Isabel and Edwards went through something horrific. A home invader is an awful thing to experience and try to overcome. As the blurb suggests, it rips their marriage apart but the long term damage is unmeasurable.

Isabel and Edward’s relationship is messed up, I would use an explicative but you’ll all get the gist. They were attracted to each other when they were with others and even when they were dedicated to each other there was an element of WTF. It’s not just from its inception, the more I read, the more it was just messed up.

The narrative for this book is erratic. If you like order to your reading with chapter numbers and the like, I wouldn’t recommend. That said the randomness of the narrative and the time of narration really kept me on my toes.

The snippets of courtroom drama is just that drama. The emotion leapt off the screen from the public gallery and the witness box. These are emotive segments…. Not that the whole read is emotive in one way or another.

Dean has expertly used all manner of writing misdirection to keep me in the dark as to where she was taking me. But that misdirection kept me reading in this slow burner of a book. I needed to know what happened to this couple. I needed closure. This ain’t the most comfortable read with not the most likeable characters who definitely are hiding something from me.

This is is a very emotional story, dark at times and covering very raw, emotive subjects but Abigail Dean does it with sensitivity.
This is the story of Isabel and Edward who, in their late teens, and both being in relationships with other people at the time, fell in love and got married, they were living a good life in their South London home until ..............
Their home was violated, they were violated in the worst possible way, their lives would never be the same again.
Isabel and Edward had been visited by the South London Slayer, a psychopath who planned his assaults with military precision, he stalked his victims, he learned everything about them and then he visited their homes, his violations were soon to escalate to murder.
Edward and Isabel had different ways of facing their trauma, Isabel wanted to face it head on, she wanted to talk about what happened to her but Edward wanted to shut it away, he couldn't even bring himself to tell Isabel what happened in the other room, the room where he was taken, the room where he could hear everything, they became different people, it tore their marriage apart and they went their separate ways.
This book covers the stories of all the other victims that, with the help of detective Etta Eliogue, tried to draw strength from one another, all except Edward.
Twenty five years later a phone call informed all the victims that the killer, Nigel Wood, had been caught by DNA, they would all be able to stand up in court and face the man who violated them, that is the ones that he didn't kill. Isabel wanted to face him, she wanted him to know what he had done to her life, she wanted him to see that she wouldn't remain a victim but how would she feel about seeing Edward after all these years knowing that he was now with someone else, and would Edward be prepared to face his violator, would his story finally come out ?
I really enjoyed this book, the first that I have read from this author, although I did find it a bit slow at times I will definitely look out for any future books from her.
Thank you Harper Collins and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

Whatever hobbies you have, be that reading and/or something else, think on this for a minute. How would you convince someone else you know to love it as much as you? I'd like to bet that, in most cases, it can't be done.

Let's take, as an example, my wife. In recent months she's started collecting Sindy dolls and associated accessories, with the result that she now has a display cabinet full of the damn things and is looking for a second one. I think she may have gone mad. But, judging by the event in London that she went to last weekend, attended by at least another 50 collectors - male as well as female - it's apparent that she isn't alone.

My point here, really, is that the reasons why you love, or indeed hate something aren't always ones that you can justify rationally. And even if you happen to share an interest, there are still likely to be subtle differences. As another example, I include scuba diving amongst my hobbies. But the sort of diving I most enjoy is watching the marine life. Or playing with seals, which are wonderful creatures. If I see some pieces of metal that might once have been recognisable as a shipwreck 100 years ago or so, I don't really find it that interesting. But there are other divers out there for whom that's the only reason to get into the water.

And it's this point that brings me on to my latest read: The Death of Us by Abigail Dean, which is another case of my struggling to explain rationally how I felt about it. For starters, it's marketed on Amazon as a psychological thriller and judged as such, it's arguably only got it half-right. It's really not a thriller at all, at least not in the conventional sense. The pace is slow. It's mostly describing events that took place in the distant past, so there's limited opportunity to include any suspense. And if you're looking for a big surprise twist at the end that turns the entire story on its head, well, you won't really find that here either.

But I absolutely didn't care.

Because whatever this book lacks in the 'thriller' element, it makes up for it by well and truly nailing the 'psychological' bit. Twenty-eight years ago, during one night in their own home, the lives of the then 30-year-old Isabel and her husband Edward were turned upside-down. Now, their attacker has finally been caught and is facing trial. As Isabel prepares a witness statement, she relives the memories of that terrible night, and its aftermath, that have haunted her ever since. Meanwhile Edward is determined to focus on the present, unwilling and indeed unable to talk about what happened to him. The slow pace works because it allows the characters to drive the storyline. It allows the reader to live the characters lives, for what almost feels like every minute of every day.

It also allows the reader to appreciate the wonderful, beautiful writing. Even though Abigail tackles some horrific issues, she does so sensitively and - crucially - without over-describing. We are given just enough information to be able to then use our own imaginations to fill in the blanks. Only for those same scenes to then be re-visited and for just enough additional information to be given to reveal that what actually happened was even worse than we had imagined.

And yet ... the book is also a love story. Which means that, throughout, there's a message of hope in there. It could almost have been called The Death ... and Resurrection of Us. It doesn't quite heal your heart again after breaking it. But - probably more realistically - it does bruise and batter your heart mercilessly before giving it a little bit of a massage and showing you that it's not actually broken.

I've tried hard to think of something I didn't like and can pick up only on the repeated use of a particular four-letter word. I have no issues with foul language in books if I think it's necessary. Here, though, the main purpose seemed to be to shock the reader into paying more attention and if that's the case, it's really not needed. My attention was held just fine, thank you.

If what I've said hasn't tempted you to read the book, that's probably because your tastes are different to mine and therefore, I have no hope of convincing you. That's fine, but at the same time, I'm afraid it's your loss. Because I'm going with my heart - the one that's battered and bruised, but still whole - and saying that this is easily my favourite book so far of 2025.

My thanks to the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the digital ARC of this book, which was published in the UK on 10th April 2025. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my social media pages.

Another fascinating and gripping read from Abigail Dean. Whilst the majority of the novel was a very uncomfortable read, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the format, with Isabel writing to Nigel throughout as we slowly learned what happened, and appreciated the inclusion of a range of characters- Nina and Etta to name a few.
Both thought provoking and hopeful, I would recommend this book.

We meet Isabel and Edward as they are preparing to attend court to provide victim statements at the sentencing of a man who invaded their home some twenty five years ago and subjected them to a horrifying ordeal.

The story is told in dual narrative, from both Isabel’s and Edwards perspectives. We learn about their lives before and after the attack; we see the far reaching damage it has done. Not only to them but to all the victims, their families and the police who were involved in the hunt for the perpetrator.

From the first pages I was hooked, I could not turn away. I felt so deeply for what the characters had gone through and the devastating effects this had on their lives. Abigail Dean turns the usual ‘hunt for a serial killer’ story on its head and we see it from the victim’s perspective, we feel the terror and the sadness and the unjustness of it all.

I was totally immersed in this story of two people whose relationship is torn apart by a terrifying event, that is also the pin that keeps them connected. The writing is superb; I fully experienced the story.

One of my favourite reads this year.

This is a remarkable book. Honestly, what a read. This is an easy 5 star plus for me! It really wasn’t what I was expecting from a mystery thriller, but I was blown away. It does have the mystery thriller aspect but the focus of the story is about the people who have been hurt and the impact on their lives following a series of violent crimes. It is a beautiful piece of literary fiction that had a massive emotional impact on me and will stay in my head and heart for some time.

This took me a couple of chapters to get into. To begin with I wasn’t sure what was going on or what direction the story would take me.

Once I got into it, which didn’t take long, I was completely hooked. This book should come with lots of TW as it has some sensitive and dark content.

I really liked the way it was written, with Isabel’s POV telling the reader about the past and Edward telling us about now and how these POV’s were woven together.

I think Abigail Dean did a brilliant job in describing how this one brutal event for Isabel and Edward brutally shattered their lives and how they tried to rebuild themselves. At times, I could feel the fear, tension and heartbreak.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I think Abigail Dean is going from strength to strength. I enjoyed Girl A well enough, and then I really liked Day One - that stuck with me for a long time. This book is better again, a fantastic read.
I felt an underlying tension throughout that kept my nerves taut. Whilst the writing style and the tone of the book are soft even though the subject matter is very dark, there a constant feeling of something terrible just around the corner, it’s quietly menacing, waiting to explode - just like the intruder.
The choice to tell the story of how such a traumatic event impacts the lives of not only the people directly involved, but their friends and family, really highlights how truly life changing it is. Nothing is left untouched, every facet of their lives is altered. The melancholy that rolls off Isabel and Edward is like a physical thing that they drag through life with them.
This is a character study and a psychological thriller rolled into one…and it’s brilliant

Years ago Isabel and Edward were just getting started in life when a home invader destroyed their peace. Now he's finally facing justice but just how much damage was done along the way?

Wow just wow. This is such a powerfull and deeply moving story. It takes a different look to a crime and really focuses on the aftermath. Especially when there is no instant capture. We truly see the pain and suffering that can be caused. Its heavy going at times and yet so well written. You read about cases in the press and online but never think about just how reaching a trauma like that can be. This is told by both Isabel and Edward given depth to them both. The ending was really well done and her decision about what to say in court was utterly perfect. This will have you gripped and heartbroken yet Isabel's strength does slowly shine through. A brilliant thought provoking read.

This was a deeply emotional and powerful read. The Death of Us isn’t just about a crime – it’s about the long-lasting effects that one night can have on two people’s lives. Isabel and Edward were once a strong, loving couple, but after a terrifying home invasion, everything changed. Their relationship, once full of hope, becomes strained under the weight of trauma and silence.
I really admired how Abigail Dean told the story – Isabel’s voice was especially impactful as she addressed her attacker directly. The book was tense and heartbreaking at times, but it was also beautifully written and full of emotional depth.
This story is about pain, survival, and ultimately, love. Not the perfect kind, but the raw, real kind that endures. It stayed with me long after I finished. Thoughtful, intense, and incredibly well done. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something moving and unforgettable.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean publishes today April 10th with Hemlock Press and is described as ‘a stunning new novel from one of the most special writers of our generation'.

Edward and Isabel met quite young before either had a career or a bob to their name. Isabel had had some personal issues that Edward was aware of but it all added up to a slightly quirky personality which appealed to him. Their attraction was a slow burner as they each were in different relationships but, as time passed, they became an item, a very strong and passionate couple. They built a world together, both achieving different career successes along the way. They had plenty of friends, a lovely home and all the trappings of life that would be expected for a financially well-off couple.

Both thirty years of age, they had no children and enjoyed their independence, and most importantly they enjoyed each other. One evening their contentment was upended when an intruder invaded their home, their lives, and their marriage. Instantly changing everything they knew to be good in the world, the days, months and years that followed were extremely difficult. Their tight bond was shattered that evening. The invader had taken everything they held precious. Never caught, the police kept an open investigation. The invader gradually stepped further into the dark side, committing more brutal acts, as the world picked out the more salacious details, as revealed by the press.

Edward and Isabel tried to salvage their lives, they tried to understand, they tried to be present. They loved each other totally and completely but there was now a permanent scar ever present, an irreparable fracture, a chasm that they both looked down into.

Now in their mid-fifties, there is the court case, as the invader is finally brought forward for sentencing. We glimpse through fingers, horrified and terrified, as the full scale of what happened all those years ago are revealed. Extremely challenging scenes and heartachingly painful narratives are laid before the reader as that merciless night is laid bare. Abigail Dean speaks about her reasons for writing such a shocking novel describing Edward’s and Isabel’s relationship as ‘a decades-long love story’ and strangely enough that’s exactly what it is, albeit one permanently in the shade of a very dark shadow. Can Edward and Isabel survive their own story? Is their love, both witty and caustic, warm and resentful, gentle and harsh, strong enough to endure?

The Death of Us is a distressing read, yet among the anguish there is a beauty, a tenderness, and a passionate love story. The evolving of the characters is incredibly depicted as their lives slowly unfold over the decades. The little snippets, the intricate details, the glimpses, the tentative nature of their strained relationship is skillfully written with an expert pen, drawing the reader into their world. Disconcerting yet compelling, challenging yet powerful, The Death of Us is a very potent and emotive novel that lingers on very much after those final pages are turned. Tense. Intense. Breathtaking.

I have really enjoyed both of Abigail Dean’s previous books so my hopes were high starting The Death of Us and happily I can say that it totally lived up to and in fact exceeded my high expectations. The Death of Us is a sharp, powerful and incredibly astute examination of love, trauma, relationships and the far reaching effects of violent acts. It is an elegantly written book which covers the decades long relationship between Isabel and Edward, including the night their lives imploded after a brutal home invasion. The book cleverly delves into the trauma of this but it’s also about so much more - it’s about the tiny intricacies of why we behave the way we do and how different people react to horrifying events in a multitude of ways. Abigail Dean is absolutely an auto-buy author for me and The Death of Us proves why. Shocking and disturbing yet subtle and beautifully crafted. Highly recommended.

This was an emotionally charged read following Edward and Isobel as they deal with a life changing event. The story follows the aftermath and how their lives and the lives of those around them are affected. A great read that I would recommend.

The story:
The night the South London Invader targets Isabel and Edward, their lives are changed forever. Decades later, their attacker is finally in court to face the consequences of his terrible actions. But for Isabel and Edward, this is more than a chance for justice to be served. It is a chance for them to finally reveal everything that happened that night, and in the years that followed. Not to the court, or the eager members of the public following the story... but to each other.

My thoughts:
Abigail Dean is the bestselling author of "Girl A" and "Day One", both of which addressed very challenging topics. Her third novel, "The Death of Us" is no different, this time looking at the terrible effects of a home invasion attack on a young married couple.

The story is told from the perspectives of Isabel and Edward, who are targeted by a serial criminal known only as the South London Invader. From Edward we mainly see the events of the present, but the Isabel chapters are written as if she is speaking directly to her attacker himself, in the form of her victim personal statement. Because finally, after years of crime, the South London Invader has been found using modern DNA technology, and his court case is approaching.

This is not a who-dunnit book, nor is it a why-dunnit... Instead the author conducts an engrossing examination of the effects of a terrible crime on its victims, and they are the ones that are given a voice in this story – we don't hear from the perpetrator himself at all, beyond seeing him in the dock. I thought this was a really thoughtful way of approaching this difficult subject area, and seeing the events and its ramifications through the eyes of Isabel and Edward was at times heartbreaking, but also uplifting.

This sounds like it would be a heavy read, but in fact it is pacy, engrossing and I sped through it in just a few sittings. Alongside the obviously upsetting subject matter, we also get to see a relationship between a husband and wife that spans decades (even when they are not together), and in many ways this is a love story before it is a crime or thriller novel.

Overall, this was another brilliantly written novel from an accomplished author not afraid to tackle challenging subjects, and with believable, flawed and endearing characters. Highly recommended!

The Death of Us, by Abigail Dean
Rating: 5/5
Published: 10th April 2025
I am a huge Abigail Dean fan, because she always gives a knockout twist in her novels. The Death of Us is her best work yet - without a doubt! On a Spring night in South London, Edward and Isabel’s lives are shattered when a masked intruder enters their home and rapes Isabel, whilst Edward is frozen with terror. Their beautiful marriage is shattered that night, and they never recover from it. Years later, when the assailant is finally found and brought to justice, they must confront what happened, and face the truths that they were never able to face. It is a powerful story of experiencing and overcoming trauma, and I could not put it down. I never wanted it to end.

This was a moving novel about a couple who really loved each other, but after a dreadful home invasion attack, whether their love and marriage can survive. This was clever, with careful psychological examination of what crimes like this destroy and how they affect not only the victims, but others involved in the case too. I connected with the characters and found the journey they went very believable and authentic. I think Dean's focus on victims of crime in her novels make her books really stand out from the crowd and this is possibly the best of her work I've read so far. A compelling, moving read.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Oh My Days, this book takes the serial killer theme and puts it in a different light. We start in the present where former husband and wife, Edward and Isabel, are reunited for a very horrible reason. To give their victim impact statements at the sentencing of the serial killer who targeted them in their home decades ago. An event that was both harrowing to them at the time but which was also the catalyst for their eventual break up, and divorce.
The main theme for this book is the relationship between Edward and Isabel. This is told both in the past and the present with the timelines alternating seamlessly adding colour and clarity to each other as they progress. We watch their relationship start, blossom, get interrupted by the heinous crime, flounder, fail, and then when they meet again for the sentencing, we watch them together again.
It's very much a character driven novel, with Edward and Isabel standing out as two of the best characters I have met in a while. But, as well as these two main characters, there are a few other interesting ones herein. Mainly I am talking about other victims and what happened to them and how it affected them, in very different ways to Edward and Isabel, but also the officer in charge of the investigation and how she desperately tried to bring the killer to justice deserves more than just a cursory mention.
Obviously given the themes in this book, it's going to be a bit of an intense ride. But the author never glorifies the violence herein, I always felt safe in her hands. It's well balanced with lighter moments to offset the heavier ones so it doesn't get too dark overall.
Also due to the nature of the book and what happens, it's not a fast paced read. Its can't be. That wouldn't work. It's traumatic and raw and, given the time span between crime and punishment, the author would be doing the characters a disservice if she whizzed through it all.
All in all, a cracking addition to what is shaping up to be a well impressive back catalogue, all of which I can also recommend. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The Death of Us is both brilliant and horrifying. Isabel and Edward were subject to a serial home invader in their 30s. Now in their 50s, he's finally been caught and the case is about to go to court. We hear the details through Edward talking about the events both then and now, as well as Isabel's viewpoint through a statement she intends to read to the perpetrator, and written like a letter to him. The event destroyed their lives and blew apart their marriage. For the families that followed Isabel and Edward, it wasn't just a prolonged and violent sexual assault, but murder as well, and we get to hear what it did to those people through Isabel and Edward's viewpoints as well as the victim statements in court.

Just like Abigail Dean's previous book, Day One, it focusses on the impact that a life changing event has on the characters. You both want to keep reading to find out what really happened, for example what did the attacker do to subdue Edward while Isabel was being attacked, and not really wanting to know the details of everything that happened as it's likely harrowing.

To summarise, it's awful (in a brilliant way), harrowing, terrifying and will stay with you for a long time afterwards.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a free ARC in return for an honest review.

The Death of Us is a striking novel that continues Dean’s exploration of complex themes throughout her work in the lens of true crime.

I really love the way Dean explores the impact of trauma in her work. This was no exception with a nuanced and emotionally fraught look at the continuing impact of a horrific crime on two people. It asks difficult questions about justice, closure and vengeance with a focus on the exploitative nature that the true crime industry can sometimes have. There is such sensationalism about this case, rather than looking at the tragedy and the impact on those involved. The tone throughout is nuanced and deeply human, fractured in its messiness and therefore that much more authentic. It treads carefully but honestly, depicting trauma without gratuity. Dean makes the reader complicit in this at times but keeps the focus always on Edward and Isabel.

This is very much a character-driven narrative with these two distinct voices coming to the fore. I loved the way Dean played with the timelines here as well, slowing putting together the jigsaw pieces of their relationship and where it brought them to today. The framing device of the court case served as a stark reminder of the devastation of the case, contrasted by the deep-seated love between the two of them. It is incredibly tragic as you read the joyful start of their relationship when you know what is looming on the horizon for them. Without giving anything away, there are some stylistic choices that Dean makes that heightens this further and adds new layers to the already composite story.

The Death of Us is a multifaceted and considered narrative about the invisible scars we carry with us, love and family.

The Death Of Us captured e from start to finish!!
The book is about two people, madly in love, married, comfortable until an event changes them forever. When Isobel and Edward meet through a friend they are instantly drawn together but Edward already has a girlfriend. They phone each other almost nightly and meet up for days out. Eventually they get together and everything is near perfect until the South London Invader chooses them next. What follows is an awful attack and here is where their marriage splinters. Years later the Invader is caught and brought to trial and they are each to read a victim impact statement. Will this bring them back together or rip them further apart?
This book got to me in ways I didn’t think it would do. The way it is set out brings out the best of the storyline and the characters. I liked how raw their feelings were and by having their own chapters you got to really know them and what they were thinking and not saying. It is an emotional read and made me want to be able to bang their heads together to avoid all the heart ache. The different types of characters also helped this book and there were some real likeable ones. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next!
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins, HarperFiction, Hemlock Press for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.