The Man Made of Smoke

Experience the inner musings and “games” of a serial killer and his far-reaching legacy. Alex North treats us to a non-stop, edge-of-your-seat thriller that morphs into a police procedural, offering a harrowing view into the minds of both the killer and the victims. Coined the “Pied Piper Murders” by the press, this chilling and suspenseful account begs to be read—or listened to—without pause.

Dan Garvie’s life changed during a rest stop after a long day trip to the zoo. Twelve-year-old Dan scoots to the bathroom, only to encounter a dirty, shabbily dressed boy of similar age who has the look of a terrified, wounded animal. The boy appears to be accompanied by a gaunt man who lingers in the shadows, whistling an eerie and mournful tune. Dan rushes into a stall and fearfully locks the door. Before the shadowy man leaves, he mutters aloud: “Nobody sees, and nobody cares.”

When the coast is clear, Dan opens the stall door—only to discover a photograph, likely dropped on purpose by the boy. The image sends an involuntary scream to his lips. Dan has just encountered—and narrowly escaped—the clutches of a heinous serial killer: the Pied Piper, who targets unattended children.

Weeks later, a camper van is discovered on the side of the road with a dead driver clutching the steering wheel, presumed to have died of a heart attack. A careful investigation of the van reveals the charred remains of four boys. The police consider the case solved, even though the identity of both the driver and the remains is never confirmed. Authorities insist the last victim was the boy Dan saw at the rest stop. Dan initially denies this, certain the boy he encountered was not the final known victim. The encounter leaves Dan with lasting emotional scars—guilt and shame that never fully resolve.

Haunted, Dan becomes obsessed with the case and reads the true-crime account A Man Made of Smoke by Terrance O’Hare multiple times. At sixteen, he remains fixated on the four known victims—Robbie, Sean, Paul, and Charlie—torturing himself with the possibility that his cowardice may have contributed to their deaths.

Dan eventually finds solace by devoting his life to investigating heinous crimes as a prolific police profiler, working from within a prison and studying the most depraved offenders. Decades later, he receives a phone call informing him that his father has died—possibly by suicide. Dan returns to the small island of his birth, only to discover that his father’s body has not been found. At his father’s home, he uncovers numerous files and boxes of data confirming an obsession with the Pied Piper Murders. John Garvie, a retired police detective, had continued investigating the case long after it was considered closed.

As Dan digs into his father’s research, he falls down a rabbit hole, uncovering evidence that suggests the murders may have continued in a similar fashion long after the supposed death of the Pied Piper. Could there be a copycat killer?

Alex North proves to be a master storyteller, weaving a horrific tale told across multiple timelines and perspectives. The result is a chaotic puzzle that comes together with escalating suspense and intrigue. North also explores the complexities of father-son relationships, as well as unrequited youthful friendships and love. This terrifying novel relentlessly builds toward an unforgettable denouement.

I personally found myself frequently switching from Kindle to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Shane Zaza. Shane brings his acting talent to bear, capturing the nuances and voices of each character with precision. His exceptional narration drew me in more than the written word.

Thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an Uncorrected Proof and Advance Audio version in exchange for an honest review.