A violent home invasion is at the core of this story. The victims were thirty-somethings who were young newlyweds at the time. Twenty-five years later, the serial killer is caught and put on trial. The newlyweds had split up and each chose a different route to deal with their trauma. They both decide to attend the trial with the other victims and their families. I found this novel to be dragging in many parts, and I did not like either one of the main characters.

"Despite you, I've still been loved."

Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching - one of the roughest books I've read. People marked this as a mystery and I'd have to argue that. This was a very introspective look at a relationship in crisis - A couple is attacked in their home and the wife is raped for hours while the husband is in the room next door. This is just one in a string of attacks from this serial rapist.

And this story is the story of this couple trying to live through it. You get the beginning of their relationship - the meet cute, the giddiness. You get the friends support, the exciting proposal, the wedding, the years and the love. The attack, the years after, the hurt and pain and feeling of being lost they each experience. It was so sad, and so hard to read. I kept imagining what it would be like and it would just break my heart all over again.

The last 1/3 of the book was so much easier. It gave us the missing years, what worked and what hadn't, and it wrapped the story up wonderfully. Just please, be gentle with yourself if the subject matter is hard. It's a tough read, but good.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

The South London Invader terrorized families in Abigail Dean's The Death of Us. Twenty-five years after the brutal assault on married couple Isabel and Edward he's been caught and is awaiting sentencing.

This novel was intense. Told from two perspectives: Isabel's as she's narrating the past in a harrowing impact statement to the offender, and in the present from Edward's. The devastation portrayed from all the parties, including that of other victims, family members, and investigators, was heartbreaking.

The creep factor was high. The escalation of the crimes, the methods and trajectory very reminiscent of the Golden State Killer. We are familiar with these stories. But by focusing on the families and the aftermath, Dean gives a compelling narrative seldom realized. I was mesmerized.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the Advance Reader Copy. (pub date 4/15/2025)

This story just did not grip me in the way I was expecting. It's branded as a thriller, but I did not find it particularly "thrilling." It definitely read more literary fiction.

This book was like… what if emotional repression and unresolved trauma held hands in a courtroom and then punched you in the heart? Yeah. That.

Abigail Dean absolutely knows how to craft a quiet, devastating narrative. We follow Isabel, who reunites with her former love Edward almost thirty years after a serial killer shattered their lives. Now, they’re both back in court for the sentencing of the man who destroyed everything and what unfolds isn’t just about justice, but about memory, guilt, love, and the versions of ourselves that get stuck in the past.

What Worked For Me:
✨ Dual timelines that actually slapped then cried about it.
✨ The way grief and love are tangled into every sentence like emotional barbed wire.
✨ Isabel is the kind of protagonist who feels real. Not likable or dramatic just honest in the most raw, human way.

This wasn’t a twisty, plot-heavy thriller it’s slower, more introspective, and honestly... sad in a way that sneaks up on you. The writing was sharp and haunting, and the courtroom scenes?? Felt like emotional gut punches. In a good way.

Why it’s a 4.25/5 for me:
It did drag a bit in parts needed just a little more momentum or payoff in the middle. But the ending?? Worth it. Quietly powerful. The kind that doesn’t scream it lingers.

Final thoughts: If you love literary thrillers that focus more on people than plot, and you want to be emotionally wrecked by subtle grief and complex love… this is for you. Sad, slow, and stunning.

More of a character story than a thriller. Heartbreaking but difficult and sensitive topics were handled extremely well.

Let me start by saying WOW! I devoured this book! It was tragic and gut-wrenching. I literally felt the emotions that the couple was experiencing and that’s when you know a book is great; when you can connect with the characters in a meaningful way. This book made me feel so many things and I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. I give it all of the stars!!

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean is a masterful, haunting novel that defies easy categorization. On the surface, it’s a slow-burn crime story about the aftermath of a violent attack on a young couple. But underneath, it’s a tender, aching exploration of love, memory, and the invisible wounds we carry.

Dean writes with quiet precision and emotional depth, unraveling the layers of trauma and resilience with care. The story unfolds gradually, drawing you in with its atmospheric tension and richly drawn characters. Though steeped in sadness, there’s a faint, persistent glow of hope—and it’s that quiet resilience that lingers long after the final page. A love story. A tragedy. An unconventional crime novel. And utterly unforgettable.

In The Death of Us, Abigail Dean delivers a quiet, emotionally searing exploration of a couple shattered by an act of violence. Isabel and Edward, both in their thirties, are left reeling after a brutal home invasion in their South London house—an incident that doesn’t just break into their home, but infiltrates the deepest corners of their relationship and psyche. What follows is not a conventional crime story, but something far more intimate: a portrait of two people struggling in the aftermath, unable to articulate the depth of their pain. Dean carefully traces the years that come after, showing how silence can be just as destructive as violence—and how long trauma can live beneath the surface. It’s only with the eventual capture of their attacker that Isabel and Edward are finally forced to confront what truly happened—not for justice, or closure in the public sense, but for each other. That emotional reckoning is what makes the novel so powerful. This is a slow, deliberate narrative that allows the reader to fully inhabit the emotional landscape of the characters. It’s raw, deeply human, and beautifully written. Though steeped in sadness, there is still the faint, persistent glow of hope—and it’s that quiet resilience that makes this novel unforgettable. Thank you for the. ARC, NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking!

This was such a powerful and heartbreaking look into trauma and how it shapes our lives and those we love. This was very well written and at times hard to read due to the subject matter. I thought the author handled the tough subject matter with care and I always felt like we were rightfully focused on the victims and not the perpetrator. It was heavy and often sad but definitely worth the read.

Isabel Nolan and Edward Hennessy met when they were nineteen. Although Edward already had a girlfriend, he was attracted to the quirky and intriguing Isabel. She went on to complete her university studies, and Edward became a successful lawyer. Eventually they married and were happy until, on a terrible night that would leave enduring scars, a masked man entered their home and assaulted Isabel for hours. In the aftermath of this horrendous attack, Edward did his best to comfort his wife. However, he became increasingly busy at work and was not always there for her. Meanwhile, Isabel retreated into her own private hell.

The writing in "The Death of Us," by Abigail Dean, is achingly poignant. Dean sensitively describes how life's ordeals can weaken once loving relationships. It is a shame that the author's numerous flashbacks disrupt the narrative flow and make the book's timeline so difficult to follow. In the chapters devoted to Isabel's thoughts and feelings, she eerily addresses her attacker as if her were in the room with her. Edward comes across as well-meaning, but helpless to repair his deteriorating marriage.

Two of the secondary characters stand out in this angst-laden and densely plotted work of fiction. They are Detective Chief Inspector Etta Eliogu, who resolutely attempts to track down the predator known as the South London Invader, and Nina Bosko, who was orphaned at the age of four after the perpetrator killed her parents. There are occasional moments of wry humor in these pages but, overall, this is painful exploration of the wreckage left in the wake of an unspeakably vicious crime spree.

This is the story of a married couple, Edward and Isabel, who survive a horrific crime. Told in dual POVs - Isabel's beginning a few years before the crime and written directly to the perpetrator, and Edward's in present-day. This is not a thriller. I've heard stories such as this one described as "intense love stories," and I would agree with that. This is the love story of Edward and Isabel and the effect this horrific crime has on their relationship and on them individually. Go into the story knowing that, and I think you will enjoy this one!

Isabel and Edward are victims who survive a perpetrator like the Golden State Killer / Night Stalker. Present-day, Isabel and Edward are in their fifties, living in England. The perpetrator has finally been caught 25 years after committing the crime suffered by the couple. We understand they are no longer together and that something has happened to them. The novel weaves together their story. Though there are elements of suspense, this is more a character study of what happens to a couple that survives a horrific crime. The novel is told in both of their perspectives and we learn how they meet, fall in love, and eventually separate after a decades long relationship. The people in their lives are drawn so beautifully. Characters are flawed but realistic and endearing. It was fascinating to see how each character dealt with trauma and grief. I would recommend this if you enjoyed Bright Young Woman by Jessica Knoll.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Did a home invasion by a serial killer cause THE DEATH OF US? That’s the question in Abigail Dean’s latest thriller.

Twenty five years, ago Edward and Isabel Hennessy were 30 years old and had just moved to London. They were enjoying their lives with fun jobs and close friends. On May 26, 2001 the South London Invader, Nigel Wood took them hostage and almost ended Abigail‘s life. What happened that night and in the aftermath caused their marriage to crumble and they separated. Since that time Isabel has done everything she can to remember that night and how it changed the course of her life, while Edward has tried to put it behind them and forget about it. When ancestry DNA finally catches up to Nigel Wood after 25 years, Isabel and Edward are called upon to prepare Victim Personal (Impact) Statements at Nigel‘s trial.

Told in differing POV’s and dual timelines we follow along and watch the love story of Edward and Isabel. We learned what happened that night and how it has changed both of their lives. We learn of their daughter, whose birth was another catalyst for the marriage’s downfall.

While I enjoyed the book, which I usually do with an Abigail Dean novel, I must admit that it got a bit confusing near the end. It was also interesting to see the parallels with the original Night Stalker from the United States. The writing however, was clear and concise and led to an enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing where she takes me next.

Thank you, you too NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Abigail Dean’s “The Death of us” explores the aftermath of a home invasion and assault on a couple, Edward and Isabel. As we follow their love story, we feel impending doom knowing what’s to come. We flash back and forth between present day and the South London Invader’s sentencing in court. This powerful read deserves all its accolades. It’s heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

This book was un-put-down-able, but also difficult to read. The serial killer in this book is based off of the Golden State Killer, and follows a couple who were his victims. But there is love in between the darkness, and it kept you turning every single page. Read this book if you liked “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark.”

A dark thriller where we see how a couple so much in love with each other were affected by a serial killer that invaded their home and terrorized him. A compulsive read!

This is the story of a serial killer and his survivors. I couldn't put it down. The story alternates between the present day sentencing of the attacker and the history of one of the couples he attacked. It's a compulsive read that is not exactly a thriller or a mystery, but it reads like one.

In this story, thirty years after a traumatic home invasion by a serial killer, a couple, Edward and Isabel, confront their shared past when they reunite for the trial of their tormentor. Once a picture-perfect couple, their marriage unraveled due to the violence they experienced. Now, at fifty-eight, they must face their enduring feelings and secrets. Isabel has long awaited the trial to confront her tormentor and hopefully find closure through her victim impact statement. In contrast, Edward, who has rebuilt his life and remarried, is reluctant to revisit the painful memories but feels compelled to support Isabel.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster—thought-provoking, devastating, and utterly unforgettable. Yes, it’s a slow burn, but oh, what a ride it is! I’ve come across a plethora of mixed reviews, and it seems that many readers miss the essence of what this book truly represents.

Sure, some might argue that it drags on with excessive detail, but let’s pause for a moment. Imagine facing a trauma of this magnitude. It’s like carrying a grief that never truly fades. While the world around you continues to spin, you find yourself stuck, grappling with the question: What now? How do you rebuild your life when your partner isn’t exactly a beacon of support?

Between the pages lies a wealth of emotion—you’ll feel sadness, relief, and frustration. I know trauma well; it doesn’t just vanish. Instead, you learn to coexist with it, like an unwelcome houseguest that lingers far too long. The depth of this story is such that it feels entirely plausible; it could happen to anyone. It’s absolutely devastating, and you find yourself helplessly watching it all unfold.

The main characters, Isabel and Edward, are survivors in every sense of the word, and let’s be honest—none of us would want to walk a mile in their shoes! Their character development is gradual, and you can’t help but root for them to either find their way or completely unravel.

I’ve focused on this book for months and finally requested an ARC. Little did I know just how emotional and intense this journey would be! I can’t stop thinking about it, and I’m already planning a re-read or perhaps an audiobook to enhance the experience. I have goosebumps just recalling it, and I sincerely hope you give this book a chance. It’s gut-wrenching, and I can hardly fathom what I would do in their situation.

Kudos to the author for crafting such a gripping and suspenseful read! I usually struggle with slow-burn novels, but this one is a standout that truly deserves recognition.

If you’re a fan of intricate themes like love, trauma, healing, justice, and the delightful messiness of complicated emotions, this book will grab you from the very first page. Seriously, give it a shot—you won’t regret it. Trust me, it’s a wild ride that will leave you saying, “WOW!”

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Viking, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've read a lot of better than average books so far this year, but I haven't read many that I've really LOVED. This slow-burn story of a marriage, set within the trial of a serial rapist and murderer, was absolutely perfect for me.. I miss the way Dean writes already.