I really enjoyed this book. This is second book that I read by Alex North and I I am so glad that I didn't listen to the nay sayers. I think that marketing it a horror is a bit off. This was an incredibly well written thriller. It had me on my toes the whole time. I loves all the twists and turns and was SO GLAD that Katie's husband wasn't a total dick, like he was playing out to be. Looking forward to reading more by North.

The Angel Maker by Alex North dives into a world of fate, obsession, and chilling family secrets, wrapped in the author’s signature dark and atmospheric style. The premise is intriguing, blending philosophical questions with a haunting mystery, and North’s writing creates an unsettling, eerie tone throughout.

However, despite its strong setup, the story struggles with pacing and overly complex plotlines that can feel convoluted. The characters lack emotional depth, making it hard to fully invest in their journeys, and some twists feel more confusing than clever.

2.5 stars — an ambitious thriller with a haunting atmosphere, but its tangled plot and underdeveloped characters leave it feeling flat. A hit-or-miss read depending on your taste for layered, philosophical mysteries.

The Angel Maker by Alex North
Publication date: February 28, 2023

Date read: November 16, 2024

Audiobook read by Rosalie Craig



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, still unable to live down the guilt surrounding what happened to her brother, Chris, and now with a child of her own to protect, 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 particularly gruesome crime. A distinguished 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.

This is my first mystery by Alex North; I've heard mixed reviews of his books, and while I can see where the reviews are coming from, I really enjoyed this one.

The one difficulty of this book is that there are a lot of characters to keep in order. The book jumps around from present day with Katie and the Detective to a past storyline with the serial killer. They do all tie together quite well, but I did find that keeping track of some of the characters did get a little tricky. Particularly, one storyline involving two babies, I found slightly hard to follow, although by the end I did know what was going on. I do, however, want to add the disclaimer that I did read this in audiobook format, and that some of the slightly confusing bits may have been easier to follow if I had been reading it on the page.

I also really enjoyed the slightly open-ended nature of the ending. While all of the major plot points are tied up and explained, the question about whether or not the killer could actually know the future is a little more vague. I wish I could elaborate here, but that would lead to spoilers, and I think it's more fun to follow along blind.

The characters were sometimes frustrating in this book, but in the way that many mystery book characters are: making stupid choices and keeping stupid secrets. Katie in particular did a lot of things that annoyed me, but I liked her more than I disliked her. And I thought the secondary character were all quite interesting.

Overall, this is a slightly heavy but fun mystery/thriller that I do recommend to fans of this genre. The large number of characters and storylines to follow do make it a slightly slower read than many in the thriller genre, but I thought the payoff was worth it. I'll definitely be reading more by this author soon.

Content warning: child murder, suicide, drug addiction, child abduction

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

A gripping, multi-layered thriller about a serial killer and the ripple effects of his crimes years later. North blends psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, keeping the tension high throughout. The twists are smart, and the characters are deeply compelling. If you like dark, complex mysteries, this is a winner.

Thank you, NetGalley and Publishers, for this audio book for an honest review.

This was a quick listen, and the narrator, Rosalie Craig, did a great job. This book goes back and forth in the time frames and had multiple points of view. This was something that I didn't care for due to getting so mixed up in the book. I honestly didn't have any connection and / or cared for the characters.

Not sure what category this book would fall under. It is a thriller with some elements of horror, the supernatural and religion. It was so different. It reminded me of Stephen King.
I couldn't put this book down. Not because I was super invested characters, but because the story was intriguing. Definitely tense and well written.
This is one of those rare books that I wish were longer. I liked the characters, but wished there had been more background and development with them.
I gave Angel Maker five stars. Praise to North for writing an original, well thought out novel.

Fate, Siblings, and a Serial Killer

The Angel Maker by Alex North is a dark, suspenseful thriller that dives deep into the mysteries of fate and the unbreakable bonds of siblings. The story revolves around Katie Shaw, who is haunted by the traumatic attack on her brother, Chris, years ago. Now a married mother, Katie's past resurfaces when a distinguished professor of fate and free will is brutally murdered.

Evaluation
Overall, The Angel Maker stands out as a cerebral and compelling addition to the thriller genre. Alex North's exploration of fate, family, and the human psyche is both engaging and unsettling. The novel's intricate plot and rich character development make it a must-read for fans of dark, thought-provoking thrillers. However, readers should be prepared for a story that demands attention to detail and a willingness to navigate its complex narrative structure.

In conclusion, The Angel Maker is a testament to Alex North's ability to craft a suspenseful and intellectually stimulating story. Its strengths lie in its thematic depth, character complexity, and the author's adept storytelling. Despite its intricate plot, the novel offers a rewarding experience for those who appreciate a well-crafted thriller.

From Goodreads (02.28.2023).

I actually did the audio/physical and I have to say...OMG. I need to do this all over again, because it was so good. Actually, I need to go back and re-read all of Alex North's books, because they are so good and I enjoy them so much.

I think this may have been the fastest I've ever gone through a book. I got it last night and finished it the next morning. It was just so good. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen.

After finishing the book and re-reading the last chapter, there is a lot to wrap my head around. Like all North books, it takes a few days to truly absorb what he has created. It's a bit like a mind-blowing moment and you're trying to wrap your head around all of the various meanings of what just happened, because so many things happened all at once, and there were so many different meanings to it all. That's what I love about North's books. It stays with you long after you close the cover of the book.

That's why I feel like I need to go back and re-read it, because I want to make sure I truly grasped everything, because it was just so mind-blowing (and good).

[Update: After posting this review, I actually read the book 2x in a 24 hour period. I just felt like I needed to re-live how amazing this book was.]

Sorry for the late review. I don't always post these reviews through Netgalley.

I stayed rather confused while reading this book so did not find it enjoyable at all. I actually could not finish it. Nothing against the author, but it's just not my type of book.

Thanks for Netgalley for an Arc for an honest review.

I honestly wanted to love this book so badly because The Whisper Man holds a special place in my heart and is still one of the best and creepiest crime books I've ever read--however, I just couldn't really get into it the way that I wanted and found myself to be confused for most of it.

The story, and the different perspectives and timelines were extremely confusing and hard to keep track of. I found myself having to re-read and re-listen to different parts in order to understand the story, and doing that really made me lose my interest in the stiry. I also really struggled to get into the narrator's story-telling, and found her voice to be distracting and annoying, at times.

I honestly just think that there was too much going on here and, even though I wanted to, just could not get into the story the way that I hoped. By the end, which took time to get to for me, I wasn't left with any grulling questions--but I also wonder if there are things that I missed because it was such a struggle for me to read, and stay invested in.

2.5 rounded up.

Unfortunately I did not like this book. I often found it confusing to keep up with. Primarily with the storylines. I did enjoy the ending though as I did not expect it.

4.5! Fantastic! I was so excited to get an early copy of this because I’m a huge fan of The Whisper Man. This was thrilling. Really engaging and interesting. A lot of characters and moving timelines to keep track of which isn’t my favorite, but necessary to get the full picture. Loved the narration and the book itself was a page turner. Atmospheric, really gives you the creepies and felt fear and anxiety for these characters and the strange situation they’ve found themselves in. Would absolutely recommend.


Thanks NetGalley for the audio ARC!

Alex North is slowly cementing himself as an author I enjoy. I really like my thrillers to be more crime/detective elements, and The Angel Maker didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. With a pretty satisfying ending, this next published work solidifies North as a master storyteller.

As much as I wanted to love this book after his others, it fell short for me. The multiple characters and point of views made it clunky and hard to follow. The narrator did a good job of keeping it moving but he couldn't improve the story.

I was really excited to listen to this audiobook. I enjoyed how the story unfolded. The author was able to keep the story moving at a pace that kept me guessing what was going to happen next.

This was a dnf for me sorry.. I just could not get into it but thank you for the opportunity to give it a try

I was really excited to read this book as I love Alex North, but it just wasn't the same quality as the rest of the books. The writing style was choppy and messy. I struggled through this more than I would like to admit. No matter how hard I tried to follow along, I was unable to fully grasp what was going on. I finished it....barely....

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a mess! I kind of can't believe I pushed through to the incredibly sloppy end.

The narrator on the audiobook did do a great job, so the stars are all for Rosalie Craig.

Thank you to Celadon books for an audiobook arc of this title.

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

Title: An Unsettling Symphony of Suspense: "The Angel Maker" by Alex North

Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Angel Maker" by Alex North, presented in audiobook format, is a spine-chilling masterpiece that weaves a web of suspense, darkness, and the haunting echoes of the past. North's narrative prowess, coupled with an immersive auditory experience, creates a captivating thriller that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

The audiobook benefits greatly from a skilled narrator who adeptly captures the atmospheric tension that permeates the novel. The pacing is expertly controlled, allowing for the gradual unfolding of the mystery and the building of suspense. The narrator's ability to convey the nuances of the characters' emotions adds depth to the storytelling, making it a truly immersive experience.

North's narrative style is a strength in itself. The story unfolds through dual timelines, seamlessly blending past and present to reveal a tapestry of secrets, tragedies, and malevolent forces at play. The use of different voices and tones for each timeline enhances the clarity of the narrative, preventing confusion and adding to the overall listening experience.

The plot of "The Angel Maker" is a gripping exploration of the dark corners of human nature and the consequences of choices made in the past. North skillfully crafts a psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of memory, guilt, and the chilling impact of childhood trauma. The twists and turns are cleverly executed, keeping listeners guessing and eager for the next revelation.

The characters in the novel are multifaceted, each harboring secrets and shadows that contribute to the overall mystery. The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the supporting cast adds layers of complexity to the narrative. North excels at creating an unsettling atmosphere, where even the seemingly ordinary is tinged with an eerie sense of foreboding.

While the resolution might feel slightly rushed for some listeners, the journey to that point is so engrossing that it doesn't detract significantly from the overall satisfaction of the story.

In conclusion, "The Angel Maker" in audiobook form is a must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers. Alex North's ability to blend suspense, psychological depth, and a touch of the supernatural, combined with a captivating narration, makes this a hauntingly memorable experience for those who dare to venture into its dark and mysterious world.