I really enjoyed Abigail Dean's debut novel, Girl A, so I was really happy to pick up another of her books, this time The Death of Us. This novel essentially involves taking a moving and sensitive look at how a shared traumatic experience can alter the course of a relationship.
Here is the synopsis:
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. (Courtesy of Abigail's website.)
Isabel and Edward were a young, happy couple when a frightening intrusion into their home changed everything. Unable to navigate the heavy emotional aftermath together, they eventually drifted apart, letting their marriage fade away. They go on to live separate lives and never discuss that night. Then the perpetrator is finally caught and the former couple are brought back into each other’s lives as the trial looms. Will they finally be able to open up about what they went through?
This isn’t an action-packed thriller; it’s more a character-driven exploration of healing and I couldn't get enough of it. I really loved the way Abigail chose to build the narrative. It sweeps back and forth between timelines so smoothly. Isabel’s chapters are presented almost like a deeply personal diary entry directed at the man who altered their lives, which gives her perspective such an intimate, vulnerable feel. Edward’s side of the story grounds us in the present day as they gently brace themselves for the upcoming trial.
My heart really went out to both characters; they are written with such empathy and feel like genuine people you want to reach out and comfort. While the book certainly touches on emotional subjects and might make you reach for a tissue, it never feels overwhelming or bleak. Instead, it’s an incredibly hopeful story about resilience and the enduring nature of love.
I found this to be an absorbing read that shines a warm light on the quiet strength of the people left behind, rather than dwelling on the crime itself. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read whatever Abigail Dean writes next!
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