Book Review: Peter Miles has to Die

Title: Peter Miles has to Die

Author: Katie Collom

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Collom's debut thriller packs a punch. It explores the deadly consequences of vigilante justice. The premise is deliciously unsettling—three friends commit what they believe is the perfect murder, only to discover that revenge comes with a soul-crushing price tag.

The narrative dances between the sweltering late '90s Texas setting where the murder occurs and the cold, unforgiving walls of the state penitentiary in the early 2000s. What haunted me wasn't figuring out who killed the corrupt cop—we know that from the start—but watching guilt slowly devour the characters from within as they realize there's no escaping what they've done. This structural choice creates a fascinating psychological exploration of how guilt affects each character differently in the aftermath of their violent act.

Against a backdrop of law enforcement sexism and discrimination, the story builds to a genuinely shocking twist that I never saw coming, leaving me both satisfied and disturbed in equal measure. 

A big thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The Man Made of Smoke

Title: The Man Made of Smoke

Author: Alex North

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publication Date: May 13, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Alex North's haunting psychological thriller that crept under my skin from the first chapter. It expertly blends childhood trauma with present-day mystery. The book introduces us to Dan Garvie, whose life has been shaped by a childhood brush with a serial killer that continues to haunt him into adulthood. When Dan returns to his small island community following his father's suspicious death, the narrative takes us on a journey that questions whether the monster from his past has returned. I found myself pulled into a world where past trauma bleeds into present danger.

While I initially struggled with the shifting timelines and perspectives without clear signposting, the disorientation soon gave way to appreciation for North's clever storytelling technique. The novel doesn't just tell you about trauma—it makes you feel it through its very structure.

Just when I thought I had the mystery solved and the killer identified, North delivered a surprising twist that left me stunned. North demonstrates a particular talent for weaving psychological insight into the fabric of the mystery, creating characters whose motivations feel authentic even as they surprise us.

Despite some initial challenges navigating the narrative, I found that persistence was amply rewarded with a thriller that delivers both emotional resonance and genuine surprise. For fans of psychological suspense with heart, "The Man Made of Smoke" is a compelling read.

A big thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.