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Day One

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What to expect

*The breathtaking new novel from the bestselling author of Girl A*

‘I couldn’t put this down’ Stacey Halls

What really happened on Day One?

Everyone has their own version of what happened to the school that day:

The survivor, who escaped but is now trapped in a lie.

The newspapers, hellbent on turning a tragedy into a spectacle.

And the outsider, who claims it never really happened at all…

They all want the truth.

But who’s ready to face it?

As events spiral out of control and conspiracies ignite, the true story is revealed. Piece by shocking piece.

*Praise for DAY ONE*

‘A devastating, beautiful novel’ Jennifer Saint

‘Gripping and beautifully written’ Emilia Hart

‘A chilling, thought-provoking read’ Shari Lapena

‘A beautiful writer’ Adele Parks

‘An exceptionally skillful book’ Clare Mackintosh

*What readers are saying about DAY ONE*

‘Abigail Dean has pulled off an incredible feat with this unforgettable, searing but compassionate novel’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping read which kept me trying to figure out the larger picture until the very last page’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It's technically so impressive, but most importantly it's vital and human, and I will think about it for a long time’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping and insightful’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘As a study of how conspiracies flourish and grow, it is superb. As an examination of loss, it is even better’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my word this is a book you race through, desperate to know what happens next’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It’s timely, it’s moving, it looks at the untruths we tell ourselves and others in an attempt to understand the real horrors of the world – it’s just brilliant’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A twisty story with genuine depth’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This was an exceptionally well written book, both gripping and evocative’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gut-wrenching truths are exposed little by little, leading to an agonisingly tender ending’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This novel moved me to tears and broke my heart’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Critics Review

  • ‘It thoughtfully explores the reverberations of trauma … a considerable achievement.’ The Times Pick of the Month

    ‘Dean writes beautifully and Day One is an absorbing, heartbreaking read.’ The Observer

    ‘This intricately plotted drama is sensitive and thought provoking’ Crime Monthly

    “An unforgettable triumph” Publishers Weekly

    ‘It’s original and superb’ Sunday Irish Independent

    ‘Chilling and very prescient … it’s a beautifully written exploration of memory, grief and how we try to make sense of the senseless.’ Red Magazine

    ‘I couldn’t put this down… layered, frightening, moving.’ Stacey Halls

    ‘A devastating, beautiful novel written with such skill, grace and compassion’ Jennifer Saint

    ‘Gripping and beautifully written’ Emilia Hart

    ‘A chilling, thought-provoking read. Brilliant.’ Shari Lapena

    ‘Utterly gripping.’ Juno Dawson

    ‘Intriguing and brave, a beautiful writer.’ Adele Parks

    ‘Superb! … this tale will stay with you long after you read the final page.’ Jeffery Deaver

    ‘Brutal yet beautiful’ Clare Mackintosh

    ‘A surprising, affecting and beautiful novel’ Araminta Hall

    ‘A phenomenal, stunningly intelligent thriller’ Clémence Michallon

    ‘Abigail Dean is a rare and very special storyteller.’ Chris Whitaker

    ‘Elegant, tender, intelligent and utterly gripping… An astonishing novel’ Will Dean

    ‘Harrowing, heartbreaking and utterly immersive.’ Ellery Lloyd

    ‘Riveting, original and sensitively spun’ Victoria Selman

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