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The Cul-de-Sac: A Psychological Thriller
THE AUTHOR WITH MORE THAN 3.5 MILLION BOOKS SOLD WORLDWIDE!"Sometimes I think this place is nothing more than a terrible illusion..."
Alex West thinks he's found paradise when he and his wife, Jennifer, purchase The Glass House in the exclusive community of Winter Cove Estates. Years of writing #1 bestselling psychological thrillers have left Alex with zero privacy, so they leave Manhattan for the privacy Maine allegedly offers.
But Jennifer isn't so sure about the move.
She grew up in Maine, and returning means confronting violent memories she's spent years trying to forget. Still, she loves Alex enough to face her past for his future.
From the moment they arrive, nothing feels quite right.
Their new neighbor, HOA president Raven Hale, greets Jennifer with disturbing warnings and cryptic hints about the previous owner's death. Strange phone calls start coming from someone who shouldn't be able to call anyone at all because they're dead. And in a basement they never knew existed, they discover things that were left behind for a killer reason.
As the perfect facade of Winter Cove Estates begins to crack, Jennifer finds herself questioning not just her neighbors' motives, but her own memories. The line between what's real and what's constructed becomes dangerously thin, and Jennifer must navigate an increasingly unstable world where nothing—and no one—can be trusted.
In Winter Cove Estates, buried secrets refuse to stay dead. And when reality itself becomes the enemy, the question isn't who you can trust.
It's whether you can trust yourself.
A masterfully twisted exploration of trauma, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive, The Cul-de-Sac will leave you questioning everything you think you know about reality itself.
Perfect for readers of Freida McFadden, Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, and Riley Sager who crave psychological thrillers that blur the boundaries between truth and delusion.
About the Author
Christopher Smith is the author of the #1 international bestselling The Fifth Avenue Series, The Bullied Series, and You Only Die Twice. He has sold over 3.5 million books worldwide in eighteen different languages. He lives on the coast of Maine.
WHAT EARLY ARC READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE
"I've read over 300 psychological thrillers, and this one stands alone. Smith doesn't just break the fourth wall—he incinerates it. The way he handles unreliable narration is absolutely masterful. This will be on every 'Best of' list this year." — BookCritic_Anonymous, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book destroyed me in the most beautiful way possible. I sobbed at the ending—not because it was sad, but because it was so perfectly, devastatingly true. Smith has created something extraordinary here. This is literature disguised as an unforgettable, terrifying thriller." — EmotionalReaderAlways, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I thought I understood psychological thrillers until I read this. THE CUL-DE-SAC isn't just unreliable narration—it's unreliable reality.
Alex West thinks he's found paradise when he and his wife, Jennifer, purchase The Glass House in the exclusive community of Winter Cove Estates. Years of writing #1 bestselling psychological thrillers have left Alex with zero privacy, so they leave Manhattan for the privacy Maine allegedly offers.
But Jennifer isn't so sure about the move.
She grew up in Maine, and returning means confronting violent memories she's spent years trying to forget. Still, she loves Alex enough to face her past for his future.
From the moment they arrive, nothing feels quite right.
Their new neighbor, HOA president Raven Hale, greets Jennifer with disturbing warnings and cryptic hints about the previous owner's death. Strange phone calls start coming from someone who shouldn't be able to call anyone at all because they're dead. And in a basement they never knew existed, they discover things that were left behind for a killer reason.
As the perfect facade of Winter Cove Estates begins to crack, Jennifer finds herself questioning not just her neighbors' motives, but her own memories. The line between what's real and what's constructed becomes dangerously thin, and Jennifer must navigate an increasingly unstable world where nothing—and no one—can be trusted.
In Winter Cove Estates, buried secrets refuse to stay dead. And when reality itself becomes the enemy, the question isn't who you can trust.
It's whether you can trust yourself.
A masterfully twisted exploration of trauma, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive, The Cul-de-Sac will leave you questioning everything you think you know about reality itself.
Perfect for readers of Freida McFadden, Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, and Riley Sager who crave psychological thrillers that blur the boundaries between truth and delusion.
About the Author
Christopher Smith is the author of the #1 international bestselling The Fifth Avenue Series, The Bullied Series, and You Only Die Twice. He has sold over 3.5 million books worldwide in eighteen different languages. He lives on the coast of Maine.
WHAT EARLY ARC READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE
"I've read over 300 psychological thrillers, and this one stands alone. Smith doesn't just break the fourth wall—he incinerates it. The way he handles unreliable narration is absolutely masterful. This will be on every 'Best of' list this year." — BookCritic_Anonymous, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book destroyed me in the most beautiful way possible. I sobbed at the ending—not because it was sad, but because it was so perfectly, devastatingly true. Smith has created something extraordinary here. This is literature disguised as an unforgettable, terrifying thriller." — EmotionalReaderAlways, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I thought I understood psychological thrillers until I read this. THE CUL-DE-SAC isn't just unreliable narration—it's unreliable reality.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2025
67 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Smith
21 books5 followersChristopher Smith is the author of the #1 international bestselling The Fifth Avenue Series, The Bullied Series, You Only Die Twice, and The Cul-de-Sac. He has sold over 3.5 million books worldwide in eighteen different languages. He lives on the coast of Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2025
If you think you know what is coming - think again.
I love psychological thrillers and I love all the twists and turns they take me. This one though caught me by surprise.
We learn of Jennifer's life and parts of her past. But events in Jennifer's life quickly take a turn and everything starts to spin out of control.
While I got suspicious of some of Jennifer's interactions early on, I was not prepared for the biggest twist in the story. And for a moment I didn't want to continue reading as I was so taken aback. But I did continue and I am glad I did. Maybe what knocked me so much was the fact that some of this came close to stories of people I worked with in real life. It certainly took me a moment to recover.
So, not the direction I expected this to go but something new for all the thriller readers.
I love psychological thrillers and I love all the twists and turns they take me. This one though caught me by surprise.
We learn of Jennifer's life and parts of her past. But events in Jennifer's life quickly take a turn and everything starts to spin out of control.
While I got suspicious of some of Jennifer's interactions early on, I was not prepared for the biggest twist in the story. And for a moment I didn't want to continue reading as I was so taken aback. But I did continue and I am glad I did. Maybe what knocked me so much was the fact that some of this came close to stories of people I worked with in real life. It certainly took me a moment to recover.
So, not the direction I expected this to go but something new for all the thriller readers.
September 1, 2025
If you don't read this, shame on you!
This book is absolutely amazing! It's pure genius! This is totally different from anything Christopher Smith has written before! The way he started out with this book and how it ended totally blew my mind! I couldn't put it down and I didn’t want it to end. I can definitely see this as having a sequel. If you haven't read any of Christopher's other books do yourself a favor and read them. Equally brilliant and shows the depths this author can go to in his writings.
This book is absolutely amazing! It's pure genius! This is totally different from anything Christopher Smith has written before! The way he started out with this book and how it ended totally blew my mind! I couldn't put it down and I didn’t want it to end. I can definitely see this as having a sequel. If you haven't read any of Christopher's other books do yourself a favor and read them. Equally brilliant and shows the depths this author can go to in his writings.
October 8, 2025
Fantastic! Page Turner! Suspenseful!
The only reason why I put this down daily is because I kept reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore! You think one thing is happening and then it takes a complete tailspin into something completely different. Christopher has turned me into a fan of psychological thrillers!!
My heart goes out to the main character throughout the entire book and then multiplies by infinity over the last 50 pages. The characters are well crafted in this story as well as relatable.
Christopher has done it again! Read today!!
The only reason why I put this down daily is because I kept reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore! You think one thing is happening and then it takes a complete tailspin into something completely different. Christopher has turned me into a fan of psychological thrillers!!
My heart goes out to the main character throughout the entire book and then multiplies by infinity over the last 50 pages. The characters are well crafted in this story as well as relatable.
Christopher has done it again! Read today!!
August 31, 2025
The Cul-De-Sac is one of those captivating one day reads you just can't put down. It was a riveting page turner, full of twist, turns, and kept you guessing right up until the last page. If you are looking for a fast-paced psychological thriller that evokes endless emotions and leaves you gobsmacked, look no further. Mr. Smith knows how to enchant and draw in his readers, keeping them on the edge of their seat and wanting more.
September 9, 2025
Christopher Smith had done it again! This fast paced book was so well crafted with so many twists and turns that it was impossible to figure out where it was going!! About halfway through, I had to stop trying to figure out where it was going and just enjoy the ride. And enjoy that ride I did!! Excellent book!
August 31, 2025
Wow definitely a page turner with so many twists. Couldn’t get to the end quick enough.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I have read all this authors books and this one was one of my favourites.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I have read all this authors books and this one was one of my favourites.
September 25, 2025
Loved it
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked right from the beginning. Couldn't put it down and enjoyed the twists that I never saw coming. Thank you Christopher. Can't wait to start another one.
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked right from the beginning. Couldn't put it down and enjoyed the twists that I never saw coming. Thank you Christopher. Can't wait to start another one.
September 28, 2025
WOW! Excellent Book
I have been a fan of Christopher Smith’s books since Fifth Avenue. I was thrilled for a new book and he never disappoints! You get so wrapped in the story and can’t stop! My only wish is that his books came out sooner. Great Work!!!
I have been a fan of Christopher Smith’s books since Fifth Avenue. I was thrilled for a new book and he never disappoints! You get so wrapped in the story and can’t stop! My only wish is that his books came out sooner. Great Work!!!
August 31, 2025
Fantastic book
This book was so good- I could not put it down! The plot was not what I expected! I recommend that everyone read this!
This book was so good- I could not put it down! The plot was not what I expected! I recommend that everyone read this!
September 8, 2025
Couldn't put it down! Not to give too much away, but the twist is amazing...I didn't see it coming although in retrospect, it totally makes sense!
September 10, 2025
Great page Turner. A shocking ending. Awesome 👏 job Christopher Smith. Five Stars!!!
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January 2, 2026My first Christopher Smith novel, and I have only four words:
THIS BOOK IS CRAZY!
THIS BOOK IS CRAZY!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews