I enjoy Alex North and his approach to thrillers. The Whisper Man was one of the best books I read a couple of years ago. The Shadows was just a notch or two below his debut novel. The Angel Maker is in between and will be a “love it or meh” to readers in 2023.
Katie Shaw is a protective big sister to Chris when they are youngsters. Unfortunately young Chris becomes the victim of a vicious attack that shapes both his and Katie’s future. Decades later, Katie, not surprisingly a helicopter mother herself, receives a phone call that Chris has disappeared. What starts as a sister searching for her brother quickly links to the traumatic incident from their past. Enter Detective Laurence Page who, while investigating the murder of a university professor, sees a connection between Chris’s assault and a serial killer still on the loose.
Without giving away too much of the story let me just say the book contains a fair bit of philosophical wandering, the paranormal, a stalker, and lots of plot twists along the way. Katie, while determined to find Chris, reminded me somewhat of Stephanie Plum—bumbling her way along to solve a mystery. In my opinion the book is a real challenge to read and keep the plot and characters straight, entertaining in parts and a bit too choppy with so many subplots. The quick wrap-up in the final chapters was a surprise as well. Regardless, Alex North is always worth a read.
Katie Shaw is a protective big sister to Chris when they are youngsters. Unfortunately young Chris becomes the victim of a vicious attack that shapes both his and Katie’s future. Decades later, Katie, not surprisingly a helicopter mother herself, receives a phone call that Chris has disappeared. What starts as a sister searching for her brother quickly links to the traumatic incident from their past. Enter Detective Laurence Page who, while investigating the murder of a university professor, sees a connection between Chris’s assault and a serial killer still on the loose.
Without giving away too much of the story let me just say the book contains a fair bit of philosophical wandering, the paranormal, a stalker, and lots of plot twists along the way. Katie, while determined to find Chris, reminded me somewhat of Stephanie Plum—bumbling her way along to solve a mystery. In my opinion the book is a real challenge to read and keep the plot and characters straight, entertaining in parts and a bit too choppy with so many subplots. The quick wrap-up in the final chapters was a surprise as well. Regardless, Alex North is always worth a read.