Apart from its very cool cover, The Deep End falls short of its promise of weird, passion, power, humor, and horror. These eight stories are more geared to social issues of alcoholism, homelessness, spouse abuse, and child abuse. Although I suspect that some readers may find these stories in the realm of horror or weird (if they have lesser knowledge of these issues) instead of their more tragic realities.

In addition, the stories lack in substance and are un-climatic.

If you need tragedy to fulfill your shock-value desires, then you may like this book; otherwise, take a pass.