Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

When a gunman enters a local primary school, Marty’s mum a teacher is shot dead along with 10 pupils.

Trent is a bit of a conspiracy theorist. He and other truthers don’t believe that he events of the shooting.

The story is told from the point of view of various characters in the past, present and current day settings.

While I liked this book, I found it really slow. However it was a good read.

Absolutely thrilling. Steeped in the wet dark beauty of the Lake District. A couple of weak plot lines - people simply not believing the massacre took place didn't ring true, - but otherwise excellent

This is a difficult book to read for anyone with any connection to a National Disaster. The event (no matter how devastating) is only the beginning.

A spider’s web of the impact that follows touches anyone and everyone with even the remotest link to the place, the people, the event - anything and everything - all tainted for the rest of their lives and sometimes the (sad, bad, mad) memories from before.

If this is you, perhaps choose another book. If this is not you, read as a way to understand how things unfold: before; during and after and learn what it is like for those involved.

NOT PART OF THE REVIEW - Personal comments.
I’m afraid I only read about 25% and could take no more. I was a counsellor following a national disaster and the book brought back such painful memories of those directly involved or affected.

As an admirer of Abigail Dean’s debut novel GIRL A I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of DAY ONE and intrigued to see how Dean tackled another serious and sensitive subject; this time a school shooting. At first I expected this to be a thriller or a mystery with the short, multi-perspective chapters leading to a dramatic revelation about the events of the day. But that is not this book. This is a measured, thoughtful, character-driven story which examines the fallout of such a traumatic event on an entire community and the way events can be twisted by those seeking to control the narrative for their own means. It’s about a community who comes to be considered a short-hand for something tragic – like Dunblane, Lockerbie or Columbine – and how, despite this, life goes on.

The community in question is Stonesmere, a fictional village in the picturesque Lake District. In some ways Stonesmere feels quite anachronistic, a rural idyll that harbours a small, closely-knit group of residents who are close to nature and seem immune to the pressures of modern-life. However this sense of harmonious pastoral life is shattered when a gunman opens fire at the local primary school during a school play, massacring primary school students and teachers.

The events of that day and the events leading up to that day are told from alternating perspectives of individuals and families affected by the tragedy: Ava Ward – the dedicated schoolteacher who used her own body as a human shield to protect children from her class; her teenage daughter Martha ‘Marty’ – a promising athlete who flunked her exams and remained in the village helping at the school and who inadvertently becomes the face of the tragedy when she runs from the hall and is collared by the press into giving an ill-fated interview; Samuel Malone a ex-student who is drafted in to help with the play’s lighting who is shot but miraculously recovers even though his little brother doesn’t; Sergeant Larkin, the village’s police officer and his son Kit who was killed in the shooting; Trent, an aspiring journalist and ex-Stonesmere resident who becomes convinced that Marty knows more about this story than is being reported and who falls in with a bunch of online conspiracy theorists determined to find the “truth”.

The story is largely told through the lenses of Marty and Trent, but interspersed with narrative interjections which add colour and back-story from other residents. It jumps timelines frequently – before the tragedy, the day of the tragedy and around 10 years after the tragedy – which can occasionally be confusing and does make the narrative a bit disjointed and I found it therefore hard to connect with any one character.

Initially I also found it a little jarring that this book is set in the UK. Mass-shootings are so often depicted as happening in America and the “post-truth” movement (such as Alex Jones and the Sandy Hook deniers) seems so wrapped up in US political discussions that it felt wrong to be discussing a school shooting in a very rural UK village. However, once I had got my head round this and remembered that the UK did have several infamous school shootings, I became grateful that this isn’t something we commonly have to face. That jarring feeling is a stark reminder that these events are outliers in the UK today rather than the everyday discourse of American newscasts.

Overall I found this to be a hugely compelling read. I don’t think it has quite the same propulsion as Girl A or the same punchy ending, but it really feels like Dean is trying to do something stylistically very different and it’s a huge achievement juggling the sheer number of voices in this book. Some of the characters are really well drawn. The chapter told from the point of view of Kit Larkin- an anxious child who was killed in the shooting I found particularly heart-breaking.

I think if you pick this up thinking it is a thriller you might be disappointed, but if you want a very well-written, stylish and intelligent dissection of contemporary issues told through the prism of a community coming to terms with a traumatic event – I think this will hold you captivated. I look forward to what Abigail Dean writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers who provided a copy of the manuscript in return for an honest review.

This is an accomplished novel I really liked the authors previous novel Girl A and when this book arrived on NetGalley, it jumped straight to the top of my to be read list.

I was pulled very quickly into the story and wanted to know what happens next
The conspiracy theories seem a little unbelievable to begin with and if it wasn’t for the fact that I know that there were people in America, who denied the columbine massacre I would’ve found some of the storylines unbelievable. As it was, I knew that such people existed there’s been more visibility for conspiracy theory lists. A few years, possibly spiked by the those who denied vaccine safety, following COVID-19

The author is the Queen of The teasing flash forward the story is told from a number of different time points, and it was always clear to me when I was reading about .
I like the way the very little is written about the atrocity itself as your mind fills in the missing details
The part at the end where on earth to breathe fathers, says that her their sons junior school teacher gave him all the best parts for the last year was so heartbreaking . As parents, we are always aware of how important our children’s teachers particular primary school are in their life and development.
Characters are all well defined and their development feels real and natural.

The authors writing style is thoroughly enjoyable to read. The story is paced fast enough to be enjoyable and kept my attention. I found it difficult to put the book down.
The ending is really beautiful. What would your last memories be if your life flashed in front of you at the moment of death?
I read an early copy on NetGalley, UK The novel is published in the UK by HarperCollins, UK, Harper fiction on the 28th of March 2024
This review will appear on Goodreads and NetGalley, UK, and on my book block bionic,Sarahsbooks.wordpress.com

A beautiful Lake District town is the setting for this thought provoking and tense novel. Day One is the day when a shooing takes place in the town’s primary school, and the story is not only of the hunt for the killer, but also of the devastating effects conspiracy theories on social media can have on grieving families. There are plenty of twists and turns, with excellent characterisation and relationships. The story weaves a little too often between timelines, making it a bit difficult to follow at times, but this a really gripping story, and told with compassion and an intelligent writing style.

Do we need another book about a junior school shooting? Isn't it a topic that's been played out so many times that it might be thought that there's no new ground to cover? What makes this book different is that it's not based in the USA where school shootings have practically been 'normalised' through repeated attacks. This one is set in the UK, where such things don't happen - or at least haven't happened since 1996 in Dunblane - and where we don't expect them to happen again, thanks to very strict gun controls.

Dunblane; a place known primarily for the bad things that happened there. Like Hungerford, or Lockerbie, these are towns that can't be separated from their infamy. And to that list, Abigail Dean has added her fictional Stonesmere, a quite town in the Lake District where children and their parents gathered in a hall to watch the 'Day One' performance, an annual ritual to pre-welcome the little ones who would be joining after the summer.

The book offers multiple perspectives and multiple timings. To be fair, the structure is messy and confusing. With sections jumping back and forth through time, we get hints about what followed long before we get the facts. We know that there's something odd about when Marty, the dead teacher's daughter, arrived at the hall, that one of the characters will be locked up but not why, and we are treated to the evil of conspiracy theorists and massacre denial.

We know this sort of stuff happens in the USA. People claim Sandy Hook never happened, they claim that the people in the photos are actors, that it's all just a sham. But we don't expect that in the UK, and it's more shocking for its abnormality. Do we really understand why Trent takes the side of the deniers or what Marty was really doing? We see lives ruined by rumour and revelation and it's fascinating.

With a less clunky structure, I'd have given this 5 stars but I'm knocking off one for all the hopping about and early confusion.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.

Having read 'Girl A' by this author my expectations were really high for her latest offering and it didn't disappoint.
Day One is a slow paced, character driven read rather than a mystery thriller but I would still class it as a page turner as we are led to explore the way grief impacts people and communities following
a shooting at a local primary school. The role that modern technology plays in facilitating the work of conspiracy theorists and the media is also cleverly addressed and gives lots of food for thought.
The book lost a star as I found it a little confusing at times with the timeline jumping back and forth abundantly, several points of view being expressed and different names being used for the same character . I found myself having to track back and re-cap several times and it required a bit more concentration than perhaps I wanted to give when reading for relaxation purposes!
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.

Abigail Dean's writing is raw, honest, and thought-provoking. Her new novel, Day One opens with the horrific crime which takes place in a primary school in the Lake District.
A masked gunman opens fire on childrem and ther teacher whislt they are performing their school play.
The gripping tale unfolds from various perspectives, but primarily from the perspective of the teacher's daughter- Marty.
Trent Casey - aspiring journalist - used to live in the same town where the devastating event took place - but what is his link to the murderer?
Girl A was compelling - a page turner and Dean has fone it again - leaving you on tenterhooks until the very last page. A rivieting read.

Day One is a captivating and thought-provoking read that immerses readers in the aftermath of an unthinkable tragedy that shakes the tight-knit community of Stonesmere. Through the eyes of multiple characters, the story unravels the complex web of emotions and consequences triggered by the devastating incident. What sets this book apart is its clever narrative structure, with each chapter offering a fresh perspective and shedding light on different moments, all starting from Day One.

The author skillfully captures the diverse experiences, emotions, and personalities of the characters, highlighting how these factors shape their individual recollections and perceptions. This exploration delves deep into the lasting impact of trauma, illustrating how it molds our actions and influences our interactions. The book prompts us to reflect on how our personal histories colour our understanding of events, blurring the line between reality and subjective interpretation.

While the writing style occasionally meanders and poses some challenges in terms of clarity, it effectively conveys the sense of confusion that permeates the narrative. The prose mirrors the characters' perspectives, sometimes clouded by fear, hatred, or grief. This deliberate choice contributes to the overall atmospheric quality of the book, leaving readers with a lingering sense of uncertainty and a heightened awareness of the characters' complex states of mind.

Day One fearlessly tackles traumatic themes without resorting to gratuitousness or skirting around the difficult subject matter. From the outset, readers are thrust into the events of Day One, becoming disoriented alongside the characters as they navigate the aftermath. The book fearlessly examines the impact of traumatic events, drawing timely and relevant parallels to real-world events such as Sandy Hook, Donald Trump, Brexit, and Nigel Farage. Although set in the UK, the story hints at an undercurrent of American influence, creating an intriguing and mysterious backdrop that defies easy categorisation.

Overall, Day One offers an engrossing reading experience. While it may not reach the same level of enjoyment as Girl A, its exploration of the aftermath of traumatic events provides a fascinating examination of how individuals process and cope with unspeakable tragedies. The narrative deftly exposes the vulnerability of damaged individuals, susceptible to manipulation by both small-scale and large-scale malicious forces. Through the power of words, actions, and fear, the book highlights the profound impact of these influences. I highly recommend Day One to readers who appreciate true crime, thrillers, or mystery novels. It provides ample material for contemplation, leaving a lasting impression that will linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page.

I’m really conflicted about this book.

Firstly, the premise is horrifying and interesting - a school shooting and the people who are implicated and impacted. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the characters.

However, I found the book itself to be a bit too choppy in the timeline. Each chapter seems to switch time and character, meaning attention has to be paid constantly. It is not a “read when tired” book. I feel I would have got more out of it reading at different times in the day.

None of this detracts from how well written it is, though. Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

Gripping from the start which opens with a school shooting.
The timeline moves around, but each chapter has the date on making it easier to follow.
Some of the characters are not very fleshed out leaving a feeling that something is missing.
Marty's mother died protecting her students, but according to some 'truth' seekers the shooting never happened. Trent is one of the these conspiracy theorists but with a difference, he knew the shooter from before.
The story of what Marty really knows and Trent's obsession make for an interesting read

At Stonesmere primary school in the Lake District, Day One refers to the first day of the next school year, albeit with the summer holidays between this and Day Two. Most primary schools might call it a ‘moving up’ day, organised to allow children to feel positive about the next school year. How ironic, then, that this Day One is the day that will mark the terrible legacy left after the school hall massacre perpetrated by one of Stonesmere’s own.
Whilst we don’t understand the killer’s motives until the final pages, we do know that many families have to live with the consequences of his actions, not least Martha (Marty) whose primary school teacher mother, Ava, is gunned down protecting her class.
Abigail Dean’s novel is an intelligent exploration of why individuals become involved in conspiracy theories and what attracts some to the Far Right, as well as being a sensitive, nuanced depiction of survivors’ guilt. The story is told through several points of view and is the stronger for this. Occasionally the back and forth timelines (there are several!) are irritating rather than enlightening. However, don’t let this put you off if you are looking for a more thoughtful interpretation than a simplistic portrayal of an horrific event.
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

A book written in a very different way but one that kept me between the pages. Day one is a performance at a primary school so that when the youngest children begin term they don’t feel quite so new as it's now their second day. At the performance a man appears with a gun and there are several victims before he turns the gun on himself. Most of the narrative is from Martha’s (Marty) point of view as she was in the room at the time although each section is headed by different main characters. A short time after the incident there are rumours and gossip that it didn't happen quite as first thought and there's the start of a witch hunt to find out if the whole thing was a hoax or that there is more to it and the survivors know more than they are letting on.

I found this rather a staccato read which to me it comes across as rather choppy and disjointed which takes a little more than normal concentration. Although the descriptions are wonderful, I didn't get any warmth (or loathe) of character so felt like an outsider looking in- maybe this is the point? It is however very character driven as much is about them both before and after the incident rather than the pace of a thriller where more is happening both action and narrative wise. A complex, un-perspicuous read.
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
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I enjoyed Girl A and was eager to read this.

A school shooting, targeted to occur during a performance, several children dead, a much loved teacher killed trying to shield them.

The shooting happens on Day One and this is the story of what happens after, over months and years. It is mainly told through the eyes of the slain teacher's daughter Marty, and Trent, one of the locals who gets involved with conspiracy theorists determined to uncover and expose the truth.

It's empathetic I cared about the characters. There are multiple other points of view which all hold weight, children nervous about remembering their lines and the parents having to live with their loss. Dramatically, I found it a little indirect but it still held my interest.

Interesting and well worth a look, while I'm not getting too excited about it, I'll still be looking out for Abigail Dean's next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK

I enjoyed reading this book, I love how the events of Day One unfolded bit by bit and that we also saw the aftermath. I thought it was really well written with Martha's (Marty's) story unfolding and finding out what really happened that day.

I loved reading everyone's different viewpoint as to how they were feeling and what they thought about the events that had occurred.

I thought that the storyline was very clever shown from the different angles, even the 'truthers'. I haven't read Abigail's previous book however love her writing style so will be off to find it!

I was excited the read this book as loved this authors previous novel! Though it was nothing like that book I really enjoyed it!. It did jump from character to character and past and future but I read each chapter carefully so didn’t get confused! I wasn’t sure of the outcome and it kept my interest right to the end

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat through out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book disturbing and dark in places but overall a solid four stars!

A gunman open fire in a school killing a teacher and her pupils, Marty the teachers Daughter survives to tell the story but people do not believe her story and want to find the truth.
Told from many perspectives and many timelines which was confusing at time and a twist at the end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and I`m leaving my review voluntarily
Posted to Goodreads

This was such a great read! Stonesmere is a picturesque town in the Lake District that is shattered by a massacre at the local primary school’s end-of-term play, and is further shattered by claims from conspiracy theorists that the event didn’t actually happen. The reader is taken on a journey to discover the truth surrounding that day.

It’s a great page-turner of a book, but one that is also well written, which many ‘page turners’ are not. I would happily recommend this to fans of crime, crime thrillers and literary fiction.