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.
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Day One by Abigail Dean was published on 28 March 2024 in hardback by Hemlock Press, the crime imprint from Harper Collins. The paperback will be published on 12 September. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
Day One was my fourth holiday read. I've been looking forward to this one for a long time after reading and reviewing the author's debut; Girl A, in January 2021.
Well, there's no doubt at all that this author is not scared of dealing with very dark, very emotional issues. A school shooting in the beautiful, usually peaceful Lake District is something that's so hard to stomach the thought of, and especially tragic when the victims are so tiny, in this case, primary age.
Ava Ward has taught at Stonesmere Primary School for a couple of decades. She is a dedicated teacher, well loved and happy with her small family in this friendly community. Day One refers to an event that is held yearly, the opportunity for four year olds who are about to start primary school to attend an event, hosted by the older pupils. It's a sort of welcome party, a way for them to see the school and other pupils and it's been a tradition for many years.
Nobody will ever forget this Day One. As the children take turns to do their bit, watched and helped by Ava, there's a sudden entrance at the back of the hall. A figure, in a helmet, with a gun. Shooting indiscriminately, children die. Ava is killed whilst trying to protect her students.
The novel is the story of the aftermath. It's harsh and emotional and there are so many questions. Centre stage is Martha, known as Marty. Marty is Ava's teenage daughter and as it is her short interview given to a reporter immediately after the event that pushes the central theme of the book.
Abigail Dean really does unreliable narrators so very well, there are many times the reader will question the events and Marty's short interview. Add some really vicious conspiracy theorists to the mix and this becomes an explosive and question raising novel that had me gripped throughout. The rise of the conspiracy theorist movement has been all too obvious in recent years, with the wide use of Social Media enabling anyone who wishes to, to create their own version of events. These people are clever, read enough and you could be convinced, the author plays on this and the reader will never be quite sure just who to believe.
It's an emotionally draining subject for sure, but is handled extremely well. The grief of parents, relatives and members of the community, contrasting with the total ignorance of those who come to look at them is shocking. This is another excellent read from an author who does not hold back. Recommended
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Abigail has worked as a Waterstones bookseller and a lawyer.
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