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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another great thriller by Alex North. When an old man is murdered around the same time a woman's brother goes missing, the police wonder if they're connected. And are they connected to the attack on the brother as a teen?
I liked how everything tied together in the end I saw some of the threads coming together pretty early on, but not all of them. But we still had some unanswered questions I would have liked answered.
I'm glad that this book was a bit more diverse than his other thrillers. Since a lot of UK adult thrillers don't have queer characters, and sometimes no POCs either, this had both!
I guess I just felt a bit unsatisfied with the ending and not getting more answers on the serial killer and whether the book really tells the future question.
Overall a great edge-of-your-seat thriller. Though I'd recommend reading an eBook or a print copy if possible, I may have missed something listening to the audio.
Extra ratings: Fluff- NA Heartfelt- 4/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 1.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love- NA Mystery- 3.5/5 Predictability- 2/5 Spice- NA Suspense-3.5/5 Tear 3/5 Thrill-4/5 Humor-1/5
I liked how everything tied together in the end I saw some of the threads coming together pretty early on, but not all of them. But we still had some unanswered questions I would have liked answered.
I'm glad that this book was a bit more diverse than his other thrillers. Since a lot of UK adult thrillers don't have queer characters, and sometimes no POCs either, this had both!
I guess I just felt a bit unsatisfied with the ending and not getting more answers on the serial killer and whether the book really tells the future question.
Overall a great edge-of-your-seat thriller. Though I'd recommend reading an eBook or a print copy if possible, I may have missed something listening to the audio.
Extra ratings: Fluff- NA Heartfelt- 4/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 1.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love- NA Mystery- 3.5/5 Predictability- 2/5 Spice- NA Suspense-3.5/5 Tear 3/5 Thrill-4/5 Humor-1/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
zosiablue's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a time-twisty mystery and what I liked about it was that the magical element wasn't overly explained. There was a book that told the future and that's about all you knew about it. And all you needed. I wish - and maybe in a sequel? - the serial killer dad / fortune teller and his sons backstory was there. It almost felt like the author didn't get the gist of her story until the end. Regardless, I really enjoyed this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Addiction
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Stalking, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Addiction, Stalking, Drug abuse, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
edgaranjapoe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Alcohol, Child abuse, Infertility, Gore, Stalking, Torture, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Drug use
kris386's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, and Abandonment
Minor: Infertility, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Suicide
enchantressreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A mysterious murder from an already dying man brings two seemingly unrelated families together as detectives try to figure out who killed an aging professor; but maybe more important is *why.*
Katie Shaw and her brother Chris are estranged after Chris goes off the deep end following his attempted murder by a random attack. Her mother believes that Chris is now clean, but also has someone after him. The past haunts Katie, Chris, and the family of a long dead serial killer in this thriller with twists that’ll excite you.
I don’t like to go into much detail about thrillers, because it’s more fun to figure things out for yourself. The Angel Maker was fun, and I enjoyed trying to piece everything together. My one question is: why does nobody lock their doors? I lock my doors in complete peace, I’d definitely lock my doors if I had a stalker/murderer after me.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the chance to read this advanced review copy. Pick up a copy for yourself and see if you can follow the twists this family thriller brings.
CW for blood, death, murder, violence, child abuse, child death, sexism, addiction, suicide, domestic abuse, misogyny, and religious bigotry
Katie Shaw and her brother Chris are estranged after Chris goes off the deep end following his attempted murder by a random attack. Her mother believes that Chris is now clean, but also has someone after him. The past haunts Katie, Chris, and the family of a long dead serial killer in this thriller with twists that’ll excite you.
I don’t like to go into much detail about thrillers, because it’s more fun to figure things out for yourself. The Angel Maker was fun, and I enjoyed trying to piece everything together. My one question is: why does nobody lock their doors? I lock my doors in complete peace, I’d definitely lock my doors if I had a stalker/murderer after me.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the chance to read this advanced review copy. Pick up a copy for yourself and see if you can follow the twists this family thriller brings.
CW for blood, death, murder, violence, child abuse, child death, sexism, addiction, suicide, domestic abuse, misogyny, and religious bigotry
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Addiction and Suicide
Minor: Sexism, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
sarahmcg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Thanks to Celadon Books for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book kept me engaged, but ultimately left me with more questions than answers at the end. I listened on audiobook, while my husband read the physical copy, and I found myself having to rewind and re-listen to certain parts to get a handle on the characters’ various storylines - who was who, and how did they relate to each other?
I would have liked further explanations on certain storylines, I feel like some just ended up being red herrings. This bummed me out because I really enjoyed the Whisper Man! As a fellow reviewer mentioned, it felt more philosophical than a thriller.
Despite my complaints, I still would describe it as an engaging read, and it was fun to discuss theories with my husband as we read along.
This book kept me engaged, but ultimately left me with more questions than answers at the end. I listened on audiobook, while my husband read the physical copy, and I found myself having to rewind and re-listen to certain parts to get a handle on the characters’ various storylines - who was who, and how did they relate to each other?
I would have liked further explanations on certain storylines, I feel like some just ended up being red herrings. This bummed me out because I really enjoyed the Whisper Man! As a fellow reviewer mentioned, it felt more philosophical than a thriller.
Despite my complaints, I still would describe it as an engaging read, and it was fun to discuss theories with my husband as we read along.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
booksbeyondthebinary's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Addiction
hooksbookswanderlust's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this book.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Addiction, Violence, and Stalking
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