Overall Take:
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful thriller that goes beyond the surface to explore themes of loss, resilience, and the courage it takes to face the past.
Star Rating:
5 Stars
Genre:
Dystopian
Synopsis
Dan Garvie has spent his life haunted by a crime he narrowly escaped as a child—a chilling encounter with a notorious serial killer that propelled him into a career as a criminal profiler. When his father dies under suspicious circumstances, Dan returns to his isolated island hometown, determined to uncover the truth about his death. As he delves deeper, questions arise about whether the monster from his past has returned. In The Man Made of Smoke, Alex North masterfully blends suspense, emotional depth, and terrifying twists to explore themes of trauma, family bonds, and the lingering shadows of the past.
Thoughts:
I found The Man Made of Smoke to be a deeply gripping and haunting story that stayed with me long after I finished reading. I was immediately drawn to Dan’s journey, and I felt his pain and determination as he returned to his small island community to confront the shadows of his past. The way Alex North weaves together suspense and emotion is masterful, and I couldn’t help but feel immersed in Dan’s search for answers, questioning whether the nightmares of his childhood had truly come back to life. I appreciated how the story explored not just the terror of facing a killer but also the emotional complexity of family bonds and unresolved trauma. I found myself reflecting on the weight of secrets and how they shape our lives in ways we don’t always realize. The vivid descriptions and layered narrative made every twist and revelation feel both chilling and impactful.
Publication Date:
May 13, 2025
Author:
Alex North
Page Length:
320 pages
Thank you too:
Thank you to @celadonbooks @writernorth and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
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