The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

 

Alex North never fails to deliver a tense, dark mystery, and The Man Made of Smoke is one of his best yet. Its signature, intricate plotline is an introspective look into the mind of a serial killer and his victims.

Dan Garvie returns to his childhood home on a small island when his father disappears under mysterious circumstances. He finds that his father had been researching a cold case involving a serial who abducted young boys, a case that touched Dan's and several other lives. When some of those on the periphery of the case are murdered or missing, Dan's investigation puts his own life in danger.

This is a well-written novel full of suspense and intrigue. It is fast-paced and packed with interesting characters and a purely evil antagonist. Told with flashbacks and multiple points of view, North does an excellent job of revealing the connections between the past and present and the delicate relationship between father and son. I was hooked from the beginning and captivated by this atmospheric psychological thriller. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 13, 2025.

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Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

 

I liked Alex Finlay's other books, but this one was a bit of a letdown. Although it had a good plot and was engaging, I found it lacking in character development, and, at times, the student's motives were suspect.

It's Parents Weekend at a small, exclusive college in Northern California. The parents of five students have traveled to attend a dinner and celebrate their children's accomplishments. The students, all planning to participate in the dinner, never show. As the hours pass and the students, all of whom have turned off their phones, remain missing, the police and an FBI agent are called in. The Five, as referred to in the media, are in peril, and time is running out.

I expected and got a suspenseful psychological thriller. There were twists and red herrings galore, and although I did figure out who was behind the students' disappearance, the story was a good rollercoaster ride. What was never satisfactorily explained to me was why the students went to the initial location where authorities lost track of them. Maybe I missed something, but their destination didn't make sense. Additionally, the ending felt a bit rushed. Despite these two distractions, I liked the book. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 6, 2025.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble