The Angel Maker by Alex North
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
When I read The Whisper Man in January of 2020, I was so impressed. It was everything I wanted in a Crime Thriller. It was gritty, eerie, sordid and compelling.
That book single-handedly sealed the fate of my future with this author. I would anxiously await and then eagerly pick up all his new releases.
I ended up really enjoying The Shadows as well. Thus, when I heard about this book, North’s most recent release, The Angel Maker, I was over the moon with anticipation.
Sadly, this one ended up being a complete miss for me.
I listened to the audiobook and starting out, I was so jazzed. The narration was great and I was stoked to be getting early access to North’s new book.
The next thing I know, I am 20% in and I have NO CLUE what is happening, who anyone is, or what I am supposed to care about. I can recall the very beginning though, that was interesting and it did stick with me.
A teen girl, who is supposed to walk her brother home from school, chooses not to in lieu of spending some private time with her boyfriend. When she arrives home to police cars, lights and an active investigation, she’s horrified to learn her kid brother had been viciously attacked.
Katie and Chris were the siblings. Here I am at the end of the novel and those are the only two characters I would be able to talk about with any confidence at all. I cannot name one other character.
I couldn’t follow this plot to save my life. It apparently required way more concentration than I was willing to give it. I didn’t care at all. There were so many characters, none of which I felt were developed, besides Katie. After the 60%-point, I just wanted it to end and here we are.
With this being said, I am very aware that I am in the minority opinion on this one. There are so many people who read this and absolutely loved it.
Therefore, do not take my opinion on this one as anything more than what it is: one Reader’s jilted opinion.
Please note, even though this didn’t work for me, I still think that Alex North is an incredible author and I will continue to pick up all his future novels.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Celadon and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
I appreciate the opportunity to provide my opinion and look forward to seeing what North comes up with next.