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The Cul-de-sac
How well do you really know your neighbors?
Veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer is determined that his most recent murder will be his last, but like many retirements, this one isn’t sticking. No one has come close to suspecting he’s buried the victims on his quiet suburban California cul-de-sac property—but he’s feeling the urge to kill again, and this time he’s set his sights on a target dangerously close to home.
Widowed Peg Jurgensen has lived on the cul-de-sac for the past fifteen years, and she’s ready to shed her doldrums and re-enter the world around her. And where better to start than with mothering the curious young teen Eliza van Damal, whose family just moved to the cul-de-sac in order to expose their daughter to a better life.
Eliza, however, prefers to coerce the enigmatic hermit next door, Alex, into helping her pass math. Alex wishes the lot of them would disappear.
The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these residents trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street?
Fans of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner will love this domestic thriller filled with dark secrets and dangers lurking in a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood...
Veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer is determined that his most recent murder will be his last, but like many retirements, this one isn’t sticking. No one has come close to suspecting he’s buried the victims on his quiet suburban California cul-de-sac property—but he’s feeling the urge to kill again, and this time he’s set his sights on a target dangerously close to home.
Widowed Peg Jurgensen has lived on the cul-de-sac for the past fifteen years, and she’s ready to shed her doldrums and re-enter the world around her. And where better to start than with mothering the curious young teen Eliza van Damal, whose family just moved to the cul-de-sac in order to expose their daughter to a better life.
Eliza, however, prefers to coerce the enigmatic hermit next door, Alex, into helping her pass math. Alex wishes the lot of them would disappear.
The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these residents trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street?
Fans of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner will love this domestic thriller filled with dark secrets and dangers lurking in a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood...
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2025
34 people are currently reading
4653 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Null
5 books45 followersChristopher 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
February 13, 2025
This was a book that I was really looking forward to, I do love a good thriller that has me thinking, but this one has many points of view and I found it hard to get into but in saying that it did intrigue me with how on earth this story would work out and I continued to read to get the answers, meeting the residents of the Cul-de-sac, mmm.
Klaus, has lived there for many years and is a serial killer but he is thinking this last murder will be his last but will it.
Peg is a widower and lived here for fifteen years and is thrilled when a new family move in with a teenage daughter.
Alex, do we really get to know him, we know he has medical problems.
Eliza is fourteen and has just moved in and is soon getting help from Alex for her maths.
After years of staying away from each other they seem to now be getting to know each other, a few are anyway, but do you ever really know anyone and when something happens to turn the Cul-de-sac upside down, how on earth will all of this turn out?
Sadly, the ending left me hanging it is not what I expected, I would have loved to have gotten some more answers.
This one wasn’t for me but I am sure that there are many who will love it.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital ARC for review.
Klaus, has lived there for many years and is a serial killer but he is thinking this last murder will be his last but will it.
Peg is a widower and lived here for fifteen years and is thrilled when a new family move in with a teenage daughter.
Alex, do we really get to know him, we know he has medical problems.
Eliza is fourteen and has just moved in and is soon getting help from Alex for her maths.
After years of staying away from each other they seem to now be getting to know each other, a few are anyway, but do you ever really know anyone and when something happens to turn the Cul-de-sac upside down, how on earth will all of this turn out?
Sadly, the ending left me hanging it is not what I expected, I would have loved to have gotten some more answers.
This one wasn’t for me but I am sure that there are many who will love it.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital ARC for review.
January 21, 2025
Oh my gosh!
This book is insane and great.
It gave me anxiety at one point, you will know what I am talking about when you read a certain chapter, and the twist at the end that I did not see coming.
I never got bored in the story, kept my attention the entire time.
Ended in a cliff hanger for sure.
I am patiently waiting to read the epilogue, I need to know more, the way this book just ended, I either need a good detailed epilogue with answers or a short story to follow.
Spoiler ahead….
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However, I would have definitely liked more of the background or the doings of Klaus. I felt so much build up there but nothing.
The ending, I thought the medical alert button Eliza’s mom recommends to Alex would have been extremely helpful in the end.
And the burnt down house next door to Peg, I feel like there’s more to the story on that since it was mentioned a few times.
This book is insane and great.
It gave me anxiety at one point, you will know what I am talking about when you read a certain chapter, and the twist at the end that I did not see coming.
I never got bored in the story, kept my attention the entire time.
Ended in a cliff hanger for sure.
I am patiently waiting to read the epilogue, I need to know more, the way this book just ended, I either need a good detailed epilogue with answers or a short story to follow.
Spoiler ahead….
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However, I would have definitely liked more of the background or the doings of Klaus. I felt so much build up there but nothing.
The ending, I thought the medical alert button Eliza’s mom recommends to Alex would have been extremely helpful in the end.
And the burnt down house next door to Peg, I feel like there’s more to the story on that since it was mentioned a few times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
"I knew these women had no one of insignificance in their lives--that's the secret to getting away with it--but still, I also knew it was not right that I should be the one to end it all for them. Knowing what's right and doing what's right, though, those are two different things."
~Klaus
A serial killer living on a quiet cul-de-sac trying to mind his own business but feeling that urge...and perhaps toward a neighbor? Well this could get interesting quickly, and it DID!
This is a deliciously dark and juicy neighborhood full of enigmatic, secretive and quirky folks. Told in a first person round robin style of six main POVs, I was sucked into the lives of these neighbors immediately! Each person from Klaus the serial killer, to Alex the shut-in, to Eliza, the exasperated young teen, was wholly unique and compelling with distinctive voices. The many viewpoints weren’t confusing or overwhelming at all. In fact, I loved all the perspectives! There was never a dull moment, despite the seemingly mundane nature of everyday life. After all, what do we REALLY know about our neighbors?
Short chapters, clever dialogue and a sense of mystery and foreboding made this a fast paced read. I thought I knew where this was going and I was WRONG. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction it took and while much of it may be implausible, in other ways it seemed entirely plausible. It definitely had me thinking. I was completely shocked by the ending and actually yelled out loud, “WHAT?!” as I flipped pages back and forth in disbelief! I’m still unsure how I feel about it.
Christopher Null showcases the human condition in the backdrop of an atmospheric isolated neighborhood. THE CUL-DE-SAC is an interesting character study amidst a suspenseful ‘what will happen next’ thriller. If you enjoy simmering domestic dramas that teem with morally grey facets and shocking moments, don’t hesitate to grab this one!
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Thank you Christopher Null for my free copy. All thoughts are mine.
~Klaus
A serial killer living on a quiet cul-de-sac trying to mind his own business but feeling that urge...and perhaps toward a neighbor? Well this could get interesting quickly, and it DID!
This is a deliciously dark and juicy neighborhood full of enigmatic, secretive and quirky folks. Told in a first person round robin style of six main POVs, I was sucked into the lives of these neighbors immediately! Each person from Klaus the serial killer, to Alex the shut-in, to Eliza, the exasperated young teen, was wholly unique and compelling with distinctive voices. The many viewpoints weren’t confusing or overwhelming at all. In fact, I loved all the perspectives! There was never a dull moment, despite the seemingly mundane nature of everyday life. After all, what do we REALLY know about our neighbors?
Short chapters, clever dialogue and a sense of mystery and foreboding made this a fast paced read. I thought I knew where this was going and I was WRONG. I was pleasantly surprised by the direction it took and while much of it may be implausible, in other ways it seemed entirely plausible. It definitely had me thinking. I was completely shocked by the ending and actually yelled out loud, “WHAT?!” as I flipped pages back and forth in disbelief! I’m still unsure how I feel about it.
Christopher Null showcases the human condition in the backdrop of an atmospheric isolated neighborhood. THE CUL-DE-SAC is an interesting character study amidst a suspenseful ‘what will happen next’ thriller. If you enjoy simmering domestic dramas that teem with morally grey facets and shocking moments, don’t hesitate to grab this one!
____
Thank you Christopher Null for my free copy. All thoughts are mine.
March 1, 2025
In Christopher Null's riveting psychological thriller The Cul-de-Sac, the quiet facade of suburban life peels away to reveal the darkness that can lurk behind closed doors. Set in an isolated California neighborhood, this meticulously crafted novel delivers a haunting exploration of how little we truly know about the people who live just steps away from us. Through his innovative narrative structure and unflinching character studies, Null creates a microcosm of human frailty, moral ambiguity, and unexpected connections that will keep readers on edge until the final, shocking page.
A Neighborhood of Secrets
The novel's setting—a quiet, wooded cul-de-sac on the outskirts of town—becomes almost a character in itself, both physically isolating its inhabitants and symbolizing their emotional disconnection. Null brilliantly uses this confined space to amplify tension as his characters orbit each other in increasingly dangerous ways.
At the center of this orbit is Klaus Fischer, a seemingly cultured German consultant whose refined taste in wine and books conceals a monstrous secret: he's a serial killer who has buried multiple victims on his property. Unlike typical thriller villains, Klaus is contemplating retirement after his sixth murder, and Null gives us disturbing access to his methodical thought processes as he weighs whether neighbor Peg Jurgensen might become victim number seven.
Peg herself is a masterful creation—a lonely widow in her sixties who has spent fifteen years in isolation following her husband's death. Her tentative steps back into social connection lead her to two relationships that will change everything: a romantic dalliance with Klaus and a maternal bond with teenage newcomer Eliza van Damal.
Eliza has reluctantly moved to the cul-de-sac with her parents Judy and Lew, who hope suburban life will offer their daughter better opportunities. Instead, Eliza finds herself drawn to Alex, the reclusive, disabled man next door who becomes her unlikely math tutor. Alex, suffering from health issues stemming from a suicide attempt years earlier, is perhaps the novel's most complex character—damaged, caustic, and oddly empathetic.
Intricate Web of Perspectives
What elevates The Cul-de-Sac above standard thriller fare is Null's brilliant structural choice to rotate first-person perspectives with each chapter. This technique creates a kaleidoscopic view of events while building extraordinary tension. We experience:
• Klaus's chilling rationalization of his murders
• Peg's desperate loneliness and growing suspicions
• Alex's sardonic observations and fragmented memories
• Eliza's adolescent perspective as she unwittingly becomes entangled in deadly events
This narrative approach allows readers to see how each character misinterprets others' actions and intentions, creating a shifting landscape of truth where nothing is quite as it seems. When violence erupts in a key confrontation between Klaus and Peg, the rotating perspectives become even more crucial as the characters scramble to protect themselves and decide whom to trust.
The Darkness Within
The novel takes a breathtaking turn when self-defense transforms into cover-up, and Null expertly navigates the moral complexities that follow. Is Peg a victim or a calculating predator? The ambiguity is handled with remarkable nuance as she persuades Alex to help dispose of Klaus's body, unaware of the grim irony that they're burying him in his own makeshift cemetery.
When police discover not only Klaus's remains but those of multiple women including Lupe Flores (a caregiver from a neighboring house), the investigation sets off a chain reaction that reveals just how far seemingly ordinary people will go to protect themselves. The arrival of FBI agents only increases the pressure cooker atmosphere of the cul-de-sac.
Character Dynamics That Resonate
What makes Null's novel so compelling is how he crafts relationships that feel authentic even in extraordinary circumstances. The tentative friendship between Alex and Eliza provides unexpected moments of tenderness amid the growing horror. Their math tutoring sessions become a touchstone of normalcy, with Alex's curmudgeonly exterior slowly giving way to genuine concern for the girl.
Similarly, Peg's maternal instincts toward Eliza create a fascinating dynamic where protection and manipulation become increasingly difficult to distinguish. When fifteen-year-old Eliza accidentally discovers what Peg and Alex have done, the resulting three-way conspiracy forces each character to reconsider who they can trust and what they're capable of.
The secondary characters are equally well-rendered. Jean Claire, Eliza's school friend with her own troubled home life, provides a crucial outside perspective, while Detective Rachel Eisenstein methodically pieces together evidence that threatens to unravel everything.
Mastery of Pacing and Tension
Null demonstrates remarkable control over his narrative, with short chapters that propel the reader forward while gradually tightening the noose around his characters. The novel's pacing is impeccable—quiet moments of character development suddenly give way to shocking revelations and unexpected betrayals.
The writing style balances accessibility with literary craft. Consider this passage from Klaus's perspective that chillingly captures his predatory nature:
"I'm sure that most people think that it is difficult to kill a stranger and get away with it, and that's probably a good thing. If everyone was doing this, it would be utter anarchy out there. You can't just have a world where one person can kill another person at random and for no reason. No one would ever leave their house. Society would collapse. Rules are important.
But someone like me, who's just taking one here and one there, nothing crazy, it's no big deal. It's like pulling a single leaf from one of the towering oak trees that overlook the quartet in the backyard. The tree isn't damaged. Another leaf grows in its place the following year, and life moves on."
A Crescendo of Consequences
As the novel builds toward its devastating conclusion, the relationships formed on the cul-de-sac twist and fracture under pressure. The final chapters deliver a series of shocking betrayals as Peg, faced with mounting evidence against her, makes a desperate choice that readers won't see coming. The brilliance of Null's characterization is that while her actions are horrifying, they emerge organically from everything we've learned about her.
The novel's conclusion, with Eliza unlocking Alex's door to discover what awaits inside, is masterfully ambiguous. This open ending invites readers to consider what justice might look like in a situation where moral lines have been so thoroughly blurred.
Final Thoughts
The Cul-de-Sac announces Christopher Null as a significant voice in psychological suspense. While this is his second novel following his debut Half Mast, his skill at character development and plot construction suggests a writer of considerable experience and insight.
Fans of domestic thrillers like Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door or Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs will find much to appreciate here, but Null's literary ambitions elevate the novel beyond genre conventions. His exploration of suburban isolation, moral compromise, and the human capacity for both compassion and cruelty creates a reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
The Cul-de-Sac reminds us that the most dangerous secrets might not be hiding in shadowy alleys or abandoned buildings, but right next door in perfectly maintained houses on quiet, tree-lined streets. In our increasingly disconnected society, perhaps that's the most frightening revelation of all.
What Makes This Thriller Stand Out
• Rotating perspectives that create a complex, layered narrative
• Morally ambiguous characters who defy simple categorization
• Atmospheric setting that amplifies the psychological tension
• Realistic dialogue that reveals character while advancing plot
• Thoughtful exploration of isolation, aging, and unexpected connection
For readers who appreciate psychological depth with their suspense, The Cul-de-Sac offers a thought-provoking journey into the darkness that can lurk behind suburban smiles and manicured lawns. Christopher Null has crafted a neighborhood you'll never forget—even if you might think twice about which neighbors to trust after reading his remarkable novel.
A Neighborhood of Secrets
The novel's setting—a quiet, wooded cul-de-sac on the outskirts of town—becomes almost a character in itself, both physically isolating its inhabitants and symbolizing their emotional disconnection. Null brilliantly uses this confined space to amplify tension as his characters orbit each other in increasingly dangerous ways.
At the center of this orbit is Klaus Fischer, a seemingly cultured German consultant whose refined taste in wine and books conceals a monstrous secret: he's a serial killer who has buried multiple victims on his property. Unlike typical thriller villains, Klaus is contemplating retirement after his sixth murder, and Null gives us disturbing access to his methodical thought processes as he weighs whether neighbor Peg Jurgensen might become victim number seven.
Peg herself is a masterful creation—a lonely widow in her sixties who has spent fifteen years in isolation following her husband's death. Her tentative steps back into social connection lead her to two relationships that will change everything: a romantic dalliance with Klaus and a maternal bond with teenage newcomer Eliza van Damal.
Eliza has reluctantly moved to the cul-de-sac with her parents Judy and Lew, who hope suburban life will offer their daughter better opportunities. Instead, Eliza finds herself drawn to Alex, the reclusive, disabled man next door who becomes her unlikely math tutor. Alex, suffering from health issues stemming from a suicide attempt years earlier, is perhaps the novel's most complex character—damaged, caustic, and oddly empathetic.
Intricate Web of Perspectives
What elevates The Cul-de-Sac above standard thriller fare is Null's brilliant structural choice to rotate first-person perspectives with each chapter. This technique creates a kaleidoscopic view of events while building extraordinary tension. We experience:
• Klaus's chilling rationalization of his murders
• Peg's desperate loneliness and growing suspicions
• Alex's sardonic observations and fragmented memories
• Eliza's adolescent perspective as she unwittingly becomes entangled in deadly events
This narrative approach allows readers to see how each character misinterprets others' actions and intentions, creating a shifting landscape of truth where nothing is quite as it seems. When violence erupts in a key confrontation between Klaus and Peg, the rotating perspectives become even more crucial as the characters scramble to protect themselves and decide whom to trust.
The Darkness Within
The novel takes a breathtaking turn when self-defense transforms into cover-up, and Null expertly navigates the moral complexities that follow. Is Peg a victim or a calculating predator? The ambiguity is handled with remarkable nuance as she persuades Alex to help dispose of Klaus's body, unaware of the grim irony that they're burying him in his own makeshift cemetery.
When police discover not only Klaus's remains but those of multiple women including Lupe Flores (a caregiver from a neighboring house), the investigation sets off a chain reaction that reveals just how far seemingly ordinary people will go to protect themselves. The arrival of FBI agents only increases the pressure cooker atmosphere of the cul-de-sac.
Character Dynamics That Resonate
What makes Null's novel so compelling is how he crafts relationships that feel authentic even in extraordinary circumstances. The tentative friendship between Alex and Eliza provides unexpected moments of tenderness amid the growing horror. Their math tutoring sessions become a touchstone of normalcy, with Alex's curmudgeonly exterior slowly giving way to genuine concern for the girl.
Similarly, Peg's maternal instincts toward Eliza create a fascinating dynamic where protection and manipulation become increasingly difficult to distinguish. When fifteen-year-old Eliza accidentally discovers what Peg and Alex have done, the resulting three-way conspiracy forces each character to reconsider who they can trust and what they're capable of.
The secondary characters are equally well-rendered. Jean Claire, Eliza's school friend with her own troubled home life, provides a crucial outside perspective, while Detective Rachel Eisenstein methodically pieces together evidence that threatens to unravel everything.
Mastery of Pacing and Tension
Null demonstrates remarkable control over his narrative, with short chapters that propel the reader forward while gradually tightening the noose around his characters. The novel's pacing is impeccable—quiet moments of character development suddenly give way to shocking revelations and unexpected betrayals.
The writing style balances accessibility with literary craft. Consider this passage from Klaus's perspective that chillingly captures his predatory nature:
"I'm sure that most people think that it is difficult to kill a stranger and get away with it, and that's probably a good thing. If everyone was doing this, it would be utter anarchy out there. You can't just have a world where one person can kill another person at random and for no reason. No one would ever leave their house. Society would collapse. Rules are important.
But someone like me, who's just taking one here and one there, nothing crazy, it's no big deal. It's like pulling a single leaf from one of the towering oak trees that overlook the quartet in the backyard. The tree isn't damaged. Another leaf grows in its place the following year, and life moves on."
A Crescendo of Consequences
As the novel builds toward its devastating conclusion, the relationships formed on the cul-de-sac twist and fracture under pressure. The final chapters deliver a series of shocking betrayals as Peg, faced with mounting evidence against her, makes a desperate choice that readers won't see coming. The brilliance of Null's characterization is that while her actions are horrifying, they emerge organically from everything we've learned about her.
The novel's conclusion, with Eliza unlocking Alex's door to discover what awaits inside, is masterfully ambiguous. This open ending invites readers to consider what justice might look like in a situation where moral lines have been so thoroughly blurred.
Final Thoughts
The Cul-de-Sac announces Christopher Null as a significant voice in psychological suspense. While this is his second novel following his debut Half Mast, his skill at character development and plot construction suggests a writer of considerable experience and insight.
Fans of domestic thrillers like Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door or Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs will find much to appreciate here, but Null's literary ambitions elevate the novel beyond genre conventions. His exploration of suburban isolation, moral compromise, and the human capacity for both compassion and cruelty creates a reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
The Cul-de-Sac reminds us that the most dangerous secrets might not be hiding in shadowy alleys or abandoned buildings, but right next door in perfectly maintained houses on quiet, tree-lined streets. In our increasingly disconnected society, perhaps that's the most frightening revelation of all.
What Makes This Thriller Stand Out
• Rotating perspectives that create a complex, layered narrative
• Morally ambiguous characters who defy simple categorization
• Atmospheric setting that amplifies the psychological tension
• Realistic dialogue that reveals character while advancing plot
• Thoughtful exploration of isolation, aging, and unexpected connection
For readers who appreciate psychological depth with their suspense, The Cul-de-Sac offers a thought-provoking journey into the darkness that can lurk behind suburban smiles and manicured lawns. Christopher Null has crafted a neighborhood you'll never forget—even if you might think twice about which neighbors to trust after reading his remarkable novel.
April 9, 2025
I feel like I'm repeating myself a lot these days, but: what the heck with this ending? I was enjoying this so much, I loved the life at the cul-de-sac vibes and then it ends like this?!
March 20, 2025
"The Cul-De-Sac": A Masterful Study of Suburban Darkness
Christopher Null's "The Cul-De-Sac" delivers a searing portrait of isolation hiding in plain sight. Set on a quiet suburban street where neighbors rarely interact, the novel unravels the complex web of lives that become fatally intertwined when their paths finally cross.
Null's genius lies in his rotating first-person narrative technique, giving readers intimate access to each character's inner landscape. We experience serial killer Klaus Fischer's chilling rationalizations, widow Peg Jurgensen's desperate loneliness, teenager Eliza van Damal's reluctant adaptation to suburban life, and reclusive Alex's bitter withdrawal from the world. This kaleidoscopic view creates a psychological depth rarely achieved in thriller fiction.
The physical setting brilliantly mirrors the characters' emotional states. The cul-de-sac itself—steep, wooded, and removed from the main thoroughfares of life—becomes a metaphor for these people who have, for various reasons, retreated from meaningful connection. When violence erupts and bodies are discovered, the ensuing investigation peels back layers of carefully constructed facades.
What's most striking is Null's refusal to paint his characters in simple moral colors. When Peg kills Klaus in self-defense, then buries him in his own backyard (ironically, alongside his previous victims), we witness her transformation from victim to something more complex. Similarly, when Alex reluctantly helps her cover up the crime, we understand his motivations even as we question his choices.
The unexpected relationships that form—Peg's maternal bond with Eliza, Alex's grudging mentorship through math tutoring—provide moments of genuine connection amidst the darkness. Null suggests that human beings will seek meaning wherever they can find it, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
With its precise prose, psychological acuity, and escalating tension, "The Cul-De-Sac" transcends genre conventions to become something more profound: a meditation on loneliness, moral compromise, and the secrets we keep from those who live just steps away. It's a reminder that the most dangerous predators may not be strangers, but the neighbors we think we know.
Christopher Null's "The Cul-De-Sac" delivers a searing portrait of isolation hiding in plain sight. Set on a quiet suburban street where neighbors rarely interact, the novel unravels the complex web of lives that become fatally intertwined when their paths finally cross.
Null's genius lies in his rotating first-person narrative technique, giving readers intimate access to each character's inner landscape. We experience serial killer Klaus Fischer's chilling rationalizations, widow Peg Jurgensen's desperate loneliness, teenager Eliza van Damal's reluctant adaptation to suburban life, and reclusive Alex's bitter withdrawal from the world. This kaleidoscopic view creates a psychological depth rarely achieved in thriller fiction.
The physical setting brilliantly mirrors the characters' emotional states. The cul-de-sac itself—steep, wooded, and removed from the main thoroughfares of life—becomes a metaphor for these people who have, for various reasons, retreated from meaningful connection. When violence erupts and bodies are discovered, the ensuing investigation peels back layers of carefully constructed facades.
What's most striking is Null's refusal to paint his characters in simple moral colors. When Peg kills Klaus in self-defense, then buries him in his own backyard (ironically, alongside his previous victims), we witness her transformation from victim to something more complex. Similarly, when Alex reluctantly helps her cover up the crime, we understand his motivations even as we question his choices.
The unexpected relationships that form—Peg's maternal bond with Eliza, Alex's grudging mentorship through math tutoring—provide moments of genuine connection amidst the darkness. Null suggests that human beings will seek meaning wherever they can find it, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
With its precise prose, psychological acuity, and escalating tension, "The Cul-De-Sac" transcends genre conventions to become something more profound: a meditation on loneliness, moral compromise, and the secrets we keep from those who live just steps away. It's a reminder that the most dangerous predators may not be strangers, but the neighbors we think we know.
September 15, 2025
Retirement just isn’t sticking for Klaus. He should be enjoying his house at the top of the Cul-De-Sac but his urge to fill another grave on his property takes over and needs to be fed!
Peg has lived in the Cul-De-Sac for fifteen years, Alex wants his neighbors to leave him alone and Eliza just moved to the Cul-De-Sac with her parents.
Even in a small suburban neighborhood, how well do any of us really know our neighbors?
Just off the heels of finishing Too Old For This by Samantha Downing this was another serial killer who should be calling it quits and enjoying their life having not been caught…however the call, the pull, the urge, whatever you want to call it is still there and needs to be answered. I enjoyed the later in life killer and getting to know the cast of neighbors.
This is a perfect psychological thriller that really gets your wheels spinning- do I really need that cup of sugar from next door? How far will you go to live your life in peace?
I liked seeing where the story lead and how things progressed all the way through to the end and then I was like, WOW!
Thank you to author, Christopher Null, for gifted copy and the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Peg has lived in the Cul-De-Sac for fifteen years, Alex wants his neighbors to leave him alone and Eliza just moved to the Cul-De-Sac with her parents.
Even in a small suburban neighborhood, how well do any of us really know our neighbors?
Just off the heels of finishing Too Old For This by Samantha Downing this was another serial killer who should be calling it quits and enjoying their life having not been caught…however the call, the pull, the urge, whatever you want to call it is still there and needs to be answered. I enjoyed the later in life killer and getting to know the cast of neighbors.
This is a perfect psychological thriller that really gets your wheels spinning- do I really need that cup of sugar from next door? How far will you go to live your life in peace?
I liked seeing where the story lead and how things progressed all the way through to the end and then I was like, WOW!
Thank you to author, Christopher Null, for gifted copy and the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
October 27, 2025
4.25 stars
A few people living in a California suburb on a quiet cul-de-sac are keeping secrets, but one has the biggest secret of all - he's a serial killer! This thriller is told from alternating points-of-view from several different residents of the cul-de-sac, including that of the serial killer. Other main characters include two teenage girls, a widow, and a reclusive man. The short chapters and multiple points-of-view made this a fast-paced read for me. That being said, the chapters narrated from teenager Eliza's point-of-view wasn't really necessary.
The characterization is excellent in this book. The suspense increases as the characters get to know each other and a sense of foreboding builds. I really enjoyed the slow friendship that grows between teenaged Eliza who is new to the neighborhood, and Alex, who begrudgingly starts tutoring her in math. Things really start happening when some of these secrets come out. The shocking ending has some ambiguity to it, but it's one that will stick with me. You can either draw your own conclusions or go to the author's website for a bonus epilogue which wraps up most of the loose ends for the main characters.
I received a copy of this book for review consideration from the author, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
A few people living in a California suburb on a quiet cul-de-sac are keeping secrets, but one has the biggest secret of all - he's a serial killer! This thriller is told from alternating points-of-view from several different residents of the cul-de-sac, including that of the serial killer. Other main characters include two teenage girls, a widow, and a reclusive man. The short chapters and multiple points-of-view made this a fast-paced read for me. That being said, the chapters narrated from teenager Eliza's point-of-view wasn't really necessary.
The characterization is excellent in this book. The suspense increases as the characters get to know each other and a sense of foreboding builds. I really enjoyed the slow friendship that grows between teenaged Eliza who is new to the neighborhood, and Alex, who begrudgingly starts tutoring her in math. Things really start happening when some of these secrets come out. The shocking ending has some ambiguity to it, but it's one that will stick with me. You can either draw your own conclusions or go to the author's website for a bonus epilogue which wraps up most of the loose ends for the main characters.
I received a copy of this book for review consideration from the author, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
March 21, 2025
Evil is all around us. It could be next door or down the hall from us. How many times have we brushed up against evil and never had a clue?
The Cul-de-sac by Christopher Null is a fun thriller that is also thought-provoking. With super short chapters, you’ll fly through this one.
I loved this neighborhood and how we got an inside look into all the residents. With complex characters and a murder/mystery that you need to find answers to, this was an excellent read.
The book also explores themes of guilt and innocence. I always love a thriller that has a deeper message or gives you something to think about and Null succeeded in creating this exact thing.
There were many suspenseful moments and a few twists I didn’t see coming. While some things were left open-ended, I think they’d make for excellent discussions.
Def recommend this one for those looking for a thrilling ride and for book clubs.
However, I did find the number of characters hard to contain in my brain and a few parts felt too repetitive. But a solid 4 star read!
The Cul-de-sac by Christopher Null is a fun thriller that is also thought-provoking. With super short chapters, you’ll fly through this one.
I loved this neighborhood and how we got an inside look into all the residents. With complex characters and a murder/mystery that you need to find answers to, this was an excellent read.
The book also explores themes of guilt and innocence. I always love a thriller that has a deeper message or gives you something to think about and Null succeeded in creating this exact thing.
There were many suspenseful moments and a few twists I didn’t see coming. While some things were left open-ended, I think they’d make for excellent discussions.
Def recommend this one for those looking for a thrilling ride and for book clubs.
However, I did find the number of characters hard to contain in my brain and a few parts felt too repetitive. But a solid 4 star read!
December 15, 2024
Good grief! Now that's a cliffhanger. This is the first book I've read by Christopher Null and I'm looking forward to the next. The book has several POV from the neighbors on the cul-de-sac plus Eliza's friend from school and a police officer. It's full of twists and turns and by the end of it, some of the neighbors are going crazy with all of the police presence on the cul-de-sac. The storyline kept my attention and I didn't find there were any slow parts. The chapters are short, which made it a quick read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 13, 2025
This is 100% without a doubt one street I’m super happy is made up! All the people and goings on there omg so eerie. It takes a minute to get into it because in the beginning you are meeting all the neighbors from their povs. Mixed feelings on this. It’s cool to get in their heads early as see them develop but at the same time it is a lot to start with. Lots of surprises and twists and a very high scare factor come together for a really great read.keep your lights on for this one and maybe check that you know who is living next door lol.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2025
The story is told with multiple povs, all the neighbors. Personally, it was a slow start with trying to keep the characters straight. I loved how you immediately know who the "bad guy" is and what he's thinking. There were small twists and a major twist at the end. On the final page, my reaction was, "What? That's the ending. " In a good way, lots of questions are unanswered.
I received an advanced copy through Book Sirens for a voluntary honest response.
I received an advanced copy through Book Sirens for a voluntary honest response.
February 13, 2025
This one was extremely unsettling and I know I’ll still be thinking about it for a while. The way he describes the cul-de-sac makes it sound so creepy, and some of the residents are truly frightening. And that abrupt ending! I literally audibly gasped.
March 20, 2025
In the Shadows of the Ordinary: Null's "The Cul-De-Sac" Delivers Lethal Suburban Suspense
The most terrifying monsters aren't hiding in dark alleys—they're watering their lawns next door. Christopher Null's razor-sharp thriller "The Cul-De-Sac" peels away the veneer of suburban tranquility to expose the rot festering beneath.
The novel's brilliance lies in its rotating first-person narratives that pull you into the minds of four neighbors whose lives collide with devastating consequences. There's Klaus Fischer, the cultured German consultant whose refined taste in wine masks his true passion: the methodical murder and burial of women on his wooded property. Across the street lives Peg Jurgensen, a widow whose fifteen years of isolation have left her desperately seeking connection. Next door, Alex battles his deteriorating health and dark memories while reluctantly tutoring teenage newcomer Eliza, whose family moved to the cul-de-sac seeking a safer life.
Null masterfully builds tension through seemingly innocent interactions that grow increasingly perilous. The suburban setting—isolated, tree-covered, steep—becomes a character itself, both concealing secrets and making escape impossible. When Klaus attacks Peg during one of their wine evenings, her self-defense becomes something darker, drawing Alex and eventually Eliza into a conspiracy of silence that unravels when multiple bodies are discovered.
What elevates this thriller beyond genre conventions is Null's unflinching examination of moral ambiguity. Is Peg a victim or has she become something else? Is Alex's complicity driven by self-preservation or something more complex? The shifting perspectives force readers to constantly recalibrate their sympathies.
The prose is taut and atmospheric, with moments of unexpected tenderness punctuating the mounting dread. Null understands that true horror lies not in graphic violence but in the quiet moments: Klaus plotting his next victim while sipping Barolo, Peg washing Klaus's blood from her hands, Alex contemplating his own past crimes.
"The Cul-De-Sac" delivers a gut-punch finale that will leave readers questioning how well they know their own neighbors—and what secrets might be buried in the yard next door.
The most terrifying monsters aren't hiding in dark alleys—they're watering their lawns next door. Christopher Null's razor-sharp thriller "The Cul-De-Sac" peels away the veneer of suburban tranquility to expose the rot festering beneath.
The novel's brilliance lies in its rotating first-person narratives that pull you into the minds of four neighbors whose lives collide with devastating consequences. There's Klaus Fischer, the cultured German consultant whose refined taste in wine masks his true passion: the methodical murder and burial of women on his wooded property. Across the street lives Peg Jurgensen, a widow whose fifteen years of isolation have left her desperately seeking connection. Next door, Alex battles his deteriorating health and dark memories while reluctantly tutoring teenage newcomer Eliza, whose family moved to the cul-de-sac seeking a safer life.
Null masterfully builds tension through seemingly innocent interactions that grow increasingly perilous. The suburban setting—isolated, tree-covered, steep—becomes a character itself, both concealing secrets and making escape impossible. When Klaus attacks Peg during one of their wine evenings, her self-defense becomes something darker, drawing Alex and eventually Eliza into a conspiracy of silence that unravels when multiple bodies are discovered.
What elevates this thriller beyond genre conventions is Null's unflinching examination of moral ambiguity. Is Peg a victim or has she become something else? Is Alex's complicity driven by self-preservation or something more complex? The shifting perspectives force readers to constantly recalibrate their sympathies.
The prose is taut and atmospheric, with moments of unexpected tenderness punctuating the mounting dread. Null understands that true horror lies not in graphic violence but in the quiet moments: Klaus plotting his next victim while sipping Barolo, Peg washing Klaus's blood from her hands, Alex contemplating his own past crimes.
"The Cul-De-Sac" delivers a gut-punch finale that will leave readers questioning how well they know their own neighbors—and what secrets might be buried in the yard next door.
February 17, 2025
this one gets a 3/3.5 because it just wasn’t as juicy as i hoped it would be. the cover design made me think this was a creepy psychological thriller but it read more like a soft mystery. the characters were quirky and honestly pleasant to read about, but i wanted more. also the ending was too abrupt for me, i would’ve read 15 more pages of epilogue. it could have been as simple as a newspaper article explaining the aftermath.
May 7, 2025
Solid concept, but too many POVs made it hard for me to get into. I wanted to love it, but I kept losing track of who was who. The neighborhood tension was great, though, and I’d still try another book by this author.
December 1, 2024
I was able to obtain this ARC from booksirens!
Multi POV
Suburban lifestyle
Dark secrets
Twisty plot changes with a dramatic ending
Psychological thriller
Frieda McFadden meets Dexter vibes
Trigger warnings: suicide, murder, and physical abuse
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Multi POV
Suburban lifestyle
Dark secrets
Twisty plot changes with a dramatic ending
Psychological thriller
Frieda McFadden meets Dexter vibes
Trigger warnings: suicide, murder, and physical abuse
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. I did. I tried. But I could NOT get past a handful of things that made that almost impossible. I finished this book just to "see how it ended" not because I was enjoying the story.
First, the sheer volume of perspectives made it almost impossible to have any sort of believable, balanced, robust character. Just when I thought we'd gotten through them all, a new perspective joined the party, some for seemingly no reason.
Second, the story. I thought it was going to be a great, engaging story. There were a couple perspectives that really kept my attention throughout, and I hoped that would continue for the whole story. But as things progressed, it was more of the same routine things going on. And when something did happen that was exciting or out of the ordinary for the story, it was already too late to redeem the rest of the book. Additionally, some of the backstories that were alluded to throughout the book were just dropped or bore no relevancy to the story.
Which leads me to the last thing, the genre. I felt that this book was mislabeled as a "domestic thriller". It was domestic because it happened in a house/neighborhood, but that was about it. And I figured out a lot of the plot points, which does happen as I read this type of book a lot, but it was very predictable… making it not very "thrilling" either. Another genre was crime mystery, and that seems to fit, but overall, this book felt like it was a compilation of a handful of different stories that the author tried to mesh into one cohesive arc and it was not successful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First, the sheer volume of perspectives made it almost impossible to have any sort of believable, balanced, robust character. Just when I thought we'd gotten through them all, a new perspective joined the party, some for seemingly no reason.
Second, the story. I thought it was going to be a great, engaging story. There were a couple perspectives that really kept my attention throughout, and I hoped that would continue for the whole story. But as things progressed, it was more of the same routine things going on. And when something did happen that was exciting or out of the ordinary for the story, it was already too late to redeem the rest of the book. Additionally, some of the backstories that were alluded to throughout the book were just dropped or bore no relevancy to the story.
Which leads me to the last thing, the genre. I felt that this book was mislabeled as a "domestic thriller". It was domestic because it happened in a house/neighborhood, but that was about it. And I figured out a lot of the plot points, which does happen as I read this type of book a lot, but it was very predictable… making it not very "thrilling" either. Another genre was crime mystery, and that seems to fit, but overall, this book felt like it was a compilation of a handful of different stories that the author tried to mesh into one cohesive arc and it was not successful.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 7, 2025
I'm so pleased I agreed to read and review a copy of Christopher Null's latest book, The Cul-de-Sac. It only took me a couple of days to read and was a complete page-turner. The story was told from multiple points of view, I think it was primarily six, with the odd contribution from a few others. I know some people find these complicated, but I love them, once I get to know who people are and how they fit into the story.
The majority of the characters have a backstory, some of them we find out about and others are just as much a mystery at the end, as well as at the beginning. I think this is what made the book so entertaining for me. All the characters are so very, very different, with one common denominator....they all pretty much keep themselves to themselves within their cul-de-sac...to a degree.
I hope to goodness that there is at least one more book to follow and that this cliffhanger ending isn't the last we see of these quirky neighbours and their hidden secrets.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review The Cul-de-Sac by Christopher Null.
The majority of the characters have a backstory, some of them we find out about and others are just as much a mystery at the end, as well as at the beginning. I think this is what made the book so entertaining for me. All the characters are so very, very different, with one common denominator....they all pretty much keep themselves to themselves within their cul-de-sac...to a degree.
I hope to goodness that there is at least one more book to follow and that this cliffhanger ending isn't the last we see of these quirky neighbours and their hidden secrets.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review The Cul-de-Sac by Christopher Null.
February 10, 2025
I'm never moving to a cul-de-sac and that's a fact!
When Eliza and her family move onto a suburban cul-de-sac, the idea is to give her a better and safer environment away from the city. Where she could ride her non-existent bike safely!! Unfortunately, the existing residents have their own secrets.
From seasoned serial killer to widowed cat lady (without the cats) and the hermit next door, they know very little of their neighbours despite living near each other for so long. However, with Eliza's arrival into the street all of that was about to change. Surely in this lovely little suburban place, a change for the better, right?!
This is written from multiple POVs and each with their own writing style which was done with skill. While not all of the characters would be my ideal neighbours, I definitely found myself invested in what happened to them. With about 30 pages left, I wasn't sure where the ending was going, but I was not expecting it to go there!!! Fantastic thriller
When Eliza and her family move onto a suburban cul-de-sac, the idea is to give her a better and safer environment away from the city. Where she could ride her non-existent bike safely!! Unfortunately, the existing residents have their own secrets.
From seasoned serial killer to widowed cat lady (without the cats) and the hermit next door, they know very little of their neighbours despite living near each other for so long. However, with Eliza's arrival into the street all of that was about to change. Surely in this lovely little suburban place, a change for the better, right?!
This is written from multiple POVs and each with their own writing style which was done with skill. While not all of the characters would be my ideal neighbours, I definitely found myself invested in what happened to them. With about 30 pages left, I wasn't sure where the ending was going, but I was not expecting it to go there!!! Fantastic thriller
January 14, 2025
I really liked that each chapter was from one character's perspective. The author did an awesome job of fleshing out the main characters and their backstories. I loved the premise that neighbors really don't know what secrets they're all hiding from one another. The twists and turns keep coming throughout the story. The cliffhanger ending has me hoping this will be a series! I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 14, 2025
This was a slow start and then at the end when it starts getting good it ends abruptly with zero closure. No thanks
February 28, 2025
Well. That’s 2 days I won’t get back. 🙄
February 21, 2025
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0/5
Plot: 4/5
Primary Genre: Thriller
Blurb: How well do you really know your neighbors? Veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer is determined that his most recent murder will be his last, but like many retirements, this one isn’t sticking. No one has come close to suspecting he’s buried the victims on his quiet suburban California cul-de-sac property—but he’s feeling the urge to kill again, and this time he’s set his sights on a target dangerously close to home. Widowed Peg Jurgensen has lived on the cul-de-sac for the past fifteen years, and she’s ready to shed her doldrums and re-enter the world around her. And where better to start than with mothering the curious young teen Eliza van Damal, whose family just moved to the cul-de-sac in order to expose their daughter to a better life. Eliza, however, prefers to coerce the enigmatic hermit next door, Alex, into helping her pass math. Alex wishes the lot of them would disappear. The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these residents trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street? Fans of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner will love this domestic thriller filled with dark secrets and dangers lurking in a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood...
The Good:
* The cul-de-sac contains quite the cast of characters and you’ll spend a large portion of the book getting to know them. Now, they’re all kind of a pack of assholes with no redeeming qualities but that doesn’t mean that they won’t entertain you!
* These neighbors all seem to be keeping some secrets that you’ll uncover throughout the book and some of them are completely out of pocket.
* This story is anything but boring. I was engaged and interested in where the story was going and wondering what would happen next. Everything that you need from a thriller!
The Meh:
* There are a lot of German words in the book. While looking these up on a kindle is fairly simple, I imagine this could be quite cumbersome in a paper novel.
* Multiple POV - Many more than two. This novel has multiple POVs from occupants of the cul-de-sac. This is initially a little confusing and can make it difficult to form an emotional attachment to the characters and differentiate between them because the POV is constantly changing.
* Cliffhangers are…annoying at best.
Bottom Line:
I had a great time reading this book and there were quite a few unexpected moments! None of the characters are particularly likable but you kind of love to hate them so you have to keep reading about them. They’re interesting enough that you care about what happens to them. While I’m never a fan of a cliffhanger, this did leave me hoping that there would be a second book but the book seemed to end at its most interesting point. I hope to see a book 2 because I have to know that happens!
Find more reviews on my website: www.introvertsbookclub.com
Spice: 0/5
Plot: 4/5
Primary Genre: Thriller
Blurb: How well do you really know your neighbors? Veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer is determined that his most recent murder will be his last, but like many retirements, this one isn’t sticking. No one has come close to suspecting he’s buried the victims on his quiet suburban California cul-de-sac property—but he’s feeling the urge to kill again, and this time he’s set his sights on a target dangerously close to home. Widowed Peg Jurgensen has lived on the cul-de-sac for the past fifteen years, and she’s ready to shed her doldrums and re-enter the world around her. And where better to start than with mothering the curious young teen Eliza van Damal, whose family just moved to the cul-de-sac in order to expose their daughter to a better life. Eliza, however, prefers to coerce the enigmatic hermit next door, Alex, into helping her pass math. Alex wishes the lot of them would disappear. The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these residents trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street? Fans of The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and The Good Neighbor by A.J. Banner will love this domestic thriller filled with dark secrets and dangers lurking in a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood...
The Good:
* The cul-de-sac contains quite the cast of characters and you’ll spend a large portion of the book getting to know them. Now, they’re all kind of a pack of assholes with no redeeming qualities but that doesn’t mean that they won’t entertain you!
* These neighbors all seem to be keeping some secrets that you’ll uncover throughout the book and some of them are completely out of pocket.
* This story is anything but boring. I was engaged and interested in where the story was going and wondering what would happen next. Everything that you need from a thriller!
The Meh:
* There are a lot of German words in the book. While looking these up on a kindle is fairly simple, I imagine this could be quite cumbersome in a paper novel.
* Multiple POV - Many more than two. This novel has multiple POVs from occupants of the cul-de-sac. This is initially a little confusing and can make it difficult to form an emotional attachment to the characters and differentiate between them because the POV is constantly changing.
* Cliffhangers are…annoying at best.
Bottom Line:
I had a great time reading this book and there were quite a few unexpected moments! None of the characters are particularly likable but you kind of love to hate them so you have to keep reading about them. They’re interesting enough that you care about what happens to them. While I’m never a fan of a cliffhanger, this did leave me hoping that there would be a second book but the book seemed to end at its most interesting point. I hope to see a book 2 because I have to know that happens!
Find more reviews on my website: www.introvertsbookclub.com
March 20, 2025
THE QUIET MENACE: NULL'S "THE CUL-DE-SAC" EXCAVATES SUBURBAN NIGHTMARES
In the shadowed corners of ordinary lives lurk extraordinary horrors. Christopher Null's "The Cul-De-Sac" doesn't just understand this truth—it dissects it with surgical precision, peeling back layers of suburban normalcy to reveal the psychological abyss beneath.
The novel's brilliance begins with its structure: chapters that rotate through first-person perspectives, creating a kaleidoscope of unreliable narration where truth becomes as twisted as the minds harboring it. We experience events through serial killer Klaus Fischer's methodical reasoning, lonely widow Peg Jurgensen's desperate need for connection, reclusive Alex's bitter detachment, and teenager Eliza's growing awareness of the darkness surrounding her.
When Klaus attacks Peg during an evening of wine and conversation, her act of self-defense triggers a psychological domino effect that reveals how thin the membrane between victim and perpetrator truly is. The subsequent cover-up—with Alex's reluctant assistance—creates a web of complicity that tightens with each FBI footstep on the cul-de-sac.
Null's greatest achievement lies in his refusal to provide moral certainty. As bodies are discovered in Klaus's yard, including his own, the investigation forces characters to confront not just external threats but the darkness within themselves. When Peg ultimately turns on Alex, the evolution from victim to predator completes its terrible arc.
The physical setting amplifies the psychological claustrophobia—a steep, isolated street where neighbors exist in proximity yet profound disconnection, surrounded by woods that conceal unspeakable secrets. Each house becomes its own psychological fortress, harboring private horrors behind ordinary facades.
The prose moves with the quiet menace of approaching footsteps on carpet—measured, deliberate, building tension through restraint rather than excess. Null understands that true psychological horror emerges not from blood spilled but from the recognition of what seemingly normal people are capable of when pushed to extremes.
"The Cul-De-Sac" leaves readers questioning not just its characters' motivations but our own capacity for darkness when isolation and fear take root. The final scene—Eliza turning her key in Alex's lock—haunts precisely because it mirrors our own terrible curiosity about what lies behind closed doors.
In the shadowed corners of ordinary lives lurk extraordinary horrors. Christopher Null's "The Cul-De-Sac" doesn't just understand this truth—it dissects it with surgical precision, peeling back layers of suburban normalcy to reveal the psychological abyss beneath.
The novel's brilliance begins with its structure: chapters that rotate through first-person perspectives, creating a kaleidoscope of unreliable narration where truth becomes as twisted as the minds harboring it. We experience events through serial killer Klaus Fischer's methodical reasoning, lonely widow Peg Jurgensen's desperate need for connection, reclusive Alex's bitter detachment, and teenager Eliza's growing awareness of the darkness surrounding her.
When Klaus attacks Peg during an evening of wine and conversation, her act of self-defense triggers a psychological domino effect that reveals how thin the membrane between victim and perpetrator truly is. The subsequent cover-up—with Alex's reluctant assistance—creates a web of complicity that tightens with each FBI footstep on the cul-de-sac.
Null's greatest achievement lies in his refusal to provide moral certainty. As bodies are discovered in Klaus's yard, including his own, the investigation forces characters to confront not just external threats but the darkness within themselves. When Peg ultimately turns on Alex, the evolution from victim to predator completes its terrible arc.
The physical setting amplifies the psychological claustrophobia—a steep, isolated street where neighbors exist in proximity yet profound disconnection, surrounded by woods that conceal unspeakable secrets. Each house becomes its own psychological fortress, harboring private horrors behind ordinary facades.
The prose moves with the quiet menace of approaching footsteps on carpet—measured, deliberate, building tension through restraint rather than excess. Null understands that true psychological horror emerges not from blood spilled but from the recognition of what seemingly normal people are capable of when pushed to extremes.
"The Cul-De-Sac" leaves readers questioning not just its characters' motivations but our own capacity for darkness when isolation and fear take root. The final scene—Eliza turning her key in Alex's lock—haunts precisely because it mirrors our own terrible curiosity about what lies behind closed doors.
September 11, 2025
The setting is a suburban neighborhood in San Francisco, California.
The story is narrated from the unique perspectives of the diverse residents of the cul-de-sac, each offering their own compelling narrative reflecting their experiences. A criminal lurks among the residents. Cold. Calculating.
- Klaus Fischer is an independent computer consultant who travels across the United States.
- Alex, 48, primarily stays at home, venturing out only for his visits to the dialysis center.
- Margaret (Peg) Stone Jergensen, 64, is a widow who retired after the loss of her husband.
- Lew van Damal, Eliza's father and Judy's husband, will commute to his job in the city after the move, hoping for a fresh start for Lizzie and to bring their family closer together.
- Eliza van Damal, called Lizzie by her parents, is a young teen who is about to start at a new school.
- Lupe Flores is the live-in caregiver for Percy Goodwin, whom she addresses as Mr. Percy but thinks of as Sloppy.
Additional points of view come from Jean Claire, a classmate at Eliza's new school who befriends her, as well as Detective Rachel Eisenstein and Officer Simmons.
The cover design, created by Ebooklaunch, along with the title, immediately caught my attention—especially since I live on a cul-de-sac. One of the most striking features of the book is its short chapters, which effectively build suspense. Each chapter leaves readers on edge, eager to turn the page as the tension mounts and the drama unfolds. I found it to be a riveting read filled with suspense and intrigue.
At the end of the book, you'll find Book Club Questions for The Cul-de-sac. This time, even if you typically skip book club questions, I encourage you to read the last paragraph on that page, but only after you've finished the book.
I highly recommend adding this spine-tingling thriller to your TBR! You won't want to miss it!
The story is narrated from the unique perspectives of the diverse residents of the cul-de-sac, each offering their own compelling narrative reflecting their experiences. A criminal lurks among the residents. Cold. Calculating.
- Klaus Fischer is an independent computer consultant who travels across the United States.
- Alex, 48, primarily stays at home, venturing out only for his visits to the dialysis center.
- Margaret (Peg) Stone Jergensen, 64, is a widow who retired after the loss of her husband.
- Lew van Damal, Eliza's father and Judy's husband, will commute to his job in the city after the move, hoping for a fresh start for Lizzie and to bring their family closer together.
- Eliza van Damal, called Lizzie by her parents, is a young teen who is about to start at a new school.
- Lupe Flores is the live-in caregiver for Percy Goodwin, whom she addresses as Mr. Percy but thinks of as Sloppy.
Additional points of view come from Jean Claire, a classmate at Eliza's new school who befriends her, as well as Detective Rachel Eisenstein and Officer Simmons.
The cover design, created by Ebooklaunch, along with the title, immediately caught my attention—especially since I live on a cul-de-sac. One of the most striking features of the book is its short chapters, which effectively build suspense. Each chapter leaves readers on edge, eager to turn the page as the tension mounts and the drama unfolds. I found it to be a riveting read filled with suspense and intrigue.
At the end of the book, you'll find Book Club Questions for The Cul-de-sac. This time, even if you typically skip book club questions, I encourage you to read the last paragraph on that page, but only after you've finished the book.
I highly recommend adding this spine-tingling thriller to your TBR! You won't want to miss it!
March 2, 2025
Christopher Null’s The Cul-de-Sac is an intense psychological thriller that peels back the layers of suburban life to reveal the darkness lurking beneath. Told through multiple perspectives, the novel weaves a gripping tale of secrets, deception, and survival in a seemingly quiet neighbourhood.
The story revolves around Eliza, a nearly 15-year-old girl whose parents move to the cul-de-sac, hoping for a better life. As Eliza navigates her new surroundings, she befriends Jean Claire, a classmate with troubles of her own, and forms an unexpected bond with Alex, a reclusive and disabled man who becomes her math tutor. Meanwhile, Peg, a lonely widow, begins dating Klaus, a seemingly charming but deeply sinister man hiding a monstrous secret���he is a serial killer with multiple victims buried in his backyard.
As the narrative unfolds, each short, sharp chapter shifts between different characters’ perspectives, creating an intricate web of suspense. The dynamic between Eliza and Alex stands out, as she sees beyond his disability and treats him with refreshing normalcy. However, the true horror lies in the ever-growing tension surrounding Klaus and his deadly inclinations.
Null’s masterful pacing keeps readers hooked, gradually unravelling the secrets hidden behind each door. The cul-de-sac, once a symbol of suburban peace, transforms into a place of paranoia and peril, where trust is scarce and danger is always present. Each chapter represents a character’s PoV that might seem like too many to keep track of! But Null’s writing makes the reader stay hooked.
The book’s eerie atmosphere and morally complex characters make it an interesting addition to the thriller genre. As the plot races toward its shocking climax, readers are left questioning how well they truly know those who live closest to them.
Beyond its gripping plot, the novel delves into themes of isolation, ageing, and human frailty. The setting—an insular cul-de-sac—mirrors its characters’ emotional disconnect, heightening the psychological stakes. Sharp prose and intelligent narrative building make this one a compelling read!
The story revolves around Eliza, a nearly 15-year-old girl whose parents move to the cul-de-sac, hoping for a better life. As Eliza navigates her new surroundings, she befriends Jean Claire, a classmate with troubles of her own, and forms an unexpected bond with Alex, a reclusive and disabled man who becomes her math tutor. Meanwhile, Peg, a lonely widow, begins dating Klaus, a seemingly charming but deeply sinister man hiding a monstrous secret���he is a serial killer with multiple victims buried in his backyard.
As the narrative unfolds, each short, sharp chapter shifts between different characters’ perspectives, creating an intricate web of suspense. The dynamic between Eliza and Alex stands out, as she sees beyond his disability and treats him with refreshing normalcy. However, the true horror lies in the ever-growing tension surrounding Klaus and his deadly inclinations.
Null’s masterful pacing keeps readers hooked, gradually unravelling the secrets hidden behind each door. The cul-de-sac, once a symbol of suburban peace, transforms into a place of paranoia and peril, where trust is scarce and danger is always present. Each chapter represents a character’s PoV that might seem like too many to keep track of! But Null’s writing makes the reader stay hooked.
The book’s eerie atmosphere and morally complex characters make it an interesting addition to the thriller genre. As the plot races toward its shocking climax, readers are left questioning how well they truly know those who live closest to them.
Beyond its gripping plot, the novel delves into themes of isolation, ageing, and human frailty. The setting—an insular cul-de-sac—mirrors its characters’ emotional disconnect, heightening the psychological stakes. Sharp prose and intelligent narrative building make this one a compelling read!
January 9, 2025
I was drawn to The Cul-de-sac expecting an intriguing, character-driven story about quirky neighbors in a suburban setting. What I found, however, was a confusing, fragmented narrative that failed to build meaningful connections with its characters. The novel juggles too many perspectives, making it difficult to invest in any one character or storyline. Rather than feeling intentional, the multiple viewpoints came across as random and disjointed.
The story is overstuffed with irrelevant side plots and details that detract from the main narrative, leaving me uncertain about what the actual story was supposed to be. The pacing feels erratic, and by the end, the conclusion feels more like an unfinished draft than a satisfying resolution. It had the potential for a gripping thriller but ultimately left me feeling let down and frustrated.
While I don’t typically mind multiple points of view, this book’s lack of focus and its rushed ending made it feel like a waste of time. Sadly, The Cul-de-sac didn't live up to my expectations and left me deeply disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is overstuffed with irrelevant side plots and details that detract from the main narrative, leaving me uncertain about what the actual story was supposed to be. The pacing feels erratic, and by the end, the conclusion feels more like an unfinished draft than a satisfying resolution. It had the potential for a gripping thriller but ultimately left me feeling let down and frustrated.
While I don’t typically mind multiple points of view, this book’s lack of focus and its rushed ending made it feel like a waste of time. Sadly, The Cul-de-sac didn't live up to my expectations and left me deeply disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2025
Title : Cul-de-sac
Author : Christopher null
Publisher : Tule publishing
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre : Thriller
Official blurb - How well do you really know your neighbors?
Veteran serial killer Klaus Fischer is determined that his most recent murder will be his last, but like many retirements, this one isn’t sticking. No one has come close to suspecting he’s buried the victims on his quiet suburban California cul-de-sac property—but he’s feeling the urge to kill again, and this time he’s set his sights on a target dangerously close to home.
Widowed Peg Jurgensen has lived on the cul-de-sac for the past fifteen years, and she’s ready to shed her doldrums and re-enter the world around her. And where better to start than with mothering the curious young teen Eliza van Damal, whose family just moved to the cul-de-sac in order to expose their daughter to a better life.
Eliza, however, prefers to coerce the enigmatic hermit next door, Alex, into helping her pass math. Alex wishes the lot of them would disappear.
The closer these misfits become, the more danger even the most ordinary conversations invite. As the body count rises, can these residents trust anyone hiding behind their doors on this street?
There were many positives about this book and I enjoyed it throughout! Loved the multiple POV and the different age ranges of the characters. Loved how they engaged with one another as their relationships developed. The author writes well, use of language excellent, development of the characters was fab! I did get to feel like I was indeed walking up the cul-de-sac with them due to descriptions used.
It is the first book I recall reading where I knew who the killer was from the start. That was a new experience and I had wondered how it would work. The pace for me was on the slower side as you got to know the characters lives and while there were some twists I didn’t find myself shocked. Over all I enjoyed it and would definitely read more by the author!
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