WOW! What a slow burn leading up to a completely riveting ending. The character development was superb and so uncomfortable. It had such a good blend of horror with politics, racism, isolation, and the unraveling of an entire neighborhood. I highly recommend this read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for my ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a very slow burn, character examination. We spend 80% of the book just in the day to day lives of too many people. The switching POV unfortunately lead to quite a bit of repetitiveness to the point, it almost felt like hand holding.
(I can remember details, I don’t need them repeated almost verbatim)
Also, the scenes of these characters were very drawn out; I would skim a few pages and then think to myself “nope, still talking about the same thing”.
I really don’t want to be so negative. The last 20% was so perfectly written it gave a great sense of “everyone going crazy” and I wanted so much more of that.
Unfortunately the first 80% just felt like it dragged so much, that I almost can’t recommend this one.

You have to really enjoy heavy internal monologue and a somewhat dull day to day existence of some of these characters. Martial fights that (just like real life) are repetitive, arguing about the same things in circles. Not fun to live, and also not fun to read.

This book was an interesting book but a very slow burn felt it dragged on a little more than it had to. But over all a decent book.

We meet many characters who all live in the same neighbourhood. These characters are all connected through a so called "haunted house" in the neighbourhood. Each perspective shows how their mental health declines, following a fire at the beginning of the novel.

This book is super boring. I found myself skimming, willing for the book to be over. The only reason I didn't give this book a lower rating is because the ending was actually really good. The last 15-20% of the book picks up. I also would not classify this novel as a horror novel. I would classify it as a psychological drama.

Sometimes slow burn novels are good and build things up. However, I just found this one TOO slow. I did not care about any of the characters internal monologues at all. Based on the reviews, it seems a lot of people did enjoy this style of novel. It is not for everyone, including myself.

Thank you Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review..

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was very intriguing and definitely a page turner. I will be looking for more from this author.

Thank you netgalley.

A haunting, horrifying, absolutely reads like nonfiction tale of a neighborhood thrown into a purgatorial upending that causes a domino effect of terrible tragedies. This is an absolute must read of 2023. Fitch delivers a story so well written, real life, with characters you feel could be your neighbor and friends that you forget you are reading and just become emersed in the tale. Scary, timely, and a whirlwind of crazy that begins so suddenly and then just hits the ground running. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

After reading Boy in the box which is one of my favourite horror book I knew I wanted to read Dead Ends by Marc E. Fitch and I was once again amazed at the writing and overall plot of the book.

Told in multiple perspectives, we are introduced to the several residents who reside in the neighbourhood, a drunk husband who’s marriage is troubled, a son who is taking care of his mother with Alzheimers, a politician and a mother who is trying to lead her children in the right path but they are making bad choices in their lives. Dead Ends is a slow burn which I really enjoy in books but once you’re getting through the book the tension, horror aspects and chill pick up and it adds that shock and chills throughout your body.

The writing is so well done, the portrayal of the characters were written very realistically and each character came with their own problems and flaws which as you read their perspectives it makes them more human and as you read their perspectives you are able to connect with them like you would in the real world.

Dead Ends is a slow burn horror book that has the right amount of twists and the ending was something I was not expecting as I’m sure many readers won’t which makes it all the more fun to read. There is also some violence that happens in the book which will be shocking but overall the whole premise and plot of this book was a treat to read and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I would recommend to other readers to check this book out as you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and Flame Tree Press for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest opinion.

This is a cleverly-written supernatural-tinged story. The blurb about the book describes it as 'character-driven'. Although this is helpful to the reader given the plot and setting, I found some of the character descriptions and introspections too long, detracting from plot development.

Nevertheless, it's a good read. You're never really sure where the story's going but it leads to a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

A little too dark for my taste, but a good book nonetheless. The characters were well developed, that was the best part for me. Overall, the tone was bleak and kind of depressing. The characters were disconnected and felt isolated. We’ve all probably been there, not always fun to think or read about. If you’re not in a great place psychologically, I’d skip this one for now.

I found this to be more of a psychological thriller with paranormal aspects.

This is not pure horror, so be forewarned, but it is still quite scary.

The characters and plot felt well developed, but the pacing was slow at times. At times it was frighteningly realistic.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Flame Tree Press for a copy!

This is a character driven novel whose horrors lie more in the mind than the supernatural. That's not to say it's not frightening because it very much is.

The characters in this book will be delved into, revealing dark secrets and oftentimes horrible thoughts that we are all familiar with. The government conspiracy theories, the complete lack of trust in the news, the lives we've carved for ourselves that still leave us feeling empty and worthless. These are all themes explored through the characters here and it's pretty chilling because it hits so close to reality that it can be a bit uncomfortable to think about.

That's not to say there isn't a decidedly creepy vibe strung throughout this story. It begins with a teen setting fire to an abandoned home in a secluded neighborhood and this act is the catalyst for the bloodshed later.

And, yes, there is bloodshed as fear turns to anger, anger turns to finger pointing, and finger pointing turns to delusions of prosecution and paranoi. And once that happens, there are severe brutal consequences as some of these characters slowly unravel and lose themselves in their delusions.

While this might not be a traditional horror novel, it's an excellent dark character study and I highly recommend it.

A really great and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.

4 Stars!

I did not really know what to expect when I started Dead Ends by Marc E Fitch. I had read Fitch’s work before, but the synopsis for this one left me guessing. Knowing that it was a Flame Tree Press release suggested that it was going to be a good read, though, so I was eager to get into the novel and see what it was all about.



Ridgewood seemed to be an idyllic neighborhood, but every neighborhood has its demons. Tension had been building under the surface for a while even as the residents tried to bury this tension under the veneer of the ordinary. Then came the day when the abandoned house that had been a blight on the neighborhood burned down. The police were quick to write it off as an accident with fireworks, but those who lived in Ridgewood knew better. A troubled teen, Lucas, had been obsessed with the house and goes missing after it burns down. The neighborhood knew he was responsible for the burned house. They also feared what the arson may have set loose from the abandoned structure that some believed to be haunted.



Four families in particular feel the burden of the forces, supernatural or psychological, that are unleashed when the house burns down. Vernon is trying to tend to his mother on his own as she slips deeper into dementia and begins to tell stories about a boy that visits her in the back yard. Elizabeth lives alone with her dreams of becoming an ever-more power politician as she strives to leave her mark on the world while dealing with the terror of a nightly caller who rings her doorbell only to quickly disappear. Joe and Amber live a quiet life with their two sons but feel trapped by their mundane existence. Lastly, John and Jessica have a marriage that is growing more unhappy with each passing day as Jessica dreams of more while Joe becomes obsessed with the corruption of the modern world and slips further into a bottle to hide his pain. No one knew it at the time, but there was something in that house that was unleashed upon the neighborhood when it burned to the ground. Soon there will be Hell to pay.



I will start by saying that I really like Dead Ends. However, I can see how the book may not appeal to some readers. This is a character driven story, and it switches between the main characters throughout the novel. This method of storytelling can be a little off-putting as it pulls the rug from under the reader just as they are getting comfortable. Even more challenging at times, though, is that this novel develops very slowly. It is never boring, but it takes a long time for the story to develop and there were times when I was wondering where Fitch was going with the story. It seemed to just meander along at its own pace, and I kept waiting for something to happen. And waiting. And waiting. Then, the last 20 percent of the novel just exploded, and everything came together, or apart, and the complexity of the story becomes clear. I spent most of the novel wondering where Fitch was going with the story. The climax of the novel makes this clear, I think, and took my breath away. It is brutal and shocking and everything that could possibly be asked of a novel. I still cannot believe what I read.



Dead Ends is a no-holds barred look at the modern world and the issues that boil under the surface of even a seemingly perfect community. Dead Ends is everyone’s nightmare. Fitch takes a cast of “normal” people and shows how the pressure cooker of the modern world can cause the bonds of security to break. In a world in which even good deeds often get punished, security has become an illusion that society struggles to maintain rather than a truism of the modern world. What makes Dead Ends so scary is that every character is relatable and the horror that ensues is something that we can all imagine happening in our neighborhoods. While there is a hint of the supernatural and the occult in the novel, this is a psychological novel grounded in reality. It is not so much a horror novel, straying far from the traditional tropes of the genre, as it is a horrific yet realistic look at the world. The true terror of the novel is in this reality of both the setting and characters so that it almost feels as if you may turn the page only to find yourself as a character in the story. Dead Ends is not an easy novel to read, but it is a very rewarding read for those who can stick with it and work through the first part of the book that extensively develops the nightmare to come.



I would like to thank Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for this review copy. Dead Ends is available now.

This is one of my favorite books I've read this year! It is a slow burn and a haunting story. The characters are well written and Marc E Finch did an amazing job with crafting a great story. I would highly reccommend this book! Special Thank You to the author, Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

What a wild tale. Every time Fitch introduced new characters the story took on a different feel, and I have to say at first I wasn’t even sure where he was going with this story, but his writing style is so enjoyable I didn’t care. I was more than willing to go along for the ride. The characters are fleshed out so well you’ll swear they are real people you know. The story oozes atmosphere and intrigue with Fitch consistently doling out just enough breadcrumbs to entice you deeper into his story and to keep you reading late into the night. Thanks so much to Flame Tree Press for the ARC.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-ends-marc-e-fitch/1142564298?ean=9781787588509&bvnotificationId=f817fa87-3b99-11ee-a79f-0a0f1b1fa9b3&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/255494326

Ridgewood is a neighborhood where they have young families with small children single people couples and everyone knows each other’s business. John lives there with his wife Jessica and their two kids Jessica is getting fed up with John his drinking and with his recent arrest things are really tense in the home. Then there’s Amber and Joe with their two boys and rowdy dogs Amber feels like there must be more to this life and tries to talk to Joe but he isn’t listening. There’s also Elizabeth she’s a Hillary Clinton type politician and she even dress like the famous Democrat she lives alone and for the most part she likes it that way then there’s Vernon he lives with his mom who has Alzheimer’s and although he has never worked he’s a smart guy and wishes he would’ve done more with his life. Everyone in this neighborhood has issues but the one with the most issues is Lucas he sets fire to a home that has been abandoned for years and goes missing after the fire. Everyone in their town knew Lucas had problems and they found him odd and scary. After the fire strange things start happening in the neighborhood that seem paranormal and when the book is over it is left up to the reader to the side. John is angry because despite the fact everyone knows the fire was started by Luke the newspaper reporter says it was started by fireworks and he becomes obsessed with the news his neighborhood end it all makes for a great distraction from the misery of his wife Jessica. When she tries to talk to him he says the life is fine and he is baffled as to why she would be upset. Amber seems to be having similar issues over at her house her oldest son used to hang with Luke but it seems her husband Joe would rather go hunting despite all the crazy things happening in the neighborhood. Vernon catches his mom talking to Luke end it seems to torture the Alzheimer’s victim because she claims she even talks to her when she is home by herself. Elizabeth is a politician who no one in her neighborhood would vote for she seems to have great long-term plans but is preaching to those who want instant satisfaction. These all the events that set the stage because it someone will be murdered and someone else will lose their mind. This was a pretty good book I am not big on character driven books where you have to read through pages and pages of inner dialogue and I almost gave up but OMG I am so glad I did not. There is a point to all these woe is me paragraphs And I got to a point where I did not want to put the book down. I am not one who reads into messages in a book but thought the author did a great job explaining someone who is ripe for the picking when it comes to extremist groups fake news police taking the easy way out ET see having said that besides all of that this is a great horror book I love a book where are you don’t know if it’s paranormal or people and I think it takes a talented author who can pull that off I also think it’s awesome dead body and you still do not know. I felt so bad for John and Amber but OMG… OMG if this Facebook doesn’t end with a blast I don’t know what does I also want to say I think the last chapter with Elizabeth is great commentary on America in those seeking something other in their life. This was a great book I loved it they were twist on top of twist and although I do not like books with so much inner dialogue I am so glad I finish this one because wow! I want to think Flametree books and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This was nit what I was expecting, in the best tpossible way! It's very character driven and not a lot actually happens for most of the book but we're shown a glimpse of these people lives and who they are really. It's multiple pov and it's just such a cleverly written horror that's engaging and captures the raw reality of humanity. It hints at something ominous and supernatural giving such a tense atmosphere that builds throughout and then everything finally comes to a head in the final section of the book. I dont want to give any spoilers so I'll leave it at that but its definitely worth a read!

Marc E. Fitch's 'Dead Ends' was a very interesting psychological drama, with some well-placed hints of the supernatural. It's written from multiple points of view: a husband's (father of a boy and a girl), a wife's (mother of two boys), a female politician's with no family, and a son's (who’s taking care of his mother, who has dementia). They are all neighbors, know each other (or come to know each other bit by bit), and their fates are intertwined when the so-called "haunted house" in the neighborhood goes up in flames. The book is a slow-burn, character-driven, and for more than three thirds of it pretty much nothing's happening, other than poignant internal monologues about each character's place in life, their choices, their relationships, and their standing in society, all fueled by the impact of the unexpected house fire. This may sound uninteresting; trust me, it isn't: Fitch makes of it a riveting narrative, writing engagingly and soberly, with minimum drama but lots of insight and cruel, raw realism. I was reminded of the movie “Hereditary”: a feeling of dread and oppression pervades the story, while at the same time nothing is clear and the tension slowly builds up. Fitch’s great storytelling skills turn the downward spirals of each character into engrossing takes on life and existence, while an atmosphere of ambiguity makes you wonder whether this might not be really a horror book, but instead the penetrating portrayal of human misery. All characters are relatable, though deeply flawed; their gruesome fates not far from what one finds everyday in the news. And here is where the supernatural element enhances the sinister vibes of the tale, deepens the misery, and ultimately exploits it to feed itself. The ending was simply brilliant, confirming, by the way, that this is an extraordinary horror book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was absolutely incredible. This is exactly what I think of when I think of modern horror. It's often reflective in only ways a horror novel can make you feel. As a fan of "slowburns" this was right up my alley as the author took you deep into the thoughts of the characters all the while unfolding this traumatic interconnected story.

While there are hints of the supernatural, the story as a whole was extremely real. Real life, with real people facing real blood-churning tragedies.

Amazing work. Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for an early copy!