When Leaves Turn Red

by David Dresden

What if the one thing keeping you going . . . is also what’s tearing your life apart?

Theo’s dreams have withered. In his late thirties, his career is stalled, his relationships are shallow, and his bank account is almost empty. The one thing that gives him joy is running—miles and miles alone, pounding the pavement as the world fades behind him.

Everything changes, however, after a near-fatal accident on a quiet morning jog leaves Theo dazed and hospitalized. But the doctors don’t think his injuries match his story. Police detectives are brought in to ask questions, and when a mandatory psych evaluation digs into his past, Theo can’t hide from the truth much longer.

As dark repercussions from the accident begin to consume him, the line between reality and illusion begins to blur. Theo is forced to confront haunting secrets that have shaped his life. Because this time, what he’s running from isn’t just the past—it might be the end of everything.

Gripping, layered, and relentlessly tense, When Leaves Turn Red is a psychological thriller that twists memory, guilt, and obsession into a chilling race to survive.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2025

About the author

David currently resides in Connecticut and works in New York City. When he’s not writing, David enjoys long, woodland trail runs and quiet mornings with coffee — moments where his next story often begins.

Reviews

[Eileen Murphy-Schmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo has a dead end job and his life is a mess. He tries to fix everything, but when he suffers in a strange accident, he is left dealing with his wounds- past and present.

A story of how far one man will go to fix the mistakes of his past, this book will stay with you.

I received a copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dimitra Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, you come across a novel that you can't put down, and even when life forces you to, it lingers in your mind until you pick it up again. That's what happened to me with "When the Leaves Turn Red".
This is a story about how our past can shape us into versions of ourselves we hardly recognize, versions we sometimes can't bear to look at in the mirror. But what I found most compelling in this book was its gentle insistence that just because we've ended up in a place we never meant to be, that doesn’t mean we’ve lost the ability to stand up and move forward.

Theo is a flawed character, shaped by trauma and past experience. He’s stuck in his life, but - to paraphrase Jane Austen - when someone is meant to grow, something always happens to push them forward. Something has to happen to move Theo out of his rut, and that’s when we see how resilient and strong he'd always been.
The emotional depth, the moments of quiet reflection, and the raw fight back against his demons made this book unforgettable. I especially loved the way the story shows how our past can shape us without defining us.

This is a powerful, honest story about overcoming hardship and reclaiming life! A must-read!

[Mary Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book through a readers group, and I was completely absorbed from the start. The atmosphere is eerie in the best way, and watching Theo struggle with what’s real versus imagined was fascinating. The writing is elegant, the pacing tight, and the twists clever. Easily a five-star read.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a bow David Dresden for authoring this most compelling read.

The plot follows Theo, an accountant with nothing much to look forward to in life. In a dysfunctional relationship with his girlfriend and his mother, and haunted by the death of his father, Theo is a broken man. He finds himself in an unexpected situation on a hike, a situation that will plunge him into the heart of a dangerous plot. A heartbreaking story will evolve parallelly as Theo struggles to wriggle out of his nightmare. Whilst these threads unravel, we will also witness his psychological journey.

Well written and engaging. Would recommend.

I received an ARC on BookSirens. I'd like to thank the author for it. This review is an honest reflection of my experience reading this story.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.

I pray I'll never forget reading When Leaves Turns Red because first and foremost author David Dresden wrote an immersive, emotional masterpiece that I couldn't help but want to comfort Theo for all of the hellish, psychological trauma he endured throughout the novel's length. And right from the beginning, Theo's life is shattered by the haunting loss of his father that easier to bury in the back of his mind than for himself or his mother to truly come to terms with.

Surviving a near fatal accident, Theo's isolated world turns something darker, daunting and an obsession that Theo cannot let go of as dangerous men stalk him and dogged by police that what happened down that dark well is far less innocent and simply than Theo has been trying to claim. When one final chance to journey back into the darkness, Theo discovers a far more haunting tale of desperation and survival that could finally help himself to be able to cleanse his own darkness he's been chained by.

Highly recommended.

[KB Miller]

Wow. What can I say this book blended reality and insanity. (Well just a mental health crisis that lasted 17+ years but yeah) I loved this book because I had no idea what was going on until everything wrapped up. If you plan on reading this just know you will feel like you want to DNF for the first ~75 pages. STICK WITH IT. Things start to make sense and it’s worth it.

[Raymon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this through an ARC readers group, and I’m so glad I did. Theo’s emotional journey hit me hard. His confusion, guilt, and search for meaning were written with such honesty. The twists landed perfectly, and the ending stayed with me long after I closed the book.

[Micheala Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trauma meets its match!

It is a great thriller! I never guessed the end.

I kept wondering how he would get out or even if he would. Theo wins 2 fights,mental and physical and it had me holding my breath at the end!

[Ty Swartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read! This is a good one, I was hooked from the very first page to the last. Dresden, did a marvelous job here. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, I enjoyed it, and look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Highly recommend!

[Sabrina Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Leaves Turn Red is a gripping, emotionally charged psychological thriller that draws you in and holds on until the very end. The main character, Theo, is flawed and haunted by his past. His stagnating career, shallow relationships, and sense of emptiness make him feel raw and real. The story’s inciting event, a near-fatal accident during a morning jog, jolts him from inertia, and the way the novel unspools his memories, guilt, and growing paranoia is both unsettling and fascinating.

Dresden does a great job of blurring the boundary between reality and illusion, so you constantly question what’s real, what’s distorted, and that uncertainty keeps the tension high. The pacing is thoughtful: the book doesn’t rush, it lets the psychological weight build slowly, which makes the eventual payoff all the more satisfying.

That said, while the emotional depth and introspection are among the book’s biggest strengths, there are moments where the story feels a bit uneven. There are sections that drag slightly — especially early on, when the mood is bleak and the protagonist is stuck: which may test a reader’s patience. Also, a few of the later twists feel like they lean heavily on shock rather than subtle buildup.

Overall, When Leaves Turn Red is a dark, haunting, and ultimately satisfying read. It’s not perfect, but its strong character work, atmospheric tension, and psychological complexity make it a compelling thriller I’d gladly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to David Dresden and BookSirens for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Emotionally charged and tense, Theo’s traumatic life experiences paired with his current mental state make it hard for him to distinguish ordinary from extraordinary. This is a well written story of how a chance accident inspires hope and promises change in Theo’s stagnant life, and how his past, unresolved trauma recycles and continues to shape his present. Dresden’s character building is a clear strength, and I understood Theo’s headspace deeply. I sometimes felt his strong urge to go back to the site of trauma was a bit repetitive, but ultimately this novel has a satisfying progression that helps readers without Theo’s mental struggles empathize with his actions and motivations.

This book is for you if you enjoy psychological thrillers rooted in complex themes of mental health! I especially enjoyed Sary’s mystery, and felt satisfied with how Theo was able to bring it to rest. Highly recommend this read!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Leaves Turn Red by David Dresden is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me breathless from the very first page. Dresden masterfully captures the unraveling of a man whose greatest escape becomes the very thing that threatens to destroy him. Theo is a deeply compelling character; flawed, raw, and achingly human. His love for running, once his refuge, transforms into the pulse of a mystery that tightens with every chapter.
The aftermath of Theo’s accident pulls the reader into a chilling spiral where memory, guilt, and reality twist in unsettling ways. The tension is relentless, yet beautifully controlled, building to revelations that feel both shocking and inevitable. Dresden’s writing is vivid and immersive, making every moment of Theo’s struggle feel hauntingly real.
This novel is more than a thriller, it’s an emotional journey about confronting the truths we bury. Absolutely unforgettable and impossible to put down.

[Chelsea Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When leaves turn red definitely hit me in a soft spot…Dealing with the pressures of a past that is haunting him, to working countless hours and barely surviving, to having a “girlfriend” he has to pay to basically be apart of his life.
I truly felt bad for Theo. He is fighting for his life to make ends meet and impress the girl and of course so much more…..

David’s writing goes in-depth allowing your imagination to make you feel submerged into the novel. All of characters feel realistic and relatable, grappling with life’s transitions in ways that resonate with you making you not want to stop reading. Excep being a mom during the holidays is the only reason I had to put it down. 😂 Overall, the novel is a meaningful and introspective read that lingers after the final page.

I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[NomadicReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this novel intrigued me, along with all the raving reviews. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. This is a story about a man who is down on his luck, lost memories, is paranoid, and feels guilty while making morally questionable choices. I found it to be slow, drawn out, boring, and repetitive at times; to the point, my patience to finish it was tested. I didn't particularly care for how the main character constantly mumbled to himself. However, I did enjoy the titled chapters, and I think it adds to the creativity and foreshadowing of events. I also enjoyed the author's descriptive and detailed writing style.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer W. Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through an ARC readers group, and wow what a ride. When Leaves Turn Red hooked me from the first chapter. Theo felt incredibly real, and the way his past and present slowly unravel kept me reading way past midnight. Suspenseful, emotional, and impossible to put down.

[Bernice D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to an ARC readers group, I got early access to this gem. David Dresden builds tension so quietly and effectively that I didn’t notice how deep I was in until my pulse sped up. The blurred line between memory and illusion is brilliantly executed. An unforgettable psychological thriller.

[Elizabeth K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC was such a gift. The story starts with a mysterious accident, and each chapter reveals another layer of Theo’s life. The slow burn is worth every second the payoff is smart, satisfying, and deeply engaging. A beautifully crafted thriller.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I absolutely loved every page of his book! It’s one of the most unique and unpredictable plots I’ve read in years—it honestly felt like watching a brilliantly made film. It’s a suspenseful, thrilling read, yet it's also layered with literary depth and deeper meaning and heartfelt moments throughout. Every chapter kept me hooked, I couldn't put it down until the last page! I can’t wait to read more from David Dresden.

[Paula Esmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

With such a human protagonist and a heavy experience most of us have to go through, 'When Leaves Turn Red' does an amazing job, not only gripping your interest due to its compelling plot, but also deeply engaging your emotions.

This depth in thrillers is exquisite, and what makes Dresden's novel remarkable. Lacing such palpable rawness with sharp beats, while maintaining a pace that knows when to slow down and when to become faster, it speaks of the author's great skill.

Overall, a wonderful story that has the power to hook, not only your attention, but your feelings too.

[Marie (Readbyurtherapist) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This checks off the boxes for a psychological thriller. I was curious about the ending and twists but our main character was pretty unlikable and pathetic. Our main character is a lonely white guy, he can’t connect with others organically so he pays a woman to be his girlfriend but can’t recognize that she wants a transactional relationship not a romantic one. He feels his only value is financial and is willing to do anything to continue have money. This book is probably very validating for the maga incels but for me it’s just sad.

[Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely captivated by this book! It’s been a long time since I read a good thriller - you know the kind of book that keeps you up late reading and has the power to make your heart race, pull your covers up a little tighter, while the hairs on your arms stand on end .. What an interesting story to read! The ending was great & I loved everything about this book! Quite interested in knowing more about this author!

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo training for an ultra run, has a terrible close to an centuries abandoned house accident leaving him with a serious concussion. A trigger really for his brain to spiral and mix his past, his current and his dreams for the future.


Following Theo's struggle, sets up a gripping emotional thriller. Tight writing, believable characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read.


Thanks to Book Sirens and the author David Dresden for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Melissa Butscher · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Leaves Turn Red by David Dresden hooked me from the first page. It’s a gripping, fast-paced page-turner that kept me invested even when the main character’s unlikeability and moral ambiguity made me question every choice he made. Dark, tense, and impossible to put down.