Reviews

This book was even better than the previous one! I loved Sirens last year and I knew I’ll continue reading this series. So when the sequel to it called The Smiling Man was available on NetGalley, I had to get my hands on it. And I’m glad I did! In Sirens, I neither like our protagonist Aidan Waits nor did I hate him. He’s the perfect example of anti-hero. But in The Smiling Man, I absolutely loved him and felt for him. Not for a moment did I want to leave him alone. I was way more invested in this book than Sirens. The plot was way more complicated, with four plots running parallel and all converging in the third act. And what’s more, each one of the plots were equally important. You couldn’t have done away with any of them. The writing was crisp and easy flowing than the previous book, which is a major plus point. The third act was an absolute blast! I was at the edge of the seat, reading as fast as my eyes could run across the text. I hope to see more of Waits whenever he is ready.

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5.0

The Smiling Man by Joseph Knox is the second mystery in the Detective Aidan Waits series. The detective has been assigned to nightshift duty due to previous problems with drug abuse and temper control. His senior partner is Sully Sutcliffe, who is putting up with him until he either quits or gets fired. Nothing good is expected from Aidan Waits. The pair are called to answer a break-in alarm at an empty hotel in Manchester. Upon investigation, the detectives find an unconscious security guard and a dead body in one of the rooms. The body was dressed in clothing without labels, his fingerprints and teeth had been removed and the corpse was smiling. The identity of this man seems impossible to establish. Aidan Waits, who is expected to self-destruct anyways, takes on the case with great interest and drive. There are numerous characters in this book but the story is fascinating to follow. You will never be able to predict what is on the next page. I also look forward to reading Sirens, the first in the series by Joseph Knox. Pick up a copy of The Smiling Man and settle in for a great read. Thank you to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.