Edward and Isabel are victims of a violent home invasion. This book is a raw, honest and heart rending look at the effects of trauma on individuals, couples, and friends. The characters in this story are very real and well developed, and relatable. I really enjoyed the clever writing style, and can highly recommend this book to lovers of psychological thrillers, true crime and drama. Highly recommended.

Edward and Isabel, a young and vibrant couple, meet during their University years introduced by a mutual friend. After ten years of marriage, their lives are impacted by the actions of a home invader who imparts violence and brutality on the couple, seeking gratification from the humiliation he creates. Now in their late fifties, the attacker is finally brought to trial. Edward and Isabel are asked to provide victim impact statements in court.

This story is about their relationship before and after the traumatic event, and the impact the event and subsequent trial has had on their lives. The story is told from both main characters in alternate chapters, and moves between the past and the present day.

There are other characters introduced throughout the story line, these characters add background and colour to the story. They include police officers, lawyers, family members and friends. Importantly, we also hear about other victims of the intruder and the devastation and heartbreak he has brought to their lives, not only from the violence they have endured, but also from the resultant emotional trauma wreaked upon them.

Abigail Dean has succeeded in writing a disturbing yet engaging story of a marriage devastated by violence and inhumanity. The book is written in an emotional but not overly sentimental style. The characters in the book are totally authentic; the author has skilfully portrayed the impact of dark and harrowing events on those characters.

Overall it is a compelling though disturbing story. I would recommend the book to readers who enjoy murder mysteries, psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction.

The Death of Us is the story of Isabel and Edward. They met while at university and remained together for 25+ years. During their marriage they were the victims of a violent home invasion. The novel alternates from the present day - where the attacker is before the court - and the history of their relationship including the aftermath of the attack.

It’s a different writing style. Isabel talks directly to the attacker which, as a reader, takes a bit of getting used to. Although not an overly emotional read, this left me feeling sad. An enjoyable read.

The death of us is one of nightmares. My own nightmares if I’m honest. It’s full of angst and anxiety and really uncomfortable moments. I may end up buying a few extra locks for my doors and windows! However it is brilliantly written. Abigail Dean is so considerate in telling the stories of those impacted by crime, their thoughts, feelings and worlds being warped into something they never could imagine.

While I prefer my fantasy worlds, where bloodshed comes from dragons and angry fae, this book should be your next read for anyone that loves true crime.

A truely fantastic read! I loved the writing style and use of two points of view. Having the past run alongside the present doesn’t always work, but in this book it was executed beautifully.
The characters were so raw and real, their emotions and thought processes speaking to me as a reader.
Honestly, I enjoyed everything about this story and how it was written.
I will definitely investigate more of this author’s work!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the ARC.

"I still dream about nights like that, every now and then. A wistfulness creeps across my life tightening each time I realize something or other will not happen again"

Trigger warnings for the book at the bottom.

I would like to start by saying Thank you to Netgalley and Hemlock Press for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This novel is not the usual genre I have read lately; a dark psychological drama. I immediately found it was beautiful and heart wrenching.

This novel centres around a couple who experienced a significantly traumatic event when they were younger. It switches from Isabel telling the story of her time and love with Edward and the impact the event had on their relationship. It switches to Edward experiencing the court proceedings at the trial of the perpetrator in the present.

This book immediately captured my interest; I read it in three days. I felt a happy, sad, ache knowing what would happen to this couple; the tumultuous beginning of their relationship with unnecessary dramas that can only occur when one is in their late teens, early 20s. The rise of their prospective careers followed by the impact of pre-existing mental illness and untreated PTSD.

At times, this story will make you want to laugh and make you want to cry within moments. You will feel hopelessness and then hopefulness.

The Death of Us is a reminder that we may question what could have been, but need to remember to look for love and support in the people around us.


Trigger warnings for potential readers; this book contains references, discussions and descriptions of rape and murder.

This is a brilliant read. I have not encountered Abigail Dean before. I will now check out her other books.

Edward and Isabel meet at 19 at University. He has a girlfriend. They obviously care for each other and later marry. He becomes an esteemed barrister and she becomes a playwright. When they are 30, the South London Invader, who later becomes a serial killer, enters their home, rapes Isabel, threatens Edward and causes devastation in their lives. Edward always blames himself for not doing more on the night of the attack. The offender goes on to kill people, including Nina a four year old’s parents.

25 years later, the offender is caught owing to forensic developments. He’s a former police officer. He pleads guilty to the offences, so there is no trial. At his sentencing, Edward and Isabel are allowed to read their victim impact statements in court, as do other victims. They had split up some years earlier but remained friends. Edward tells the story of that terrible night and how it so adversely affected their relationship and lives. He says things in court that the offender said to him on the night that he had never told anyone, even Isabel.

Nina is now grown up. Edward and Isabel befriended her at 10 years of age and were like quasi parents to her. She too gives a victim impact statement. As she speaks, the offender gives a derisive snort. Edward is infuriated, stomps through the court and nearly gets into the dock to attack the offender, Nigel. He’s stopped by a security guard. As he’s led out of court Nina says he’s family, which he’s touched to hear.

The investigating officer, Etta became close to Isabel over the years. She gets attacked by the offender. Her partner Alicia couldn’t stand Isabel as she saw her as the spectre at the feast, a reminder to Etta that she never caught the offender. Etta died just two years before the offender was apprehended. Freddie, Edward’s lifelong friend also features. He loves both Edward and Isabel dearly. Andrew Pearson, whose wife was killed by the offender never recovers mentally from the attack also plays a part. He has survivors’ guilt. There’s also a posturing annoying character, Zachary (a surgeon) another of Nigel’s victims who features in the story.

This is an engrossing and absorbing story about love and about the pain caused by the offender, Nigel in Edward and Isabel’s lives and the lives of others he has attacked and killed, as well as their family members. It is a very well written book. I found it to be a quick read.

I highly recommend this book to others. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC they provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this novel and work out what was going on. However, it builds up into an extraordinary look at the impact one man’s crimes had on so many people, but especially Isabel and Edward. Their reactions and ways of coping with the trauma eventually lead them to split. However, at the sentencing of the perpetrator, they come together again and realise all that they had to value. The side characters of Etta, Freddy and Nina especially add depth, and Andrew for sheer sadness. For those who like to ponder issues about love, life and loyalty, this is a book to savour.
Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

This book explores the lives of characters years after a traumatic home invasion and what happens when their attacker is caught decades later? Very interesting and wonderful character development.