#BookReview of #TheDeathOfUs by Abigail Dean | @Hemlock_Press

‘This is a story of murder. This is a story of survival. But most of all, this is a story of love.‘
– The Death of Us

[ About The Death of Us ]

It’s the story everyone wants to hear.

That spring night in South London, when Isabel and Edward’s lives were torn apart.

The night Isabel learned that the worst things wait, just outside the door.

The night Edward learned that he was powerless to stop them.

The night they never talk about.

When their attacker is caught, it’s finally time to tell the story of that night.

Not to the world. Or to the man who did it. But to each other.

This is a story of murder. This is a story of survival. But most of all, this is a story of love.

[ My Review ]

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.

*Thank you to Harper Collins Ireland for a copy of The Death of Us in exchange for my honest review

[ Bio ]

Abigail Dean was born in Manchester and grew up in the Peak District. Abigail has worked as a Waterstones bookseller and a lawyer. Her debut novel, Girl A, was a New York Times and Sunday Times top ten bestseller and a Kindle number 1 bestseller. The rights to Girl A have sold in 36 territories and a television series is being adapted with Sony. The Death of Us is Abigail’s third novel. Film rights have been acquired at auction.

Instagram ~ @abigailsdean