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.