Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Synopsis:
How well do you really know your neighbors?
Klaus Fischer has been murdering women for years, and most of them are buried in his woodsy backyard on a quiet, lonely cul-de-sac in northern California, away from prying eyes. Klaus wants to quit the killing game but is finding it incredibly difficult, and when he finally encounters his neighbor, widow Peg Jurgensen, he decides she’ll be a perfect final victim before he retires for good.
While Klaus circles his prey, the arrival of a new family on the cul-de-sac – the first new residents in years – generates plenty of excitement, particularly from Peg. She’s especially enthused about Eliza, the teenage member of the van Damal clan, who’s trying to make friends in her new school while struggling with math. On a lark, Eliza turns to another neighbor, the troubled Alex, a shut-in who suffers from a mysterious disability, convincing him to become her math tutor.
It isn’t long before it becomes clear that Klaus isn’t the only one on the cul-de-sac with secrets he doesn’t want revealed, but none of that can stop Klaus’s bloodlust from finally boiling over on one fateful night. And that’s when things on the cul-de-sac get really weird.
The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these neighbors trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street?
My Review:
I’ve read many thrillers and murder mystery novels, but only one psychological thriller (years ago) yet it still sticks in my mind. How can anyone forget a novel so well written with excellent plot execution? I’m sure I’ll feel the same way about The Cul-de-sac for years to come.
The Cul-de-sac by Christopher Null is a psychological serial killer novel that left me shocked with its twists and turns. Eliza’s family moved from the city to the suburbs. Her neighbors in the cul-de-sac were not who they seemed to be.
The first thing I loved about the book is the multiple POV. It gave me more depth about the main characters and made the story even more interesting. I appreciate the author for including chapters from the killer’s POV right from the beginning, rather than near the end like most books do.
The plot kept me engaged until the end. I love how the story is not dependent on only one character. There are these four main characters: Eliza, her neighbors Peg and Alex, and the killer Klaus. They all have been given equal importance throughout the story.
I love Eliza’s character. She felt so realistic. She reacted exactly how a fifteen-year-old girl would react to all the things that were happening around her. Her curious yet fearful reactions were portrayed really well, making her character even more believable.
Eliza’s friend Jean’s mother treated her poorly, and I appreciate the author for addressing themes like parental abuse. Her story runs alongside the main plot, making it more engaging. The most interesting POV among all is Detective Rachel’s, as it shows how she handles a disappearance case, piecing together clues to uncover the truth.
The backstory of Alex and Peg added depth to the characters. My favorite character in the book is Alex because he is caring, always willing to help others, and also quite funny. Klaus’s predatory nature was so scary to read. His POV reminds me of Joe from the TV show ‘You.’ However, I appreciate the author for not justifying Klaus’s action by giving him a very sad backstory and not convincing readers that his soul deserves redemption. He was just a raw, not-good-for-the-world character whom I absolutely hate.
The only thing I didn’t like was the POV of Eliza’s dad. His chapters focused on his efforts to be a good father and his struggles with work-life balance. If the book had only two POVs and his was an add-on, it would have been fine. But with seven POVs already, this one felt unnecessary.
The twist in the middle of the novel was so unexpected that I still haven’t recovered from the shock. The story took a sharp turn and kept me on the edge until the climax. The cliffhanger left me wanting more and eager for the next book.
The book touches on themes like parental abuse, living alone in old age, and the complexity of human nature, making the story even more compelling. If you love unbelievable twists and turn in a psychological thriller then this book is a must-read. I absolutely loved The Cul-de-sac. When the next book releases in six months or a year, I know I will remember the whole story, not just that I loved it, because that is how much this story left me shocked.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 5
Book links:
Goodreads | Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Barnes & Noble
About the author:
Christopher Null is an award-winning writer best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of the websites Filmcritic.com and Drinkhacker. A working journalist and editor for more than two decades, he was the founding editor of Mobile PC Magazine and today regularly contributes to WIRED.
Null’s first novel, Half Mast, arrived in bookstores in 2002 and was heralded as “the best of contemporary American fiction” by the New York Resident. His 2005 book, Five Stars!, a how-to guide for aspiring film critics, is often used as a textbook for film criticism curriculum at a number of colleges and universities. It was reissued in 2013 in its second edition. His latest novel, The Cul-de-sac, arrives in February 2025.
Author links:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram
*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book. I was compensated for the time and effort required to read and review the book, but my opinions remain honest and unaffected.*
Deepireads 