"I’m still frightened, I’m frightened all the time"

This is the story of Isabel and Edward, and the third person in their marriage - Nigel the House Invader, the rapist, the murderer, the marriage wrecker. The story of how the worst things can happen and the effect they have on you, not just at the time, not just on you, but forever more, on you and those around you. And of what you have to do to survive.
I found this book absolutely absorbing and believable, in places very moving, and I sped through it, keen to find out what happened next. Covering some 30 years of living, it slowly spools out the horror of the event and its aftermath. There's a lot of back and forth in time but I never felt confused as to where we were in the story.
I’d strongly recommend the book and I'd read this author again.
My only reservation is that I found the denouement much signposted and a little disappointing but then, isn’t that also the way life is?
I had this on audiobook. The ironic, sarcastic tone Claire Skinner uses to deliver Isabel’s words is just perfect. John Hopkins reads Edward well, capturing his matter of fact, emotionally reticent character. Having Isabel and Edward read by different narrators made it feel like I was actually listening to them speaking, which was very powerful in the context of the story. There was the occasional and sometimes unnecessary use of the C word which is hard to unhear. Had it been saved for the main event, I felt it would’ve had more impact. At other times, it seemed like it had been inserted just to shock. Sadly, the more the word is used, the more acceptable it becomes. And really, it should never be acceptable - isn't that the point?
Thank you Harper Collins Uk Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Dark, haunting and beautiful, I have absolutely adored The Death of Us. That said, it’s a hard book to recommend given its harrowing subject matter. This is the story of Isabel and Edward, a couple in the aftermath of a home invasion. Isabel was assaulted in the worst way possible, while Edward simply had to look on. It’s gut-wrenching and devastating, but Abigail Dean’s writing is so beautiful, so emotive, that I simply could not put this down.

This isn’t a book about the crime itself. It isn’t a thriller, and it’s also not a voyeuristic examination of a heinous crime. While details on the incident are sparing, there’s enough to understand exactly what happened, and in some ways this light peppering of details is even worse than a stark description. It haunts you, lingers in your mind as you reluctantly fill in the blanks yourself.

Going back and forth in time over the course of Isabel and Edward’s relationship, The Death of Us is primarily set during the trial of the perpetrator, a man named Nigel. While the book switches between Isabel and Edward’s perspectives, Isabel’s narration is presented as a letter to Nigel. How his attack affected her life, her relationship, her mental health. It’s her testimony, written with so much heart and emotion that is palpable on every page.

As you’d expect given the subject matter, The Death of Us is a very difficult book to read at times. But it feels oh-so real. Isabel and Edward’s emotions are raw and tangible, and while they are both flawed characters in many ways (who of us isn’t?) it’s impossible not to care for them and empathise with them. Edward’s voice may not be quite as poignant as Abigail’s, but that’s a narrative choice made by Dean. Edward is more pragmatic as a character; more suited to finding solutions than dwelling on feelings. But the effects the incident have had on him are still clear to see. Both characters are deeply wounded, and it shows, cleverly in different ways.

But there are lighter moments here. This is the story of a relationship, and it’s not always devastating. We’ll read about Isabel and Edward as they met during university, their dating and early endeavours. The Death of Us is, ultimately, a love story, just not the usual pink-and-fluffy kind. Anyone who has been in love will connect with this novel on some level. And while (hopefully) very few of us will ever experience something as tragic and harrowing as this pair did, it’s also easy to put yourself in their position and think about how you’d cope.

As long as this subject matter won’t be too difficult for you, and as long as you don’t mind a novel loaded with challenging emotions, I cannot hesitate to recommend The Death of Us enough. Gorgeously written with real characters, this is an exploration of love, of life, how humans continue living when they’ve endured the worst thing possible. It’s tender, raw, sometimes abrasive and shocking, but it’s always loaded with emotion and beauty.

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

The Death of Us

This book was different in terms of psychological thrillers, most of the book is though the eyes of a young married couple Isobel and Edward, who become victims of a violent home invasion and the rape of Isobel.

As we travel back and forward to the time before and after the home invasion we find out more about the couple and what they went through, and how they are both still deeply affected even to the current day.

This was so well written, the structure of this book is complex and clever, the writing again is superb. Not an easy novel to read at times but has some real meaning to it and makes you think. Abigail Dean is again writing about horrible situations that happen in real life and the trauma these events cause, the lifelong horrors that people have to deal with.

This book had some strong moments and interesting ideas and I admire the ambition behind it. I can see this appealing to many other listeners, so don't give it a miss.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

Abigail Dean’s *The Death of Us* is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the long-lasting impact of trauma on a marriage. The novel follows Isabel and Edward, a couple whose lives were shattered when a serial killer invaded their home, forcing them to confront their past decades later at his trial. Dean masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, crafting a story that examines justice, survival, and the complexities of human resilience. With its slow-burn tension and compelling character dynamics, *The Death of Us* is a must-read for fans of thought-provoking thrillers.

This was an unbelievably good book. Beautifully written and absolutely devastating at times, it was one of those rare books where I felt like I knew the characters inside and out.

I enjoyed the structure of the novel and how we hear the POV’s of both Isobel and Edward, but at different times in their lives, this was layered very well and revealed plot points perfectly.

The portrayal of PTSD and depression in this book were expressed expertly by the author and it was the little descriptive details which really made you connect with the characters.

I listened to the audiobook of this book and the voice actors did such a fantastic job at portraying the characters. Both voices were incredibly genuine which complimented the sincerity of the prose.

I was really blown away by this one and in awe of the authors writing and the whole theme/structure of the book.

Thank you so much to Hemlock Press and Harper Collins for my review copy.

A slow-burn psychological thriller. This starts with the brutal home invasion and attack of married couple Isobel and Edward, before weaving into a then-and-now perspective to create a powerful and unsettling love story and the impact of the horrific crime on them. A well written and heart-wrenching tale. With the dual perspectives of Isobel and Edward it works nicely as a two-handed narration audio book that builds the tension.

I’ve read the book and wondered how well it would work as an audio version. Whilst I was familiar with the story, I believe it’s a great audiobook as well. The narration is very good and delivered at just the right pace and tone. The story has a dual time line and explores a deeply disturbing domestic crime. It’s chilling, mainly because it’s plausible and it sets the listener thinking. The central characters are perfect in that they feel like real people, living in their domestic bliss and their lives are shattered. It’s a story hinted at by news headlines occasionally, but this fleshes out all the back detail and scrapes the veneer. It’s what I’d call a domestic noir. Haunting, uncomfortable at times, but really well written.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an audio version of the book.

Heartbreaking and so very disturbing but also memorising and extremely well written and narrated. This is a story that will stay with me as it went so far beyond the actual crime and on to the many, many repercussions like ripples on a pond.

This is a gripping, emotional rollercoaster. The story pulled me in right from the start, and the twists kept coming, making it hard to stop listening. The characters are complex, and you really feel for them as their secrets unravel. The narration was excellent, adding to the intensity. If you like thrillers that mix suspense with deep character exploration, definitely give this one a try!

This is a remarkable book about Isabel and Edward who are survivors of a horrific attack and rape in their home in south London. It’s narrated from both of their perspectives and set across two timescales, from back when it happened, and today, during the court proceedings.

I was utterly transfixed by the writing, the depth of the characters, the love story and marriage, which eventually unravels in light of the horrors Isabel and Edward experienced. I struggled a little with the female narration because there were a lot of pauses that seemed to break up the flow, particularly in the first part of the book, but otherwise this was absolutely a five-star book. Beautifully written, deeply emotive and very clever. Thoroughly recommend.

The Death Of Us I’d only my second novel by Abigail Dean, and I loved this every bit as much as Day One.

The story itself is delivered mainly in a split time line and in a two hander style from both Edward and Isabelle who were the victims of a prolific rapist and serial killer. Isabelle’s story is mainly told in a style of writing to her rapist in her impact statement, detailing the crime at the time and life since. Edward gives us more of the now and the lead up and event of the court case, because many years later he’s been caught and is about to go to trial.

While the writing is graphic and brutal and the horrific crimes are essentially the core of the story, the impact of his crimes on the couple are the strongest message throughout, and really the main story. The impact on them individually and their relationship. Dean doesn’t flinch from harsh brutality of the crimes, nor the shattering knock on effects. The ending had me choking on tears.

Claire Skinner and John Hopkins provide a fantastic performance in the narration, there were some little issues with background noise in the recording but as this is a proof I’m sure they’re now corrected for publication.

Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available now.

I loved this.
All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

This was a very good psychological thriller. It was a slow burn but worked well as we go through Isabel and Edward's life and love with the event. It is interesting and I have never listened to a book like this before and I am glad that I did.

Absolutely loved diving into “The Death of Us” by Abigail Dean. As someone who appreciates dark, emotionally intense stories, this novel truly hit the mark. Narrated by Claire Skinner and John Hopkins, the audiobook felt almost like listening to a gripping true crime podcast—rich, immersive, and hauntingly real.
The story begins with that fateful spring night in South London, a night that shatters the lives of Isabel and Edward forever. Dean masterfully weaves a dual timeline, taking us back to their life before the attack and then unfolding the harrowing aftermath. I found the early chapters beautifully done—showing their hopes, dreams, and the love they shared—making the subsequent trauma even more heartbreaking.
The portrayal of the home invader, known as the South London Invader, was disturbingly vivid and raw. The graphic details were unsettling but felt necessary—they underscore the horror of what these victims endured. Dean doesn’t shy away from the brutality, and I appreciated her honesty, even if it was tough to read at times. It’s a stark reminder of how horrific crimes can be, and I think the author’s intent was to confront that head-on.
What struck me most was how the novel explores the ripple effects of trauma—not just on Isabel and Edward, but on their marriage, friendships, and sense of self. The characters felt incredibly real; Dean’s character development is subtle yet profound. I was wholly invested in their journey of survival, hope, and ultimately, healing.
Dean’s writing is both brutal and compassionate—she captures human behaviour with such care and insight. The book felt like a perfect blend of crime, psychological study, and a deeply human love story. It’s a slow burn, but every piece is worth the wait. As the trial unfolds after 25 years, the narrative builds tension beautifully, culminating in a powerful revelation.
In short, “The Death of Us” is a gripping, emotionally charged novel that I couldn’t put down. It’s a story about survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of love amidst unimaginable darkness. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a thought-provoking, unputdownable read. Abigail Dean has truly outdone herself with this one.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.