Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

The Man Made Of Smoke is an well crafted, expertly written thriller which I very much enjoyed-I don't think the words nobody sees and nobody cares will ever leave me!

With twists and turns aplenty this book will not disappoint if you are a fan of this particular genre.

5 stars from me!

Rounding up to 3 ⭐️

When I saw this book I was really excited, I had really enjoyed The Whisper Man so was keen to start this.

The opening chapter was SO good and the ending actually was pretty decent.

Sadly for me the rest of the book and maybe I will be in the minority here but was a bit meh .. there was a lot of repetition between Daniel and his dad’s POV. Whilst I understand why it just got a bit much.

I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and if im honest the whole middle of the book, nothing was really happening, just a lot of retracing steps constantly.

Again this is my persona opinion and should be taken as just thst, you may love it and I hope you do.

I absolutely will still be reading more from this author, this one just didn’t grab me like I hoped. ❤️

I’m slightly on the fence with this book. Having read and enjoyed previous novels by this author, I was eager to read this and the first part had me hooked. However I found the pace soon dropped off and it didn’t grip me as much as I expected. I did enjoy the creep atmosphere though so would rate it 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

Unfortunately not for me as a reader. I could not connect with the story and writing style. Others may enjoy it.

Alex North, known for his psychological thrillers, takes readers on a dark and atmospheric journey in The Man Made of Smoke. This novel blends elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological depth, making it an engaging read for fans of complex narratives and eerie atmospheres.

The story revolves around the disappearance of a young boy, and a central figure, Frank, who is deeply entangled in the haunting mystery. Frank has a personal connection to the case and is forced to confront the secrets of his past, which are inextricably linked to the chilling events unfolding in the present. North masterfully builds tension by weaving a sense of dread throughout the narrative. As the plot unravels, the reader is drawn deeper into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.

North's writing is impeccable, with vivid descriptions that create an unsettling mood. The themes of memory, guilt, and the fragility of the human mind are explored in depth. The pacing is steady, keeping readers on edge, though there are moments where the plot feels a bit slower, especially as the story delves into its more introspective elements.

One of the standout aspects of The Man Made of Smoke is its exploration of the psychological states of its characters. Frank's internal struggles are depicted in a raw and authentic manner, drawing readers into his mind as he grapples with the mystery and his own demons. The characterization is rich, and North excels at portraying complex, morally ambiguous characters.

While the novel’s dark and brooding tone might not appeal to everyone, those who enjoy psychological thrillers that are more focused on atmosphere and character development rather than pure action will find The Man Made of Smoke to be a compelling read. The ending, while satisfying, leaves a lingering sense of unease, keeping readers thinking long after they’ve finished the book.

Overall, The Man Made of Smoke is a haunting, atmospheric psychological thriller that showcases Alex North's skill in creating tension and exploring the human psyche. Fans of his previous works will appreciate the twists and depth, while newcomers may find themselves captivated by the eerie mystery and emotional complexity.

I don’t really have a strong opinion on this one, it was just okay. The first quarter was gripping but the pacing changed and ended up too much of a slow burn for me. The plot in itself was dark and interesting, and not like anything I’ve read before, but I still prefer the author’s previous work, The Whisper Man.

Thank you to @netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my thoughts!

Thank you Net Galley and the publishers of The Man Made of Smoke for the early access approval.

Where to begin….

The cover caught my eye straight away, I’ve also read Alex’s previous novel and I was eager to read this.

What a fantastic book from Alex once again. I loved the pace of the book, the background of each character and also the overall plot was amazing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I wish Alex every success for publication day. Thank you so much

Now, this was a strange one to review for me. Why? Because even though I didn’t like dislike it, I can’t say I particularly liked it either.

The first 25% had me gripped, I loved the lingering sense of unease and creepiness, it kept me captivated BUT by the halfway point I found the dual POV's starting to grate on me, purely because I felt their was too much repetition of fact. Yes, I know it was from different perspectives, but it basically covered the same details.

I love this author, so I definitely think this one’s on me. I’ve narrowed it down to the simple fact that I didn’t like the main character, Dan! His constant talking to himself and the voices (subconscious) he hears got annoying quite early on. Is he meant to come across as mentally unstable, a little crazy or is he just one of those characters that annoys the hell out of me? 😅

I’m not sure why, but I was maybe expecting more. More what, I’m not sure, but this one just didn’t have the same effect on me that past books by this author have.

For the plot, the creepiness it left flowing through my veins, I give 3⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC

Dan Garvies father has passed away. the events of his death are suspicious and Dan now a criminal psychiatrist,wonders if his death is linked to an experience he had as a child.

This is a dark and creepy read and it is also brilliantly written.

I was scared and quite spooked but it is also a little heartfelt and I absolutely loved it.

Not many authors are able to write such a novel and keep the reader so involved.

It's fabulous

This was a very quick read. It drew me in immediately and I flew through the first quarter. The atmosphere was creepy and rubbed me the wrong way, in the right way.
I loved the development of the relationship between John and Daniel. I liked the over arching plot. I devoured the final quarter.

But it lost me a bit in the middle. The plot progressed steadily, but the John/Daniel narratives sometimes felt a bit repetitive. John's narratives were repetitive in the self-worth, self-criticism aspect. Dan's narratives sometimes covered elements that John's either already had or would go on to explain.
I just found myself skipping over some of Dan's internal I-hear-possible-dead-people conversations and John's pity parties.

But as an overall, I thought it was a good read.

Alex North excels at creepy books, he really does.
This one though, it hits differently.
I felt uncomfortable for a lot of it (in an Im-enjoying-this way) and a sense of dread too.
But also it brought out a few other emotions, for that boy, that father/son relationship.
There were a few surprises along the way , and the plot was paced so well.
It was really rather good.
Since the Whisper man, North has been an autobuy author for me, but he seems to be getting better and better.