Well that's how you open a novel!

This sampler included the prologue and part one of The Angel Maker and I had forgotten just how brilliant Alex North is. His books are the perfect blend of thriller with horror/supernatural elements, and even though there wasn't too much to go on in this first section, I can already tell that this is going to be another epic story. The prologue ended with an absolute shocker, and there are some very creepy storylines being set up so far.

I cannot wait to read the rest!

This was a great teaser that immediately grabs your interest and then slows the pace down to unveil the story. I have enjoyed all of Alex North's books and I am looking forward to this one also.

What a gorgeous book! I got the audio book, so I had the privilege of listening to the entire book, and this is my favorite of his so far. Thank you for this sampler to try it out!

A sister's love and guilt.
A brother at a crossroads.
A mysterious, yet anticipated death.
Two detectives on the trail.

All of these elements-and more-drive this story to hit the ground running. As soon as I read the prologue I was scurrying to put this book on hold at my local library.

With some pieces of a complicated puzzle laid out in the first seven chapters-and a vague idea of how it all is going to fit together-the pacing was terrific and the tension was built-in and created a thrilling momentum. I cannot wait to pick up where I left off!

Thank you to Celadon Books via NetGalley for a chapter sampler of The Angelmaker. All opinions are my own.

Alex North's latest thriller is as dark and mystical as his first two books. Katie lives with a guilt that she couldn't protect her teenage brother Chris from the attack of a mentally ill person. Years later, Katie is married and has a three-year old daughter. Her happy life is shaken when she realizes someone may be watching her family.

The story grabs you from the beginning when Chris, a quiet boy, is brutally attacked in front of his home. I couldn't help but sympathize with Katie who already feels unloved by her parents and carriers a huge responsibility to care for her brother.

But then the story drops its pace and slowly advances forward. We see multiple POVs, multiple timelines and new characters being introduced. It took a minute to keep everything straight, but the writing style was beautiful, and a little story-hopping didn't get in the way of me enjoying the narrative.

Philosophical determinism is the core of the story, and past and present intertwine. Be prepared for the elements of horror and paranormal which is the author's signature style. The story has many twists and turns and about 70% into the book, it was driving me crazy, I wasn't anywhere near figuring out the connection between the Lock family of the past and Katie's brother. But questions get answered in the end and the story ties together with a bit of a sigh of relief ending.

Although this book contains a great deal of philosophical reasoning, it's suspenseful and atmospheric. Pay attention to the characters entering the scene and enjoy figuiring out their connections. 4.5/5 stars from me.

Alan Hobbes can feel death coming; there’s nothing to do but just wait for it to happen. He knows it will be tonight, so he spends his time thinking about those he doesn’t know yet and never will, but feels like he already knows: Katie Shaw, Detective Laurence Page and Christopher Shaw. All who have no idea that their time is coming..

This book sounds right up my alley! I’m sad I only got the first 50ish pages but I definitely want to finish the rest now!
To be honest there were multiple POV and timelines and it was never clear which one you were reading. I got a little bit confused at times trying to keep it all straight. It’s definitely one of those intricate puzzle books where you need a notebook to keep track of everything going on 😜
I really enjoy illustrations in books! There was an illustration at the top of every chapter and it makes my brain so happy to see that, it’s brings me right back to my childhood reading picture books. It’s also very pleasing to the eye instead of just black text on every page.

really enjoy this sample! Of course, I love to have a longer teaser but I found it's also very effective and makes me want to know what happens next. 🚗 Luckily I was approved for the audio and starting that one to find out. Thank you so much Celadon Books for this copy!

I was so sad that this was just a chapter sampler. I cannot wait to read this whole book. Alex is always writing books that make me frantically turn the pages. Loved this little excerpt.

While this chapter sampler only provided the first 60 pages or so, The Angel Maker is definitely a book that I would like to read and finish.

Following main character Katie Shaw, this book is about her missing brother who could potentially be in trouble. The book also follows detective Laurence Page who is investigating a gruesome murder that Katie’s brother is tangled up in.

The first 60 pages provided enough intrigue and mystery to enthrall me and hold my attention. There are the seeds of several backstories, tragedies, and secrets to thoroughly engross the reader and keep them coming back for more.

My only real (and very small) critique from these first chapters are about Katie’s behaviors as a teacher. I might be biased because I actually am a teacher, but I found Katie’s actions of going to a student’s house to discuss his poor attendance with his mother completely unrealistic.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gory fiction, mysteries, or thrillers. You have to be okay with reading descriptions of brutal attacks and killings, but if you are (like me), then this could end up being your next favorite book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher I was able to read a Chapter Sampler (7 chapters) ahead of its publication date.

So far the story receives 3.5 stars from me. It takes a moment to wrap your head around the multiple characters that are all introduced in the first few chapters, and at this point this story could end up really good, or not great at all. One of the characters already annoys me, which is not a great sign. On the other hand, the first few chapters include some (albeit minor) creepy moments, enough to keep me thinking that this could really go somewhere. I may end up getting this book if it is release as a Book of the Month club selection, but am not fully convinced yet that it will fully entertain me. For now, I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt.

“A dark, suspenseful new thriller about the mysteries of fate, the unbreakable bond of siblings, and a notorious serial killer who was said to know the future.“

This in not my usual fare, but I’m glad I dipped my toe into the Thriller/Mystery genre.

The story itself was fairly convoluted, with lots of timelines and characters and points of view.

I enjoyed the different familial relationships – parent/child, siblings, spouses – and was happy with how several of them were resolved.

I also liked that, while this book is considered Horror, it wasn’t GROSS. I mean, it wasn’t a HAPPY tale, but the author didn’t revel in the literary blood-lust that some do.

For that I am eternally grateful.

The things I liked most, however, was all the philosophical talk of Free Will vs Determinism, and the question of whether or not the killer can see the future. There’s something nice about some of the parts of the story being left unresolved.

Lots of gristly bits on which to chew.

I’ve heard good things about his other book, The Whisper Man, so I’ll check that one out next.

7/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for this creepy ARC.

Of the excerpt I’ve read of this, this seems like an intense book!

I liked what I read of it. Super interesting and I wonder where the rest of the story goes from here!

Excited for the full book to come out soon. Not very excited that I have to keep waiting for it but oh well.

The first few chapters just grab your attention and can't stop reading. So far I am enjoying the main characters. I can't wait to read the whole book.

This sampler has me impatients to hold the novel in my hands. I am a fan of Alex north and Idaresay if the rest of the book keeps to te same standard as the sampler then he has done it again. It will be a winner when it is published.

This chapter sampler really hooked me so I can't wait to read the full book. I enjoyed the author's previous book so I'm sure I'll enjoy this one as well.

This sampler definitely grabbed my attention! I've never been a massive thriller fan, but am trying to branch out in 2023 and this absolutely helped me with that, and I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to pick up the full book and find out what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC chapter sampler of The Angel Maker.

This sample got my full attention. It has a super unique plot involving a serial killer who is said to know the future. I can't wait to read the full book because I'm full invested in the story already.

Alex North - The Angel Maker

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC excerpt of the 1st part of this novel.

Interesting serial killer thriller that delves into the history and past of another serial killer who believed in predestination. An intelligently written thriller that touches on other philosophical questions such as "nature versus nurture" and issues of murder in some unique ways that delve beyond your "average" mystery.

Until next time...

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an excerpt on Netgalley! I’m intrigued by the premise of North’s newest book and am eagerly awaiting it’s release at the end of the month