The man made of smoke

by Steve Mosby

First published 2025

Daniel Garvy witnessed a terrible crime as a child and barely escaped a notorious killer. The trauma shaped his life. He became a psychiatrist who searches criminal minds for their motives, dedicating himself to solving the darkest crimes. When his father dies suddenly under suspicious circumstances, Daniel returns to the small island community where he grew up. He wants to discover the truth about his father's death. The island holds secrets that never surfaced before. Daniel faces a question that torments him: has the monster from his nightmares actually returned? His investigation uncovers hidden connections between past and present. The story explores the relationship between fathers and sons while Daniel fights to escape the trauma of his past. He must confront both old fears and new dangers as he searches for answers about his father's mysterious death.

Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, psychological-thriller

Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: psychological-suspense, unreliable-narrator

Setting: Small Island Community

Period: Contemporary

400 pages · Paperback · PENGUIN

Content warnings: mental-illness

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