Member Reviews

This one wasn’t for me. I loved The Whisper Man and had high hopes for this newest novel. It definitely fell flat for me and I found it hard to follow the plot. I didn’t much care for the characters either. It felt hard to connect to or relate to them.

Was this review helpful?

I made it about 3/4 of the way through before I DNFed. I likethedea ofthr book, but this was my least favorite of North's books (and I did not like their other books). I was not a fan of the writing style. And I don't mind a lot of things happening in books, but something about this just didn't feel right.

Was this review helpful?

Gosh, the amount of twists and turns in this book! It was a bit hard to follow at times, there is a vast character list but still really enjoyed this unique storyline. This was my first Alex north and will not be my last!

Was this review helpful?

I really liked Alex North's other novels, but I could not get into this one at all. It had a lot of characters and hard to follow so I decided to put it down. Thank you, publisher, for the early copy.

Was this review helpful?

This book is broken into 4 parts and told in 3rd person from multiple POVs. At first the book was super confusing still very instructing. Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end!

Was this review helpful?

Growing up in a beautiful house in the English countryside, Katie Shaw lived a charmed life until the day a violent stranger changed the fate of her family forever. Years later, and feeling guilty, Katie struggles to separate the real threats from the imagined. Then she gets the phone call: Chris has gone missing and needs his big sister once more. Meanwhile, Detective Laurence Page is facing a gruesome crime. A professor of fate and free will has been brutally murdered just hours after firing his staff. All the leads point back to two old cases: the gruesome attack on teenager Christopher Shaw and the despicable crimes of a notorious serial killer who, legend had it, could see the future.

As usual, Alex North has written a book that kept me guessing how everything would tie together! The murder mystery was there, and the characters were well written. I loved the fact that Chirs played such a large role in this book, but I didn't think Katie's daughter added much ti the storyline.

I rate this book 4 🌟

I'd like to say a huge thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The Angel Maker tells the story of a series of unseemly events that don’t seem connected but are if you only know where to look. Katie struggles with the guilt she cares for failing to keep her estranged younger brother safe years earlier but now he’s come back into her life and needs help. Christopher’s life has been a series of ups and downs since the attack and he’s finally on the right path but something has gone terribly wrong. Detective Page has been tasked with solving the murder of an elderly man with deep connections to past tragedies and a criminal out for revenge.

This story is detailed and intricately written to keep the reader engaged and turning the pages quickly to see how all the puzzle pieces fit together. If you are looking for a spooky read this spooky season, definitely add this book to your tbr.


Thank you publishers and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Was this review helpful?

This was an enjoyable read. I heard so many great things about this one and was excited to get the chance to read it. This is one that had me hooked right to the very end. Recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

This story revolves around siblings, Katie and Chris, whose lives were marred by a tragic attack on Chris during their teenage years. Katie carried guilt for not being there to protect him, and this traumatic incident left lasting scars on both of them.

Detective Laurence, who was an officer at the time of Chris’s attack, finds himself in charge of investigating the brutal murder of an elderly professor. Chris is implicated as he was caught on camera at the professor’s house around the time of the murder. As the story unfolds, numerous significant characters become entangled in this murder mystery, suggesting connections between the past and the present.

The narrative prompts reflection on the idea of coincidence versus meaningful connections in life. Detective Laurence grapples with these questions while attempting to unravel the gruesome murder.

I was captivated and deeply engaged throughout the book, eager to discover how the story would unfold. The exploration of philosophical concepts was intriguing, and the clever interplay between characters added depth to the narrative.

Alex North’s storytelling prowess shines through in “The Angel Maker,” making it a compelling and unequivocal five-star read that solidifies his status as a gifted storyteller.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed the author's previous books The Whisper Man and The Shadows so I anticipated a heightened level of intrigue in his third novel, “The Angel Maker.” The brief description reads: “a dark, suspenseful thriller delving into the mysteries of fate, the unbreakable sibling bond, and a notorious serial killer rumored to possess knowledge of the future.”

Where do I even begin? This book brims with complexity, making it challenging to summarize without revealing key plot points. “The Angel Maker” demands your full attention and is best devoured swiftly. I devoured about 80% of it in one sitting, and I believe I wouldn’t have savored it as much if I had taken my time.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of five characters and spans various timelines. At the story’s core is Katie, our main character. She has been estranged from her brother Chris ever since a violent attack left him scarred. Chris subsequently descended into a life of drugs, disappearing from his family’s life. His return is shrouded in mystery, only to vanish once again when his assailant is released from prison. Katie becomes convinced that this assailant is now targeting her daughter.

Intertwined with this family drama is the chilling tale of “The Angel Maker,” a serial killer who subscribes to the philosophy of determinism, which posits that humans lack free will. This philosophical element adds depth to the narrative, and I found it captivating.

Another family’s tumultuous story is introduced, and as the two family sagas intertwine, tensions rise to a boiling point. The author’s ambition shines through in this multifaceted thriller and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

"Angel Maker" by Alex North is a solid thriller that had me hooked from the beginning. North's writing style is smooth and engaging, making it an easy and enjoyable read. The characters are well-drawn, and I found myself invested in their stories.

The book does a great job building suspense and keeping you guessing about the mysteries at the heart of the plot. There's a nice blend of psychological tension and supernatural elements that adds an extra layer of intrigue.

One thing that kept me from giving it a full five stars is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed and left a few loose ends. I would have liked a bit more resolution in certain areas. However, overall, "Angel Maker" is a solid thriller that's well worth a read if you enjoy dark and atmospheric mysteries. I'd give it a solid four stars.

Was this review helpful?

I'm so bummed I didn't like this one- I've loved his books in the past. This had so many characters that I didn't really care about any of them, and there was so much jumping around that I was confused and not enjoying the journey...

Was this review helpful?

I have enjoyed other books by the author but found this one quite hard to follow with all the characters and timelines. Definitely creepy but overall didn't love the alternate universe/futuristic part of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Detective thrillers will never be for me. Overall, Alex North has really good premises and I always want to like his books but something in me just doesn't let me look past the detective. I am always so much less engaged in a thriller when it is someone who is supposed to be trained to handle these situations who keeps making mistakes.

Was this review helpful?

HUGE fan of Alex North!!! I love all of his books and this one did not disappoint! Will be reading again and will recommend! I love how everything ties together so well at the end. You really get to know and understand the characters.

Was this review helpful?

2/5

I found this book very confusing. There were a lot of POVs, characters, and aliases. There was a great premise, but just missed the mark for me.

Was this review helpful?

This story was good and I liked the concept but it lacked atmosphere and depth. I never really got into the story or the characters. I guess my expectations were set too high after reading Whispers.

Was this review helpful?

This book was just ok for me. From the very first page I was drawn in, and even though I enjoyed it at times it was confusing. I am an Alex North fan so I will continue reading his books. Thank you Netgalley and Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

The Angel Maker was my first Alex North book. While it was intriguing and kept me wanting to read to see what was going to happen, it was a bit confusing for me. I wasn't able to keep the characters straight, so that made it difficult at times, and I REALLY wanted to know what was in that book!

I'll try another of his books, as I've heard good things!

Thank you, Celadon Books, for my review copy!

Was this review helpful?

This book was just okay to me. Don't let my opinion stop you from reading it because I really loved The Whisper Man. This one just wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?