Abigail Dean relates the life of a married couple after they are the victims of a man in London similar to the Golden State Killer in California. Like him, he starts by breaking into the houses of single women and assaulting them. He escalates to breaking into the homes of couples and separating them. He moves the husband to an adjacent room where he can hear what is happening to his wife but can do nothing about it. Edward and Isobel are the last couple this man attacks before he starts killing the victims.

The story is told in alternating chapters by Isobel and Edward. They split after the attack as many in those situations do but have been reunited years later by the trial of the man who terrorized the city who has finally been caught after many years. Through these chapters, we go back to the beginning of the couple's romance, their early years and marriage and then the attack and the aftermath.

I've read every book Abigail Dean has written. She never disappoints and always delivers a highly readable psychological terror tale. In my opinion, this is her best book. The emphasis is less on the crime and more on the aftermath and the effect that crime has on the lives of those affected, often for years. Isobel is a strong character and not to everyone's liking but I admired her. Edward is successful in business where he is decisive but that did not carry over to the night the couple was attacked. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

I started this book and just could not get into the story or relate to the characters. Everything fell flat for me!

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean

This was an absolutely incredible and horrifying look into the aftermath, trauma, and end to their relationship a couple goes through after surviving a home invasion of a serial killer.

I loved the different perspectives and trade-off between the two main characters and found the history of the couple to be really impactful.
I thought Dean handled the topics in such a sensitive way. The writing was raw and emotional—which made it so difficult to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an ARC.

Please read below for CWs because they def should be read before starting!

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide
Minor: Gore, Infertility, Infidelity

I’m wavering between 3 and 4 stars on this one. It was a really heavy character study of a couple who were the victims of a serial rapist/killer and the aftermath and effects on their marriage. I think it was an insightful and realistic portrayal of what could happen. It was also very heavy though and it kind of weighed me down to read about for 300+ pages. I will definitely need a palate cleanser next.

Twenty five years after a violent assault in their home, Edward and Isabel are reunited for the sentencing hearing of the man finally apprehended for theirs and a series of other crimes, including murder. Through Edward and Isabel' memories we learn of their life together - a beautiful story until the assault and then the subsequent unraveling of that life. Although their has been a divergence in their marriage, their commitment and love for one another never lessens. There's a slow burn to the story - the years it takes to finally bring the assailant to justice and the beauty of their love story.

This book first caught my eye on a list of upcoming mystery and thriller books and I was very excited about the opportunity to read an early copy of it.

The narrative shifts between two distinct timelines: the first is the present day, in which Edward and Isabel, the two protagonists, reunite for the sentencing of the man who brutally attacked them decades ago. The second timeline focuses on a chronological history of Isabel and Edward’s relationship, from the first time they met until the aftermath of the attack. The two timelines alternate between chapters, eventually converging as the present day syncs up with the past.

Throughout everything, one cannot help but wonder exactly what drove these two people, who appear to enjoy each other, apart. Obviously, it was the horrific attack, but what specifically? Second, there’s an unsettling sense of dread knowing that something bad is going to happen and knowing that the characters have no idea that it’s going to happen. Worse yet, they know for years that there’s a monster terrorizing their part of London, yet they have no idea that they will be attacked.

I would absolutely recommend The Death of Us. This is a fascinating book about an attack, but also about so much more than an attack. The multiple perspectives and timelines give the narrative an sense of depth as the reader must put together the puzzle pieces. The pacing is much more pensive than fast-paced, but that’s because the whole thing wouldn’t work if it was fast-paced. Either way, the result is such an interesting book and I am definitely going to seek out Dean’s other books.






I received a digital ARC of this book from Viking Penguin/NetGalley

I was disappointed. I really wanted to like it but it dragged on and on. The writing was good but it needed to be shorter. I’m not saying it was bad but I feel meh about it. I thought it was listed as a thriller but I didn’t find anything that was thrilling.
It deals with a very sensitive subject, rape and the disillusion of a marriage. It was handled with sensitivity.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review. 3.0

I was a huge fan of Abigail Dean's Girl A, so I had high hopes for The Death of Us. This book did not disappoint! I was riveted from the opening pages and remained engaged throughout. The plot is an obviously dark one, but Dean deals with it very deftly. The structure of the book is excellent. The wife's chapters take us through the past, as she directly addresses her attacker but covers the breadth of her relationship with her husband. And the husband's chapter in the present ground us in what is happening in the courtroom but also provide his perspective on the past the the extent he is willing to reveal. Further, the chapters are woven together in a way that works beautifully to reveal the full nuance of the story. This is one of the best books I've read this year, and I've recommended it strongly to readers (though with content warnings issued!).

This book was overall wonderfully written. It felt honest and raw and really kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the different perspectives/timelines between Edward and Isabel and the way Isabel's chapters were addressed to the killer. Thankfully I have not been through anything close to this in my life but it felt very realistic and you could tell the writer did their research. I hope to read more of Abigail Dean's work in the future.

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.