Christopher Null

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 show more (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! show less

Christopher Null's Five Stars! How to Become a Film Critic, The World's Greatest Job, mixes the basics of film history and theory, film making, writing reviews, analyzing films, and marketing. He even talks about the pros and cons of rating systems, from thumbs up or down to four or five starts to letter grades. And if you're truly serious about becoming a film critic, there's an indispensable compilation of contacts and distributors. This truly is an all-in-one guide to film criticism.

Even show more if you have only a casual interest in film and no desire to be a published critic, you will learn something from Five Stars! In fact, Null's discussion of film theory and styles and his personal list of 300 "Must-See Films for the Aspiring Critic" are alone worth the price of admission. Frankly, I could care less if I ever have a film review published. I know that I now watch movies with a different – and more informed – perspective. You will, too.

Originally posted at http://prairieprogressive.com/?p=452 show less