In The Man Made of Smoke, Dan Garvie is a criminal profiler whose life has been shaped by a horrifying encounter with a serial killer in his childhood. When his estranged father dies under mysterious circumstances, Dan returns to his isolated island hometown, only to confront unsettling echoes of the past. As old traumas resurface and new threats emerge, he begins to question whether the killer from his nightmares has returned—or if something even darker is at play.
The Man Made of Smoke felt like a bit of a departure from Alex North’s usual dark and horror-leaning style—instead, this one leans more into the territory of a classic mystery or detective novel. It’s slower in its burn but incredibly atmospheric, with just enough tension to keep the pages turning. The mystery itself is layered and detailed, with plenty of threads woven throughout that all come together in a really satisfying way. I honestly didn’t guess the murderer until nearly the final page, which is rare for me and always a sign of a well-constructed plot.
One of the standout elements for me was the structure of the story. The alternating timelines and perspectives between Dan and his father gave the book a richer emotional depth and allowed the mystery to unfold from multiple angles. These flashbacks didn’t just fill in backstory—they enhanced the present-day investigation and made the stakes feel more personal. While it may not have the same horror-driven punch as some of North’s earlier work, The Man Made of Smoke still delivers a haunting, introspective, and tightly woven mystery that kept me fully engaged.
See my other Alex North Reviews
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★
The Man Made of Smoke comes May 13, 2025. Huge thank you to Celadon for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
