The Death Of Us by Abigail Dean

 

Abigail Dean relates the life of a married couple after they are the victims of a man in London similar to the Golden State Killer in California.  Like him, he starts by breaking into the houses of single women and assaulting them.  He escalates to breaking into the homes of couples and separating them.  He moves the husband to an adjacent room where he can hear what is happening to his wife but can do nothing about it.  Edward and Isobel are the last couple this man attacks before he starts killing the victims.

The story is told in alternating chapters by Isobel and Edward.  They split after the attack as many in those situations do but have been reunited years later by the trial of the man who terrorized the city who has finally been caught after many years.  Through these chapters, we go back to the beginning of the couple's romance, their early years and marriage and then the attack and the aftermath.  

I've read every book Abigail Dean has written.  She never disappoints and always delivers a highly readable psychological terror tale.  In my opinion, this is her best book.  The emphasis is less on the crime and more on the aftermath and the effect that crime has on the lives of those affected, often for years.  Isobel is a strong character and not to everyone's liking but I admired her.  Edward is successful in business where he is decisive but that did not carry over to the night the couple was attacked.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.