, pulling you into a world that feels just familiar enough to be truly terrifying.

Joseph has a knack for building tension, creating a story that’s not just about fear, but also about memory, loss, and the things we try to forget. The antagonist is more than just a villain; he’s an ever-present force that seeps into the edges of the story, making the suspense almost unbearable at times. But what really makes this book stand out is how much heart it has. Amid the creeping dread, there are moments of deep emotion and character insight that make the whole experience feel meaningful, not just thrilling.

If you love books that mess with your head and keep you glued to the pages, this one is definitely worth picking up. Just be warned—you might find yourself double-checking the shadows after reading it.

The Whisper Man is one of my favourite thrillers so to be approved this arc made my week! Our main character is a criminal profiler who, as a child, had a close encounter with a serial killer known as the Pied Piper. It weighed heavy on him that he couldn’t intervene as a child and save the Pied Pipers last victim, so he was quick to leave the island and dedicate his life to seeking justice for crime victims. When his Dad dies, he has to return to the island and soon realises he died under suspicious circumstances. He quickly picks up a trail his father left him, and sees an old, too familiar pattern. Echoes of the past are suddenly breathing down his neck - ‘Nobody sees, and Nobody cares’. Just like The Whisper Man, this book had some heart in mouth moments, and put a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was really eerie in places, and sad in others. I enjoyed the MC’s perspective. He was measured, and possessed lots of self control. He had logical thought processes and insights that I enjoyed being privy to. I felt he was competent and there wasn’t a moment I was frustrated with his decision making or choices. I also really liked that the formula for showing the order of events was a back and forth timeline which immediately gave you answers to the present as the next chapter went straight back to the past. Usually a thriller will make you wait until the end to see what happened in the past timeline. I found this style really effective as I was enjoying the sense that these two paths were echoing each other and so close behind each other that they’d eventually join. It kept me completely engaged despite the medium-slow burn, but the TENSION in the last 25%!! 😱 Added a whole star to my rating, my heart was literally pounding in my chest! Crime isn’t normally my kind of genre, and on paper I’d avoid the topic of child abduction/killer like the plague but this author is just an auto buy for me … even if he does make me cry for a fake serial killers fake victims! 😅