The Angel Maker by Alex North
Alex North has been described as the “Master of Suspense” — and it’s a worthy title. With his third novel, The Angel Maker (Celadon Books), we explore a dark story that dives into the bond between two siblings and the mystery of a notorious serial killer who is intertwined with their fate.
Katie Shaw lived a quiet yet charmed life with her parents, younger brother Chris and her devoted boyfriend. Like most people who grew up in a tiny town, her dreams were big. With graduation right around the corner, she faced the uncertainty of life ahead … until tragedy struck, and her family was forever changed. Fate, as it would seem.
Years later, her close relationship with her brother has deteriorated and she is racked with guilt over the horrific attack that her brother experienced. And now that she is married with a young daughter, she struggles to decipher reality from her fears as she aims to protect her family. When she gets a call that Chris has gone missing, fate takes hold and she springs into action.
Detective Laurence Page is investigating a horrific crime at the same time. Alan Hobbes, a distinguished professor who explores fate vs. free will has been brutally murdered. And as fate would have it, the only viable leads are the attack on teenage Christopher Shaw and crimes of a notorious serial killer who, legend had it, could see the future.
Spins a Clever Web of Plot Points
As with his previous books, Alex North had me on the edge of my seat from the opening line. He has managed to connect every character and every plot point in truly unimaginable ways.
Fate is a central theme throughout this book, and it really causes you to wonder if all paths in life are connected. And selfishly, this threw me for a loop as I started to reflect on all of the different choices I’ve made in my life and whether I thought fate had a hand in guiding me through life thus far.
Professor Hobbes seems to have been clued into his future, understanding what needed to be done in order to reach some end goal that’s obscured from the reader until the end of the story. But they say, “Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing,” and this story had me questioning that at every turn. With rumours that a notorious serial killer in the area used to have the ability to see the future, and the knowledge that Hobbes may or may not be connected in some way, you are forced to question what you believe.
Additionally, we see the unbreakable bond between siblings and family — both the families you choose and those you’re born into. No matter how much time passes or what hardships you’ve gone through, love remains. Guilt can also be an incredible driving force behind actions and decisions, conscious or otherwise.
Horror and Suspense That Isn’t Too Graphic
While this book has some gore and horror, what I really appreciated is that the serial killer’s crimes were not described in detail. There are whispers throughout this book of child abuse, murder and more, but without giving anything away — there are limited details. Some may find this frustrating; I however, found this refreshing. There is enough horror in the world; sometimes things are best left unsaid.
The Angel Maker is terrifying, thought provoking and thrilling. It’s a must read if you love a good mystery, and once again, Alex North knocked it out of the park. HIGHLY recommend.
About Alex North:
Alex North is the internationally bestselling author of The Whisper Man and The Shadows. He lives in Leeds, England, with his wife and son, and is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name.
