The Death of Us is a suspense novel that simmers from start to finish… and that is precisely the right pace for this story. For Edward and Isabel’s story. Whose marriage was rocked by a violent home intrusion when in their thirties. In current time, they are fifty-eight and reunited for the intruder’s trial. They are there to give – if they feel able – their victim impact statements and to listen to those of the perpetrator’s other victims prior to sentencing. No easy feat. So many people affected by his violent attacks that escalated to murder. But it is the tragic love story of Edward and Isabel that is front and centre and so very compelling. Travelling the years with them before and after the crime right up to now. Middle-aged, divorced, but still strongly bonded. Will they give their statements? Will justice be served, and will that help them heal and let the past go?
The Death of Us is suspenseful, moving and stayed with me long after reading. As much about love as the impacts of violent crime, and a story of hope. Recommended read.

t’s a spring night in South London when Isabel and Edward’s lives were torn apart. The night that they learn that bad things can happen to normal everyday people like them. The night they learn that they are powerless to stop the nightmares that wait just behind the door.

When their attacker is finally caught, Isabel and Edward have a chance to finally tell their story of what happened that night. The stories they have hidden from the world and from each other for so long.

This was such an interesting story, told from both Isabel and Edward’s perspectives, we get a unique insight to the past before and after the attack, and the present where the perpetrator has been caught and they are waiting with the other victims to give statements.

This is like nothing I’ve ever read before, with such a focus on the victim and their lives before and after the crime rather than the crime and the attacker. While it’s maybe not the fastest pace book, the love and the passion draws you in and it’s so easy to relate to how Isabel and Edward have lived their lives.

Book contains references to sexual assault, rape and murder.

Big thanks to Harper Collins for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A slow burn, emotional and through provoking story.
Isabel and Edward have a picture perfect relationship.
But one night changes everything.
A home invasion shatters their entirety to the core.
Edward felt guilty and helpless.
Isabel is fragile and torn apart.
It’s also the night they never talk about.
Twenty five years later the man in the mask has his day in court.
Now they tell their story……
Told in three parts and from Edward’s perspective in the present and from Isabel’s from the past, the reader gets to experience the views of the characters and sympathise with them.
There’s much to discuss here, some of it’s hard to read, it’s heart wrenching but among all that there’s some bright moments.
It’s billed as a thriller but for me it’s more raw authentic fiction than anything else.
While everyone has their own reaction to trauma and the reasoning is just being able to survive.
A raw and honest read.

This was a slow burn for me. Switching between two points of view, Isabel and Edward, survivors of a dreadful crime. One narrative describes their relationship, the other shows them at the trial of their attacker. It’s traumatic in parts, but for me the format jumping around didn’t quite work and I wasn’t into the characters.

With thanks to the Author, Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing Australia for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

Dean has written an immersive tale of the long-lasting effects of being a victim survivor.

Edward and Isabel had their lives turned upside down when they were put upon by serial killer.
We are taken through this harrowing tale in a dual POV of both Edward and Isabel, slowly unravelling what occurred before, during and how their lives continued afterwards. The read is slow, harrowing and emotional as we lead into the present where the survivors and their families deal with the long-waited sentencing.

Themes of survival, love, trauma, it is a powerful read, but not for everyone.

Abigail and Edward were 30, in love and happily married, looking forward to a life together, when they became the victims of serial rapist, Nigel woods. Known as the South London Invader, he started off his campaign of terror as a burglar, moving on to rape young women and then targeting couples so he could terrify the man while raping the woman. He would later move on to killing his victims, but that was still in the future when he selected Abigail and Edward as his victims. Eventually caught twenty eight years later, by modern forensic techniques, he left a trail of damaged victims in his wake.

This elegantly written novel is Abigail’s account details the impact Woods had on her and Edward when their lives were irrevocably changed by that night. Abigail was traumatised to the point where she could barely function and Edward, never able to talk about what happened to him that night, carried feelings of guilt and helplessness beyond the inevitable collapse of their marriage.

Although there were some better times would be ahead, as Edward advanced at work and Abigail built a successful career in script writing, they still mourned the loss of their love and the absence of the children they might have had. There also found some joy together in providing support for a young girl orphaned by Woods’ murder of her parents, helping her to come to terms with her anger and grief and discover that she could still enjoy life.

Abigail’s account is interspersed with Edward’s voice, especially as they are brought back together for the trial of Woods, where they and his other victims are to give witness impact statements in court. This slow burning psychological suspense is a powerful and intimate tale of love and survival. A dark, chilling and heart-wrenching account of how the impact of violent crime can continue to resonate for years afterwards, it makes for an emotional and absorbing read.

DNF at around 20%. This one wasn't for me. It was too slow and there was too much jumping around from switching between past and present and 2 POVs. So I couldn't invest. This felt more like a character driven story that explores the aftermath on the 2 characters. It didn't feel suspenseful or thrilling.
This one is just not for me.

This is in no way a bad book, it just didn’t live up to my expectations. A slow burn, I found this psychological thriller not so thrilling. I really wanted to like this but I struggled to get through it hoping for a ‘wow’ moment that never came.

The premise of Isabel and Edward’s marriage being ruined by a harrowing home invasion was a good one, but the delivery was too retrospective and long winded. I also failed to connect with either of the main characters.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced reading copy in return for my honest review.

Having loved Dean's Day One, I was so excited to read her latest, The Death of Us. It was a little slow to grab my interest for some reason, but it more than made up for that once I was invested. There's something about the way Dean writes that just keeps me questioning things thoughout the entire book. I love that!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Edward and Isabel meet in their university years, initially as friends, but later as partners and eventually as husband and wife. Terror strikes when a serial home invader enters their house, puts them in separate rooms and attacks Isabel while Edward listens. Fast forward 25 years and the man who did this and later became a serial killer has been captured and brought to trial. Edward and Isabel are now in their late fifties and living separate lives.
The story is told from the perspectives of Edward, narrating the here and now, and Isabel going over their shared history from the beginning.
This is not an easy read and does depict several rapes and murders in reasonable graphic detail, so it will not be for everyone. The main thrust of the story is the fall out of these crimes and impact on its victims long after the attach itself.
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishing Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

Edward and Isabel are happily married and enjoying their life together until one night when their home is invaded by a serial rapist and home invader. Although they both survive the violence, the effect impacts their individual lives and relationships. When the culprit continues his terrible acts and moves on to murder, no one rests including the police officer hunting him down. He is eventually caught 25 years later and Edward and Isabel come together to support each h other during the trial and sentencing, forcing them to face up to their ongoing feelings for each other and the secrets that have bound them together.

I could not put this book down! Brilliantly written, the characters and their stories come to life in a book which has the sharpness of a great crime thriller while also the slow burn of a psychological suspense story. It's also a heart achingly emotional love story. Be aware, that it's brutal in parts, dealing with violent crimes. A must read.

Thanks you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the opportunity to read and review this incredible book

Thank you HarperCollins Publishing Australia and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Abigail Dean presents a careful unfolding of the everlasting effects of physically surviving a serial killer in London. Whilst in their early 30’s and everything bright was ahead of them Edward and Isabel have a visitor one evening and so begins the unravelling of their lives.

This book reminded me of “We need to talk about Kevin”, another book that offers reflections through a couple and their response to shocking crime.
This is not a thriller nor does it have the pace of one. It is a slow burn, an unwrapping of the devastating aftermath of the survivors of these heinous crimes, presenting the fact from the beginning that the offender is found and facing sentencing in court. It is a recounting the events through different time lines and POV’s, at times suspenseful and unpleasant to read due to Dean’s great ability to immerse the reader within the plot and her fabulous character development.

I wrongly picked this book up thinking it was a suspense /thriller and put it down about a third through. After a couple weeks I started again and am so glad I did. This is a book to immerse yourself in slowly, it’s not always enjoyable and provides a daunting perspective of the aftermath of violent crimes on victims, the long lasting trauma but also the strength of love, in all it’s forms.

I round this up to 4.5 stars.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you Harper Collins Australia & Abigail Dean for this read.

Wow! I was completely blindsided with this book. I expected something completely different but this book was SO much deeper than I was expecting.

This isn't your run of the mill solve a murder thriller, this is the after effects of a shocking and traumatic event. It sums up all that happens before it and all the breaks down after it. Centring on a love story that seems it was built to last the times, these two best friends face the worst possible hurdles.

The events of the crimes in the book are shocking and extremely unsettling. Some readers will be triggered so definitely check the warnings! The perpetrator is extremely evil and there are many moments that are just heart wrenching.

Written in multiple POVs and mixed timelines, this book acts as a letter to the guilty but also gives the reader the front seat into the rise and fall of many characters. There are some creepy and heart racing moments, but overall this book is a dark and tragic slow burn.

Character focused and emotional -- it goes deeper than you'll expect and gives you a glimpse into the lives of victims and survivors.

Shocking.
Gripping.
Unputdownable.

This psychological thriller had me hooked from the very first page to the last.

Isabel was married to Edward when they suffered a traumatic home invasion that left them traumatised and broken.

Isabel’s point of view is written as if she’s speaking to the perpetrator who is finally on trial after years of tormenting, raping and murdering women in London.

It’s a story of trauma, survival, compassion and ultimately love.

It would make a brilliant telemovie.

This is bound to make the bestsellers lists.

Thanks to @abigailsdean @netgalley and @harpercollinsaustralia for a copy in exchange for a review.

Rounded up to 3 stars

From a tragic night for Isabel & Edward comes a heart wrenching story of murder, love, forgiveness & survival

Unfortunately this just was not my favourite read. I always try to maintain reviews as positive as possible… but while this one appeared to have promise I personally couldn't get into the story. I was expecting more of a suspense thriller, and was slightly bored and confused through out.

I didn't love the format and while I usually thoroughly enjoy multiple POVs… the constant flipping between the 1st & 3rd person was confusing and distracting. The narrative style/ devices used in this storytelling just didn’t do it for me and I found myself struggling to follow it all and In turn connect with both story and characters.

I wanted to love this one so badly, but sadly I was left feeling unsatisfied.

Fans of a slower paced Drama will enjoy this read.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, author & publishers.

This book started off slow but once I got invested, I could not put it down. This was such a thought provoking book that I still havent stopped thinking about.

I wasn’t the hugest fan of this book. It’s about Isabel and Edward and is told between their viewpoints. They were married and the; there was a home invasion and the story goes backwards and forwards between their lives before, during and after the home invasion and during the time of the court hearing. It was ok, just not really my cup of tea so to speak.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. Abigail Dean is an author whose Book Day One is on my list to read. So it was great to find out about her style of writing through her latest book The Death of Us.

A story about Edward and Isabel and how another's actions sent their marriage into free fall. One fateful night when a predator enters their life and does appalling things to Isabel whilst Edward is tied up in another room powerless. The guilt Edward carries at not being able to help Isabel is left unspoken, neither can talk about that night, Edward thinking she blames him for leaving her to the mercy of the predator and Isabel not telling Edward what happened to her.

Buried deep these feelings slowly tear them apart and Isabel into a mental and soul destroying decline of self worth for which Edward cannot control. One night when Edward is away Isabel goes to a bar and picks up men. This is the point of no return for Edward.

The story weaves around the predator but he is not the main part of this book, it is a book about the love of two people who he destroyed and the aftermath of what he did to other families. The twist at the end you don't see coming, but the clues were there throughout the book.
I found it difficult to warm to Isabel and Edward but that is because they are so complex, their emotions are graphic in detail. The story swings around to different years giving you the background of Edward to Isabel. It is not the sort of book that is easy to put down and pick up, it is best read in one sitting.

The story is told by Isabel so you are reading it though her eyes.
The sentences are short and to the point, because I was reading it on my mobile (which is how it was sent to me) it was sometimes difficult to see the full stop at the end of the sentence so it got a little confusing every so often. For this reason I found it didn't flow well for me.
I have never read a story like this before, where the predator isn't really the central storyline but Abigail Dean as produced a book that is not just thought provoking but a love story.

Slow burn mystery & thriller. My second book of Abigail Dean and I find it to be different and challenging.
I finished the book and I must say I find myself enjoying her work again.

This one is tragic, dark and an emotional story of individuals who suffered a traumatic experienced.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the ARC.

‘Let me talk again, then, about the night you came to our house.’

Late one summer’s evening in South London, husband and wife Edward and Isabel’s home is violently invaded. They are thirty years old, and the experience destroys their marriage. The invader, labelled as the South London Invader, becomes increasingly violent. Isabel, who has followed his increasingly violent criminal life, has connected with some other survivors. Isabel waits for him to be caught and has prepared for a trial in which she will get to read her victim impact statement aloud in court. Edward, who has remarried, is less eager to relive those memories, but is still captured by them.

‘We’ve had his DNA for a while. What we don’t have is any match.’

And when the perpetrator is caught, his plea renders a trial unnecessary. Edward and Isabel, now aged fifty-eight attend court for his sentencing. Can confronting him in court and reading their victim impact statements help his victims?

‘It is so easy to hate someone once you’ve decided to.’

There are three parts to this novel. Both Isabel and Edward have a voice and the story shifts between present and past.
As I read this novel, I thought about the impact of such horrendous events on those subjected to them. There is no mystery about who the perpetrator is (the story opens in the sentencing phase) but the crimes are less the focus than their impact. And, while Isabel and Edward may no longer be married to each other, the aftermath of the home invasion provides an essentially unbreakable connection.

This is a confronting read. It is dark, sad, uncomfortable and tragic. But it made me wonder about the lives of those who survive and how they navigate their own lives long after the media hype (and any justice delivered) have moved on.

Unputdownable and recommended.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith