The Man Made of Smoke

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North is a fascinating psychological thriller that combines great emotional impact with bone-chilling tension. Forced to face the ghosts of his past—both real and metaphorical—criminal profiler Dan Garvie, haunted by a traumatic childhood encounter with a serial killer, returns to his remote island hometown following the unexplained death of his father.

What starts as a hesitant homecoming develops soon into something considerably more sinister. The town holds things it’s desperate to forget, and Dan’s return stirs up old shadows. Individuals start to disappear, each one linked to the traumatic events of decades ago. Dan uncovers unsettling realities about himself, his family, and the history of the island as he goes further.

Told through interwoven timelines and multiple perspectives, Alex North masterfully layers tension, mystery, and emotional depth. The novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the terrifying echoes of trauma. It’s not just about catching a serial killer—it’s about facing the darkness within and the damage left behind.

The Man Made of Smoke offers a disturbing, heart-pounding read with razor-sharp pacing, uncomfortable twists, and a haunting mood that will accompany you long after the last page.