Author guide

Alex North Books in Order

Alex North is the pen name used by British crime writer Steve Mosby. He studied philosophy at the University of Leeds and worked in its sociology department before becoming a full-time author. Writing as Alex North, he made his debut with The Whisper Man, an international bestseller published in more than thirty languages. He lives in Leeds with his wife and son.

crime fictionpsychological thrillermysteryhorror

Catalog record updated August 25, 2026.

Alex North's Newest Book

The Man Made of Smoke

novel · First published 2025

"Fans of Thomas Harris will be creeped out by North’s hair-raising antagonist... This is a winner." —Publishers Weekly The latest gripping serial killer thriller from the New York Times bestselling author Alex North. Dan Garvie’s life has been haunted by the crime he witnessed as a child—narrowly escaping an encounter with a notorious serial killer. He has dedicated his life since to becoming a criminal profiler, eager to seek justice for innocent victims. So when his father passes away under suspicious circumstances, Dan revisits his small island community, determined to uncover the truth about his death. Is it possible that the monster he remembers from his childhood nightmares has returned after all these years? With his signature shock and suspense, Alex North brings us The Man Made of Smoke. In turn emotional, introspective, and utterly terrifying, this is a story of fathers and sons, shadows and secrets, and the fight we all face to escape the trauma of the past.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

The Whisper Man

The debut novel published under the Alex North name and a representative standalone thriller.

Outside the series

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Novels (4)

The Whisper Man
novel · 2019

In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town. After the sudden death of his wife, Tom…
The Shadow Friend
novel · 2020

Twenty-five years ago, troubled teenager Charlie Crabtree committed a shocking and unprovoked murder. On the darkest corners of the internet, plenty of people still remember what happened- Charlie's crime has attracted a dark infamy,…
The Half Burnt House
novel · 2023

Katie always prided herself on being a responsible big sister - until she left her brother Chris alone for one selfish afternoon, and everything fell apart. Although he survived the attack, the scars ran deep - physical, and emotional.…
The Man Made of Smoke
novel · 2025

"Fans of Thomas Harris will be creeped out by North’s hair-raising antagonist... This is a winner." —Publishers Weekly The latest gripping serial killer thriller from the New York Times bestselling author Alex North. Dan Garvie’s life has…

Frequently asked questions about Alex North

Is Alex North a real name or a pen name?

Alex North is the pen name of British crime writer Steve Mosby. He uses it for his psychological-thriller fiction.

Source: alexnorth.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

Where does Alex North live?

Alex North, whose real name is Steve Mosby, lives in Leeds, England, with his wife and son.

Source: alexnorth.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

What did Alex North do before becoming a full-time author?

He studied philosophy at the University of Leeds, worked in its Department of Sociology and Social Policy, and published ten crime novels as Steve Mosby before writing as Alex North.

Source: alexnorth.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

Which writers have influenced Alex North?

North has cited Diana Wynne Jones, Stephen King, and Mo Hayder among his important influences, along with other horror and crime writers.

Source: thebigthrill.org (opens in a new tab)

Has Alex North won any major crime-writing awards?

Yes. Under his Steve Mosby name, he won the Crime Writers’ Association’s Dagger in the Library in 2012; as Alex North, The Whisper Man was shortlisted for the 2020 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger.

Sources: thecwa.co.uk (opens in a new tab)thecwa.co.uk (opens in a new tab)