Cul-de-sac

A Novel

By: Joy Fielding

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

A shooting lays bare the secrets harbored by five families in a sleepy suburban cul-de-sac in this riveting psychological thriller from the New York Times best-selling author of All the Wrong Places.

“Cul-de-sac proves once again that Joy Fielding is an ingenious master of domestic suspense.” (Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and number one national best-selling author of Woman on the Edge)

Someone on this quiet, unassuming cul-de-sac will be shot dead in the middle of a sultry July night.

Will it be Maggie, the perfectionist wife, or Craig, the husband who can’t quite live up to her expectations? They’ve packed up their two children and fled their life in California, hoping for a fresh start in Florida, only to find the demons of the past hovering on their doorstep.

Maybe it will be Nick, a highly respected oncologist, or his wife, Dani, a successful dentist, both with well-kept secrets of their own.

Or perhaps the victim will be Julia, an elderly widow, whose troubled grandson has recently moved in with her, introducing unsavory habits and even more unsavory acquaintances into her formerly quiet existence.

Then there’s Olivia and her husband, Sean. Having lost his job at a prestigious advertising agency, Sean is depressed, resentful of his working wife, and drinking heavily. He is also prone to increasingly violent fantasies.

And what of the newlyweds, Aiden and Heidi, whose marriage is already on the rocks, due to Aiden’s reluctance to stand up to his intrusive mother? Matters aren’t helped when Heidi befriends Julia’s grandson, setting the stage for a major blowup.

A diverse group of neighbors, to be sure. Yet all harbor secrets. All bear scars. And all have access to guns.

Not all will survive the night.

©2021 Joy Fielding (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Set within an upscale neighborhood brimming with dark secrets, this captivating thriller thrums with delicious foreboding on every page. I was entranced by the gifted storytelling and magnetic characters, whose twisted paths converge in a shocking, explosive climax. Cul-de-sac proves once again that Joy Fielding is an ingenious master of domestic suspense.” (Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and number one national best-selling author of Woman on the Edge)

“In the residents of an ordinary-looking cul-de-sac, [Joy] Fielding has created some of her strongest, most compelling characters.... An outstanding thriller and a perfect beach read.” (Booklist, starred review)

I loved this book!

This is storytelling at it's finest. Excellent character development. Interesting & unexpected twists & turns. A very satisfying ending.

excellent!!

loved this listen. the narrator was perfect. story kept my attention Great twist of events.

The Colorful of Cul-de-sac Living

This was was full real family dramas. Things that are probably happening in your neighbors house, who knows? Good book with multiple story lines.

INTERESTING ENOUGH

This novel held my attention adequately that I listened thru the end. Nothing mysterious, nothing exciting. a shade above blah. I can recommend as a book to occupy your mind while performing mind numbing homestead tasks. I can recommend as indicated.

Loved It!

Fantastic, clear narration and interesting story. I live in a court so the story was extra relatable - - without all the guns?! I enjoyed listening to the story unfold. It was fun.

Love Actually with a Murder

Great character development even with the large cast. The characters were differentiated in their personalities and voice so well that I felt as if I lived on the cul-de-sac with these people. The story telling was vivid and concise and I loved the ending.

Kept me guessing

This book kept me guessing right up to till the very end. Every time I thought I knew who did what, I was wrong.

Not exactly a beach read, but perfect for cozy Sunday afternoon thriller!

Simply entertaining

Everything I want from a book. I listen to be entertained and I was. Characters were developed adequately and there was a moral which is sometimes lost with today’s ever political authors. Every last one of us have good and bad in us but it is how weak or how strong we are within as to how we cope. Some overcome and sometimes try as we might we can’t always overcome. The characters grew and found themselves and in some cases weakness was overcome and others it was not and that is life but a good storyline. Totally enjoyable

Perfect! Reminded me of Desperate Housewives!

This book is great and has easily become one of my favorites to binge read! The story is a bit dark, but the tone is nurturing and the narrator’s voice is kind. Perfect balance!!!!

Job well done!

One of the best narrations on Audible ✅

This book had me from the start. Outstanding book. Methodically written and an equally outstanding narration by Lauren Fortgang.

Highly recommend!