After a rash of really terrible ARCs, I was overjoyed to find one that kept my attention. This is definitely not a thriller or perhaps even a mystery as we know who the perpetrator is from early on.
It does show how complex PTSD from a horrifying life event can shape the rest of a couples life. My main issue is that I did not find the characters like-able at all. Even pre PTSD Isabel had some major issues and Edward……..well at least his personality stayed consistent throughout.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have to like the characters then you’ll absolutely love this as a slow study on this couples’ relationship.
For me overall, a solid 3.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads.
I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.

If you are familiar with Abigail Dean, this a pretty typical ripped-from-the-headlines book by her. The inspiration here seems to have been the Golden State Killer, though transported to Britain and brought forward in time. I like what she does and the way she shows the ramifications of crimes, the way that a trauma echoes throughout a person's life. I think the choice to frame this one in terms of a failed marriage added something interesting about the effects of trauma. This is a very readable book and she continues to fill a particular niche. I would be interested to see her step out of these Law and Order-style plotlines, though. I think there is an outstanding writer there that no longer needs the crutches.

The initial concept held a certain intrigue, promising a descent into the fractured psyche of a marriage tested by trauma. However, the marketing as a thriller or suspense novel feels wildly inaccurate. What I encountered was less a gripping narrative and more an exhaustive, almost clinical examination – with the **marriage itself** feeling like the primary subject under scrutiny.

The pace, to put it mildly, was glacial. Each beat of the story unfolded with a deliberate slowness that leached any sense of urgency or anticipation. Instead of a taut thriller, I found myself wading through what felt like a very protracted character study.

The central conflict hinges on the idea that a significant traumatic event can unravel even the most robust unions. Yet, the foundation of Edward and Isabel's relationship, which is supposedly shattered, never felt particularly sturdy to begin with. Their love story, despite the narrative's insistence, lacked any real epic quality. Edward came across as rather bland, and Isabel's demeanor often bordered on detached.

Perhaps the author intended to illustrate the fragility beneath a seemingly normal surface. However, the attempts to portray their deep intimacy, particularly through the jarring and crude use of the "C word," felt less like evidence of a passionate bond and more like an awkward, unsuccessful attempt to inject shock value. For this reader, it did little to convince me of the profound love the story claimed existed.

Ultimately, while the initial premise held potential, the execution transformed what could have been a compelling thriller into a languid character study of a marriage that never quite sparked to life. If you're seeking a fast-paced or suspenseful read, you'll likely be disappointed. However, if you have a high tolerance for slow-burn character exploration, particularly of a relationship under duress, this might be for you. Just don't expect any heart-pounding thrills along the way.

Couple Isabel and Edward’s lives are forever changed one night when a serial killer invades their home, leaving them alive to mentally and emotionally grapple with the aftermath. Told in alternating perspectives, we learn of the present trial of The South London Invader in Edward’s third-person point of view, and we are given insight into the attack and the time when The South London Invader brought fear to a whole community as told through Isabel’s first-person account addressed to the killer. As the pieces of then and now fall together, a story of pain, love, and crime unravels beautifully.

I will admit that I expected this book to be more heavy-handed in the thriller category, where it actually read as a slow-burn saga of how this frightening encounter rocked the core of this couple’s relationship. While the story differed from my expectations, I was not at all disappointed in the outcome. With both sides of the plot revealing themselves slowly, the pace of the story drove interest and the different perspectives and shift in point of view added an additional layer that made it that much better. The descriptions of crime were definitely disturbing and uncomfortable to read, but contrasted against Edward & Isabel’s love story just worked really well.

Well, this was a nice surprise. A bit overwritten in places—an overcooked simile here, a clunky image there—but mostly a very enjoyable thriller, with nicely rounded characters. Amusing to see that the far from unconventional narrative device has confused some of the less literate among us.

The Death of Us is a captivating, slow burn story of love and loss. Edward and Isabel's marriage and lives are overturned after a traumatic encounter with a serial killer. Years later they meet again at the sentencing of their tormentor with very different goals in mind. Told from each of their perspectives, this is an unflinching look at the their love story and the eventual unraveling of their partnership. The narrative does start a tad slowly but soon draws you into the unfurling timeline and grips you. If you enjoy victim-centered true crime or heartwrenching love stories with complicated characters, The Death of Us is may be a good fit for you. Please read cautiously as this is a dark story with many potential trigger warnings.

An engrossing, twisted tale about Edward and Isabel's love and the fateful night that started the slow, painful destruction of their marriage. And now, years later, the two former lovers are brought back together to witness the sentencing of the cruel perpetrator who caused the agonizing downfall of their union.

This story is painful and heart wrenching... sorta like slowly pulling off a Band-Aid. The book is beautifully written and it will sit with you long after the final page.

Abigail Dean's latest is the character study of a couple who are living in the aftermath and facing the ramifications of the unthinkable act of a home invasion and assault. This is such a tragic story and the myriad of emotions and repercussions of such a tragedy on one's marriage is deftly explored by Dean. I had anticipated this being a psychological thriller, but the pacing was more of a slow burn. The style wasn't my favorite, but I do appreciate the author's effort in thoroughly and successfully conveying the very complicated and multifaceted feelings surrounding such a tragic event.

Wow!!!!
This book is going to sit with me for a long time. It’s propulsive, dark, and a love story that in no way is a romance. It’s the other side of a crime story; the part that hardly gets shown. Isabel broke my heart.
Abigail Dean proves again why she is a writer who should be noticed.

Huge thank you to Viking Books for the gifted ARC!

I'm a huge Abigail Dean fan! This is her third book I've read by her and they've all left a lasting impact on my in a different way. My absolute favorite was Day One, even though the subject matter was brutal.

In similar fashion, the subject matter in THE DEATH OF US was also extremely hard to read. While it was hard to spend time on the subject matter, the writing itself was absolutely phenomenal. The story telling style using dual timelines and having the main character talk to her abuser was also such an impactful way to tell the story. I think having her direct her thoughts to her attacker made it so much more real to me and even more difficult to listen to.

I think so much of this is realistic and accurate to how a couple would actually fall apart after such a terrifying attack.

I don't think this will be for everyone, but for those that can handle it will definitely be impacted by this deep and meaningful story.

The Death of Us
by Abigail Dean
Out Today!
386 pages
@vikingbooks
@vikingbooksuk

What It’s About:

It’s the night we never talk about.
It’s the story the world wants to hear.
But this isn’t the story of that night. This is the story of us.

Together, Edward and Isabel move to London. They are young and in love, occupied by friends, work and fun. But late on a spring evening when they are thirty years old, their home is invaded by a serial killer. In the wake of this violation, each tries to come to terms with a night that changed everything — and their marriage begins to crumble.

Twenty-five years later, their tormentor is caught, and Edward and Isabel reunite for his sentencing. Isabel has waited years for the man who nearly ended her life to be brought to justice. Edward has tried to think about anything else. As they prepare to deliver impact statements in the public eye, it is time to revisit their love story. Will they finally be able to confront the secrets, longings and lies that tore them apart?

Or will the horror of that night be the death of them?

My Thoughts:
Compulsively readable and I have not set this down yet. I’ve been reading it constantly and will finish this in one day- is it terrible to ignore everyone and read a book on your vacation? This is probably another 5 star for me. This is a 5 star read - an anatomy of a crime and marriage that was suspenseful and dynamite.

Thank you Viking for the review copy.
This will be an unexpected top ten for me this year... I love a good serial killer story but I was completely unexpected for how intriguing this story was, the story not so much of a serial killer as much as an examination of the impact of a violent crime on a marriage, on two people, over time. True crime, in fictional form, that gives us insight into the range of experiences that follow the couple, as they meet before the attack, marry but flounder, and then separate after the violence becomes a barrier to moving on together...but come back together years later for the criminal trial. Isabel's voice was particularly compelling to me, her desire to find ways to move past this crime but also the feeling how stuck she was, yearning to get unstuck but not knowing what that would feel like, and then comparing her to Edward, who has moved on and seems determined to move on but can't escape the idea of revenge... Abigail Dean's book is moving, engrossing, and unforgettable in unexpected ways.

A very well-written and engrossing story. The best book I’ve read this year! It was extremely emotional while being a thriller. I loved Edward and Isabel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tragic and gut-wrenching. Incredibly chilling account of a home invasion and the subsequent breakdown of a relationship. You feel the emotions of how this couple deals with all the trauma that was inflicted on them. There are no other words.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group/ Viking Penguin for eARC!

Wow! The Death of Us by Abigail Dean is so much more than a mystery read. It’s a spine-chilling thriller one moment and tender love story the next. Alternating POVs share the story of Isabel and Edward. Edward’s chapters are told in the present while Isabel’s explain the past until both timelines converge. It sounds trippy but it isn’t. Instead it is deftly designed to give you a full picture of their lives together.

My favorite reads lately have been books with this sort of genre mashup. A little bit mystery, a bit twisty but with characters that you get to sit with and understand. I’m also gravitating towards middle aged characters. While we do meet Isabel and Edward in their college years, we get to see them mature into successful London professionals. It was great to read about people in their 50s with jobs, stresses and desires.

You learn right away their world had been rocked by a violent home invasion and the repercussions extend to all aspects of their daily lives. I found myself rooting for their healing and happiness. Thank you Viking for providing this e-book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Definitely a thriller with heart. Five ⭐️!

Night stalker vibes 💀
Creepy & everyone's worse nightmare especially as a woman ... Omg I can't even .

From the first page you are hooked . Going through Isabel's & Edwards life is addicting, sad, scary AF, & unbelievable. These poor people ...

Definitely recommend. 🖤
I finished this book about a week ago & I think I was shook lol I forgot to write a review so here it is.

Thank you #NetGalley

From the very first chapter of The Death of Us, you’ll feel like you’ve walked right into Edward and Isabel’s living room on that terrible spring night when a stranger shattered everything they knew. Abigail Dean flips back and forth between the young couple’s early days in London and the moment their world falls apart, so you get to see both the spark that brought them together and the cracks that violence cracked wide open—without ruining any of the big surprises for you .

This book had me turning pages late into the night, racing to see how Edward and Isabel would face the trial twenty-five years later, when they’re forced to stand side by side again. The story is full of raw emotion—anger, love, regret—and Dean’s writing is so clear and unpretentious that it feels like you’re hearing a friend spill the best (and worst) parts of her life. Trust me, once you start, you won’t want to put it down. Stop scrolling and grab The Death of Us now—you’ll be hooked from page one.

This book is unlike any other. It’s a new take on a psychological thriller/serial killer story. In fact, this story is also a love story. And still it’s compulsive, as you want to know how everything unfolds. The writing is excellent.

“It’s never been a question of loving you, Isabel. It’s a question of how much loving you I can take.”

It’s a story of Isabel and Edward, together since university, as they go through one of the worst possible crimes imaginable. Each has their own individual experience as they do. And the story switches between their two perspectives. Isabel tells the story in the first person and as if speaking directly to the serial killer. While Edward tells his side through the 3rd person. The juxtaposition of these two perspectives creates the illusion of two things: That you are a part of the trauma that happened to Isabel, and second, that Edward is more attached to the situation. Whether that turns out to be true or not will be discovered at the end of the book.

I am glad I read this story, but it was sometimes difficult. There are bleak moments that are hard to read. I’d have to set it aside for a break during these parts. But that’s to be expected with the subject matter. However, I feel like it ended in a really good spot. It’s also a good reminder of how resilient we are against the trauma we face. And exemplifies what true love looks like. This is one that will stay with me for some time, I’m sure.

🤫Book Review🤫
*
My thoughts- this book was sensational! This book will give you all the FEELS. The case was pretty similar to the golden state killer (my true crime girlies will get it). But it switched perspectives and timelines so effortlessly and masterfully. It was heartbreaking to read the couple coming together, building a life, having it all taken away in a heartbeat. But I think seeing the aftermath and growth from it was just SO effective. The author clearly did her research! Definitely one to read soon! Thank you @netgalley and @vikingbooks
*
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*
Summary- Together, Edward and Isabel move to London. They are young and in love, occupied by friends, work and fun. But late on a spring evening when they are thirty years old, their home is invaded by a serial killer. In the wake of this violation, each tries to come to terms with a night that changed everything — and their marriage begins to crumble.

Twenty-five years later, their tormentor is caught, and Edward and Isabel reunite for his sentencing. Isabel has waited years for the man who nearly ended her life to be brought to justice. Edward has tried to think about anything else. As they prepare to deliver impact statements in the public eye, it is time to revisit their love story. Will they finally be able to confront the secrets, longings and lies that tore them apart?

Or will the horror of that night be the death of them?
*
QOTD- what was the last book that made you feel ALL of the feelings ?!

Abigail Dean did not write your typical serial killer story. Her writing is poignant and heart breaking. It is an emotional love story, a story of survival.. It is an emotional slow burn, it rips your heart out and puts it back together. I was completely invested from start to finish.

Isobel and Edward were happy until their home is invaded and they are attacked. The invasion breaks them, it brings them together and it breaks them.

This book is so well written, it is an emotional roller coaster. the highs, the lows, you feel it all. Read it.