Really enjoyed this. Would definitely recommend! What an incredibly powerful book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel when I first started reading this but it was really great. I enjoyed trying piece the puzzle together myself and simply could not put it down.

I find Abigail Dean’s ability to weave an unreliable narrative fascinating and completely gripping. Even as I began to understand parts of what happened at Day One, I didn’t know everything, all the final puzzle pieces, until Dean gave them to us. We are primarily following two narrators, Marty and Trent, across multiple timelines. I have to say I found it really hard to keep track at times of what was happening in a particular timeline, as it jumps between them constantly, and between characters, with a lot of different things going on. However, it was really interesting to see the story from such contrasting viewpoints. Marty, a teenager at the heart of speculation surrounding the Day One massacre, and Trent, a conspiracy theorist and journalist determined to reveal what he believes to be lies - using some questionable means. These young characters are both troubled for different reasons and it’s easy to empathise with them both, though it’s definitely hard to like either of them. We see their relationships with the people in their lives, the good and the bad, and their struggles in moving through the world. But we also see the effect the massacre has on the community, sometimes through different perspectives. At times this is a very emotional read, especially with the accounts from the massacre itself, and it’s naturally very dark but the search for the truth made this difficult to put down. This isn’t a book where you’ll like the characters (though I may have a soft spot for Kit and Larkin) and you’ll be left feeling like you still don’t know these people.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Day One, whilst a beautiful read, just didn’t grip me as much as I wanted it to. Saying that, I enjoyed the read and would definitely recommend.

This book was amazing from start to finish. You really felt as though you were right there in the middle of action and with the characters. A totally brilliant second novel.

Wow, what an amazing gripping book with complex intriguing characters in it, I just didn’t want it to end. A school shooting, a teacher, her daughter and several other characters and told from different viewpoints. A fabulous read

I was a massive fan of Girl, A and recommended it to so many people so I was excited to read another book by Abigail Dean. Whilst I was gripped from the opening page, I found it slightly repetitive and that the plot slowed after the intriguing opening. Having said that, it left me with much to think about and would be a solid read for a book group, offering plenty to discuss.

I enjoyed this book having loved Girl A, but I found this didn't grip me the same.
I liked the multiple narrators but found the timeline jumps irritating and I didn't find Matty very likeable.
I predicted what had happened which felt a bit too easy. Overall I felt the book went on a bit & was over long and so less gripping than it could have been.
My thanks to Netgalley & the Publisher for my E-ARC in return for my honest review.

This book gripped me from the very first page.
It is so incredibly well written and such an absorbing story.

The characters have depth, the storyline flows well with just enough twists to keep me hooked!

What an absolute belter of a thriller. Set in the Lake District, the setting is an important part of the story, adding atmosphere and drama. Following a traumatic event on day one, the story follows conspiracy theorists who are sure it was a hoax. We also follow the lives of victims in the aftermath. We aren't sure who was telling the truth right up to the end, which was really emotional. Wonderful, will be one of my favourite 2024 books.

Dean has used her understanding of the human condition under unusual pressure to once again turn out a thoughtful and considered portrait of a town recovering after a school shooting. She has artfully woven in contemporary concerns over fake news and conspiracy theories, reflecting the psychology on both sides of the equation with sensitivity and empathy. After Girl A, a reader might be expecting something more sensational than this quiet slow-burn of a book, but Day One does not disappoint for all it hangs away from the gory details and focuses instead on what it is to survive and attempt to return to 'normal'.

Day One is a real page turning and gripping yet heartbreaking read that was hard to put down. The pace of the story is just right not rushed at all so you really get the feel of every character and all the emotions they are going through. Abigail Dean has the great ability to draw you into a story and keep you held till the very last page. Recommend. Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins Uk for the arc.

Though I loved Girl A, I really didn’t like this book! The characters didn’t seem real enough to be true. The book jumps about from different perspectives and characters too much. I couldn’t get into it at all.

A School shooting. A favorite teacher and many young primary school children killed. Who did it and why. A rather confusing story which goes back and forth in time lines, uncovering gradually the person involved and why. I did not enjoy this story as much as I had hoped due to the jumping around. You really needed to be on the ball and it would probably have been easier if I had read the book in longer spells. Not something you could pick up and drop after just a few pages. An interesting read in the psychology of young people and how hurt and pass happenings can be processed in their minds - rightly or wrongly.

Having read Girl A, to say I was keen to get my hands on Day One would be the understatement of the year!
I was completely engrossed from the very first page, however, it is a harrowing and particularly unsettling read that you’ll find yourself needing to walk away from time to time.
Top tip - Make sure you read the chapter headings to avoid timeline confusion
A gripping 5⭐️ read, I look forward to Abigail Deans next offering.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 28th March 2024. Oh my goodness what a book the subject of the book was definitely done with such emotion (the school shooting) and it was beautifully written. I found myself going through a range of mixed emotions whilst reading it from anger to sadness mainly.

I loved the character Martha and I felt like I really understood her as a character I also liked Susan and at times whilst reading it made me smile. I felt like the characters were well- developed as well.

Overall, a very emotive story and I have found myself thinking about it since I’ve read it.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read Day One!
I loved Girl A so was really looking forward to reading this. However I found it really hard to get into. I don’t know if it’s that I didn’t relate to the subject, but the book just wasn’t for me.

That’s not to say it won’t be for others, and there was nothing wrong with the writing.

What an absolute masterpiece. A school shooting. Two narrators on multiple timelines. Secrets, lies, conspiracy theorists, the lot!

Absolutely loved this book. Loved the way it told the story in bits and pieces, the complex characters of Marty and Trent were perfectly pitched (also what a character Susan was, she genuinely made me laugh!).

Buy this book!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Prior to me diving into my review about this book, I would say to check the trigger warnings as it does focus around some dark subjects. Also, if you have read Girl A and enjoyed it then I would think you will like this one however do not go into this book expecting your common thriller as this is far from it!

Within day one Abigail perfectly conveys how telling us how Trent descended into madness. This book takes a thoughtful dive into a school shooting and contains well-drawn characters also some people may find the story controversial but you’ll only be able to determine this if you read it..

I liked this book a lot and would recommend if you like Abigail Dean’s writing style however I think it was slow-paced whereas I am more used to a page-gripping thriller and I did struggle at points to determine the timeline of the story.

A very powerful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It takes you through so many emotions-I mean, with the subject matter it was always going to be emotive but the author does well at showing different sides.

I admire a brave author and Abigail Dean does not fear writing about difficult subjects. Day One is a prime example of this because it features a school shooting and the dreadful aftermath and how it affects a whole community. The story unfolds with different points of view and the reader is left wondering if things are as they seem. Another gripping and disturbing tale from this talented author. 5 stars!