Synopsis
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.
My Review
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Ava Ward is a teacher at Stonesmere Primary School in the Lake District. Each year, the school celebrates Day One – at the end of each academic year, the eldest children in the primary deliver a play to the 4-year-olds who will be joining the primary school in September. In that way their first day is actually their second and a less daunting prospect.
During Day One, a gunman enters the school and kills several children and adults, including Ava Ward.
Marty, Ava’s daughter, was at school that day and witnessed the whole thing. Eight years on, she is trapped in a lie she told all those years ago…
Trent Casey, a wannabe journalist with his own blog, follows the case with great scrunity. He used to live in Stonesmere, so when the gunman’s photo is released, he recognises the shooter, and immediately rejects the media’s narrative.
He starts reading articles and comments online, in which some people claim that the massacre hadn’t happened at all…
I really wanted to like this book! Having read Girl A (which was fabulous) and the synopsis of this story, I had high hopes.
However, for me, the plot was too slow-paced and it just fell flat for me. We know from the beginning who the killer was, we know that Marty lied. I just felt there weren’t any revelations there at all.
It wasn’t for me, but it might be for you!
Thank you to Hemlock Press for approving my NetGalley request to read and review this title.
Purchase links: https://amzn.eu/d/csoKj5l (kindle)
https://amzn.eu/d/fwSiQEl (hardcover)
https://amzn.eu/d/bKOezA7 (audiobook – Audible)
About the Author
Abigail Dean was born in Manchester and grew up in the Peak District. She was formerly a Waterstones bookseller and a lawyer for Google. Her first novel, GIRL A, was a New York Times and Sunday Times top ten bestseller and a Kindle number 1 bestseller. It was chosen as a Best Book of 2021 by the Times, FT, Guardian, Independent, Stylist, and more. The rights to GIRL A sold in 36 territories and a television series is being adapted with Sony. Abigail’s second novel, DAY ONE, will be published in March 2024.
Abigail lives in London and is working on her third novel. She has always loved reading, writing, and talking about books. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @AbigailSDean
Monika Reads 