This is my third book of Abigail Dean books and definitely my favourite. The Death of Us is such a powerful story. It’s a brilliant characterisation of two people coping with a truly horrible crime against themselves. How one awful event in their lives completely destroyed their relationship and how they come back from that. Brilliant writing, I highly recommend reading this.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

That was one of the saddest and most utterly devastating books I’ve ever read. But in a good way. If that makes any sense.
We follow Isabel and Edward, how they meet, fall in love and intend to spend the rest of their lives together - until their world is shattered when they become victims of a home invader/rapist who assaults them one night. The novel spans decades and charts the effect of their trauma upon their relationship and how they navigate the world afterwards. And the reader feels it, every painful step of it. This book was so perfectly crafted and executed. I am in awe of Abigail Dean.

What a read. A very complex storyline and characters. A terrible crime is committed and the story takes you through the build up exploring the relationship of the main characters. You read past events, how the relationship of Isobel and Edward develops through troubled times and how they cope! Would thoroughly recommend.

Abigail Dean's book is an examination of a relationship following a horrifying assault. Based on the crimes of the Golden State killer, some parts of the book a harrowing, however the tender and enduring nature of the relationship between Isabel and Edward shines through. A book that stays with you long after you've finished.

A slow and dramatic thriller that crosses the timelines. It's very emotional and charged. It seems quite drawn out at times which increases the tension but makes it a bit too protracted for me.

'The Death of Us' is a very raw, incredibly powerful read, centering on Isabel and Edward; their life together and apart and how a traumatic, devastating crime impacts on this. This was by no means an easy read but oh my goodness was it a very readable one. I was completely immersed in their lives and following their developments.
Dean's characters are sublime and tell this story effortlessly. Dean really focuses on the impact of crime and we meet multiple victims and see how they are all impacted differently. This was incredibly powerful reading.
'The Death of Us' is by no means an easy read but very worthwhile and gripping.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy.

I found this a very slow read and difficult to follow the characters. The timelines were not always clear and this made it hard to relate to the people. The premise of the story was great and a lot of work obviously went into researching the topic. It was not a book for me at all

I found this book written in a way that didn"t hold my attention too well. I found it quite drawn out and although I liked the storyline, it was a shame it didn't live up to the reviews I have seen

A review without spoilers, It's a slow burner. The author stresses on how Trauma reshapes a person. Also the story is dark personally I can't place it as a crime thriller . But a story told from the victims pov was very clever idea . The story alternates between the present and the past the timeline when the incident shattered Isabel and Edward's life also it's been narrated from both Isabel and Edwards perspective. Overall it's a good psychological thriller. I thank netgalley and harpercollins for eARC copy.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I first started reading this novel, but it perhaps was not this. And I don't mean that in a bad way at all. This is a completely compelling and emotionally absorbing story of two people, Isabel and Edward, whose lives were turned upside down following a devastating home invasion. Their story is almost infamous, one a series of attacks by a truly heinous character who terrorised couples across London in the nineties and early 2000's and who, until now, had remained at large an unidentified. Now caught and, having confessed to his crimes, about to face his judgment, the story follows the pair as they navigate the trial and the prospect of having to deliver an impact statement to the world. Their final chance to draw a line under what has happened perhaps, and in Isabel's case to address her attacker and to let make him understand the impact of his actions upon her life.

I liked how the author has framed this story. This is not a linear recounting of the story; the action moves back and forth between the present day, where Isabel and Edward have succumbed to the tragedy of what happened to them and are now separated, and Isabel's statement in which she takes her attacker, and by extension us as the reader, through their shared history. How they met; the early days of their blossoming romance and the awkward courtship via a worde phone connection that only a Young Adult of the 90s can really understand . How absolutely complete their lives were, how happy their marriage, and how their connection seemed to be strong enough to withstand anything. But, drawing on tragic realism and the devastation that such an attack can have on families, pushing victims apart rather than drawing them together, Abigail Dean walks us through the inevitable erosion of their happiness and the secrets and hurt that each of them carries. There is a real emotional pull within this story and I could not help but feel for the pair of them, both unhappy but trying to make the best of their situation as circumstance and their own sense of guilt and loss would allow.

Abigail Dean has spared us the worst of what happens to any of the victims in this truly heinous case, but the truth is never far from the surface and what happens is explicitly clear without being gratuitous. Isabel's reaction feels authentic, if unexpected for those around her, and the author's exploration of the psychological scars of such an event is what really gives this whole story depth. The inability of the pair of them to be able to properly communicate is forged in the harsh reality of post traumatic psychology, and the weight of the burden and guilt that Edwards carries rings true and left me with such a sense of heartbreak for the pair that it almost took me by surprise. No one can really tell how they will feel in the wake of such violence, but, for the characters that the author has created here, their responses felt right, even if they were not the ones you might have wished for them.

There are scenes both in and out of court, reactions from various victims that play out in various degrees of anger or acceptance, and one particular story which leads to one of the most dramatic and heart wrenching moments of the book. Is there a sense of hope that endures in Isabel and Edward's story following all of the loss? Perhaps. The ending is perhaps the most fitting you could expect in a story of this nature, and, as an examination of the impact of trauma, and the breakdown of a once strong relationship, this is an emotive and acutely observed novel that held my attention right to the very last page.

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean is a hauntingly compelling exploration of family, trauma, and the secrets we carry with us. While it took me a little time to settle into the narrative, once I did, I was absolutely hooked. Dean’s writing is striking in its depth and emotional resonance, making it difficult not to get fully immersed in the story.

The novel follows the complex dynamics of a family torn apart by tragedy. The way Dean weaves the characters’ individual struggles with their collective history is nothing short of masterful. Her prose is thoughtful and evocative, allowing the emotional weight of each scene to unfold gradually, but powerfully. As the characters' pasts and secrets are slowly revealed, the tension builds, making it hard to put the book down.

What stands out most in The Death of Us is Dean’s ability to capture the nuances of grief and guilt. The pacing, while initially slow, ultimately serves the story well, building a strong foundation before diving into the emotional chaos that unfolds. It's a book that requires patience at first, but once the layers begin to peel away, the payoff is more than worth it.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean is one of the most gripping and emotionally charged novels that I have read in a while. The story delves into the aftermath of a traumatic event and its long-lasting impact on the lives of those involved. with Isabel and Edward, at its centre, Their lives are forever changed by a violent encounter one fateful night in South London. The novel is primarily written in the form of dialogue, which is almost conversational as both Isabel and Edward put their thoughts forward but also Isabel 'speaks' to the man who altered their lives.

The book masterfully explores the psychological and emotional consequences of that night, not only on Isabel and Edward but also on other victims, the police handling the investigation, and their friends and family. The narrative is heart-wrenching as it delves into the ripple effects of trauma and the struggle for justice and closure.

Abigail Dean's writing is both poignant and powerful, capturing the raw emotions and complexities of the characters' experiences. The novel's structure, adds a unique and intimate perspective to the story, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.

The Death of Us is a compelling and deeply moving novel that left me reflecting on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of trauma. If you were hooked by the synopsis, you're likely to find the book just as captivating and emotionally resonant.

As always with this author both the plot and the narrative are very original and the book itself hard to categorise. I did find it took me a while to connect with it but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Isobel is now in her 50’s, a successful writer and seemingly lives life to the full, despite a historic rape. Edward, her close friend and ex husband for the majority of her life was in the house at the same time but unable to prevent the assault. Told in dual POV, those of Isobel and Edwards and in multiple timeline.

Briefly, we first meet Isobel as she is writing out a Victim Impact Statement preparing for the sentencing of the man who assaulted and raped her some 30 odd years earlier. The assailant has only recently been identified and has pleaded guilty to 9 murders and numerous rapes including that of Isobel. So, as Isobel sets out her statement her voice tells the story of Edwards and her lives and those of their close friends particularly Freddie (Uni friend of Edward), Nina (9 years old when her parents were murdered by the same person) and Etta (detective originally handed the job of tracking the killer down).

It is a story of love and sorrow and the callous indifference of the attacker. How the author wrote the story in the form of Isobel’s thought as she writes her impact statement and considers how the perpetrators actions affect his victims and their families amazed me. A clever, dark and emotional read and a remarkable book!

I really enjoyed the authors previous book ‘Day One’. So, I was grateful to receive a copy of Abigail latest novel ‘The death of us.’
The story follows the aftermath of a home invasion, where the perpetrator is now on trial, and they find out that he is a serial killer. The story includes of the couple who was involved in the invasion and how they coped afterwards.
I found this book to be really, really slow for me personally and unfortunately after reading this. This wasn’t for me. Because of the slowness I couldn’t connect to the characters at all and for me found the story quite boring in parts and I also thought it was quite bleak. I couldn’t wait for it to end. 2 stars from me.

Ok, so this is my favourite Abigail Dean book so far.

After a tricky start, I was struggling with it - it became an absolute fantastic read that I couldn’t put down.

Told from the view point of Isobel, but more in the form of a letter to her abuser.
Isobel and Edward are a happy successful couple living in London, when the notorious house invader breaks into their home and holds them hostage torturously for over 5hrs.
The story flips to them pre, during and post home invasion.
If you know the story of the BTK killer in America, the perpetrator is very similar here, but equally as terrifying.
You learn early on that he has been charged and awaiting sentencing - the plot of the story is about Isobel’s thoughts on how her impact statement should read… how her life was before, and the detrimental effects the home invasion had on her and Edward’s life, those around them, the other victims. Isobel pens her statement directly to him, but this comes in the form of their life story. It’s brilliant.

Abigail Dean writes with such elegance, you feel the emotion, the trepidation, the anger. Such a tough topic to write, but wonderfully done.

Thank you Netgalley for my ARC, in return for an honest review!

The Death of Us is about the impact some actions may have on our personal lives. Even though I couldn't connect with the story and the characters as much as I expected to, I can appreciate the writing style and the work behind the book.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the book.

I really enjoyed the unique way in which this story was told, it really captures you and helps you feel what the characters were feeling. The story is heartbreakingly sad but also a story of overcoming, of surviving against all odds. I couldn’t stop reading.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for ARC.

Wow. What a triumph. I would say Dean is at the top of her game but I suspect she has more to give over the course of her career.
The plot is simple enough - victims of a serial criminal gather to give victim statements at his sentencing hearing. So from the outset we know this person is guilty, and over the course of this powerful, often harrowing but always beautifully crafted novel we hear not just what the crimes are but the effect on several of those victims, centring on one now-estranged couple but expanding much wider to that. That this ends on such a hopeful note is simply astonishing.

Abigail Dean writes very different very challenging books and The Death of Us is no exception. Isabel and Edward were the victims of an horrific attack which affected their whole lives especially as their assailant was not captured for over 25 years and was prolific during that time. The narrative tells the story of their life. It jumps about from them meeting as teenagers to them attending their assailant's trial. It details the ongoing and sometimes tragic effects the assaults had on the lives of all those affected. It's not an easy read but it is worth persevering with as most good books are.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Abigail Dean does visceral and uncomfortable scenarios really well. Her books are always original in their plot and ‘The Death of Us’ is no different to her previous best sellers. A serial killer is on the lose and his awful crimes transect with our protagonists Isabel and Edward. Their lives change but this novel takes a unique approach with the narrative addressed to the perpetrator. Ultimately it is a story of survival and love but it’s a hard read. Shocking and beautiful in equal measures.