I was recommended this book by a friend, and it was definitely worth a listen.
Immediately I knew this was going to be brilliant. A woman is writing what appears to be a witness statement to the man convicted of attacking her and her husband. It's an incredibly strong opening, and I was hooked straight away. It felt much more than a thriller, more literary fiction and thought provoking.
I thought the ending felt a little abrupt, I actually had to rewind to see how I missed the end! But on the whole it is wonderfully written.

On some level most crime fiction is concerned mainly with what happened after the crime is committed - the impact on those targeted and the finding of the perpetrator. The Death of Us takes this to another level, with main character Isabel writing an impact statement to Nigel Woods, the home invader who attacked her and her husband Edward.

Their marriage doesn’t survive the aftermath - Edward is horrified that he was unable to protect his wife and Isabel is understandably traumatised by her horrific and alienating experience. On the surface both have successful careers and even find themselves able to form family bonds with Nina, the orphaned daughter of another couple Nigel attacks (and, this time, murders). But they are no longer able to share everything with each other and to some extent Nigel’s invasion of their home and their lives spells the death of their relationship.

But love is love and when DNA identifies Nigel decades later, Isabel and Edward are drawn back into each other’s daily lives. And, like Larkin’s Arundel Tomb, Dean’s novel illustrates in painful detail that when all is said and done, “What’s left of us is love.”

Interesting concept and definitely a slow burn. Took me time to get into the book but I enjoyed the journey either way

A tense novel of assault and murder set in SOUTH LONDON

I read Girl A back in the day (2021) and at the time, I thought that is a novelist to look out for. And thus I was keen to read The Death of Us, although the premise will be challenging for some.

This is the story of Isabel and Edward who get to know each other in their late teens and we find out a little about their relationship and their individual backstories, as it blossoms during the 1990s. The narrative then moves smoothly back and forth to the unfolding trial 25 years later of The South London Invader, a nondescript police officer who over many years has brought terror to the streets of South London. The story is then further fleshed out by the individual experiences of Edward and Isabel as they build up to giving impact statements in court. Isabel chooses to address Nigel, the perpetrator, directly as she sorts through her feelings, trauma and responses to what happened to them as a couple.

Invariably when a couple suffers significant trauma, it is hard for them to make a go of a join future and we discover that the incident they had to endure has irrevocably impacted them. By the time of the trial they have separated and Edward has a new partner, and the stresses of having to deal with their joint history to the exclusion of his more recent relationship is considerable.

Nigel specifically chose couples in their own homes, did a lot of research prior to his forced entry and terrorised them jointly and individually as he set about his task.

The author vividly captures the emotional impact of his actions, the guilt and shame and the absolute despair of both the victims (and there were many) and the police officer, who was involved for the majority of the investigation. This is a skilled rendering of emotional upheaval and trauma.

I have lived off Camberwell Grove, where the author has placed her couple and therefore the area felt very familiar.  Of course there is the real life legacy of Delroy Grant, who attacked older people in the South London area between 1992 and the early 2000s and there are at least 200 known victims, so it makes the notion of someone breaking and entering a property with callous intentions all the more real.

I listened to this novel as audiobook and it was crisply and very competently narrated by Claire Skinner and John Hopkins and it had a similar feel to listening to a true crime podcast.

A story of murder, a story of love, a story of survival…

A dark and uncomfortable listen but truly a remarkable and powerful book. Two extremely talented narrators whose voices added to the intense story telling.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for an audio ARC.

4.5

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Audio for my audio review copy.

Abigail Dean is an exceptional writer who skillfully navigates serious, climactic events, (such as a school shooting in Day One and a violent house intruder in this book). Instead of focussing solely on the events themselves, Dean deftly shifts the narrative’s perspective to explore the subsequent consequences and implications.

The execution of this audiobook is masterful. While it may not be an easy listen (or read!), it is undeniably powerful.

This novel is a remarkable thriller that left a significant emotional impact on me.
Abigail Dean has done an exceptional job with the storytelling. The narrative has a dual timeline with protagonists Isabel and Edward. Isabel recounts her experience in a way that feels like a direct conversation with her attacker, while Edward provides his perspective on the events, sharing his thoughts and feelings from both the past and present.
The story also draws interesting parallels to the Golden State Killer case. Overall, it's a phenomenal story that I highly recommend, especially to anyone who enjoys true crime, psychological thrillers and/or police procedurals. ❤️
The male and female narrators were both excellent and also added depth to the story.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A harrowing yet intimate look at a violent crime and its impact over decades. Isobel and Edward’s seemingly perfect London life is shattered by a brutal home invasion. When the attacker becomes a serial killer, their story turns into something far darker.

Blending crime thriller with emotional drama, the novel explores the long-term trauma and unraveling of a relationship. Twenty-five years later, the trial reopens old wounds and uncovers buried truths.


This slow-burn thriller builds tension through a dual timeline, shifting between the couple’s early romance and the aftermath of the attack.


Dean has created raw and authentic characters. Isobel and Edward are flawed, vulnerable, and painfully real. Their emotional disconnection and attempts to heal are portrayed with honesty and tenderness. Even minor characters add depth, making this more than just a crime story - it’s about love, survival, and the lingering echoes of trauma.


The Death of Us is a powerful blend of crime and character study. It delves into violence, justice, and emotional aftermath, handled with care and compassion. Dark but deeply moving.

A huge thanks to Hemlock Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review consideration.  All opinions are my own. Out now! 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for arc I fully enjoyed it listening to it, it was paced enjoyed the story and characters a roller coaster ride

it was about a crime home invasion first when went into serial killer how they managed to catch him and also how one couple survivor the home invasion how they battle though the years of consequences of it and aftermath when the person caught

It was good if you enjoy thriller suspense emotional them this is for you

4 stars

Beautifully melancholic. Following the relationship of Edward and Isobel, through each other's eyes, in an intertwined narrative of before and after 'that night. This is an addictive listen, as you feel every moment of the joy, trauma, tragedy, and love of their lifetimes and the ties that bind them together while tearing them apart.

Excellent narration, particularly in the darkest areas of the book, raises the impact of the emotion of the story.

This book really lived up to the hype!!

It was a heart wrenching rollercoaster of emotions.
Abigail Dean has her own sense and style of writing, I feel as though I have lived the characters as she portrayed them and felt every page I read. It is not the easiest of story’s to read due to the nature of the subject but the excellent standard of writing made it more than bearable.

A really great read of tragedy and survival, filled with raw emotion.
One of my books of the year.

Wow, this book was so extremely powerful. I was gripped from the start.
There's a lot of darkness to read about including murder and rape, but I think it genuinely gets the feelings of the victims across, like nothing else I've read.
Its a mix of a crime novel, & a love story, following Isobel and Edward, who are attacked in their own home.
I think this book will stay with me for a long time.
I listened to the audiobook version of it, the narrators were just right. I liked it how there were 2. I think it made it more emotional.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

**read electronic book and listened to the audiobook also**


I have found Abigail Dean really hit and miss - and unfortunately this was a real miss. I was so desperate to like this book. Feel its been given so much hype and lots of people have loved this book. Whereas I just couldn't get into it!!
I tried numerous time, and even the audiobook.
I didn't like the narrator... and found the opening really lack lustre too.

Maybe I will try again later down the line, but for now... I just couldn't keep going with it.

3.5 rounded up

This story was a slow burn with a bit a dual timeline in that we learn of the lives before the horrific night that changed Isabelle and Edward’s lives forever. A prolific offender known as the home invader in London is preying on middle class couples where he sexually abuses the women which admittedly I was not prepared for the graphic details that were given in this book at times it was deeply disturbing. I guess this is the point the writer is making because these crimes are exactly that - horrific!!!

The perpetrator has been offending and with Isabelle’s account he makes her state the next time I will kill them all to which he does go on to murder the victims, the case takes 25years for him to be caught and then go to trial at which point we learn of the impact on both Isabelle and Edward of a night they hadn’t spoken of!

As this was in audio format I have to state that unfortunately I found there was something distracting within this particular copy possibly a page turning I couldn’t quite place it but it sadly did take away from the ability to fully immerse in the audiobook. Also with the 2 narrators I found the speed was different in that the voice of Claire was slower than John meaning you may have to adjust the settings accordingly when listening to the different characters which also was a little distracting. After a little bit of time I managed to find a flow and followed no problem but this is worth mentioning due to it being an audiobook.

With thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins Uk Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for an open honest review. 📚🎧

The Death of Us by Abigail Dean.

If you are looking for an unputdownable read for the long weekend, Abigail Dean's recently published, third novel, The Death of Us is a page turner. I read her previous two novels and appreciated her dark tales but this book feels like the book I/ her readers were waiting for from her. Part crime novel/ part portrayal of a marriage and character study, the book tells the story of Isabel and Edward and their lives both before and after the unthinkable happens.

The couple meet as students and after various hiccups , marry and are living in London, Edward pursuing his career in law and Isabel deciding which career she will pursue. The buy a house in London, they drink with friends in their garden, in their early thirties the rest of their lives are brimming with hope and possibility. At the same time, a man is breaking into homes in London carrying out attacks and targeting middle class couples, the media have coined him the "South London Invader" and one night he appears in Isabel's and Edwards bedroom.

Their lives are irrevocably changed. The invader goes on to become a murderer and 25 years , he is finally caught, the court case is happening and finally the truth of that night will be spoken about. The book catalogues the effects the attack had on their marriage, their lives and on their actions to each other.

This was a super read. Intense, brutally realistic and so well written. Despite the dark subject matter, this novel is laced with care and hope. The two main characters (and the cast of secondary characters) are well captured and portrayed brilliantly, I was wholly invested in their lives and their story. Dean writes about human behaviour with such care, accuracy and warmth, it is a fascinating read. At times it is a dark read but ultimately this is a book about survival and hope and I could not put it down/ stop listening .

Recommend 4.5

Without a doubt the author’s best novel yet - this story felt so original and powerful, and I truly couldn’t put it down. It chilled me despite the reader knowing what was coming from the very beginning, as we slowly moved back in time to all these horrific crimes. But it was also heartbreaking witnessing the break down of this marriage, which meant the crime kept reverberating through the decades.

The only thing I would say is that the audio narration was a little frustrating because the two narrators had such different paces - for the female narrator I wanted to speed up to x2.5 as it felt quite slow, but then the male narrator was so fast I had to keep changing back to x2 speed, which became a little annoying. But that doesn’t take away from the brilliant story itself!

Actual rating 4.5.